Has anyone been to the Batu Caves near Kuala Lumpur? Is it worth a visit, or can you suggest something else that would be special in KL? We will be there for only a day. Have been there before and would like to see something different.<BR><BR>Thanks.

My favorite thing in KL was the trip to see the fireflies on the coast in the evening. We hired a taxi, but I do NOT recommend doing that. There are tours that leave the hotels about 4p.m. and return about 10:00. Cost was about $35US for the tour(I think).

we were in kl about 5 or 6 years ago--when the twin towers were being built...we were quite disappointed with the city in general....we are thinking about using it as a base with malay air's &quot;asia pass&quot;....so there must be things of charm about it...can anyone clue us in?? we did some local touring but didn't find much of interest..<BR>also any recommendations on 4 and 5 star hotels?? restaurants...the one we remember was Bon Ton, is it still there (they also have one on langkawi)?? thanks

To: rhkkmk<BR><BR>When you are in KL, I would recommend going to Central Market(if you're into local handicrafts), Chinatown, malls..lots of places to choose from. If you like to see an overview of the city, visit KL Tower: www.menarakl.com.my. I'd been there in 1998 and I enjoyed it very much.<BR><BR>The newest mall and also by far the largest in Malaysia is Mid-Valley Megamall: http://www.midvalley.com.my/<BR>My partner and I are going to visit Malaysia in two weeks time so we will check it out. <BR><BR>There are quite a few 4-5 star hotels. The latest 5-star hotel is the Westin Kuala Lumpur just open recently. I don't think it has a website yet. There is also J.W Marriott and The Regent are just across the street from Lot 10 shopping mall, mainly catering to high-end consumers. <BR><BR>Have a fabulous time in Malaysia, travellers!

We really liked the JW Marriott when we were there last month.

Caves certainly worth a visit but it'll take up a fair bit of your only day. We visited in Feb. Left hotel about 0900. Took bus 11D from close to the Central Market. 35 minutes ride cost RM1.60 each, although I pay RM5 as no change is given. Caves are well worth the visit. They?re still cleaning up from the annual festival on the 19th. Stayed for an hour, have a drink for RM4: first water, then coconut milk from a hacked open coconut with two straws. Manage to run and catch bus and get back for 13.30.

You're right. There isnt really much to see in KL. Not even Central market or Petaling St. But I may be biased as I'm Malaysian.

To me, the best sights in Malaysia are natural. The hill stations of Frasers Hill and Cameron Highlands(NOT Genting)in (the state of) Perak ,the 100m yr old tropical rainforest of Taman Negara in Pahang,the petrified sunken forest in Tasek (Lake) Chini,Trengganu, the lovely beaches of the east coast states Kelantan and Trengganu especially the islands of Perhentian and Redang, the Mulu caves of Sarawak, the orang utans of Sabah and the proboscis monkeys of Sarawak, and one of the best dive sites in the world at Sipadan islands, Tawau, Sabah.

These sights cant be seen in other countries whereas cities like KL are a dime a dozen.

There is a really cheap budget airline called Air Asia which can take you to other parts of Malaysia from as cheap as US$10! To East Malaysia for US$40.

So Selamat Datang and enjoy yourselves!

I agree with message above, KL does not have that much to offer in a Malay cultural way, apart from food! The food is great here and cheap, cheaper even than India. The Museums are quite showy on the outside but little of substance, apart from the Islamic Art Museum which is nearby the National Mosque, Bird Park, Orchid Garden etc in the Lake Garden area which is also near to the old train station which has very attractive Moorish architecture. A wander around there could take you a big slice of the day, with lunch at the cafe or restaurant in the Museum.
If Indian culture is your bag, then you could wander around Brickfields which is near to the Sentral Station, where you would arrive when you take the new fast train from the airport which only takes 28 minutes. You could actually get off there and wander down the street called Jalan Tun Sambanthan which has several Indian stores where you feel as though you really are in India, and there are several banana leaf restaurants. I recommend the masala dosa (or thosai)or just get rice and all the trimmings. You could then go back to Sentral Station and I think you can get a train of some sort to the old train station and then cross the road and see what I mentioned above. Good luck!

Ah, KL. A lovely laid back place. Nothing important ever happens there and the people are nice.

I saw the caves in 1968 and again in 2002. They hadn't changed any except that it was a bit more dirty on the outside. If you've seen them once, you don't need to repeat the experience.

Go Petaling Street in KL for shopping. Lots of good bargains (if you know how to bargain!!!). LV bags and wallets (copies, of course) are of extremely high quality. My wife bought back a whole set (1 large and 1 small purse, a wallet, glasses case, change purse, cell phone holder, check book cover and a couple of other things that I have no earthly idea what they are used for) for less than $50 (US). I trust her judgement when she says that it was a great deal. Great buys clothing or on batik cloth if sewing is your bag. Also try to visit the Royal Selangor Pewter Factory. That is an experience!

The Central Market is worth a visit if nothing else.

Enjoy

Paul
The Old Sarge

The Batu Caves are worth seeing but the climb up those steps are not for the faint hearted. The Royal Selingore pewter works are quite near the caves and definately worth a visit. you can have a go at decorating the pewter and you wont have to buy the mess you make. This is where they make the gemstone globes also.