Kuala Lumpur International Airport — Sepang, Malaysia

KUL opened in 1998 on a site in Sepang, south of the Malaysian capital, replacing the older Subang airport and immediately establishing itself as one of Southeast Asia's premier aviation hubs. Architect Kisho Kurokawa designed the main terminal around a rainforest theme, embedding a landscaped tropical garden within the building itself under the guiding idea of an airport in the forest and a forest within the airport, a concept still visible to travelers walking between gates today. A separate terminal, klia2, opened years later specifically to handle the explosive growth of budget carrier AirAsia, which along with national carrier Malaysia Airlines anchors much of the airport's traffic. The nearby Sepang International Circuit, built alongside the airport and once a fixture on the Formula 1 calendar, still hosts major motorsport events. KUL connects Malaysia to destinations across Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and Australia.