Arriving in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

I arrive in the capital of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, amid a sea of green.  The high-speed train from the airport into the city passes through forests of palm trees as far as the eye can see.  Kuala Lumpur is 350 km (217 miles) from the equator and the climate is hot and humid.

 Sea of green

My initial stroll around the neighborhood near my hotel takes me over to the Petronas Twin Towers, about 15 minutes away.  These 88-story towers were built as a blend of modern stainless steel and Moorish architectures, opening in 1999, and were the tallest buildings in the world from 1998-2004.

 Petronas Twin Towers

At the base of the towers, KLCC Park provides 20 hectares (50 acres) of green space with lakes, trails, gardens, and fountains.  I wander through the park and enjoy the scenery and all the people out and about (especially near the water features).

 KLCC Park

The Kuala Lumpur Aquarium and Convention Center stretches along the southern edge of the park, providing great places for convention attendees to take a break.

Convention center

From the park, I walk into the city toward the Bukit Bintang, a shopping district with malls, cafes, night markets, and hawker stalls for incredible local dining.

 Shoping at Bukit Bintang

 Dining in malls and at hawker stalls

From Bukit Bintang, an elevated covered walkway weaves through the buildings and over the streets back to KLCC Park and the Convention Center, winding through the city for about 850 meters (1/2 mile).  The walkway itself is art!

 Covered walkway

From the Convention Center back to the hotel, there are beautiful parks and water features integrated into the buildings and streets, providing a refreshing end to my initial stroll through this welcoming city.

 Small parks and water displays

The Petronas Twin Towers are prominent, even when 900 meters (.6 miles) away, an incredible representative of the modern Kuala Lumpur.

Petronas Towers from afar

I can see another landmark site of the city, the Mernara Kuala Lumpur (Kuala Lumpur Tower), 421 meters (1,380 feet) high to the tip of the TV antenna.  The tower has an observation platform at top, which is used to observe the crescent moon which marks the beginning of many Muslim holidays.

 Kuala Lumpur Tower, day and night

This has been a great introduction to Kuala Lumpur and there sure is a lot to see!