The Malaysian capital offers all the trappings of a booming modern metropolis while providing easy access to a host of animal attractions.
1. Petronas Twin Towers
(below) The 88-storey twin towers were the tallest building in the world until they yielded the title to Taipei 101 in 2003. The towers are still the symbol of the city and remain impressive, particularly at night. You can cross the sky bridge that links the towers on the 41st and 42nd floors, but the best view of the structure comes from the far side of KLCC Park, a 20-hectare green lung downtown that features a running track, a lake and a playground. Many high-end apartment blocks have sprung up around the park, which abuts the Mandarin Oriental hotel.
2. Suria KLCC
The shopping mall at the foot of the towers has big brands such as Ferragamo, Prada, Cartier, Diesel and even Giordano if you're feeling homesick. If you're looking for something distinctly Malaysian, several of the home-decoration stores offer more unusual goods. Pucuk Rebung on the third floor, for instance, models itself as a heritage store and art gallery, selling local crafts. There are also good restaurants, including a couple of Malay options on the top floor, near the Petrosains Museum (devoted to the science of the oil industry), and art gallery Galeri Petronas.
3. Aquaria
