Imagine the most colorful city in the world, where all street lights shine differently, and the minarets are timidly, yet strikingly showing themselves in the sea of Mughal-style skyscrapers, and you will get a pretty clear image of Kuala Lumpur.

 

Still, words fall short when describing it, and to truly experience it, you would have to breathe in the smell of mouth-watering Asian food, walk to its most famous historical landmarks and natural attractions, and meet its friendly locals.

 

There’s absolutely no reason not to visit Kuala Lumpur, and a million of reason to visit it, but a trip like this can be very overwhelming since the city is bursting with places to see, things to do and accommodation options. Hopefully, this guide will make your job if just a bit easier. 

 

 

Top Things To Do In Kuala LumPur

 

Kuala Lumpur is the largest city in Malaysia and it covers an area of 94 square miles (243 km²), and although it may not seem large when compared with giants like London and New York, it’s packed with fantastic things to see and do, so you have to be very careful when making your itinerary choices. Here are some great things you shouldn’t miss.

 

 

1. Go See the Petronas Towers

 

Petronas Twin Towers were the world’s tallest buildings up until 2004 when Burj Khalifa in Dubai, United Arab Emirates took over the throne. Still, that doesn’t make the Kuala Lumpur’s towers any less impressive. The buildings look like “a thing of the future” and, as such, they symbolize the city’s meteoric rise from a tin miner’s shelter to a metropolis we know today.

 

The buildings are a combination of striving for modern and holding on to traditional Islamic influences. Looking them from below will make you realize how small you are, but going on a 45-tour to the 86th floor will make you see how small the world really is.

 

 

2. Admire the Menara Kuala Lumpur

 

Petronas Towers might be taller than Menara, but here you’ll experience the best city view. Plus, the bulb on the top is home to a breathtaking revolving restaurant, an open deck and interior observation deck. You can walk to it through the Forest Eco Park or take a free shuttle bus from the gate on Jalan Punchak.

 

 

3. Go to KLCC Park in the Evening

 

Sure, the KLCC Park and its greenery and dancing fountain are beautiful during the daylight too, but in the evening, you’ll get the best view on the glowing Petronas towers punching up into the night sky. In the evening (8pm, 9pm and 10pm) you can hear the magical Lake Symphony fountains play.

 

 

4. Visit the Islamic Arts Museum

 

This is not yet another ordinary arts museum. The Islamic Arts Museum in Kuala Lumpur hosts one of the best collections of Islamic decorative arts in the world. The building itself is a stunning work of art, with glazed tile work and decorated domes. Add to it the jaw-dropping colorful textiles, jewelry, carpets, and pottery and you will get a true feast for the eyes.

 

 

5. Spend the Day in Chinatown

 

This bustling neighborhood requires your full-day attention. Sure, there are more glamorous areas in the city to see, but if you really want to experience the Oriental ambiance of the city, this is the place to be. Based in Petaling Street, the district is well-known as a bargain hunter’s dream where you can find everything from herbs to imitation goods.

 

When the sun goes down, the neighborhood becomes a vivid night market filled with hundreds of stalls. After you are finished with shopping, you can go to some of the pubs and bars to get a hint of the local entertainment. In this area, you’ll find numerous other attractions, such as Sri Mahamariamman Temple, Chan See Shu Yuen Temple and Kuan Ti Temple.

 

 

6. Eat in Jalan Alor

 

Jalan Alor is the street located just behind the Jalan Bukit Bintang area, and it is one of the city’s most famous food attractions. As soon as you enter this street, you’re leaving behind the modern shopping malls and tall skyscrapers and entering into the past age of Kuala Lumpur. It hosts a lot of seafood restaurants and hawker stalls and represents the most authentic flavors of the country. Believe us, you haven’t truly felt the city until you tried the fried oyster, smoky-flavored satay, grilled chicken wings and roasted barbecue pork in Jalan Alor.

 

 

7. Stroll through the Traditional Area of Kampung Baru

 

Located in a small corner of downtown Kuala Lumpur, this charming neighborhood stands as a rare survivor of the mighty wrecking ball of the urban development. Kampung Baru is filled with adorable wooden houses, lush leafy gardens and people living the calm life as they have done for decades. This is the perfect area to take a break from the bustling city life and stop and smell the roses. When there, make sure you try some delicious home-cooked Malay food at local stalls.

 

 

8. Go on an Excursion to Batu Caves

 

Traveling for 6 miles (11km) to see this outstanding attraction is a small effort, compared to what you will gain by seeing Batu Caves. This limestone hill is comprised of three major caves and a number of smaller ones. Although the temple itself is only a 100 years old, the limestone formations inside could be around 400 million years old. If you visit it in January, you will have the chance to see the annual festival of Thaipusam, which is one of the largest gatherings in the world.

 

 

9. Hunt for Bargains at Local Street Markets

 

Kuala Lumpur’s street markets are the best places where the first-time visitor can actually feel the city’s pulse and get to know the local culture. The markets are offering a wide array of apparel, fresh produce, jewelry, handicrafts, and accessories at great prices, and they’re open from sunrise until past midnight.

 

Some of the best markets to see are Petaling Street, Kasturi Walk, Chow Kit Market, Kampung Baru Sunday market, and Taman Connaught Night Market.

 

 

10. Go Bird Spotting in Bird Park

 

If you like animals, especially feathery creatures, you’ll be impressed by this park, where you can see 200 mostly Asian species of birds. You will have no trouble spotting them all, since they are either caged or flying freely under a canopy.

