FEB/MAR 17
KL’s Unique Dining Experience: Dinner In The Sky
My Balloon Fiesta 2017
Published by:
KL Mayor’s Tourism Awards is back KL BIG GUIDE BOOK
MAYOR’S MESSAGE | Selamat Datang to KL!
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n comparison to many major cities around the world, and even in the Southeast Asian region, Kuala Lumpur is a relatively young city. Although the city’s founding can be traced to just one hundred and fifty years ago, we have grown exponentially to become one of the most recognized and visited cities in the world. From our beginnings as a tin-mining town to this cosmopolitan metropolis that is the nation’s capital city, Kuala Lumpur continues to see rapid development and growth. And this growth is not just physical; it is also economic and social in nature. Today, Kuala Lumpur is a showcase of many aspects of our nation. It showcases Malaysia’s people, food, history, cultures and our uniquely Asian way of life. It showcases not just our traditions and heritage, but also our modernity, our achievements and our aspirations for the future. Visitors to the city get the opportunity to experience for themselves, these aspects that make our capital a uniquely Asian city. February is of particular significance as Kuala Lumpur celebrates the 45th anniversary of achieving city status. Having achieved city status in 1972 and becoming a Federal Territory in 1974, it is cause for KL residents to be proud of our home city. Although it is the 1st of February that is officially observed as Federal Territory Day and is a public holiday for the city, the celebrations continue throughout the month. There will be a number of activities organized in conjunction with the celebration that adds colour to the city and makes it an even more interesting time to visit.
Kuala Lumpur is a showcase of many aspects of our nation. It showcases Malaysia’s people, food, history, cultures and our uniquely Asian way of life. It showcases not just our traditions and heritage, but also our modernity, our achievements and our aspirations for the future.
As the city continues to develop in many areas and aspects, I am glad to see that there is a consistent growth in its tourism sector too. The tourism industry is an important one for the city as it is a major earner that creates revenue, not just directly but also for a number of peripheral industries such as transportation, retail, food & beverage and so on. At City Hall we recognize this and through the Kuala Lumpur Tourism Bureau hope to play a pivotal role in spurring its growth. Although we have already received many international tourism recognition and accolades, we cannot be complacent and must continue to set higher standards for the industry to achieve. An initiative by city hall that was launched some six years ago to encourage the Kuala Lumpur tourism industry players to continue to strive to achieve the best is the tri-annual Kuala Lumpur Mayor’s Tourism Awards programme. 2017 will be the third edition of this programme and I am happy to announce that this programme has gained traction over the years to become a much-anticipated event in the industry’s calendar. I would like to encourage all tourism industry players to submit their nominations for the tourism awards programme, and look forward to recognizing those who have achieved the highest industry standards.
Datuk Seri Hj Mhd Amin Nordin Bin Abd Aziz Mayor of Kuala Lumpur
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EDITOR’S NOTE
I
t is with enthusiasm and anticipation that we welcomed 2017 in the Kuala Lumpur Tourism industry. While there are many global factors that would prove to bring challenges to the international tourism scene, I believe that in Malaysia and Kuala Lumpur specifically, we have some key advantages in overcoming these challenges. For one thing, our weakened Ringgit against many currencies has made us even more attractive to visit as an affordable destination. And while many international cities have experienced unrest and social volatility, in Kuala Lumpur we have been fortunate to enjoy stability and a peaceful environment. As we continue with the same momentum of 2016, there are a number of new tourism products that will be introduced this year. Over the next few months these would include the return of the revamped KL Tram Rides, and specifically for families with young children we have the recently opened Little Kingdom. Another unique product that is the only one of its kind in the region is the Dinner In The Sky dining experience, which will be running for a six-month stint at Matic, along Jalan Ampang. Kuala Lumpur will not be short on interesting activities either, as we will be having a number of international events scheduled for the year ahead. In March, the Kuala Lumpur skyline will change as hot air balloons will take to the sky at Desa Park City. This is the first time Kuala Lumpur is the venue for this annual event and I’m sure that it will be an exciting one for KL-ites and visitors alike.
I am a keen promoter of collaboration between industry stakeholders, as I believe that if we were all to truly stand together and support each other in the industry, we will be able to grow together and achieve greater heights as one.
I am a keen promoter of collaboration between industry stakeholders, as I believe that if we were all to truly stand together and support each other in the industry, we will be able to grow together and achieve greater heights as one. I congratulate the partners behind the KL PASS Night Out Deal, a collaboration between the KL PASS, The Coliseum Café, MUD The Musical and Zouk Club in offering tourists a complete night out experience in Kuala Lumpur. I encourage such collaborations and hope to see similar efforts in the future. The Bureau has a number of initiatives that have already started and will continue to be carried out throughout the year. In March we will be launching the much awaited KL Big Guide. Printed copies of this 200-page full colour book will be distributed for free to tourists in the city, and an electronic version will be made available for downloading or reading online. We will also continue to have our engagement sessions with industry players where we hope to learn and understand better the challenges faced by the industry. The Mayor will also be launching another City Hall signature event this year – the Kuala Lumpur Mayor’s Tourism Awards 2017. This awards programme is in its third edition and I encourage all industry players to participate. In an effort to continue to improve our services and the quality of this publication, I welcome feedback and comments. Happy Reading.
