understanding what to perform in travel hub Kuala Lumpur has ended up being much more as well as much more essential for travellers. as well as with so much to offer, the Malaysian funding is the very best method to begin or end your next trip. Here’s our first-timer’s guide to Kuala Lumpur, the garden City of Lights.
Mrs romance as well as I have flown in as well as out of Kuala Lumpur flight terminal – or KLIA – so numerous times however have never had the possibility to get outside the flight terminal as well as check out the city before. now that we understand what’s out there, we’ll be making our travel itineraries a couple of days longer to get out as well as about in the garden City of Lights.
Here’s much more from our newest trip to Malaysia as well as Thailand.
With so numerous cultures as well as influences at work in this cosmopolitan Oriental city, visitors are spoilt for option with what to do as well as see – however many significantly what to eat right here in KL.
To assist with the paradox of as well much option – particularly if it’s your very first time in KL – we’ve put together an important guide to Kuala Lumpur as well as what you can perform in 24 hours.
24 hours in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – a first-timer’s guide
Where to stay in Kuala Lumpur
Berjaya Times Square Hotel
This outstanding hotel has all the comforts from house you’ll ever want. The spaces are large, the views out over the city are outstanding (we might even see the Petronas Towers from our windows) as well as the rooftop pool is extremely tempting.
The hotel is likewise completely located. It’s best in the heart of the city. You’re likewise just off the primary highway in the south of the city, so getting to as well as from the flight terminal is truly easy.
As an added bonus, the Berjaya is on top of one of the city’s numerous buying centres, so you have benefit actually at your doorstep. Not only that however the Times Square shopping center is likewise a style park replete with roller coasters. bit different, isn’t it?
How to get around KL
Taxis (amusingly ‘teksi’ in Malay) can be a bit hit as well as miss. The cabs are frequently old as well as disheveled as well as the chauffeurs have a credibility for dodginess – though the taxis we caught were fine.
Uber is in KL though, as well as this is most likely your best option for getting to as well as from the airport. As you exit the airport, run with the taxi rank gauntlet, book your Uber as well as phone call the driver. Organise a area to satisfy away from the taxis – they don’t get on with Uber drivers.
In the city, you’re most likely much better off with taxis – just make sure they have their metres on when you’re on your way.
Walking in KL is one of the fun parts of the city. It’s a possibility to take your life in your own hands, though anywhere possible we like to comply with a local. These men are amazing at crossing the hectic KL roads!
KL skywalks
Through a big section of the city – particularly near the Petronas Towers as well as the monorail stops – are skywalks. They take you above the racing web traffic as well as make getting across town on foot extremely easy.
Where to drink
There are great deals of bars around KL as well as many eateries will serve beer. However, keep in mind that a big portion of the population right here is Muslim, so utilize discretion when in restaurants.
Most if not all Chinese Malay eateries will offer alcohol.
No Black tie Jazz Bar
We didn’t make it here, however our Malaysian buddy tells us this is a extremely awesome watering hole to visit.
Skybar, Traders Hotel
Relax with a mixed drink or a beer by the Traders Hotel’s pool. You’ll have an amazing view out over the KL Park where the Petronas Towers are.
Changkat Buket Bintang
This road is full of bars as well as restaurants, as well as truly kicks off after dark. There’s a strong expat neighborhood here, who share the area with regional party-goers. If you’re searching for a night out, this is where you requirement to come.
Berjaya Times Square
Yes, your hotel has a bar as well as it’s quite prominent too. discover a table near a window for a lofty view of the city.
Where to eat
One thing that’s simple to discover in KL is great food. You can’t truly go wrong.
Try the food courts in the buying centres – typically on the lower levels. There’s lots of variety as well as it’s all safe, so no dodgy tummies!
Jalan Alor
This street has an amazing night food market you can’t miss. even if it implies having two dinners, go here. It’s a fantastic assault on the senses. get a satay as well as a beer as well as view the people capture by.
Jalan Buket Bintang
Another night market street that’s a bit much more organised as well as simpler to get around.