 

 

Where to stay in Kuala Lumpur?

 

There is a huge selection of accommodation options in Kuala Lumpur, ranging from backpacker-affordable hostels to luxury 5-star rated hotel brands. Here are some of the top rated places of different types to stay in this city.

 

The Majestic Hotel offers 5-star hotel experience for the price of a 4-star hotel (from $89/night). It is located in Chinatown, so you can be at the very heart of the happenings. This hostel carries the charismatic vibe of old-century glamour represented in high ceilings, marble floors, chandeliers, etc.

 

The C Suites is located in Bukit Bintang, just a 10-minute drive from Merdeka Square and Petaling Street. It hosts a restaurant and a fitness center, and comfy apartments with kitchenettes and high-tech equipment for the price of $45 for a night.

 

OA The Factory is a spotless hostel located in Bukit Bintang, which is the bustling heart of Kuala Lumpur with plenty of bars, restaurants and malls within walking distance. They have dorms under $10 and private rooms under $20/night, so it is the perfect choice for budget conscious backpackers who love to meet new people. The owner Kelvin is super nice and may even cook free breakfast for all his guests.

 

 

Hopefully this guide was helpful for finding out the most amazing things Kuala Lumpur has to offer and the best ways of getting around the city. If you would take one last piece of advice: Do your best to immerse in local culture, get to know a lot of friendly and kind people and truly experience the city to its maximum – although these tips were all about precision and efficiency, it doesn’t hurt to get lost among the vivid streets of Kuala Lumpur... Happy travels!

 

 

Travel Tips Malaysia

 

Are you ready to fly to Malaysia? Here are some quick booking links and resources that I use myself for travel planning. These websites will help you to get started with your Malaysia itinerary!

 

 

Cheap Flights to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

 

Kuala Lumpur's International Airport (also known as KLIA) is connected with most major airlines, there are plenty of direct flights from Asia, Europe, Australia, Africa and North America.

Skyscanner is my favorite search engine for finding cheap flights to Malaysia, from anywhere in the world. I always start my flight search here! 

 

 

How to get from the International Airport to Kuala Lumpur City Center (KLCC)?

 

By Train: The fastest way is the express train to Kuala Lumpur's city center. It takes about 30 minutes to KL Sentral Station. You can buy the tickets online for MYR55 (US$12).

 

By Bus: The cheapest way to get from KLIA to the city center is by bus. There are several companies that sell bus tickets for MYR15-18(US$3-4). You will see some stalls that are selling bus tickets, as soon as you enter the arrival hall.

 

By Taxi: If you are more than 2 people, it's worth to take a cab - it will be cheaper than the train. A taxi from KLIA to KL city center cost about MYR70-110 (US$18-25). I recommend to use taxi apps and order one online. Indrive is my go-to app to call a cab. No more hassles with taxi drivers who don't like to use the meter! There is free WiFi at the airport, you might be able to order a cab without using data.

 

The International Airport is located about 75 kilometers south of the city centre, a cab or bus ride will take about 1 - 1,5 hours, depending on the traffic.

 

 

Transport within Malaysia

 

Bus, boat, and trains: 12Go is one of the most reliable websites when it comes to booking buses, ferries and railway. Get an instant seat confirmation and start your overland travel worry-free.

 

 

Find a Place to Stay in Malaysia

 

Hostels, hotels and resorts: Agoda is excellent if you're looking for hotels from budget to luxury! It's one of the largest hotel booking websites in the world. Plenty of options to book now and pay later, or even pay at the hotel. Risk-free booking, many with free cancellation. My other go to is Booking.com.

 

Homestays and Housesits: For a more authentic and local experience I recommend Homestay.com, a website where you can find places to stay with locals for such a great price. Personally, I'm obsessed with Trusted Housesitters, where you get to stay completely for free in exchange for pet care. Find out more in my article on How to Become a House Sitter and Never Pay for Accommodation.

 

 

Fun Tours and Activities in Malaysia

 

Get your Guide has plenty of fun activities in Malaysia, such as island hopping, hiking tours and city sightseeing trips. There is plenty of choices to keep yourself entertained!

 

Klook is similar than the one above, but offers additional options such as airport transfers, SIM cards, and food & dining experiences. It' a great way to meet other travelers while exploring a new place!

 

 

eSIM - Stay connected with Internet

 

Get an eSIM before you go and have Internet available from the second you arrive! I highly recommend Roamless or JetPac -  they're both highly ranked, inexpensive and reliable. 

 

 

Travel Insurance

 

Never go adventuring without travel insurance! I recommend Genki or SafetyWing - they're both very affordable and will cover you in an emergency. 

 

 

Do I need a Visa for Malaysia?

 

Travelers from most countries are allowed to enter Malaysia visa-free, for a period of 30 - 90 days. You can check on iVisa whether you need a visa and how long you are permitted to stay.

 

 

Thanks to Roxana of High Style Life for putting this article together. Roxana is a travel enthusiast and lifestyle consultant from Sydney and she loves to write about her adventures. 

 

 

More Blog Posts about Malaysia

 

• Kuala Lumpur In 24 Hours - Five Things To Do In One Day
• Hotel Review: Casa del Mar Langkawi - A Peaceful Retreat that makes you feel like Home
• Langkawi Island - The Perfect Getaway for Luxury and Adventure Seekers
• Four Fabulous Places to Stay in Langkawi
• 10 Fun Things to do in Langkawi, Malaysia

 

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