Khairul Anuar Bin Mhd Juri General Manager Kuala Lumpur Tourism Bureau
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HELLO KL FEB / MAR 17
2017
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FEATURE STORIES
FOOD DESTINATION IN KL
OTHERS
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32 28
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Kuala Lumpur Mayor’s Tourism Awards 2017 Shopping In KL KWC - A Destination For Affordable Trendy Fashion
Dinner In The Sky Street Food In KL Tapak Ubran Street Dining
EVENTS IN KL
NEW TOURISM PRODUCT
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MyBalloon Fiesta 2017
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Federal Territory Day 2017
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Little Kingdom KL’s Newest Edutainment Centre for Little Ones The KL Big Guide Book
Did You Know What Tourists Say KL Accolades Kuala Lumpur Popular Attractions
FRONT COVER : MyBalloon Fiesta 2017
2017
The prestigious Kuala Lumpur Mayor’s Tourism Awards is back for the third time and industry players will be busy preparing their submissions to be recognised amongst the best in Kuala Lumpur.
The Kuala Lumpur Mayor’s Tourism Awards is a tri-annual awards programme for the Kuala Lumpur tourism industry that is organized and run by Kuala Lumpur City Hall. It is designed to identify and recognize tourism industry players who have achieved the highest standards of excellence and have successfully contributed towards making Kuala Lumpur a preferred international tourist destination. By recognizing these individuals and organizations, it is hoped that the award recipients will become the shining examples for the rest of the industry to follow. By benchmarking their best practices and levels of excellence, it is hoped that the standards of delivery of service in the industry will be raised. The inaugural Kuala Lumpur Mayor’s Tourism Awards programme was held in 2011, where awards were presented to recipients in 12 categories and sub-categories. These were; Accommodation (5 Star, 4 Star, 3 Star & Budget), Restaurant, Tourist Attraction, Nightspot, Shopping Mall, International Tour Operator, International Airline, Print Media (Magazine) and Front Liners. Although it was the first programme of its kind for Kuala Lumpur, the response from the industry players was encouraging. A total of 352 nominations were received by the programme secretariat, for the nine categories.
The inaugural event also presented a Lifetime Achievement Award to Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohammad, Malaysia’s fourth prime minster for his contributions to the growth and development of the city’s tourism industry.
The outstanding individual who was recognized with the Mayor’s Commendable award for his lifetime contributions to Kuala Lumpur’s tourism industry was Tan Sri Datuk Seri Low Yow Chuan.
The second edition of the awards programme was held in 2014. This time the number of categories and sub-categories were increased to 17, namely; Accommodation (5 Star, 4 Star, 3 Star & Budget), Restaurants (Fine Dining & Home Grown), Tourist Attraction, Nightspot, Shopping Mall, International Tour Operator, Airlines (Domestic & International), Print Media (Local Magazine & International Magazine), Events, Medical Tourism and the Mayor’s Commendable Awards. The momentum of the awards programme had picked up and this was evident from the increase in the number of nominations received this time around. A total of 626 nominations were received by the programme secretariat, an increase of around 77% from the inaugural programme.
The Kuala Lumpur Mayor’s Tourism Awards programme is back for its third edition in 2017. This time there will be awards presented in a total of 14 categories and sub-categories, including; Accommodation (5 Star, 4 Star, 3 Star & Budget), Eateries (Fine Dining Restaurant, Home Grown Restaurant & Food Court/ Centre), Tourist Attraction (General Attraction and Culture, Arts & Heritage Attraction), Shopping Mall, Medical Tourism, Education Tourism, Outstanding Front Liners and the Mayor’s Commendable Award.
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The awards programme are scheduled to be officially launched by the Mayor of Kuala Lumpur on the 7th of March 2017. Only at the launch will the nominations be open and industry players will all be invited to submit their nominations for the various categories and sub-categories of awards. It is expected that the number of nominations for this third edition of the awards to be higher than three years ago, now that the award is more widely known amongst the industry players and the general population.
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As in previous editions of the programme, the judging process will be carried out by panels of judges that are each made up of experts and veterans of the tourism industry. There will also be a 5% allocation of total points that will be garnered from public voting. This is to provide all KL-ites and even foreign tourist the opportunity to support their favourite tourist establishment. This year’s awards presentation ceremony will take place at a gala dinner event scheduled to take place on the 24th of May 2017.
