For a Half Day

Batu Caves: The limestone Batu Caves, 13km (8 miles) north of Kuala Lumpur, is the most popular excursion from the city. Today, the most visited part of the cave complex is the Hindu temples. It is a steep 272-step climb to the main Temple Cave, while the Dark Cave boasts some stunning rock formations and the Museum Cave recreates scenes from Indian mythology. Every February, during the holy festival of Thaipusam, the caves attract as many as 80,000 Hindu devotees and curious onlookers. The journey to the Batu Caves takes 30 minutes by bus from the Central Market, though a train link from Sentul is slated to be in place by the end of 2009.

Masjid Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah (Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah State Mosque): 30km (18 miles) west of Kuala Lumpur in Shah Alam, Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah State Mosque sits in 10 hectares (30 acres) of landscaped gardens. This computer-designed mosque is the largest in Malaysia and reputedly in South-East Asia. Built in 1988, the mosque is an appealing combination of traditional Islamic and ethnic Malay architecture. Its most striking features are the gleaming blue aluminium dome, which is a staggering 92m (302ft) high, and its four towering minarets.

For a Whole Day

Sunway Lagoon Themepark: Just 15 minutes' drive from Kuala Lumpur, in Petaling Jaya, the Sunway Lagoon Themepark (tel: (03) 5639 0000; website: www.sunway.com.my/lagoon) is built on redeveloped mining land. The Waters of Africa area claims to have the world's largest man-made surfing pool and also boasts a diverse range of thrilling African-themed water rides. Two other parks (World of Adventure and Wild Wild West) are dry parks offering exciting white-knuckle rides with the former staking claim to the world's longest pedestrian suspension bridge. Other attractions include Voodoo Adventure and Kalahari Kids, both aquatically themed attractions offering plenty of opportunities to splash around on a hot day, as well as the new Scream themed attraction, a chilling experience guaranteed to spook younger visitors.

Templer's Park: Established by the British during the colonial years, Templer's Park, 21km (13 miles) north of Kuala Lumpur, is a 1,200-hectare (3,000-acre) section of Malaysian jungle where visitors have the chance to explore trails, swim in the pools and relax by waterfalls.