What to do in Kuala Lumpur: Visit Kuala Lumpur!
Essential to remember
Kuala Lumpur can be tamed in 2 days: Petronas towers, Chinatown market, Batu Caves to the north. The city is an ideal stopover between Bangkok and Singapore, not a destination in itself.
In a previous article, I praised the different neighborhoods of Singapore to visit; now it’s Kuala Lumpur’s turn where I also spent 3 days! It’s not my favorite city but I will give you the places I enjoyed! Here it is: What to do in Kuala Lumpur?
If you are traveling longer in Malaysia, this article might interest you: Backpacker Malaysia
What to do in Kuala Lumpur: The most visited places:
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What to do in Kuala Lumpur? The Petronas towers:
It is the most visited place in Kuala Lumpur, every tourist who comes to KL does not leave before having been photographed in front of these towers! The spectacle of the two twin towers illuminated at night is worth the detour! As for visiting the tower itself, it’s better to go early in the morning because there are many tourists visiting!
Did you know?
The Petronas Towers were the tallest buildings in the world from 1998 to 2004. The bridge that connects the two towers on the 41st floor is not fixed: it slides to absorb the movements of the wind and the towers.
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Visit Malaysia: The royal palace:
It’s a bit like Buckingham Palace for the Malays, as in England, you can only look at it from the outside but the palace is surrounded by a very beautiful park! You can see a lot of English influence because Malaysia was once an English colony! This is why this palace immediately reminds one of Buckingham Palace.
My experience
My most memorable memory in KL is neither the towers nor Chinatown. It is a small Indian warung in Brickfields, where a Tamil explained to me for 2 hours the difference between a roti canai and a roti tisu, while serving me both. The city is experienced as much in its ethnic neighborhoods as in its skyline.
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Chinatown:
It is the Kuala Lumpur neighborhood where the hostels or the cheapest hotels are located! At night, you find stands selling objects, t-shirts, food, etc.! One place I really liked in Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown is the Reggae Bar with a laid-back and relaxed atmosphere but on weekends it’s another story! It is the place where foreigners gather and the bar is full!
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Shopping malls in Kuala Lumpur:
KL is known for having many shopping malls in Southeast Asia including one shopping mall and hotel that is 48 stories high (Berjaya Times Square), the shopping mall houses about a thousand stores including the most famous brands in the world!
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Focus on Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia: commercial district “Bukit Bintang”:
It houses many cafes, pubs, hotels, restaurants, and shopping malls. It is one of the main commercial districts of the city! You find quite well-known brands; the restaurants are mainly Asian such as Chinese, Indian, Malay, Thai, and Indonesian.
Advantages
- Strategic air hub in Southeast Asia
- Extremely varied cuisine (Malaysian, Chinese, Indian)
- English spoken everywhere
- Efficient metro and monorail
- Low cost of living
Weak points
- Heavy traffic
- Visible pollution on some days
- Humid monsoon almost all year round
- Few strong historical attractions
| Place | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Petronas Towers (observation) | 1h30 | ~22€ |
| Batu Caves | 3h | Free |
| Chinatown (Petaling Street) | 2h | Free |
| Central Market | 1h | Free |
| National Mosque | 1h | Free |
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The Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia:
Located 10km north of the city, 30 minutes by train, this temple is a small marvel, it is the largest Hindu sanctuary outside India! Right at the entrance, there is a very large golden statue.
You have to climb the steps to reach the caves converted into temples! It is my favorite spot in Kuala Lumpur!
The classic trap to avoid
Avoid taxis that refuse to use the meter, especially from KLIA airport. Use Grab or the KLIA Ekspres (direct train to downtown in 30 minutes for about 12€).
I do not recommend Kuala Lumpur for nightlife! Although you feel very safe! When going out to bars on the street, you are often seen as a person with money and nothing else, and most of the girls are working girls, the majority coming from the Philippines but one should not generalize! This gives you an idea of what to do in Kuala Lumpur.
Some additional resources if the topic interests you: Malaysia cultural richness to set the basics, Burma / Myanmar for practical aspects, and Asia tour around the world to go further.
If you liked this article, or if you want to travel in Southeast Asia, this section might interest you: Southeast Asia advice
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How many days are needed in Kuala Lumpur?
2 days are more than enough for the must-sees. A 3rd day if you want to visit the Batu Caves at a leisurely pace or Putrajaya.
What is the best season to visit KL?
May to July are the least humid months. It rains all year round but mostly in the late afternoon, in short storms.
Is a visa required for Malaysia?
No, French citizens benefit from a visa exemption for 90 days.