Awards Recipients 2011
Objective of the Award To identify, recognize and reward the establishments and individuals who have strived to promote Kuala Lumpur as an international tourist destination. To benchmark the highest industry standards of excellence for products and services that has consistently been put into practice. 8 | HELLO KL FEB/ MAR 17
Lifetime Achievement Award: Y.BHG. TUN DR. MAHATHIR MOHAMAD Accommodation
Outstanding Award:
SHANGRI-LA HOTEL, KL
Excellence Award, Budget Hotel: INTERNATIONAL YOUTH CENTRE KL
MY HOTEL @ SENTRAL KL
Excellence Award, 3-Star Hotel: HOTEL CAPITOL KL Excellence Award, 4-Star Hotel: DORSETT REGENCY HOTEL KL Excellence Award, 5-Star Hotel: THE RITZ-CARLTON KL International Foreign Airline Outstanding Award:
EMIRATES AIRLINES
International Tour Operator Outstanding Award:
UNIQUE CHOICE, SAUDI ARABIA
Excellence Award:
KUONI, INDIA
MAHR-E-KHAVAR TRAVEL AGENCY, IRAN
GZL INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL SERVICES LTD., CHN
Print Media (Magazine) Excellence Award:
VISION KL
GOING PLACES
Restaurant Excellence Award:
LEMON GARDEN CAFÉ SHANGRI-LA, KL SERI ANGKASA REVOLVING RESTAURANT
MANDARIN GRILL MANDARIN ORIENTAL, KL
NEO TAMARIND KUALA LUMPUR
Nightspot Outstanding Award:
HARD ROCK CAFE KL
Excellence Award:
QBA LATIN BAR, WESTIN, KL
SKYBAR TRADERS HOTEL, KL
ROOTZ KL
Shopping Mall Outstanding Award:
PAVILION KL
Excellence Award:
MID VALLEY MEGAMALL
SURIA KLCC
SUNGEI WANG PLAZA
Tourist Attraction Outstanding Award:
MENARA KL
Excellence Award:
ROYAL SELANGOR
CENTRAL MARKET
KRAFTANGAN MALAYSIA
Excellent Front Liner Recognition Award:
MADAM ANGIE NG SET FUI
MR JASPER CHOW CHEN ANN
EN HASAN B. MOKHTAR
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Awards Recipients 2014 Mayor’s Commendable Award for Outstanding Contribution: TAN SRI DATUK SERI LOW YOW CHUAN
Foreign Airline
Accommodation
Domestic Airline
5-Star Hotel Category
Platinum Award:
Platinum Award:
Platinum Award:
SHANGRI-LA HOTEL, KL
Gold Award:
MANDARIN ORIENTAL, KL
4-Star Hotel Category
JETSTAR ASIA
MALAYSIA AIRLINES
International Tour Operator Platinum Award:
UNIQUE CHOICE, SAUDI ARABIA
THE BOULEVARD ST GILES PREMIER HOTEL
Gold Award:
GUANGDONG NANHU INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL SERVICE CO., LTD, CHINA
Platinum Award:
STARPOINTS KL
Local Category
Gold Award:
SILKA MAYTOWER HOTEL & SERVICED RESIDENCES
Platinum Award:
StarMetro
Gold Award:
VISION KL
Platinum Award:
ALOFT KL SENTRAL
Gold Award: 3-Star Hotel Category
Budget Hotel Category
Print Media
International Category
Platinum Award:
REGGAE MANSION KL
Platinum Award:
TRAVEL 3SIXTY
Gold Award:
BINTANG WARISAN HOTEL
Gold Award:
GOING PLACES
Restaurant
Events
Fine Dining Category Platinum Award:
LAFITE
Platinum Award:
STANDARD CHARTERED KL MARATHON 2013
Gold Award:
CANTALOUPE
Gold Award:
TWIN TOWERS @LIVE 2013
Platinum Award:
SONGKET RESTAURANT
Medical Tourism
Gold Award:
SHOOK!
