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World Travel Guide > Guides > Asia > Malaysia > Kuala Lumpur

Local time Kuala Lumpur

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Things to do in Kuala Lumpur

Escape the city and hit the beach

Kuala Lumpur is about an hour from the coast, but if you crave a fix of sea and sand the nearest beach is in Port Dickson, 90km (50 miles) west of the city. It takes a couple of hours to get there by bus (http://portdickson.info/how-to-go.htm) and the beach is only so-so, though. A more attractive option is Pangkor Island (www.malaysiasite.nl/pangkorbuses.htm), on the coast near Lumut.

Explore KL’s incredible jungle

There are jungle reserves all around KL where you can experience the rainforest first hand. Best is the unspoiled forest to the north of the city at Templer's Park, where you'll find walking trails, waterfalls and, praise be, no traffic noise. If you want to reward yourself after all the trekking, stay a night at the luxurious Templer Park Rainforest Retreat (tel: +60 16203 8562; www.tprr.net)

Go exploring in Malaysia’s crystal waters

Some of the best diving in Asia is around the idyllic islands of Tioman and Perhentian. You can tie it all together yourself, or let an agency make all the arrangements – dive shops in Kuala Lumpur such as Planet Scuba (tel: +60 3 6203 3366; www.planetscuba.com.my) will provide recommendations and any courses and/or gear you need.

Learn to cook like a Malay

Malay might not be the most feted of Asian cuisines but there are some true earthly pleasures to be found in its Rendang curries. A course at the much-loved LaZat (tel: +60 19 238 1198; www.malaysia-klcookingclass.com) starts off in a local market before heading back to the school, where you'll be taught the classics of Malaysia and the countries that inspire its food - primarily China, India and Thailand.

Play a round of golf on Asia’s oldest course

Golf is becoming ever more popular in Malaysia, and new courses are mushrooming around the capital. However, the most famous is the Royal Selangor Golf Club (tel: +603 9206 3333; www.rsgc.com.my) situated right in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, built in 1893 and the oldest in Asia. Not one for beginners, and you’ll need to be a guest of a member to access its plush lawns.

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Mandarin Oriental

Located in the cosy Back Bay, the Mandarin Oriental combines comfort and style to produce one of Boston's most luxurious and trendy hotels. Rooms resonate with classic oriental styles with a modern flare and boast beautiful views of the Back Bay cityscape. After a long day of touring and shopping, enjoy a soak in the oversized Jacuzzi baths or indulge in a massage at the Mandarin Oriental's five-star spa. Perfect for a business retreat or a relaxing holiday, the Mandarin Oriental will not disappoint.

Tune Hotel

Taking the budget airline concept and applying it to hotel rooms, the brightly-coloured Tune Hotel offers limited service at low cost. Its tidy and compact singles, doubles and twins are good value but add a surcharge for air-con, Internet access and other extras. The flagship hotel is located downtown, a short stroll from Medan Tuanku Monorail station, but a new sister establishment has opened in Jalan Putra.

Hotel Capitol

Regular promotions and online booking deals bring down prices at this towering business-type hotel set in the midst of the Golden Triangle. Rooms are neat and functional rather than opulent, but the staff are friendly and the location is excellent, with the Jalan Bukit Bintang shopping strip right on your doorstep. Guest have access to an upscale restaurant, a kitchen-bar and 24hr concierge service.

Sarang Mas

This homely bed and breakfast set in a 1920s brick-built house offers rooms with simple furnishings along with communal lounge areas, and suits both families and single travellers. There's relaxed and welcoming atmosphere that feels far-removed from the business hotels of KLC, and the owners also have various other options, including apartments and single rooms, in six other locations across the city.

Traders Hotel

Firmly targeting the business traveller, Traders Hotel offers a location and amenities associated with the top Kuala Lumpur hotels but its prices are easier on the pocket. Rooms are modern and smartly decorated, and service is friendly and efficient. A bonus of staying here is having immediate access to the rooftop Sky Bar, an in-demand address thanks to its epic views of the Twin Towers.

Metro 360

Located in a bustling part of the Golden Triangle, Metro 360 offers tasteful, air-conditioned rooms across 22 floors of a tower block. Guests can make use of all-day dining options, free Wi-Fi, a pool and a gym, as well as shuttle buses to KLCC and Sentral Station. Visitors hoping to explore KL's shopping scene will appreciate the hotel's location nearby the Pavilion, Starhill and Lot 10 shopping malls.