The Sultan Abdul Samad Building, dating back to the late 19th century, is one of Kuala Lumpur’s most iconic landmarks. Distinguished by its copper-clad domes and towering clocktower fitted with a one-ton bell, it was originally constructed as the administrative headquarters of the British colonial government. Today, it houses the Ministry of Communications and Multimedia as well as the Ministry of Tourism. The finest views are from across Merdeka Square, particularly in the early morning when the light is softer and the area is quieter. After dark, the building is beautifully lit, creating an entirely different atmosphere, although occasional scaffolding may obstruct parts of the façade. A visit here combines well with nearby highlights such as Merdeka Square itself, the towering flagpole, and the River of Life.

Söderåsen National Park was created in 2001 and covers more than 1,625 hectares. The natural landscape is varied and offers leafy deciduous forests and majestic talus slopes with high rocks, flowing watercourses and panoramic views. Skäralid, Odensjön in Nackarpsdalen and the views from Kopparhatten, Hjortsprånget and Lierna along the Skäralid valley are particularly popular destinations.

Another iconic monument of Dhaka, the Tara Mosque, or Star Mosque, has fascinated visitors and locals alike for years with its beautifully detailed mosaics. Interestingly, some tiles feature illustrations of Mt Fuji, since a renovation was done some 50 years ago using Japanese and English porcelain tiles.

These beautiful and serene botanical gardens offer city-dwellers a tranquil and quiet place to escape the hectic and noisy city life. The gardens cover over 40 hectares and feature a rich array of thousands of examples of local and foreign plant life, as well as a wealth of birds that have made the gardens their home.