Platinum Award:
GLENEAGLES KL
Gold Award:
PRINCE COURT MEDICAL CENTRE
Home Grown Category
Tourist Attraction
Front Liner Award
Attractions Category Platinum Award:
AQUARIA KLCC
ISLAMIC ARTS MUSEUM MALAYSIA
Merit Award
Culture, Arts & Heritage Category Platinum Award:
Nightspot Platinum Award:
ZOUK CLUB KL
Gold Award:
MARINI’S ON 57
Shopping Mall Platinum Award:
PAVILION KL
Gold Award:
MID VALLEY MEGAMALL
10 | HELLO KL FEB/ MAR 17
MS. JAGDIP RAI
KL HOP-ON HOP-OFF
2017 Categories & Awards
Accommodation 5-Star Hotel Category 1 Platinum Award 1 Gold Award
Tourist Attraction General Attraction Category 1 Platinum Award 1 Gold Award
Important Dates 7th March 2017 Official Launch of KLMTA 2017 & Nominations Open for all categories
4-Star Hotel Category 1 Platinum Award 1 Gold Award
Culture, Arts & Heritage Attraction Category 1 Platinum Award 1 Gold Award
31st March 2017 Nominations Close
3-Star Hotel Category 1 Platinum Award 1 Gold Award Budget Hotel Category 1 Platinum Award 1 Gold Award Eatery Fine Dining Restaurant Category 1 Platinum Award 1 Gold Award Home Grown Restaurant Category 1 Platinum Award 1 Gold Award
Shopping Mall 1 Platinum Award 1 Gold Award Medical Tourism 1 Platinum Award 1 Gold Award Education Tourism 1 Platinum Award 1 Gold Award Front Liners 3 Merit Awards
Food Court / Centre Category 1 Platinum Award 1 Gold Award
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12th April 2017 Judging process for shortlisted nominations Public Voting Opens 28th April 2017 Public Voting Closes 24th May 2017 Gala Dinner & Award Presentation Ceremony
Federal Terr Events In KL
01 FEB (7.30PAGI) ISTANA NEGARA: ISTIADAT PENGURNIAAN DARJAT KEBESARAN BINTANG & PINGAT 03 FEB SEMUA MASJID & SURAU WILAYAH PERSEKUTUAN KUALA LUMPUR: KHUTBAH JUMAAT KHAS 03 FEB (7.30MALAM) TAMAN SRI RAMPAI SETIAWAGNSA: PROGRAM ILMIAH SHWP 04-19 FEB SEMUA PARLIMEN WP KUALA LUMPUR: PROGRAM ILMIAH SHWP 06 FEB (2.30 PETANG) DATARAN DBKL : RUMAH TERBUKA TAHUN BARU CINA 2017 11-12 FEB (7.30PAGI) PUSAT SUKAN UM: KARNIVAL SUKAN IPT PIALA MENTERI WP 16 FEB (8.30PAGI) PPR SERI SEMARAK: CSR SHAWP KUALA LUMPUR
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ritory Day 16 FEB (9.00PAGI) DATARAN MERDEKA: KL FEST SUPERCAR & AUTOSHOW 19 FEB (7.30PAGI) DATARAN MERDEKA: KAYUHAN CERIA 2017 23 FEB (1.00 PETANG) RESIDENSI KERINICHI III: MAJLIS PERASMIAN RESIDENSI KERINCHI DAN KENDURI 1WP 24-26 FEB (10.00 PAGI) DATARAN MERDEKA: WILAYAH INTERNATIONAL MOTORFEST 26 FEB (7.00 PAGI) MENARA KL: KL RUSH 28 FEB (8.00MALAM) KL SENTRAL: KARNIVAL FOOD TRUCK 101WP
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EVENTS IN KL
Hot air balloons floating across the horizon may not be a common sight against the Kuala Lumpur city’s skyline. From the 10th to the 12th of March this year, KL residents and visitors alike will have the thrill of not only seeing, but also getting the opportunity to ride in one of these colourful and majestic aircrafts at the My Balloon Fiesta 2017. The event in its ninth year is being held for the first time in Kuala Lumpur – the first eight editions have been hosted in Putrajaya. This year’s event is aptly named “Balloon In The Park” as it is held in the scenic neighbourhood of Desa Park City. A total of eighteen colourful balloons in various shapes and sizes from 11 countries are expected to be participating in this year’s event.
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Brings “Balloon In The Park” To Kuala Lumpur
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EVENTS IN KL
From left : CEO of AKA Balloon, Nur Izzati Khairudin, Geert Peirsman, Mohd Sobri, Christophe Holvet and Jonathan Wright
As in previous years, the event will have a carnival atmosphere with many side activities that makes it family friendly and fun for everyone. So, whether you are a balloon enthusiast or not, there is something for everyone to look forward to. The daily schedule of happenings at the event is divided into two sessions, a morning session from 7.00am to 10.00am, and an evening session from 4.00pm to 10.00pm. The morning sessions are reserved exclusively for MyBalloon Club members to take to the sky. These sessions will also include jazz performances, buffet breakfasts and tethered balloon rides. The evening sessions will be open to the public for general admission. The activities in the evening sessions will include a hot air balloon display and Night Glow show – where the balloons will be illuminated to give a bright and colourful display, an ideal backdrop for awesome pictures. There will be cultural performances by the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism – the events’ presenting sponsors. And event partners, Foodgasm will ensure that there is plenty of delicious food available to savour. Visitors to the event can enjoy the picnic area where they can lounge around on the green grass of Desa Park City while enjoying the scrumptious food and admiring the sights of the many majestic balloons. The “Fun Zone” will have a number of inflatables for the kids to have a blast of a time.
This fiesta is the ideal event for pictures, whether during the day or even at night. The images with colourful balloons in the background are sure to be delightful and the activities are ideal for the whole family to have fun.
