The capital of Malaysia is Kuala Lumpur which means 'muddy estuary'. It sits at the junction of the Kelang and Gombak rivers on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia, midway between north and south. The city began as a small trading post and meeting place for miners from the newly discovered tin mines upriver. As the tin trade prospered, the town developed and was chosen by the British to be the seat of administration in 1896. It inherited from this period its history, a system of roads and fine examples of gracious colonial architecture.

Today, 'KL' as it is called, is a thriving bustling city with clean, beautiful tree-lined streets, parks and public gardens. Its colonial Moorish landmarks stand side-by-side with futuristic skyscrapers, while at night it is transformed into a wonderland of lights earning it the name 'Garden City of Lights'.

The city is an important international centre for trade, business and commerce and is served by a modern network of transportation. Railway lines and roads radiate from its centre and buses, mini-buses and taxis ply the streets. These will soon be supported by a light rail transit system.

Kuala Lumpur has some interesting monuments and buildings. The National Art Gallery is housed in an old colonial building which was once the Majestic Hotel. It contains a permanent collection by Malaysian artists. A short walk from the newly restored railway station, with its distinctive Moorish style, brings you to Masjid Negara, the national mosque, one of the largest in South-East Asia. A 73 metre high minaret rises from the centre of the pool and the mosque is crowned by an unusual shell-shaped dome.

The Central Market is a former wet market, now an arts and crafts centre. It is renowned for its comprehensive array of traditional handicrafts and batik and its excellent food outlets.

In the old section of the city is the Chan See Shu Yuen Temple, erected in 1906, designed with courtyards and pavilions surrounded by sculptures depicting the Taoist faith.

Nearby is Sri Mahamariaman Temple, a Hindu temple boasting a very elaborate decorative scheme incorporating gold, precious stones and a mix of clay and tiles.

The National Museum sits atop a hill at Jalan Travers and is built in the style of a Malay palace. Its facade consists of two large murals, each depicting scenes of Malaysian history and crafts. The museum houses various galleries each with its own theme. These include an historical gallery tracing the different periods of history, a metalwork and musical instruments gallery showcasing objects and utensils from kitchenware and ceremonial ornaments to weapons and traditional musical instruments, and a cultural gallery depicting various aspects of Malaysian culture. There is also a sports gallery and outdoor exhibits.

The National Planetarium perched atop a hill in the Lake Gardens is the centre for space science studies and has an observatory equipped with a 14 inch telescope. The Lake Gardens was built in the 1880s and is the city's most popular park. Built around an artificial lake, it has undulating greenery interspersed with flowering shrubs and shady trees. Among the notable places of interest in the gardens is the Orchid Garden with 3,000 varieties of orchids from around the world, the Hibiscus Garden with 2,200 varieties of hibiscus and the Butterfly Park housing some 6,000 butterflies including 120 different species.