48 hours in KL

Dinner in Chinatown--head for the street hawkers, just across a small street from the huge Chinese seafood restaurants. I recommend ordering claypot rice and barbecue stingray/seafood. The simple meal only sets you back by about RM (depends on what you order), but leaves a nice and contented tummy. For a sweet ending, head past the restaurants for about a minute, until you come to a stall (on your right) with an amazingly long queue, for a sweet luohan guo drink. You’ll want more. For serious book lovers, Silverfish Bookstore, located on the second floor of a row of shops in the happenin' Bangsar area (67-1, Jalan Telawi 3), is a must-go. It’s a treasure trove of local publications. Can't find what you're looking for, or need recommendations? Just talk to the guy in charge; he's friendly and knows his books. Swing by the Bangsar market if you're looking for local stuff without paying tourist prices. The night market and the Sunday market are big draws.

Quick Tips:

Best Way To Get Around:

Taxis - the easiest and fastest way to get around. Relatively cheap, but make sure the meter is on. Walk - the best way to see the city's central area.

I have stayed in various hotels in Kuala Lumpur, including Federal, Swiss Garden, Bintang Warisan, Shangri-La, and the Renaissance, but my favourite is still Swiss Garden. It is located not far from the Puduraya Bus Station, but is thankfully quiet. The rooms are nice, clean, and spacious - perfect after a day out. Prices are not really expensive--check out the travel sites for deals. I always go for www.travelasia.com. For the more budget conscious, there's Bintang Warisan and the Federal Hotel, both right in the heart of the Bukit Bintang area of shopping, pubs, and other nightlife.