The MyBalloon Fiesta has a paid entrance for all. Tickets have been available for purchase online at the event website and also available over-the-counter at MyNews.com outlets within the Klang Valley, since 16th January 2017. The general admission tickets for Adults are priced at RM22.00 (if purchased before 9th of March) and RM30.00 (if purchased at the door) and allow admission to the balloon park, while the tickets for children up to the age of 12 are priced at RM16.00 (if purchased before 9th of March) and RM20.00 (if purchased at the door). General admission tickets DO NOT entitle holders to hot air balloon rides. If you are keen to ride in a hot air balloon, then sign up as a MyBalloon Club member and enjoy a host of event privileges. For more information go to the event website at www.myballoonfiesta. squarespace.com or visit the Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/ myballoonfiesta. The 9th MyballoonFiesta 2017 is organised by AKA Balloon Sdn Bhd.
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MyBalloon Club Exclusive all access privileges for members Available only in the morning sessions, members get to enjoy live jazz performances, gourmet buffet breakfast, a complimentary tethered hot air balloon ride and an exclusive space to catch the balloon inflation. Members will also receive a complimentary ticket to the evening session. MyBalloon Club membership is definitely the best way to thoroughly enjoy the event. Limited slots available. Picnic Area Pick your own picnic spot Desa Park City is a township with a lush green environment, ideal for a picnic in the park. Choose your own spot and lay your mat to chill in the park surroundings. Feast upon the scrumptious food available, join in the fun activities and take in the majestic sights of the colourful balloons. General admission tickets are required. Balloon Inflation & Night Glow The Highlight of the Fiesta! The colourful balloons, in regular and special shapes, will be inflated twice daily – once in the afternoon and then again in the evening for the “Night Glow” event. With so many magnificent balloons inflated in one area, transforming Desa Park City into the perfect photo backdrop. Visitors will also get the chance to ‘meet and greet’ the balloon pilots. General admission tickets are required and no balloon rides will be available. More fun and excitement! To ensure that there are lots of fun things to do, there will be an array of inflatable activities for children and adults alike at the fun zone. Operational throughout the day and for the duration of the Fiesta, the fun zone provides a great time for the whole family.
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NEW IN KL
Kuala Lumpur’s Newest Edutainment Centre for Little Ones Little Kingdom is Kuala Lumpur’s newest family theme park that is specifically targeted at the little ones aged between 30 months and 6 years. It is touted as the first-of-its-kind ‘personalized learning edutainment park’ in the country. Located at Maju Junction Mall, it uses creativity and the latest in technology to provide fun yet educational experiences for toddlers. From the latest augmented reality technology games for kids to explore and interact with to Amazon Rides in a safari jeep for mission solving quests, Little Kingdom also has a Fantasy Driving School with powered motors and tracks as well as expansive game play areas. Little Kingdom is designed to nurture and inspire every child’s imagination. Built using only the highest quality equipment and state-of-the-art technology, every activity, ride and game is geared towards fostering parent-child bonding with combined elements of personalized learning, fun and play. Launched by Parkson Edutainment World, the 40,000 sq. ft. indoor edutainment park features 35 ’junior versions’ of world famous fairytale and cartoon characters including Little Snow White, Little Cinderella, Little Pinnochio, Little Aladdin and Little Puss n Boots among others. The walls within the park are each decorated with colourful and themed wallpaper that depicts scenes from popular fairytales. A stroll through the park will give parents the opportunity to create their own stories to tell their kids – the ideal experience that enhances parent-child bonding. The décor and furnishings are all designed to create a fairytale-like ambience. Cobblestone streets, colorful walls, miniature shops and eateries, bouncy soft play areas filled with slides, ball pits and tunnels to explore, Little Kingdom is not only a feast for the eyes but a dream play land that transports kids to a magical world and adults to their childhood memories. 20 | HELLO KL FEB/ MAR 17
Little Kingdom has six themed classrooms: Little Genie House, Little Alice in Wonderland, Little Alien Spaceship, Little Beast Field, Little Cinderella Ballroom and Little T-Rex Kitchen, and offers a variety of enrichment classes daily such as aerobics, music movement, art & craft, Lego lessons, recycle art, acting & role playing, story telling and many more. Each of the activities are designed to cater to different age groups: 3 to 6, 7 to 10, 11 to 15 and 5 to 15. Other classes such as music (piano, vocal, guitar), culinary arts, academic (mathematics, science, languages, speech & drama), dance (ballet, hip-hop, k-pop, zumba, ballroom dancing,), martial arts (taekwondo, ninjutsu) and sports fitness (body balance, yoga, aerobics) are offered in the Little Kingdom’s Personalized Learning Package. Families can pop in and choose a class to attend from the daily schedule during their visit or sign up for Little Kingdom’s Personalized Learning Package. 21 | HELLO KL FEB/ MAR 17
NEW IN KL Every child will firstly go through a finger print test, which has proven 90% accurate, to discover their learning patterns as well as in-born talents where the teachers will be able to tailor-make courses to bring out and develop the child’s talent. With personalized learning, children will have the opportunity to learn and grow at their own natural pace, and discover and pursue the things they are interested in. By acknowledging each child’s unique personality and their natural interests with the freedom to learn at their own pace during this sensitive development period, Little Kingdom aims to encourage individual development, encourage independence and foster creativity.
