It's been a hectic hundred years for Kuala Lumpur. In this time the former tin-mining shantytown has transformed into a heaving 21st century metropolis - a medley of mosques, museums and markets, temples and towers.

The iconic 88-storey Petronas Twin Towers dominates the skyline of this modern cyber-city, with excellent views to be had from the Sky Bridge that links the two towers. Around it, offices, hotels and shopping malls fill large spaces in the business area known as the Golden Triangle.

But KL, as the city is popularly known, is not just defined by its sky-high commercial aspirations. Like Malaysia as a whole, it is home to a mix of peoples and cultures.

Head out to Chinatown and Little India, for instance, and you'll see another side to the city altogether - one filled with the smells of tandoori and freshly baked roti, sizzling satay and dim sum; and the bustle of street stalls selling saris, traditional medicines, flowers and pungent durian fruits.

Masjid Jamek

One of KL's two most important places of worship, Masjid Jamek dates from 1909 and, as such, is the oldest mosque in the city.

Inspired by Mogul architecture from India, its striking pink and white exterior protects a walled courtyard (sahn) and a three-domed prayer hall.

Masjid Jamek was Kuala Lumpur's National Mosque until the construction of Masjid Negara in the 1960s close to the old railway station.

Masjid Negara

One of South East Asia's largest mosques, Masjid Negara is designed in the shape of an 18-point star, which is intended to represent the 13 states of Malaysia and the five central Pillars of Islam.

Nearby, in the landscaped Lake Gardens, is the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia, where a superb collection of Islamic jewellery, books and other artefacts is on display.

Petronas Twin Towers & KLCC

At one time the tallest building in the world - until surpassed in 2004 by Taipei 101 - the imposing Petronas Twin Towers remains Kuala Lumpur's most recognisable landmark.

Its design takes inspiration from Islam, with a cross section based on the Rub el Hizb, a Muslim symbol of two overlapping squares.

The towers are located in Kuala Lumpur City Centre, or KLCC as it's familiarly known, a glitzy district of skyscrapers, boutique shops and top-end hotels. KLCC Park, a swathe of lawns, palm trees and fountains provides some welcome greenery amid the glass and concrete all around.

Chinatown & Little India

Petaling Street is the central point of Kuala Lumpur's energetic Chinatown, a bustle of restaurants, temples and coffee shops that is particularly atmospheric at night when neon lights abound, vendors fan out their wares along the street and the smell of hawker food drifts in the air.

The city's Indian community enjoy the pleasures of Little India, where Bollywood music sounds out and cheap but tasty snacks and sweet lassi can be enjoyed as you wander among the colourful street stalls looking for souvenirs.

Batu Caves

This vault-like system of limestone caverns to the north of KL is a popular day trip for overseas visitors and locals alike.

The temple caves are dedicated to the Hindu deity, Lord Muragan, a large statue of whom stands guard beside steep steps that lead into the caves. Inside the 400-million-year-old caves are temples and shrines featuring statues and paintings of Hindu gods, while mischievous monkeys scamper around.

The caves are at their busiest during the Thaipusam festival, when Hindus pierce their bodies to show their devotion to Lord Muragan.