In the past few decades Kuala Lumpur has come a long way to become one of the most booming metropolitan cities with spectacular buildings and excellent shopping opportunities. Unlike the other metropolitan cities in Asia, Kuala Lumpur has managed to preserve its historical buildings and the tranquility of natural surroundings blended with the warm culture.

For a Muslim traveler Kuala Lumpur has lot to offer.  With majority of the population being Muslims, the Islamic flavor can be seen everywhere in architecture, food and lifestyle. In the last 10 years Malaysia in general and KL in particular has become the one of the top destination for the Muslims around the world.

Easy access to Halal food has been one of the top reasons that Muslim travelers feel at home in KL. There are plenty of Halal restaurants in the city offering all types of cuisine from Malaysian to Korean, Japanese to all types of fast food.  Food courts in major shopping malls offer a mouth-watering selection of food from all over the world. The Food Court in Suria KLCC shopping mall is a must visit.

As for Masaajid, you can find them in all parts of the city. Some of the ones with unique architecture are Masjid Jamek, Yayasan Al-Bukhari Mosque and the Masjid Negara or the National Mosque. The Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Mosque is the largest Masjid in Southeast Asia and is one of the most impressive buildings.

Kuala Lumpur is well connected by roadways and it is easy for the tourists to find their way within the city. Although at times the road could indeed get congested. One the best ways of getting around KL is by using the well-developed mass transit train network. Taxis’s are easy to get and cheap, but some taxi drivers may not necessarily use the meter and in which case ones needs to negotiate the fare !

The other main tourist destinations in the city include the Dataran Merdeka (Independence Square), the Kuala Lumpur Tower, the Istana Budaya, House of Parliament, Putra World Trade Centre, Muzium Negara (National Museum), Tugu Negara (National Monument) and of course the Petronas Towers. A bridge where visitors are allowed connects the twin towers. You can have a breathtaking view of KL from the bridge. The tickets for the visit are free. However, one needs to queue up early in the morning to get the tickets.

The Islamic Arts Museum, which preserves the enthralling Islamic history of Malaysia, is one of the best places that interest the tourists. The Istana Negara (National Palace), which is the official abode of the Sultan of Malaysia, also attracts a number of tourists.

Children would specially love to visit the Aquaria KLCC, which is a giant aquarium. The Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve is the oldest permanent forest reserves in Malaysia. Visitors can also plan a trip to the Kuala Lumpur Bird Park, the Butterfly Reserve Cosmo’s World Waterpark and the Lake Gardens Park, which is a small Deer Park. There are also numerous city parks in Kuala Lumpur where tourists can spend some lovely family time. The theme park inside the Times Square shopping malls has an indoor roller coaster!

Kuala Lumpur alone has about 70 shopping malls and serves as the fashion hub of Malaysia. Suria KLCC is one of the main shopping destinations, as it is located below the Petronas Twin Towers. Apart from this, there are several other shopping centers in Bukit Bintang and the Bangsar district that house several shopping complexes. If you wish to shop for local specialties, then the best place is the Chinatown of Kuala Lumpur popularly called as Petaling Street. If you are looking for Indian / Muslim items then Lttle India area near Masjid Jamek is the place to go. No matter where you shop, one thing is for sure, you will always find Halal food as well as prayer facilities within your reach.

The best time to visit Kuala Lumpur is between December and March and May to April. The city hosts a number of festivals and events that tourists would love to enjoy. Some of these include the Flora Fest that is held in January/February, the shopping carnival in June and the KL International Buskers Festival in December.

A great place to relax, Kuala Lumpur in true senses is a vacationers paradise and a dream come true for a Muslim visitor.