Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur is both a comfortable city break in its own right and the main gateway to Malaysia — connecting onward to Penang's food scene, Langkawi's beaches and Borneo's rainforests. The skyline is defined by the Petronas Twin Towers, the world's tallest buildings from 1998 to 2004 and still the tallest twin towers on earth, rising above KLCC Park and the Suria KLCC shopping mall; a Skybridge links the towers at the 41st and 42nd floors, and a separate observation deck sits higher up, both bookable in advance as daily tickets are capped. Nearby, KL Tower on Bukit Nanas offers a 360-degree view from its own observation deck. Beyond the modern core, Batu Caves — a limestone cave complex housing Hindu shrines, fronted by a 42.7-metre golden statue of the deity Murugan — is one of the most-visited religious sites outside India, reached via 272 brightly painted steps. The historic quarter around Merdeka Square preserves Moorish-influenced British colonial architecture, led by the domed Sultan Abdul Samad Building. Chinatown around Petaling Street and Brickfields (Little India) reveal the city's Chinese and Indian cultural layers, while Bukit Bintang is the densest hub for shopping, nightlife and late-night eating. The blend of Malay, Chinese, Indian and Peranakan cooking makes Kuala Lumpur one of the region's most varied food cities — nasi lemak, char kway teow and roti canai are sold side by side on the same street.