KUALA LUMPUR
Become an honorary Malaysian
It is so malodorous, it is banned from Singapore subways, yet many southeast Asians love the durian fruit, particularly in Malaysia and Indonesia, where it is native. Kuala Lumpans consider the durian an initiation rite – they take delight in offering it to foreign visitors and telling anyone who swallows a mouthful, “you’re one of us now”.
WALK THE SKYBRIDGE
The Petronas Towers held the record for being the tallest buildings in the world from 1998 to 2004, when the title passed to Taipei 101 (soon to be surpassed by a handful of buildings in the Gulf). Still, it is a magnificent piece of architecture and boasts an attraction that is lacking in the towers currently under construction – the Skybridge, which spans the gulf between the twin towers between the 41st and 42nd floors. Open daily except Mondays, about 1,300 tickets are allocated, for free, to visitors on a first come, first served basis, so you may want to get there early. www.petronastwintowers.com.my
KUALA LUMPUR
VISIT TEMPLE CAVES WITH FRUIT BATS
Thirteen kilometres north of the Malaysian capital, the Batu Caves are a series of three temples set in caverns, approached via a processional 272-step stairway (up, not down). Access is restricted to protect the system’s ecology and rare fauna, which includes fruit bats inside and macaque monkey angling for food outside. |
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