Are you planning a trip to Kuala Lumpur? Congratulations, you are going to visit one of the most exciting and thrilling cities in Asia and the entire world. This melting pot of a city holds so many ethnicities, religions, cuisines, so much art, culture, and the friendliest people you can meet. This Kuala Lumpur Travel Guide focuses on giving you the best travel tips for visiting Kuala Lumpur and giving you all the information a good Kuala Lumpur city guide needs.
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How to Get to Kuala Lumpur
When coming from abroad, chances are high, that you arrive at KLIA (Kuala Lumpur International Airport). It is Malaysia’s biggest airport and quite far from the city. The airport is located quite outside of the city and there are two ways to get there. You can either choose the KLIA Express, which is a fast train between the airport and the city. It costs 100 RM (2024) for a return ticket and will take you to the Central Train Station of Kuala Lumpur. However, if you choose to take a Grab, it will be around 77 RM for one way. So if you are traveling alone, the train will be cheaper, but if you are two people, the Grab will be cheaper.
How to Get Around in Kuala Lumpur
Congratulations! You just arrived in an amazing country and you are heading to an amazing city, the capital of Malaysia! Before you arrive you should download the app Grab (which is working like Uber). You simply create an account and then you can book a driver. Insert the address of your hotel and go. It works like a taxi service but is WAY cheaper than compared to other countries around the world. It is usually also the fastest way around, especially if you want to visit some of the sights more outside.
Kuala Lumpur also has a great train system and it is very affordable to get around the city. The only thing you must be aware of is that they are very cold from the inside and that makes them dangerous because it is 30 degrees outside! So make sure to bring you a scarf.
Where to Stay in Kuala Lumpur
It is now time to book your base. My best advice in Kuala Lumpur is to look for an Airbnb. We had a room in the Face Suites/ Platinum where we could also use the infinity pool on the rooftop and enjoy the panoramic view of the Petronas Towers. But even if you are not into Airbnbs, make sure to get you a hotel with one of those incredible infinity pools that are in KL. You are unlikely to get those views somewhere else!
My tip is to either look for accommodations in KLCC so you can reach the Petronas and the rooftop bars by food or to look for something in Bangsar as it is one of the coolest neighborhoods of Kuala Lumpur.
Check Out These Hotels:
- The FACE Suites – The place with the most incredible pool in Kuala Lumpur.
- The Grand Hyatt – as recommended by my friend: “one of the most spectacular places I have ever been to. Located centrally, great bar and incredible pool!”
What to See in Kuala Lumpur
Petronas Towers and the Suria
There is nothing Kuala Lumpur is more famous for and therefore my guide to Kuala Lumpur has to hold it. Built from 1992-1998 they were once the highest building in the world and today they are the highest twin towers in the world. And let me tell you, they are so very beautiful and impressive. If you want to see them, the best way is to start at the front, then walk your way to the Suria, the mall underneath them, and finish your way at the KLCC park and spend some time there!
Batu Caves
The Batu Caves are one of the most amazing sights in Kuala Lumpur and if you get the pleasure to be in there you need to see them. When you arrive, you can see the golden statue already from afar. It is so enormous and so beautiful.
As you reach its feet you get to walk up the stairs but be aware that you shouldn’t carry any drinks or food, because there are loads of monkeys in the area that are very trained to spot every sweet and tasty and will attack you for it.
Once you make your way up the stairs you can visit a dark cave where animals live that evolved completely without light and therefore can’t survive with it anymore. You can book a tour to see these animals but it isn’t an activity for everyone as those animals are mostly scorpions, bugs, and bats.
If you don’t go to the dark cave you will come to the main cave which has the most interesting attractions. It holds some impressive limestone rooftops and two beautiful temples that are just too impressive. But if I am being honest with you, I couldn’t decide what I liked better. The cave or the temples. Nevertheless, the Batu caves are an amazing adventure to experience.
Thean Hou Temple
If you have never seen a Buddhist before and the Thean Hou Temple is the first one you see, I am sorry to tell you, that you will be spoiled forever afterward. This six-tier building is one of the most detailed and colorful places and it left me totally speechless. All of its decorations are made with so much love and artfulness.
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Botanical Gardens of Kuala Lumpur & Bird Park
For nature lovers and perfect to escape from the buzzing streets for a while. The Botanical gardens contain an orchid garden and a wider range of beautiful landscapes.
Something we really enjoyed was visiting the bird park although you have to pay 67 Ringgit for the entry. But you can see so many breathtaking birds. Most of them are able to move freely in their area and so you can be eye to eye with pelicans, peacocks, and other beautiful birds. Most of the more tropical species were caged but it didn’t stop them from being extremely fascinating. Above all, we liked to be in a parrot hall where you can feed them for 2 Ringgit. They will sit on your hand and shoulder to get their little snack and we really loved it. You can read more about this adventure here!
Petaling Street, Sri Mahamariamman Temple, Central Market, Masjid Jamek Kl and Sultan Abdul Samad Building
All in all, Kuala Lumpur is not a city that is great to be explored on foot. The city is not built very pedestrian friendly and sometimes you will have to take a Grab even for the shortest distances. So I was very happy to discover that there is this area, where you will find many beautiful sights within walking distance!
Petaling Street, Sri Mahamariamman Temple & Central Market Hall
The first place to visit here is the Petaling Street. It is a typical Asian street market where you will find all sorts of fake designer products, toys, and gimmicks. If you want to purchase any of them, get your best bargaining skills ready, because most of the vendors will not go down without a fight (rhetorically speaking of course, but when bargaining, I get a little competitive ;)).
