Welcome to the start of my Malaysia posts! Before heading to Kuala Lumpur I had heard mixed reviews of the city, but I can honestly say I absolutely fell in love with it! South East Asia is undoubtedly my favourite region of the world and Malaysia is an INCREDIBLE place, full of interesting sites, friendly people and delicious food.
I actually spent 5 days in Kuala Lumpur, which I appreciate is much more than most travellers would spend in the city, and didn’t struggle to fill the time at all. That said, I think 2-3 days is about perfect to see the main sites, so I’ve collated my favourite experiences in to a perfect 2 day itinerary to save you the research, with a few optional extras if you have longer.
Contents
- Contents
- Kuala Lumpur travel advice at a glance
- Itinerary Day 1: Central KL
- Itinerary Day 2: Batu Caves & KLCC
- Have a little longer?
- Where to stay in Kuala Lumpur
- Where to eat in Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur travel advice at a glance
- Heat – Please be warned up front, you can’t plan itineraries in Malaysia in the same way you can in Europe – it is just too hot to be outside morning to night and you will need respite, air con and shade. Please bear that in mind with your planning.
- Transport – Grab is the way to go here (rather than Uber). They are super cheap (think £1 per 10 minutes), and the city isn’t easily walkable so they are convenient and easy.
- Cost – Kuala Lumpur on the whole is a cheap city. We were able to get good 2 course meals for between £3-£10 per person every day, and most attractions in the city are free or at least under £5.
- Food – The food in KL is an experience in itself. I’ve dedicated a section to it below.
Itinerary Day 1: Central KL
KL Tower & KL Forest Eco Park Canopy Walk
Start off the day with a refreshing walk out in nature to shake off the jetlag. The KL Forest Eco Park Canopy Walk is accessible from the car park of KL Tower, one of the icons of the city. The canopy walk is quite nice, with lovely views out to the city and it wasn’t too busy first thing in the morning – I also explored solo, and I felt safe and free strolling along the walkways.
Merdeka Square & Sultan Abdul Samad Building
After walking in the park, you’ll probably already be hot and sweaty but it’s time to head to the heart of the old colonial district of Kuala Lumpur. You could choose to walk 30 minutes or just hop in a Grab taxi (which should cost around £1 for the distance) to the next stop – Merdeka Square. Merdeka is so important as it’s the place where Malaysian independence is celebrated, with a huge flag sitting at the top of the square.
The buildings around the square are also truly stunning. The highlight is the Sultan Abdul Samad Building, which originally housed the offices of the British colonial administration.
Medan Pasar
Just down the road is what was the heart of historical China Town. Now home to murals, as well as lots of lovely buildings, it’s pretty for a stroll along the river and to look out to the Sultan Abdul Samad Jamek mosque.
Central Market
Central Market was one of my favourite stops in KL. Home to hundreds of shops, and everything from fish spas to fortune tellers, batik painting, massage offerings, henna drawing and durian fruit stalls – it has everything. The food court also offers some great options for lunch, which will probably be about the time you arrive here.
Plus it’s the first air conditioned spot on the itinerary – do not underestimate how much you’ll need it!
Petaling Street Market
Petaling Street Market is a hustling and bustling market full of all the goods you could wish for at low prices. Haggling is an absolute must, and I bought 5 pairs of decent quality sunglasses for £1. Bargain.
Sin Sze Si Ya Temple & Guan Di Temple
A lovely little temple, built in 1864, Sin Sze Si Ya is the oldest Taoist temple in the city. It’s free to enter, but is a place of worship so please ensure knees and shoulders are covered for women. It’s still a working religious site, so be sure to be respectful. Guan Di Temple, another Taoist temple and slightly younger by 10 years, is just down the road and also worth a visit.
BookXcess RexKL
Oh my goodness, how I love a good bookshop. And this has to be one of the most special I’ve ever been in! BookXcess is situated in an old warehouse and is insane. It was like Hannah heaven to be honest. I seriously challenged our baggage allowance as I went on a spree! But can you blame me!?
Sri Maha Mariamman Temple
Founded in 1873, this temple is the oldest Hindu temple in the city and oldest functioning Hindu temple in all of Malaysia. Mariamman is popularly worshipped by overseas Indians, especially Tamils, and is a manifestation of the goddess Parvati, an incarnation embodying Mother Earth. To enter the temple you need to have to be dressed modestly with shoulders and knees covered, and no low cut tops.
