We brought nature lovers to the outskirts for some quality unwinding in our last feature, but don't worry, we haven't forgotten about those who're more comfortable being surrounded by the sights and sounds of the big city!

This week, The Local Scene is taking you on another joyride – this time a picturesque adventure for avid photographers! Kuala Lumpur might be infamous for mind-numbing traffic jams (and more recently, haze), but looking past that, our bustling capital city is home to several beautiful sights that are simply stunning in pictures.

Petaling Street, widely considered the hub of Malaysian culture, is our first pit stop! Home to the city's central market, its main attraction is Lorong Melayu, which specialises in local arts and crafts. Meanwhile, a short 20-minute walk away is Little India, which is bursting at the seams with strong colours and even stronger scents! 

These two areas are most exciting during the day, as traders will be milling around with goods like traditional clothing, pottery and craft. Steeped in culture, the streets here are wonderful to photograph as you'll get a glimpse of the heritage that truly makes Malaysia special.

Located at Batu Caves, the Sri Venkateswara Swami Temple is a holy shrine that consists of five small temples. Set against a background of age-old mountains, its beautiful, golden architecture and perfect lighting casts a peaceful veil over the area. The ambience is truly calming, not only to temple-goers, but also tourists! Trust me; that climb of 272 steps? Completely worth it for the breathtaking pictures you'll end up taking.

The temple is best photographed in the evenings, when the dusky pastel skies bring out its structure and warm lighting.

Closer to the heart of the city is the recently-built Nu Sentral shopping mall, a true feat of engineering and architecture. Located a stone's throw away from KL Sentral station, this brilliantly-built metallic structure glistens like diamonds when sunlight beams down on it. Even local pedestrians stop to photograph it sometimes, not just regular tourists! I know I do, that's for sure.

Fine metallic sheets beautifully arranged into an elegant structure outside Nu Sentral.

Meanwhile, Bukit Bintang is an area true to its name because it truly comes to life when the stars are out to play. At night, the streets transform into Malaysia's very own version of Times Square – brightly-lit restaurants and shops are woven perfectly between posh buildings, and the roads are jam-packed with all walks of life.

The contrast between the colourful streets and night skies are truly a treat for photographers, especially those who enjoy snapping city nightlife and posh buildings. Do keep safety in mind, though, as the traffic here is heavy no matter what time of the day it is!

Nestled in the middle of two beautiful skyscrapers in Bukit Bintang is a quiet alley lined with trees and bathed in warm light.

Iconic Malaysian landmarks that we definitely can't go without mentioning is the scenic KL Tower and its equally mesmerising companion, the Petronas Twin Towers – two of the tallest buildings in the nation. Flanked by towering skyscrapers and stunning nature courtesy of the nearby park, these two beacons of light look best at night, set against the glistening Kuala Lumpur cityscape. 

KL Tower playing peek-a-boo with the greenery surrounding the very heart of Kuala Lumpur's city centre.

Scattered all around Kuala Lumpur, these Malaysian landmarks are easily accessible via public transportation like train lines, so don't worry! Commuting would be the least of your hassles, though, believe me; as an avid photographer myself, I can tell you that once you start adjusting your camera settings and immersing yourself into taking pictures of these breathtaking places, you'll appreciate these Malaysian landmarks as more than just national icons.

They truly are a window to the city life in Kuala Lumpur – bustling and jam-packed, but 100% Malaysian and always, always feels like home.

The Local Scene has done our fair share of travelling this past month, and this marks the end of our adventures around Malaysia! Next week, our resident tech geek will be taking the stand and shedding some light on a different kind of Malaysian pride, so keep your eyes peeled!

Bibliography

About (Centre for Malaysian, Culture, Heritage, Art and Craft). 2015. Retrieved 29 October, 2010 from http://centralmarket.com.my/about.php

Before the break, we featured pieces on uncommon sports in Malaysia; isn't a little rest and relaxation called for after all that physical exertion? The Local Scene is back and recharged after our little getaway last week, and we hope you are too!