There are lots of daily exciting and educational performances including a magic shows at the Magical Stage (a ‘screen moving’ stage) that is sure to be fun for the whole family. Visitors will get the opportunity to meet and take pictures with the park’s theme characters as their mascots make daily appearances to excite and play with the little ones.
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Little Kingdom is also the perfect venue for events and special occasions with its huge themed event hall, Magical Castle that can cater for groups of up to 100 people. There are birthday party packages that include unlimited access to the park including rides, games, soft play area and activities that will make any occasion extra memorable.
Food also takes a new spin at Little Kingdom’s learning eatery house, Talking Tom House, where ‘personalized meals’ by an in-house dietician are offered based on each individual child’s development needs. Featuring the muchloved character Talking Tom, the one-of-a-kind eatery takes children on a culinary adventure as it aims to combine eating, learning and child development. Together with its wholesome, delicious meals and kids-sized dining table, chairs and cutleries, Talking Tom House aims to not only teach table manners and develop social skills, but also strengthen family bonds. Another must-try item is the delicious ice bread at Little Pinocchio Hut where Little Kingdom’s pastry chefs can be seen busily preparing warm fluffy breads with an ice-cream filling! Little Kingdom is open from 10.00am to 6.00pm, Mondays to Fridays & Sundays and 10.00am to 7.00pm on Saturdays and Public Holidays. For more information, visit www.littlekingdom.asia
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SHOPPING IN KL
KWC Fashion Mall
A Destination For Affordable, Trendy Fashion
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Kuala Lumpur has many options when it comes to shopping. From high-end shopping malls that offer branded labels to bazaars and markets offering everything from antiques to souvenirs and quirky collectibles. This wide range of choice is one of the factors that have earned the city many accolades of being an international shopping destination.
For those in search of the latest in fashion apparels and accessories that are both trendy and affordable then the KWC Fashion Mall is a must visit destination. Already popular with locals, foreign visitors too will find this mall has a lot to offer. Located just a short ride away from the well-known shopping area of Jalan Bukit Bintang (also known as the city’s Golden Triangle), the mall’s iconic façade that rises 22 stories is a hard to miss landmark.
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SHOPPING IN KL
What makes the KWC Fashion Mall different from most consumer malls in the city is that it also offers items on wholesale. Traders, who frequent the mall, buy in bulk at very cheap prices and consumers too can purchase items in single or smaller numbers at very reasonable prices. The KWC Fashion Mall is the first mall of its kind to offer this concept of wholesale/ retail shopping in Malaysia. It is located on Jalan Kenanga, an area that has for many decades been associated with the wholesale fashion apparels industry. The mall boasts of 500,000 square feet of retail space over nine floors and 800 outlets that offer apparels, accessories and gifts, and lifestyle products all under one roof. Whether you are a fashionista or a fashion enthusiast or are just out looking for a new outfit, you will find that there are a large variety of styles available at the mall. The types of fashion items on sale include modern western apparels, traditional ethnic costumes, inner wear and even a wide range of Muslimah wear (modest Muslim apparels). And there are shops that cater for women, men and children. The range of accessories available is also varied and includes everything from handbags to scarves, shoes to costume jewelry, perfumes to beauty products. There are shops that offer fashion for the home too. Select amongst home dĂŠcor items such as cushions and curtains, wall hanging decorations and bathroom items such as towels and mats etc.
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For the convenience of shoppers, there are a number of eateries that include restaurants, cafes and even a food court on the seventh floor that offers a wide range of local and western delights. With so many shops to visit, these conveniences are a welcomed rest before the shopping continues. The mall also provides special parking facilities for tour busses at the side entrance. Welcoming shopping tours of Malaysians from other parts of the country as well as foreign tourists has become a regular affair for the mall. On the 15th floor of the mall is the StarXpo Centre, an exhibition hall and events space that spans 32,065 square feet. It has been the venue for a number of local and international events that include concerts by artistes from Indonesia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan and Korea. Some major events have also been held here namely the TVB Star Awards and the Malaysian International Gourmet Festival (MIGF). With such a wide array of offerings for the whole family, the KWC Fashion Mall is a must-visit shopping destination for anyone visiting Kuala Lumpur. Shop for the latest in fashion trends for yourself and for everyone back home and you will find it even more of a bargain when you make the best of wholesale shopping.
