Have a high time in KL

So you like Singapore but find it a little too regimented and squeaky clean?

Head out to Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia for a weekend and you'll be delighted to find all the Singaporean attractions — shiny skyscrapers, lush parks, excellent shopping and dining and something to amuse everyone — and, you are allowed to chew gum!

If you are en famille, then here are the top-ten places that the entire family can enjoy in KL.

Ulrike Lemmin-Woolfrey is a UAE-based freelance writer

KL Tower

Another tower, this time a communications one. Although not as high as the twin towers, this one has the advantage of having been built on a hill.

So, you have great views of the Petronas Towers from the viewing platform.

The main attraction here is the revolving restaurant — go there for lunch and for dinner.

But, you will have to book several days in advance and, although KL is beautifully lit at night, the views during the day are pretty amazing too, and cheaper.

On the way down, try getting strapped into a harness and zip down some cables across treetops — it is good fun and something different.

Cultural Village

This is a series of buildings exhibiting local talents, from silk painting to woodcarving.

You can watch the artists at work and purchase their creations.

If you need a break from your children, you can book them in for a silk-painting class and they'll be happily painting away for an hour or so while you browse through the shop or have tea.

You may find the stuff pricey but the quality is high.

China Town

If it is cheap DVD/ CDs or an extra nearly designer bag that you are after, Petaling Street is the place for you.

Busy to the point of having anthill-like activity, vendors offer everything from the latest Louis Vuitton imitation bag to cheap Rolex watches and DVDs of latest film releases.

Don't expect quality, you get what you pay for, with the risk of having it confiscated at the airport on the way home.

Central Market

Head straight to Central Market for those souvenirs. An assortment of arts-and-crafts stalls housed in a fine example of Art Deco architecture, here you can get something for everyone — from local batiks and woodcarvings to Chinese good-luck charms and cutesy Japanese knick-knacks — all at reasonable prices.

Suria KLCC

If it is more sophisticated shopping you crave, head to the Suria mall attached to the Petronas Towers.

Renowned international designer names mingle with local boutiques, offering a lovely shopping experience that ranges from the oh-so-desirable Hermes handbags to the best T-shirts from GAP.

Outside, there are plenty of coffee shops overlooking a water park — perfect for relaxing while the children splash around.

Petrosains at the Suria mall

It is an excellent science “playground'' for children of all ages.
This is one of the projects that Petronas has set up to “give back'' to the community.

For a minimal entrance fee, children can roam around for a few hours and look at science projects designed for all age groups.

It's an absolutely first-class and well-organised place where learning proves to be fun.

The Petrosains is open from Tuesdays to Thursdays, between 9.30am and 5.30pm; Saturdays and Sundays, between 9.30am and 6.30pm; and on Fridays between 1.30 to 5pm.

Masjid Jamek

This is where it all began. Kuala Lumpur literally means “muddy estuary'' in Malay and this mosque, built at the convergence of the Klang and Gombak rivers, is one of KL's oldest buildings.

A haven of tranquillity, you are allowed to wander around, although you will need to cover up.

Petronas Towers

The most obvious choice — there really is no escaping these gorgeous twin towers.

Although they are fully occupied office buildings (no sneaking into a lift to go to the top floor), you can get to the sky bridge linking the two towers on the 41st and 42nd floors.

A brief presentation is followed by a visit to the lower of the two decks of the bridge with great views of the city.

On the way out, there is a small interactive science room for children where you can measure yourself against some of the world's highest buildings (but, alas, not the Burj Dubai — yet).

It is suggested you go there early in the morning to get the tickets — they are free, but limited.

All the same, it is often worth hanging around for a while in case short-notice cancellations happen.

The towers are open daily between 8.30am and 5pm, but closed on Mondays. Also, no admission from 12.30pm to 2.30pm on Fridays.

Independence Square

In addition to one of the world's highest flagpoles, the square houses several fine colonial buildings.

But it is the surrounding area which holds more interest.

There are several good examples of traditional Chinese shop houses, for example one-storey buildings where the ground floor housed the family business and the upstairs were living quarters, complete with wooden shutters and done up in pretty pastel colours.

Several art galleries have opened in the area and make for a leisurely afternoon's browsing.

Batu Caves

A 30-minutes drive from the city centre and 272 steps high, lie the Batu Caves.

These are a series of caves, the most spectacular of which is the Temple Cave — a Hindu temple.

The network of caves also include the Dark Caves that have ankle-deep bat droppings and white, translucent cockroaches, and another extensive series of caves, where you will need to book a proper tour and don a hard hat and security harness to clamber around safely.

All worth exploring, especially if someone in your family likes monkeys — there are lots of them waiting to be fed on the steps leading up to the caves.

Personally, I found that they give you a good excuse to rest for a few minutes and catch your breath.

Go There ... Kuala Lumpur ... From the UAE

From Dubai
Malaysian Airlines flies six days a week. Fare from Dh2,770
Royal Brunei flies daily via Bandar Sri Begawan. Fare from Dh1,970
Yemenia flies two days a week. Fare from Dh1,740

From Abu Dhabi
Etihad flies six days a week. Fare from Dh2,740

— Information courtesy: The Holiday Lounge by Dnata.
Ph: 04 3166160