Founded at the head of the Klang Valley in the mid-nineteenth century, Kuala Lumpur – widely known as KL – has never had a coherent style. The earliest grand buildings around Merdeka Square, dating from the 1890s, are eccentric fusings of influences from across the British Empire, now overshadowed by soaring modern landmarks (notably the Petronas Towers) that wouldn’t be out of place in Hong Kong or New York. This melange extends to the people too; attractions aside, you could spend a visit simply soaking up KL’s excitingly diverse Malay, Chinese and Indian cultures: the conversations heard on the street, the huge range of food, and the profusion of mosques, Buddhist temples and Hindu shrines. A stay of a few days is enough to appreciate the best of KL’s attractions, including the colonial core around Merdeka Square and the adjacent enclaves of Chinatown and Little India, plus, to the east, the restaurants, shops and nightlife of the so-called Golden Triangle, the modern heart of downtown KL. It can be equally rewarding just to take in KL’s street life, in particular its boisterous markets, ranging from fish and produce markets stuffed into alleyways, to stalls selling cooked food of every shape and description, or inexpensive clothes and accessories.
Train
Day 4 — Kuala Lumpur → Redang
Redang is a tropical island located off the north-east coast of Malaysia in the South China Sea. It is one of the largest islands in the Terengganu Marine Park, known for its crystal-clear waters, white sandy beaches and rich marine life, making it a popular destination for sea and water sports enthusiasts. One of Redang's main attractions is its natural beauty, with paradisiacal beaches surrounded by palm trees and clear waters that provide an ideal habitat for marine life. Popular activities on the island include snorkelling and diving, which allow visitors to explore the beautiful coral reefs and a variety of marine species, such as colourful fish, sea turtles and whale sharks. Redang offers a number of outstanding dive sites, including the famous Marine Park site, known for its variety of corals and marine species, and the Terumbu Kili site, where many tropical fish species can be spotted. Besides water activities, Redang also offers opportunities for hiking through the island's lush rainforest, where visitors can discover a variety of exotic fauna and flora. Some of the creatures that can be spotted include monkeys, tropical birds and lizards. Redang is a relatively developed island with a good selection of resorts, hotels and chalets offering accommodation to suit all tastes and budgets. Many of these accommodations are located directly on the beach, offering visitors the chance to wake up to breathtaking ocean views and enjoy spectacular sunsets every evening.
