From its humble origins as a small Chinese mining village, Kuala Lumpur has mushroomed into a teeming, skyscraper-packed metropolis of some 6.5 million in just 150 years. Boasting some of the world’s five-star hotels, fantastic shopping and amazing food, it’s small wonder that travellers are increasingly making a beeline for this gem of a city.

Rather than having a fixed itinerary of ‘must-see’ sights to tick off, Kuala Lumpur is best experienced and explored randomly. Public transport, including the monorail which whisks you high above the traffic, allows you to get around efficiently. But this is a great city for walking too. Factor in lots of shopping and eating time, and escape the heat regularly in an air-conditioned mall.

In the city centre, visit Independence Square, surrounded by impressive examples of colonial architecture, and see the modern National Mosque and the impressive Sultan Abdul Samad building.