Deciding where to stay in Kuala Lumpur can be tricky! While the city’s humble beginnings is rooted in a name that means “muddy confluence,” KL has been proving to the world since the 19th century that it is far more than just a spot where two rivers meet. KL is the sole city in Malaysia that directly influences the global economy, and it also is home to the tallest twin towers on the planet. It was named in 2014 as one of the New7Wonders Cities, and it claims the highest safety ranking of any developing country. Need more reasons to visit? The city’s impressively modern transportation system allows easy access to all of these popular districts in town!

AGODA EXTRA: Pineapple Hill, or Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve, is one of Malaysia’s oldest and smallest nature reserves, and it lives right in the heart of Kuala Lumpur! Visitors are welcome to explore the rainforest, now known as KL Forest Eco Park, which features a canopy walk, an herbal garden and timber gallery, as well as hands-on activities and a museum.

Kuala Lumpur day trips are the best way to explore some of Malaysia’s most interesting and historic attractions. Discover tropical landscapes, ancient temples and cultural landmarks during a tour of any of these destinations, located just outside of KL.

AGODA EXTRA: Dreaming of taking the ultimate road trip? Embark on a journey from Norway to Malaysia! Technically, you can, but most people pass on the drive as it is nearly 6,000 miles long and passes through Russia, Kazakhstan, China, Myanmar and Thailand. But, still, this epic road trip IS possible!

It’s easy to shop ‘til you drop in KL. The hard part is deciding where! With stately shopping malls and local markets scattered throughout the city, the choices are endless. Start with these crowd-pleasers, and see where your Kuala Lumpur shopping spree leads you!

AGODA EXTRA: Containing more than 60 shopping malls and dozens of local street markets, KL serves as the fashion – and economic – capital of Malaysia. The city gained global recognition with 1 Utama, one of the 10 largest shopping malls in the world, and the Egyptian-themed Sunway Pyramid, part of the Sunway Lagoon theme park.

As rich in culture as they are in flavor, Malaysian dishes are the glorious culmination of native spices and the centuries-old secrets of Malay, Chinese and Indian cooks. Whether chowing down on street food or dining on a rooftop, expect to find brilliant combinations of flavors, like tamarind, lemongrass and chilies, all essential for the country’s distinct curry blends and beloved sambal belachan (shrimp paste).

AGODA EXTRA: The word for the modern-day, tomato-based condiment “ketchup” is believed to have been made commonplace in Malaysia, but tomatoes weren’t even an ingredient in the original recipe. The traditional concoction, kecap (pronounced “kay-chap”), consisted of pickled fish and spices and was introduced by Chinese settlers. English colonists fell in love with the delectable spread, and British chefs in London later beefed up the recipe with ground mushrooms, shallots and sometimes even walnuts!

Malaysia’s capital city may have gained its popularity with flashy, modern megastructures, but historic Kuala Lumpur landmarks are a huge reason why tourists love this former mining town. Reminders of the city’s heritage can be found all along KL’s state-of-the-art railway system, and many districts were built around historic events.

AGODA EXTRA: The construction of Petronas Towers had its challenges. First, due to foundation weaknesses, the towers were moved from their original location, seven years into construction. Then, when builders reached the 72nd floor, surveyors discovered the first tower was leaning nearly one inch (25 millimeters) off vertical. Architects corrected the lean by building the next 16 floors in the opposite direction.

Embark on a Kuala Lumpur city tour, and discover one of the fastest growing metropolitan cities in Southeast Asia. KL attractions feature world record-holding office towers, state-of-the art megamalls and inner-city green spaces.

AGODA EXTRA: No one knows who founded Kuala Lumpur, but history reveals the area was occupied by Chinese tin miners in the early 1800s. Strangely enough, though, the capital wasn’t declared an actual city until 1972.

From hypermodern skyscrapers to stick-to-your-ribs street food, a holiday in Kuala Lumpur presents a vibrant mix of hearty heritage and boundless extravagance. Open the door to KL, where modernity and tradition are on every corner!