Greater Kuala Lumpur, or the Klang Valley, is fast on track to becoming one of the world’s top 20 cities. This is due to the government’s Economic Transformation Programme that aims to turn Malaysia into a high-income nation that is both inclusive and sustainable by the year 2020, with KL leading the way and thus hoping to propel the city higher onto the world stage. With rapid development underway, working alongside a combination of other various unique factors, KL shows no signs of slowing down. Some of these factors include a multi-cultural society rich with history, heritage, traditions, and customs, as well as KL having both modern and traditional qualities. While Malaysia aims for the skies in the years to come, it won’t abandon or forget its rich past and instead will choose to build upon that foundation in hopes of soaring to new heights.

1) We love our food! We’ve dedicated multiple streets and areas, like Jalan Alor, as culinary temples.

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2) Although we enjoy inexpensive delicious street food, we also love the finer tastes that life has to offer, be they Chinese, Malay, Indian or any other cuisine.

 Photo credit: Makan Kitchen, Double Tree Hilton

3) Our city also has access to almost every popular fruit imaginable; rambutans, mangosteens, durians, and other exotics included.

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4) We also have a diverse library of fauna. Such as the world’s largest butterfly gardens with over 5000 winged beauties…

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5) As well as the world’s largest free-flight walk-in aviary.

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6) We are blessed with a profusion of festivals and holidays from a variety of creeds and races.

Photo credit from left to right: Top – Nestor’s Blurrylife, Flickr, Sanctu, Flickr & onezuher, Instagram / Bottom – Nick T, Flickr & nizal_ismail, Instagram

7) CNN ranked Kuala Lumpur the 4th best shopping city in the world. From night markets to luxury malls, we have it all!

Photo credit from top to bottom: Left – Slices of Light, Flickr & Hisham Salmin, Flickr / Right – Alpha, Flickr & budget travel accommodation, Flickr

8) Malaysia is home to the KL Tower and the Petronas Twin Towers. They are among the highest buildings in the world.

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9) Our city harbours a multi-religious and multi-racial society, with the freedom to practice our chosen faith.

Photo credit: shafraz.nasser, Flickr, Bottom from left to right – carawah, Flickr, carolyn, Flickr, & mac mitchell, Flickr

10) You can find slices of both the traditional…

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11) And the modern in Kuala Lumpur.

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12) There are plenty of nightclubs, pubs, and rooftop bars throughout the cityscape.

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13) We have many seasons, with your pick of rain or shine.

Photo credit: Top – Mark Fischer, Flickr/ Bottom – The Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur, Flickr

14) Our local Nasi Lemak is second to none.

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15) We have business entrepreneur Tony Fernandes

Photo credit: The Guardian

16) KL’s banana leaf rice is a sinfully delectable meal, but will add inches to your waist if consumed regularly.

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17) Relax. Our quality taxis will ensure that you and all your belongings, as many as they might be, will end up at your destination…most of the time…

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18) We have an airport with a walk-in, internal rainforest.

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19) We have many excellent cinemas with different price ranges.

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20) Our luxury cars are really affordable! Oh, and by affordable, we mean if you’re rich…note the price below.

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21) We host a variety of international sporting events.

Photo credit: Left from top to bottom – NicolDavidOnline, Flickr & anuarsalleh, Flickr / Right – David FSLoh, Flickr

22) We brew our own Guinness…

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23) We use four languages to express ourselves.

Photo credit: Blank Canvas by Tom Mooring, Flickr, Words by Tien Chew

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