When you finish your shopping spree, the next place to visit is the Sri Mahamariamman Temple. Before entering, you leave your shoes at the entrance and cover your shoulders and legs. The temple itself is a peaceful place with lots of colorful decorations and statues and almost feels like an oasis in the loud and buzzing streets of Kuala Lumpur.
Just a few minutes away is the Central Market Hall and it is a market hell, where you can buy art, jewelry, and more authentic souvenirs. There are many things to discover here and it is also a great place to sit down and have a little lunch.
Masjid Jamek Kl & Sultan Abdul Samad Building
Only a short walking distance from the Central Market Hall, you will find the Masjid Jamek Kl, one of the most artistic mosques in the city. I am so in love with its architecture and would have loved to visit it, however, it is closed on Fridays and I am now able to pass this piece of knowledge down to you.
Last but not least, there is one final place to see in that area before the Malaysian sun gets to fry you completely. The Merdeka Square or Independence Square was once used as a cricket green of the Selangor Club, but more importantly, it was there, where the Union flag was lowered and the Malaysian flag hoisted for the first time. Right there you will find many houses in the Colonial style and most prominent the Sultan Abdul Samad Building, which is one of the prettiest buildings in Kuala Lumpur.
What to Eat in Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur is a melting pot in many aspects especially when it comes to food. There are a lot of cultures living together side by side and they all contribute a great part of the culture for us to try: their cuisines. I will now give you a short overview of what to have or where to have it while being here.
Food Guide to Kuala Lumpur & Guide to the Best Cafés in Kuala Lumpur & Guide to Kuala Lumpur’s Best Rooftop Bars
Nasi Lemak
One of Malaysia’s most popular dishes is Nasi Lemak. No guide to Kuala Lumpur will be complete without it. You can find it in food stalls, restaurants, malls, or even in 5-star hotels. And you can find it in the morning, in the afternoon and in the evening. So basically you can get it any time and at any place.
It is rice that is made with coconut milk, making it very creamy and fatty. (That’s why it has its name. Lemak means ‘fat’.) Usually, it is served with cucumber, egg, peanuts, fried anchovies, and some chicken or squid.
Mee Mamak, Mee Goreng, Nasi Goreng,
So I bet you either know these terms or not. For your general understanding, it is important to know that Mee means noodles and Nasi means rice. You can have it in a lot of variations and it is usually served with some chicken. You can have this chicken in other variations too. It is either fried, grilled, black peppered, or so on. Just try something to find out what you like the most.
Dim Sum
This is not only a typical Malaysian dish as it is delicious everywhere. A small number of various ingredients in a steamed rice noodle. My favorites are the ones filled with shrimps but there are also some delicious ones filled with scallops or grounded beef.
As a personal tip, I suggest ordering 2 dishes with dim sums that you know you like and to have one thing you never have heard of. This way you won’t end up hungry or with the feeling you weren’t adventurous. The tip for the brave-hearted is ordering chicken feet.
Satay
This is one type of food you can’t go wrong with. You will find it at the Jalan Alor or anywhere else too. It is just some ingredients wrapped around a small wooden stick that is grilled. It can be meat or vegetables or something more exotic like tiger prawns or jumping chicken. (Jumping chicken is only for the brave Traveller! Can you guess what it is?)
Roti Canai or Naan Garlic with Dal or Curry
One of my favorite things in the world is to eat any kind of dip. I don’t know why but the fascination is there anyway. The Malay version of that is Roti Canai and you can find it in most hawker centres. It is either served with dal or a variety of curries, which has the perfect consistency to be dipped!
Discover amazing food tours and experiences in Kuala Lumpur!
Day Trips and More from Kuala Lumpur
Of course, there is more to Malaysia than just Kuala Lumpur! There are so many other things to do and to see in the city and beyond, that you will have a hard time deciding, what to squeeze into your trip. Even I didn’t manage to do it all, although I lived in Kuala Lumpur.
Taman Negara – the Oldest Rainforest in the World
Visiting Taman Negara is an experience, you will never forget! The oldest rainforest in the world can be explored either by a day trip or for however long you want to immerse yourself in the lush greens.
Cameron Highlands & Ipoh
The tea plantations of the Cameron Highlands and its rolling green hills are something to marvel at! However, if you are going, make sure to pack warm clothing. As the Highlands are quite high, they don’t have the same humid climate as Kuala Lumpur. When you are there, you can also visit the city of Ipoh, which is known as the gateway to the Cameron Highlands.
Sungai Chiling
If you want to immerse yourself in the jungle rhythm, but don’t want to go too far, Sungai Chilling is perfect for you! It is a hike to a waterfall where you will have to cross serval streams and is the perfect hike if you are feeling a bit adventurous!
Langkawi, the Perhentians & Redang Island
Malaysia is also the perfect destination if you seek crystal-clear waters and underwater adventures. Here you can either visit Langkawi or the Perhentians. One tip that is a bit less known to tourists is Redang Island. It is the perfect tropical beach paradise and where I snorkeled with turtles for the first time!
Last but Not Least: Go Beyond the Tourist Spots
During my time in Kuala Lumpur, I was lucky to get in touch with their way of life beyond their magnificent sights. If you want to experience a look behind the scenes of Kuala Lumpur and meet a bunch of cool and artistic people, I suggest you look out for the R!iuh in the city, an amazing market of local businesses and entrepreneurs in Bangsar. I also found a lot of eco-friendly shops and people in Kuala Lumpur, so if you are into that, check out how far zero waste in Asia has progressed!
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7 Responses
The patrona tower view from that pool is so awesome! I missed getting a visa on time last year and missed out on all these amazing places. But great guide to keep in mind for next time 🙂
Oh no! If you get the chance one day, you should go. Malaysia is really beautiful
Love to see all those places soon!
Love to show you around!