General Information
Address
How To Get There
KWC Fashion Mall No.2, Jalan Gelugor, 55200 Kuala Lumpur. +603 9224 1998 www.kenangacity.com.my
By Car : KWC Fashion Mall is accessible from Jalan
Opening Hours Sunday to Thursday: 10am to 7pm Friday, Saturday & Public Holidays: 10am to 8pm Ground Floor Only Monday to Sunday & Public Holidays: 10am to 8pm
Hang Tuah and Jalan Loke Yew. From Jalan Hang Tuah towards Jalan Loke Yew direction, you can make a left turn to Jalan Kenanga, after the Hang Tuah LRT station. From Jalan Loke Yew towards Jalan Cheras direction, you can make a left turn to Jalan San Pen, after Tsun Jin High School. Follow this with another left turn to Jalan Gelugor at the traffic light. By Train :
By LRT From Putra line (Kelana Jaya [KJ24] or Terminal Putra Gombak [KJ1]), interchange at Masjid Jamek [KJ13] to STAR line, disembark at Hang Tuah LRT station [ST3]. For STAR line route, disembark at Hang Tuah LRT station [ST3] By Monorail For Monorail route, disembark at Hang Tuah Monorail station [MR4]. By Bus :
Rapid KL [B112], [U423] A 5 minutes walking distance from Hang Tuah Rail and Bus station to KWC Fashion Mall 27 | HELLO KL FEB/ MAR 17
STREET FOOD IN KL
T A P A K URBAN STREET DINING
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In the last few years, food trucks have become a popular trend in Kuala Lumpur’s street dining scene. While in the past, food trucks have been traditionally selling local fare such as rojak and chicken rice, in more recent times the variety of food truck offerings has evolved to include western, Mediterranean, Asian as well as a whole range of fusion cuisine. Not only are these “new era” food trucks run by a growing number of younger entrepreneurs, they are also more contemporary in their look, operations and even branding. Some of the more popular food trucks even have their own following of regulars and are strongly promoted in the social media environment. In the heart of Kuala Lumpur, and a short walk away from the KLCC (Kuala Lumpur City Centre) and famed Petronas Twin Towers is a food truck park known as TAPAK – which translates to mean “site” or “grounds” in Malay. A first of its kind in the city, TAPAK opens in the evenings every day of the week. This street-dining venue begun operating mid last year and has already become a poplar destination for locals and visitors keen to try some new flavours. The venue is an open piece of land that is used as a car park during the day and when the sun goes down is transformed into an alfresco dining destination. Every evening the food trucks will drive in and park around the edges of the grounds, while tables and chairs are set up under large umbrellas in the central area. The grounds are lit with strings of light bulbs and the glow from the lighting of the individual food trucks.
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STREET FOOD IN KL
T A P A K URBAN STREET DINING 30 | HELLO KL FEB/ MAR 17
The food trucks operate at this location on a rotational basis, meaning that patrons will have a different selection of food items each time they drop by. Among the selection of food trucks that are frequently parked here include Mamamia Café, Maphilindo, The Rice Pot and Muzzy Food Truck. Mamamia Café are known for their signature Chicken Boxing & Fries set which consists of 4 fried chicken drummets tossed in a sauce of your choice and served with a side of curly cut fries that are doused with mayonnaise and a sweet chili sauce. The sauces you can choose from include buttermilk, black pepper, sweet spicy and cheese. Although something a little more unusual from them would have to be their squid in salted egg sauce. Maphilindo’s black pepper double burger is quite a mouthful of flavor. A must-try is the Fish n’ Rice from the Rice Pot Food Truck, which is a fillet of fish served on buttered rice and a creamy parsley sauce. Yet another must-try from the Muzzy Food Truck is their specialty Sarawak Kolo Mee, a noodle dish that originates from the state of Sarawak. Other than the variety of gastronomic offerings, what makes TAPAK a worthwhile visit is also the relaxed set-up and ambience that is ideal to “hang-out” at and get a taste of contemporary Malaysian street food culture. It’s strategic location gives patrons to TAPAK a stunning view of the city centre. The tops of the twin towers can be caught just over the surrounding buildings, and are a spectacular sight as they are lit up at night. The venue’s rustic lighting adds to the warm and friendly atmosphere, while buskers offer their brand of street entertainment. TAPAK is easily accessible via public transport as the KLCC and Ampang Park LRT stations are just short walks away. Open even on public holidays, on Mondays to Thursdays from 6pm to midnight, Fridays from 6pm to 3am and on weekends from 3pm to 3am. For the latest on TAPAK Urban Street Dining visit www.tapak.co
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NEW IN KL
Dinner In The Sky Kuala Lumpur’s dining scene just got a little more exciting with a truly unique dining experience that’s just sky high above it all… literally! Dinner in the sky takes diners 150 feet into the air for a meal that comes with a surrounding view. A unique experience that is currently only available in Kuala Lumpur.
