World City Guide

Excursions

For a Half Day
Batu Caves: The limestone Batu Caves (tel: (03) 6189 6284), 13km (eight miles) north of Kuala Lumpur, is the most popular excursion from the city. Today, much of the most visited part of the cave complex is made up of Hindu temples. It is a steep 272-step climb to the main Temple Cave, while the Dark Cave boasts some stunning rock formations and the Museum Cave recreates scenes from Indian mythology. Every February, during the holy festival of Thaipusam, the caves attract as many as 80,000 Hindu devotees and curious onlookers. The journey to the Batu Caves takes 30 minutes by bus 11D from the Central Market.

Masjid Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah (Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah State Mosque): 30km (18 miles) west of Kuala Lumpur in Shah Alam, Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah State Mosque sits in 10 hectares (30 acres) of landscaped gardens. This computer-designed mosque is the largest in Malaysia and reputedly in South-East Asia. Built in 1988, the mosque is an appealing combination of traditional Islamic and ethnic Malay architecture. Its most striking features are the gleaming blue aluminium dome, which is a staggering 92m (302ft) high, and its four towering minarets. Buses run to the mosque from Klang bus station. Alternatively, take the Port Klang bound Kommuter train to Shah Alam and then take a bus or taxi to the mosque. The mosque is open Monday to Thursday from 0800-1200 and 1400-1600 and on Fridays from 1500-1630. Entrance is free.

For a Whole Day
Sunway Lagoon Themepark: Just 15 minutes drive from Kuala Lumpur, in Petaling Jaya, the Sunway Lagoon Themepark (tel: (03) 5635 8000; fax: (03) 5635 5050; website: www.sunway.com.my/lagoon) is built on redeveloped mining land. The newest attraction, Waters of Africa, claims to have the world’s largest man-made surfing pool and also boasts a diverse range of thrilling African-themed water rides. The other two parks (World of Adventure and Wild Wild West) are dry parks offering exciting white-knuckle rides with the former staking claim to the world’s longest pedestrian suspension bridge. The park is open Mon and Wed to Fri 1100-1800, Sat and Sun, public holidays and Malaysia school holidays 1000-1800. Adult admission is RM39 to all of the parks or RM27 to either the wet or dry parks. Children’s entry is RM26 to all the parks or RM19 to just the wet park or dry parks. The Sunway Lagoon Themepark can be reached by bus from the Klang or Puda Raya bus stations, the KMT Kommuter train stop at Subang Jaya, the Putra LTR stop at Kelana Jaya and then a feeder bus to the park or by taxi.

Templer’s Park: Established by the British during the colonial years, Templer’s Park, 21km (13 miles) north of Kuala Lumpur, is a 1,200-hectare (3,000-acre) section of Malaysian jungle where visitors have the chance to explore trails, swim in the pools and relax by waterfalls. Templer’s Park can be reached by bus 66 from Puda Raya bus station in the city centre. The park is open daily, 24 hours, and entrance is free.