Roti stands as well as restaurants
The concierge at the Berjaya showed us to a location just across the street called Kafetaria Ikhwan. It’s no-frills as well as full of locals, however the food’s top draw as well as so cheap.
What to eat – in a word: everything!
Char kway teow – Mrs Romance’s absolute favourite, this fried thick, flat noodle meal typically includes pork or poultry as well as veggies. I completely get why Mrs R likes it so much!
Char siew – this barbeque pork meal is our favourite. Locals will tell you every location that does it has its own style as well as no two char siew venues are the same. The pinky-red smoke sound in the pork as well as the crispiness make this an incredible bite to eat.
Roti canai – a traditional Indian influenced dish, this typically is available in a metal tray a bit like what you might’ve had at school. Or if you’ve been in prison! however crockery aside, tearing up that crispy roti flat bread as well as scooping the daal as well as curry sauces is a genuine eating pleasure.
Nasi goreng – actually implying ‘fried rice’, this is a Malay staple. You’ll discover it all over in KL. It’s a great one to fill up on before you head to the airport.
Laksa is a challenging one in Malaysia. In locations like Australia, you purchase prawn, chicken, beef or vegetarian, however in KL you won’t have those choices. However, there seems to be an huge variety of laksa available.
The routine one will be asam laksa, which isn’t made with coconut milk as well as is much much more pungent!
Satay – you can discover this in Thailand, Indonesia, Laos… around this part of SE Asia, however it’s especially typical in Malaysia. Make sure you get great deals of peanut sauce with yours!
Curry mee – special to Singapore as well as Malaysia, this spicy noodle soup is much more like the laksa you discover in Australia, just with curry. It’s delicious!
Nasi lemak – locals like to eat this for breakfast however it’s an all-day meal as far as I’m concerned. Recognised as Malaysia’s national dish, this aromatic rice, sambal as well as crispy anchovy meal is easy however delicious.
Frog soup – my mate reckons it’s excellent… I’m not so sure. It’s really frog congee, so if you’re not into either eating frog or congee, don’t do it!
What to do
There’s plenty to perform in KL. however to narrow it down to what you can perform in 24 hours (and have a great night’s sleep), here’s our shortlist:
Petronas Towers as well as KL Park – this is a must-see while you’re here. The two Towers are gorgeous as well as so unique, as well as the park in front of them is beautiful too.
Shopping – head to the shopping centers for some retail therapy as well as an getaway from the humidity. many of the shopping centers are on the road Jalan Sultan Ismail, which is on a small hill going up from south to north. The higher you go towards the Petronas Towers the much more costly the shopping centers become. many of the shopping centers don’t open till about 10am however they’re open all night.
Low Yat Plaza is a shopping center particularly for inexpensive electronics as well as well worth a look if you’re after a new GoPro or noise-cancelling headphones, things like that.
Islamic Arts museum – suggested to us by as well numerous locals to ignore, this interesting as well as beautifully embellished museum has some amazing artefacts, designs of the world’s many well-known mosques as well as amazingly old books. The beauty as well as symmetry of middle Eastern art is truly something to be admired.
KL Bird Sanctuary as well as butterfly park – an huge 20-acre netted aviary you can walk through. It’s Mrs Romance’s concept of hell as she’s not a fan of flying creatures, however for us bird fans, it’s a genuine treat. view out for the cheeky macaque monkeys outside the park though. They’re everywhere!
Jalan Petaling – close to the bird park as well as Islamic Art museum is Jalan Petaling, KL’s Chinatown as well as run away market. likewise round the corner is the Sri Mahamariamman Hindu Temple. We didn’t get there this time, however this looks gorgeous as well as extremely interesting.
Malaysia as well as its funding Kuala Lumpur have ended up being a genuine traveler hotspot in recent years. particularly for those in transit to other parts of Southeast Asia or on antipodean journeys, this busy hub of the far east has so much much more to offer than just a transit stop.
The only danger is you’ll autumn in like with the location as well as won’t want to go anywhere else!
Do you have any type of suggestions for going to Kuala Lumpur? let us understand in the comments!
Images by Mrs romance utilizing an OM-D E-M5 mark II Olympus camera.