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Kuala Lumpur is the capital of Malaysia, S Malay Peninsula, at the confluence of the Klang and Gombak rivers on the Strait of Malacca. It's a modern Asian city of gleaming skyscrapers, but it retains much of the local colour not completely giving in to modernisation. Kuala Lumpur is a city where old things and new things are intertwined, where culture and technology come together.

Take in its high-flying triumphs from the viewing deck of the world's tallest building, then dive down to explore its more traditional culture in the back lanes of Chinatown.

Area: 243.65km² (95.18 sq mi)

Population: Approximately 1,750,000

Climate: Kuala Lumpur is hot and humid almost all the time. Although there is rain through the year, March to April and September to November are the wettest months.

Time Zone: Malaysian Standard Time GMT +8

Phone Area Code: Country code is 60, City code is 3

Best Time To Visit: Public holidays are a good time to be around, as most locals head for the beaches and hills.

Getting Around: KL's main Puduraya bus station is just east of Chinatown. Buses from Puduraya go all over Peninsular Malaysia, including the east coast, and to Singapore and Thailand. Buses also run out of KL Sentral.

Kuala Lumpur's ethnic mix means you can eat Malay food for breakfast, Chinese for lunch and Indian for dinner. You can also snack on deliciously fresh tropical fruit.

There's good-quality food to suit all pockets, ranging from hawker centres and coffee shops to exquisite fine dining at exclusive restaurants.

Hari Raya Puasa
The most significant celebration for Muslims, it signifies the end of the fasting month of Ramadan.

Chinese New Year
Celebrated by the Chinese community Chinese New Year occurs usually during mid-January to mid-February. The festivities are celebrated for 3 days, but as a whole, last for 15 days.

Fifth Moon Festival
Known also as the Patriotic Poet's Festival or the Dumpling Festival, Chinese communities, living especially in coastal and riverine areas, observe the fifth moon of the lunar calendar with rice dumplings and dragon boat races.

Mid Autmn or Mooncake Festival
The Mid-Autumn, or Mooncake Festival, falls on the 15th day of the Chinese eighth month, and is celebrated to signify the end of the harvest season. Associated with paper lanterns, it is also called the Lantern Festival.

Hungry Ghost Festival
On this day it is believed that the "Gates of Hell" are opened and that the dead return to visit their living relatives. The Chinese feel that they have to satisfy the imprisoned and hungry ghosts in order to get good fortune and luck.