A short drive north of the city in a limestone outcrop are the Batu Caves. The main Temple Cave is a Hindu shrine filled with statues of gods, goddesses and their attendants. You can also visit the Dark Caves, inhabited by creatures of a different kind: bats, crickets, centipedes and racer snakes.

For more of the great outdoors, you can't beat the jungle-canopy walk at the Forest Reserve Institute of Malaysia. Exploring a tropical rainforest is a rare experience and the walkways, at 30 metres above ground, allow you to view the canopy and the birds, rare orchids and monkeys that make this their home.

Rejuvenate at Mandarin Oriental Vitality Club. This urban sanctuary for the senses offers a beautiful swimming pool and gymnasium. The Thalgo Marine Spa provides nurturing facial and body treatments.

Malaysia's history begins two hours away in Melaka, once Southeast Asia's greatest trading port. From the 16th to the 20th centuries the Dutch, Portuguese and British were colonial masters, leaving behind landmarks including St Peter's Church, Christ Church and A Famosa, a fortress with views of the Strait of Malacca. Bukit China or China Hill is the largest traditional Chinese cemetery outside China. Great shopping is found in Jonker and Harmony Streets and in Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock, known as 'Millionaire's Row'.

A stroll around the excellent Museum of Islamic Arts is the perfect way to escape the KL retail frenzy. Artefacts, from Persian rugs to hand-written Koran, have been amassed from across the Islamic world. KL also has a clutch of quirky, free museums, such as the Royal Malaysian Police Museum, which houses crime memorabilia, and the National Rubber Museum which charts the history of the industry in Malaysia. The city is also well-served with attractions for numismatists, with the Bank Negara Money Museum in the Central Bank and the Maybank Numismatic Museum in the Menara Bank. At The Kuala Lumpur Craft Complex local culture comes to life through batik and songket weaving.

If KL had a motto, it would surely be 'live to shop', and next door to Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur is Petronas Twin Towers – the world-renowned building and city's retail mecca. Suria KLCC shopping mall houses 280 luxury brands, including Christian Lacroix, Escada, Boss, Versace, Bally and Braun Buffel. Hotel guests may present their key card at participating retail outlets for special savings or gifts. See the concierge for details.

Award-winning Pacifica Grill & Bar at Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur (+60 (0) 3 2179 8882) is the city's gourmet haven. Enjoy contemporary European cuisine with Asian influences by talented chef Matthias Kindl, formerly from Mosimann's Club, London.

For a taste of pre-war Malaya, the Old China Café (11 Jalan Balai Polis; +60 (0) 3 2072 5915) in Chinatown is one of KL's best-kept secrets. Housed in an old colonial shophouse, the ambiance of ancient Indochina is matched by authentic Straits Chinese; robust cooking by peranakan chefs.

Dome Café and Chinoz, opposite each other inside Suria KLCC, are popular gathering spots for the hip-and-happening crowd.

At night, international DJs and local celebrities mingle at Zouk, KL's ultimate disco venue. Lose yourself within its cavernous halls or shine on the dancefloor of its Underground Velvet club.