The first of its kind in Southeast Asia, the experience already ran a SOLD OUT tour in Kuala Lumpur last year, followed by Penang and Johor. Internationally, this Belgian based novelty service has done over 5,000 dinner events in 40 cities around the world. These international locations have included the Likes of The Las Vegas Strip, the gardens of the King David Hotel, the Marina of Dubai, and the hills of the Villa Borghese in Rome among others. Forbes magazine has named it one of the world’s top ten most unusual restaurants.
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While it may seem like an extreme experience, Dinner In The Sky is quite safe as the operators observe the highest in safety standards. Guests will remain seated throughout the experience and are secured to their seats with safety belts. The presenter and crew are also secured throughout the “flight” by safety harnesses. A safety supervisor will brief patrons about all the regulations prior to the experience and will be in constant communication with crane operator and ground crew for a smooth flight. Overseas, Dinner In The Sky has been approved by TÜV SÜD, the German organisation that validates the safety of a variety of products to ensure people and the environment are protected against hazards. In Malaysia, the experience is regulated and is under the advisory of DOSH (Department of Occupational Safety & Health Malaysia). This not-to-be-missed dining experience is priced at just RM229.99 per person (and RM249.00 per person on weekends) and includes a 3 course dinner. Available for just a six month period from early December 2016, reservations can be made online at www.dinnerinthesky.my
Started in May 2006 in Brussels, Belgium, this unique dining experience uses a crane to hoist diners, table and waiting staff 150 feet up into the air giving them an amazing bird’s eye view whilst enjoying an exquisite culinary feast. In Kuala Lumpur, this thrilling experience will be hoisted at Malaysia Tourism Centre, giving diners a spectacular view of the Kuala Lumpur skyline and the iconic Petronas Twin Towers and KL Tower. To complete this experience, diners can expect to not only marvel at the view but also to enjoy some gastronomic delights with the gourmet menu served by Teafanni, a premium catering service, voted by many blogs to be amongst the best in Kuala Lumpur.
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PROMOTIONAL EFFORTS
The Kuala Lumpur Big Guide Book
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The Kuala Lumpur Big Guide Book is a 200-page, full colour, comprehensive guide for visitors to Kuala Lumpur. Published by the Kuala Lumpur Tourism Bureau, in a paper back format, the book is compact in size, making it convenient for tourists to carry around when out and about seeing the sights and exploring the city.
The book provides tourists with everything from the most basic information on how to get around the city to where to stay, where to eat, where to shop and even what to do when the sun goes down. It also contains some key information for specific interest groups such as students – there is section on KL being an education hub, conference organizers – there is a section on business events, those seeking medical treatment, the wealthy travellers and for those looking for adventure and excitement in the outdoors – there is a section on outdoor activities available on the outskirts of the city.
A digital version of the book will also be made available on KL Tourism Bureau’s official website (www.visitkl.gov.my) for viewing and for downloading. For more information on where to get a copy of the book, call the KL Tourism Bureau at +603 2698 0332 or send an email to enquiries@ kltourismbureau.com.my
The book will be distributed to tourists free of charge at key distribution centres including at the KL Tourism Bureau office information centre, the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), at MATIC along Jalan Ampang, at selected hotels, tourist attractions and information centres. An initial print run of 15,000 copies will be sent to all centres for distribution in the month of March. Future print runs of 10,000 copies will be done upon depletion of the stocks.
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DID YOU KNOW? INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT KUALA LUMPUR
Any visitor to Kuala Lumpur simply must visit the Merdeka Square to see the heritage buildings in the area and to get a sense of the city’s history. Here are some interesting historical facts: The Sultan Abdul Samad Building was designed by A.C. Norman, R.A.J. Bidwell and A.B. Hubback, and completed in 1897. The clock in the tower of the Sultan Abdul Samad Building chimed for the first time to coincide with Queen Victoria’s Jubilee in June 1897, and has been chiming ever since. It was here that on the evening of 30th August 1957, the Union Jack was officially lowered signaling the end of British Colonial Rule and in its place the flag of an independent Malaya was first hoisted.
WHAT THEY SAY? We interviewed tourists at various places in Kuala Lumpur to get some feedback on their experience during the visit. Here’s what they had to say about Kuala Lumpur.
Rendy Indrawan Indonesia
I was so amazed by Dinner in the Sky. I have never seen such a thing and it was definitely a memorable experience. Kuala Lumpur always has something interesting.
A. Zayed U.A.E
Kuala Lumpur has very nice parks. My family love to visit the parks. It is good for photography and I love to walk around and enjoy the gardens.
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Mei Ling
Hong Kong
I like the night scene in Kuala Lumpur. There are so many cool bars at the top of buildings. My favourite is the Heli Lounge Bar. It’s got a great view.
KL ACCOLADES
Over the years, Kuala Lumpur has received many accolades for various areas of tourism, from many different international organisations. Here are some of the most recent accolades the city has received.
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