10 Interesting facts you didn't know about Kuala Lumpur

10 Interesting facts you didn’t know about Kuala Lumpur

Dione Chen

04 Aug 2016

1/10
Kuala Lumpur means “muddy confluence”
The meaning behind the name of this capital city is probably not the most glamorous, but it has proven itself to be beyond just the muddy joining of two rivers (Gombak River and Klang River). Some people believe that the name derived, instead, from the Cantonese phrase lam-pa to mean "flooded jungle", but there is no evidence to prove that this is the case. We're just glad that KL has transformed into a beauty over the years.
2/10
It is the largest Malaysian city
KL wins all other Malaysian states in terms of population and area. It isn't surprising, considering how much the capital has grown since its independence and how fast it continues to improve. The crowd of offices and shopping malls perhaps add to the reason why more and more people choose to live here every day.
3/10
It was founded by Chinese tin miners
The first interesting thing to note is that KL was not founded by a significant public figure, but your average tin miner who happened to find rich sources of tin around the area. Secondly, the Malaysian city was not discovered by ethnic Malays but Chinese immigrants, which perhaps explains how culturally diverse the city is today.
4/10
It hosted the 1998 Commonwealth Games
This is a significant event in Malaysian and KL history as the 1998 Commonwealth Games signified the first time the games were held in an Asian country. This placed Malaysia in a very important position, and showed the world that it was a country of standard.
5/10
Ban against excessive use of lipsticks
In 1996, the government of KL introduced this ban, believing that excessive use of lipsticks "were a prelude to illicit sex". Since Malaysia is an Islamic country, it isn't surprising that the government chooses to be a little more conservative. It defended itself by stating that wearing lipstick defeats the purpose of wearing a hijab, while the women of the state didn't see why this should be a problem at all.
6/10
The Petronas Twin Towers
These towers are a huge landmark in KL, and are today the tallest twin towers in the world. They were in fact the tallest buildings in the world until Taipei 101 took over in 2004. The twin towers are a very hot tourist spot in the city for people to admire the view of the magnificent skyline from.
7/10
The KL Tower
It seems like KL is on a roll for building really tall skycrapers, as the KL Tower has clinched the ranking of the 7th tallest tower in the world. It is a telecommunications tower built to improve transmissions and offers many experiences including viewing and dining that people can indulge in. That's one smart way of attracting tourists to the city!
8/10
People from KL are called…
Not KL People, Kualas or Lumpurians, but KLites. Don't ask us why, there doesn't seem to be an explanation for the coining of the term. Apparently, other states of Malaysia have their own terms for their citizens as well, so perhaps we'll just have to accept this fact as it is.
9/10
It is home to Istana Negara
Istana Negara is the official residence of Malaysian monarch Yang di-Pertuan Agong. Don't mistake the new palace for the old - the old compound has been turned into a royal museum that houses grand exhibitions and installations pertaining to the royal family. The palace has simply been shifted to a different location in KL, so you can still pay a visit from the outside.
10/10
It has seen vast weather fluctuations
The highest temperature ever recorded in KL was 37.2 degrees Celsius while the lowest recorded was 17.8 degrees Celsius. There's quite a stark difference between the two, which shows how much global warming has affected us and how much the world has changed over the years.

Kuala Lumpur is more than just a city filled with contemporary architecture and great food.

Kuala Lumpur, or KL as it is commonly called, is one of the fastest growing metropolitan cities in Southeast Asia, having played host to many international events such as the Commonwealth Games and Formula One. It is an urban city and one of the hottest tourist spots in the world, offering a variety of sights and a whole lot of food to whet your appetite.

Don’t let the facade of modern infrastructure and current trends fool you – KL is a place teeming with history that has played its part in making this city what it is today. Head on up to our gallery to read all about some interesting and entertaining facts about this place, then impress your friends with the new knowledge you’ve gained!

Dione Chen

Photos: Getty Images

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