Kwai Chai Hong
Trust me, by now you will be exhausted and overheated but there’s always time for one more stop, at the beautiful Kwai Chai Hong. We were lucky to turn up and have it all to ourselves, but even if you don’t, it’s still such a cute little alleyway full of murals, we loved it.
Chan She Shu Yuen Clan Ancestral Hall
Finish off your day with a visit in to the Chan She Shu Yuen Clan Ancestral Hall. It’s about £1 to enter but worth it to see inside – it’s a Cantonese-style heritage building with gilded carvings, rooftop figurines & a small museum, as well as those beautiful red lanterns hanging everywhere.
Optional: National Museum of Malaysia
Anyone who knows me knows a quick trip to a Museum isn’t my style, and I combined the National Museum with a trip to the Botanical Gardens (see below) on my 3rd day in the city, spending 4 hours in the Museum. You could just about sneak it in to day 1 of the itinerary if you don’t intend to do more than walk the route above rather than go in to anything, and then only spend 1-2 hours in the Museum itself (and if you haven’t melted by this point).
Itinerary Day 2: Batu Caves & KLCC
Batu Caves (or Thean Hou Temple – see below)
Batu Caves, a 20 – 30 minute Grab ride out of the city centre, were number one on my list to visit while in Kuala Lumpur. Perhaps this is why I was so disappointed. I include them on this itinerary because I do feel they are so unique and a must see – but they are overcrowded, poorly maintained, and generally a bit underwhelming. That said, they are absolutely beautiful and an important religious site and so what I think really doesn’t matter!
If you’re underwhelmed like us, you may have time to fit in another temple before lunch as well/instead. If you do, then take a Grab to Thean Hou Temple (see below in the ‘Have a little longer?’ section).
Full Post: HERE (coming soon)
Pavilion KL
After visiting the temple(s), take another Grab taxi to Pavilion KL for a late lunch (and much needed aircon). Pavilion is one of the biggest malls in Kuala Lumpur and has every shop under the sun. Spend some time shopping for some bargains, or just stop off in one of the 100+ restaurants. I can highly recommend Dolly DimSum, ParaThai and TonKatsu.
Rooftop Bar
Across the road from Pavilion KL is the Banyan Tree Hotel. Head up to floor 58 (advance bookings recommended) to their amazing rooftop bar, Vertigo. It offers some of the most amazing views to the Petronas Towers. Alternatively, you could also check in to Traders Hotel rooftop bar, but this tends to be busier so you’re less likely to get a front row seat.
KLCC Park
After filling up on a late lunch and some drinks, make the short walk from Pavilion KL to KLCC Park, a lovely park area at the base of the Petronas Towers. It’s nice to stroll through to enjoy the views and the fountains.
Petronas Towers & Lake Symphony
The Petronas Towers are a KL icon, and an absolute must visit whilst in the city. I recommend arriving for around 6pm, going up the towers for the incredible views out over the city at sunset (it will need around an hour), and then sticking around until the first Lake Symphony Show at 7.30pm. The show runs every 30 minutes until 10pm the lake in front of the towers lights up with lots of colours and music.
Mural Alley & Bukit Bintang
After all that exploring it’s time to end the day in the city’s nightlife capital, Bukit Bintang. It’s vibrant, there are lots of places for drinks and it’s a bit hectic with everyone trying to get you in to their bar. Stick to your guns though and head for mural alley, a lovely area full of street art within Bukit Bintang. We actually visited in daylight, but it would be nicer at night with all the neon signs lit up.
Afterwards, collapse with a nice dinner in the evening. We chose Bijan, a local Malaysian restaurant and our food was really good, though we didn’t enjoy the cocktails.
Have a little longer?
I had 5 full days in the city and managed to pack in a few extra ideas. If you can stretch your visit to KL to at least 3 full days, then I really recommend it to fit in some of these extra sights depending on your interests.
Thean Hou Temple
I absolutely fell in love with Thean Hou Temple, and much preferred it over Batu Caves. It was much less crowded, more beautiful and easier to visit. Therefore I do think if you have time, you could try (it’ll be a time push) and add it in to day 2, or replace Batu Caves with it. I do still think Batu is worth a visit for the fact it’s so popular and famous, but to me Thean Hou was much more enjoyable if you had to pick just one.