Speaking of getaways, what with the year-end holidays right up our alley, we've decided to shine some light on some hidden places that you can retreat to for a well-deserved vacation, tucked away in the folds of nature and well away from the rat race of the big ol' city.

Located in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, The Shorea is a beautiful, secluded resort built within the Berembun forest reserve.

Now people might think, "Huh? Built in a jungle? Are there even proper working facilities there?" Rest assured, they do; fully-functional and equipped bathrooms and kitchens are available for guest use, so there won't be any panic for food or having to sneak off into the forest for any business, don't worry!

Quality rest and relaxation is of high priority at The Shorea, whose villas are built on natural terrain. Not only is there a sun deck, the resort also offers two different pools – an infinity pool and a plunge pool – for visitors to soak in the stunning views of the rainforest (no pun intended, I promise). Fun fact: both are salt water pools with zero chloramines, just like the actual sea!

The infinity pool overlooking the beautiful rainforest. (The Shorea, 2015)

For guests who prefer something a bit more thrilling, the nature walk is a popular attraction, especially around dawn and dusk. At these times, lucky visitors might catch a glimpse of the rare birds who call the forest reserve home, such as the magnificent hornbills when they feed at sunset.

Moreover, for a small fee, an indigenous tribesman from a nearby village will bring adventurers through the rainforest's jungle track, which runs along the Batang Benar River and past a series of gorgeous waterfalls.

A wide-angle view of the scenic nature walk. (The Shorea, 2015)

North of Negeri Sembilan, nestled between the limestone hills, greenery and a lake, is the Tadom Hill Resort in Banting, Selangor. It boasts beautifully-structured chalets built entirely out of bamboo, and a wide selection of recreational activities for thrill-seekers at heart.

Tadom Groove, which offers a picturesque view of a sparkling clear lake, is the hub of the resort's main activities; there are diving platforms, floating lounge chairs, and even Tarzan swings for the brave! Scattered in the vicinity of the area are places for bamboo rafting, zip lining, stand-up paddling, and a myriad of other recreational activities, sure to leave guests spoilt for choice.

Tadom Groove, the resort's main recreational area, also doubles as a live performance venue. (Tadom Hill Resort, 2015)

Real daredevils, however, also have something to look forward here – its monstrous obstacle course called Tadom Base. Certified Malaysia's toughest obstacle course, it is comprised of a series of gruelling activities that are definitely not for the faint-hearted!

A promotional poster for Tadom Base that showcases the entirety of the challenging obstacle course. (Tadom Base, 2015)

If some quiet time away from the rat race of the concrete jungle just to unwind and be one with nature is what you're after, these two gems hidden in the little pockets of West Malaysia should certainly be in your list of bookmarked places! And the best part? No 10-hour flights necessary to make you feel like you're relaxing in the Maldives; both these natural beauties are entirely local and won't burn a hole in your pocket.

Next week, we whisk you off on another travelling adventure – we don't want to give too much away, so all we can say is, brace yourselves for a feast for the eyes!

Bibliography
Tadom Base. (2015). A promotional poster for Tadom Base that showcases the entirety of the challenging obstacle course [Online image]. Retrieved 20 October, 2015 from http://tadombase.com/about-tadom-base/

Tadom Hill Resorts. (2015). About Us. Retrieved 20 October, 2015 from http://www.tadomhillresorts.com/about-us/

Tadom Hill Resorts. (2015). Tadom Groove, the resort's main recreational area, also doubles as a live performance venue [Online image]. Retrieved 20 October, 2015 from http://www.tadomhillresorts.com/gallery/

The Shorea. (2015). A wide-angle view of the scenic nature walk [Online image]. Retrieved 20 October, 2015 from http://www.theshorea.com/recreational-activities/nature-walk/

The Shorea. (2015). About The Shorea. Retrieved 19 October, 2015 from http://www.theshorea.com/the-shorea/about-shorea/

The Shorea. (2015). The infinity pool overlooking the beautiful rainforest [Online image]. Retrieved 19 October, 2015 from https://scontent-kul1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/12042991_674973832639262_2509994218741097259_n.jpg?oh=88b252e6f604b5370f6ac0cbaada6fc7&oe=56C5DF4A