Kuala Lumpur Travel Guide | Top Things to Do in Kuala Lumpur

 

My Plan was to visit Malaysia for a couple of days while doing a mini tour of Asia last year that consisted of China, Cambodia, and Thailand. Little did I know that the vacation Gods had other plans as I ended up back in Malaysia after missing my flight to Paris and also visiting this year on the way to Australia.

 

While I was bummed about missing my Paris flight and consequently missing the New Year’s celebration I planned in Paris but it wasn’t all too bad as I got to ring in the New Year in Cambodia then flew off to visit Malaysia before returning back to London.

 

One gets over these little mishaps very quickly if you happen to get stuck in rather beautiful cities like Kuala Lumpur. I expected it to be Modern and lavish and I wasn’t disappointed either.

Kuala Lumpur Travel Guide | Top Things to Do in Kuala Lumpur

This sits right at the foot of Petronas Twin Towers in Suria KLCC and definitely worth stopping by even if you are not into burning plastic when you travel. There is something for everyone in there. From Luxury brands the likes of Gucci, Fendi, and Gabbana to a cinema, food courts, art gallery, concert hall and to top it all there is also a lovely park on the other side of the building, perfect for people watching while taking it all in.

 

 

 

 

2. Petronas Towers Tour

Iconic landmarks of Kuala Lumpur and Malaysia as a whole is well worth a visit if you having broken your neck by staring up at them from ground level. Built in 1998, the twin towers stand at 88 storeys high and are joined by a double-decker sky bridge that you actually get to walk on during the tower tour.

 

 

 

From 88 storeys high you get amazing views of the city and beyond. I visited the City Museum which has a display exhibition showing proposed buildings that will litter the city’s skyline so more exciting and awe aspiring structures to grace the capital soon.

 

3. Batu Caves

This is not to be missed! Batu Caves are 11km north of KL. A 400 million years old limestone hill with a 100-year-old temple inside its caves. You will be greeted by little monkeys that traipse the steep steps to the caves. A word of caution, this is a temple, even with the relentless heat in Malaysia you are still expected to visit the temple in modest dress. If you turn up with barely there short shorts like I saw many tourists turn up in you will be asked to cover up.

 

 

 

 

If you don’t have anything with you, you can borrow a skirt from the ladies that sit at the bottom of the steps checking to ensure people adhere to the dress code. We visiting a week before the colour Hindu festival of Thaipusam that brings thousands to the temple who pay homage by carrying ornately-decorated kavids and other metal works used to pierce the skin, cheeks, and tongue. More pictures can be found on my post from my visit to the Batu Caves.

 

 

4. Petaling Street

Day or time if you can add this to your itinerary you will not regret it, well at least your taste buds won’t. I shared a post on my visit to Kuala Lumpur’s China Town. A colourful part of the city well known to locals and tourists alike for a being a bargain hunter’s paradise.

 

 

 

You will find all sorts of knick-knacks here including fake branded goods. From trainers, shoes, and handbags. Name the brand and they have a luxury brand sticker for it. The vibe is lively comes day or night. You also cannot leave here without tasting the food in the open air cafes, stalls, and restaurants that line the streets.

 

5. Menara KL

So you have taken in the city views from Petronas Towers, gets what? Menara KL has a viewing deck that is 100 meters higher than that of Petronas Towers. Menara KL is also one of the world’s tallest structures. To take in the views from her, though, be sure to arrive early in the day as tickets are in limited supply. That might have something to do with the fact that they are FREE!

 

 

 

6. Abdul Samad Building

 

 

 

 

The building itself stands out with its Moorish-style architecture with a mix or western and Asia blended elements to it. Built in 1887, it originally served as the secretariat for the colonial British Administration and today houses the offices of the Ministry of Information, Communications, and Culture of Malaysia.

 

 

 

 

You will find paintings, photos and other artworks showcasing KL’s history from the 1850s to present day, in addition to what the city is to look like with proposed plans for new skyscrapers that are in the works to be built next to Malaysia famous twin Towers; Petronas Towers. The City Gallery is housed within an 115-year-old colonial-style building right across from the Abdul Samad Building in Merdeka Square. Entrance is free.

 

9.  Heli Lounge

Having explored and eaten your way through the city you want to chill and watch the sunset. Heli Lounge is a cool little hang out with 360-degrees of uninterrupted views of the city. Free entrance to the Heli Pad, after you by a drink of course. For more on this, you can check out my post on Kuala Lumpur’s hidden gem.

 

 

 

 

10. Markets

 

Like any major city, there are plenty of markets in Kuala Lumpur to practice your haggling skills. If you in the city for a while I would recommend venturing out to some of these as some are only open on certain days of the week. Even better, though, is the fact that a lot of the markets in the heart of the city open till late in the evening. Check out Central Market, split into different zones to represent the different races and cultures that makeup Malaysia. This a cultural landmark not too far from Petaling Street.

 

 

You will find boutiques, stalls selling everything from souvenirs to Malaysian batik. This is open from 10am to 10pm. Also check out Chow Kit Market, KL’s largest wet market, here you will find seafood, meats, vegetable markets, and spices. This is a photographer’s paradise, a lively part market with the butchering of meat right in front of you. From food stalls to clothing you will find it all here.

 

 

 

It’s open from 6am to 5pm. If you have some time to kill on a Sunday, Kampung Baru is a Sunday only market that serves Malay community. So if you are up for hangout with the local population then this is where you will find them on a Sunday that is as well as the perfect place for traditional Malay wares with a touch of authenticity to it; from jewellery to handcrafts. Another late opening market is Taman Connaught Night market which is open on Wednesdays.

 

 

Open from 5.30pm and closes at midnight. You are not the only one if getting the impression that no one sleeps in this town. That works out great, though, especially if you arrive late in the day, you know there is always something to do in the city even late in the night.

 

Where to Stay in Kuala Lumpur

 

 

 

 

  I opted to stay at Mandarin Oriental Hotel because it was right next to Petronas Towers, the shopping mall was right next to the hotel too, the pool looking out on to the city below. While I realise not everyone’s budget will be the same, I tend to look at hotel deals on the web and shop around for the best deals. For a look and hotels and hostels in Kuala Lumpur and book your stay, have a look at Booking.com, Agoda, and Trivago.

Getting from the Airport is made easy as there are taxis waiting right outside. Even better if you haven’t already changed currency or don’t know too much about the going rate of taxi fares or can’t haggle to save your life then Uber will sort you out! We used Uber from the airport straight to our hotel without breaking the bank.

I believe it was under £20. Compared that to £50-60 from Heathrow into Central London. Getting around the city itself is super easy to as there is the monorail which is another item to add to an experience of seeing and experiencing Kuala Lumpur. There are buses you can also use but I didn’t get a chance to use these as was based right in the heart of the city, so we walked a lot or used taxis for places that were far, like the visit to Batu Caves.

Also See:

• Going Beyond Kuala Lumpur With A Borneo Itinerary
• Best Places To Stay In Bali
• Top Phuket Experiences Not To Miss
• Where To Stay In Phuket

 

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