Full Post: HERE
Perdana Botanical Gardens
Heaven on earth to me – the Botanical Gardens were the highlight of my visit to Kuala Lumpur. I appreciate they won’t be for everyone but they’re free and totally beautiful. I combined them on a day with the National Museum mentioned as an optional extra.
Full Post: HERE (coming soon)
Day Trip to Putrajaya
Putrajaya was one of the highlights of our trip to Kuala Lumpur. It’s a total hidden gem of a stunning garden city, full of wonderful architecture and pretty parks – it’s also pretty undiscovered so felt really off the beaten track. Without a doubt, the stunning pink mosque was the highlight.
Full Post: HERE (coming soon)
Little India
Little India is a lovely area of the city, known as Brickfields. It’s vibrant, colourful, noisy, hectic and full of amazing food. We strolled round it for a couple of hours and particularly enjoyed all the colours. You only need around 1-2hrs there depending on if you plan to eat while there so it could squeeze in to the itinerary depending on your time.
MinNature Malaysia
When travelling with a big kid, part of the challenge is finding fun things for him to do. As a compromise for dragging him around the Botanical Garden, I booked us in to a MinNature Malaysia, and it was actually amazing. It tells the story of Malaysia in miniature, so was both fun and educational. It’s also perfect if you’re travelling with kids and was empty for us. Plus bonus – it sits in a mall called Sungei Wang Plaza, which is home to Vinh City Vietnamese, the best meal we had during our entire trip.
Where to stay in Kuala Lumpur
Budget
- MoMo’s – skip Kuala Lumpur’s distinctly mediocre hostels for a stay in one of the fun, no-frills rooms here. Bunks, twins and doubles are a steal – available from just £18. Apparently the restaurant serves the best tacos in town too!
Mid Range
- Alila Bangsar – at around £100/night, this hotel looks straight out of a design catalogue with its white wood interiors. It’s also situated in Little India so it’s great for food options on the doorstep.
- The Chow Kit – really lovely rooms on offer from just £37/night.
- THE FACE Suites – 5* and home to a leading candidate for the city’s best rooftop pool, a room is yours for just £60/night.
Luxury
- The Four Seasons – for one of the prime views in the city right next to the towers, plus home to an amazing Chinese restaurant which serves whole crispy ducks! From £180/night.
- The Mandarin Oriental – boasts views to the Petronas Towers and is home to some of the best restaurants in town with rooms from around £250/night.
- The Banyan Tree – our pick for 5 nights, offers views out to both the KL Tower and Petronas Towers . Its open air pool, rooftop restaurant and world class spa make it pretty special. Rooms from £200/night.
Full Banyan Tree Review: HERE (coming soon)
Where to eat in Kuala Lumpur
The food is one of the highlights of Kuala Lumpur, and we tried everything from upmarket Michelin Guide restaurants to Hawker stall street food, and we didn’t have one single disappointing meal. It makes me hungry just thinking about it again. Here are some of our highlights:
- Yun House – upmarket Chinese restaurant in The Four Seasons serving the best crispy duck pancakes I’ve ever eaten.
- Pavilion KL – the shopping mall every foodie dream off, with hundreds of authentic and cheap eating options.
- Lot 10 Hutong – Kuala Lumpur’s famous heritage food village. We sampled 6 different dishes and they were all delicious.
- Sungei Wang Plaza – head to Vinh City for the best Vietnamese ever, with main courses only costing about £1.
- Jalan Alor, Bukit Bintang – we tried local Lok Lok (sticks to dip) from a street food stall here and they were delicious. You could also try highly rated Bijan, for a restaurant option off the main tourist restaurant rubbish road.
- Brickfields (Little India) – we ate in Punjabi Rosoi and wow was it good. One of the best biryanis I’ve ever eaten, with a fried egg underneath the rice!
And there you have it, 2 (or more) amazing days in Kuala Lumpur, a city with many layers and to which I would definitely return. Malaysia as a country really left it’s mark on me and KL was the perfect place from which to start exploring it.
What do you think of KL? Have you visited, or have any recommendations that I’ve missed? Let me know in the comments below. Thanks for reading – stay safe and happy travelling!
Saasdia Travel Gid
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