Ultimate Guide to Kuala Lumpur – Although we were sad to leave Malacca, we were excited and ready to take on a new adventure in a bigger city, Kuala Lumpur! The iconic capital of Malaysia did not disappoint. This emerging, culturally diverse city boasts a mix of Chinese, Indian and Malay influences making it one of the greatest spots for food. With only three nights booked, we hit the ground running and packed in all the sites in just a few days. So whether you are in the city for just a short layover, or making a dedicated stop on your South East Asia backpacking tour, this guide will be a great start for you on your adventure in Kuala Lumpur!
Ultimate Guide to Kuala Lumpur
Things To Do
Batu Caves
Just outside the city centre you can easily take the metro to get to the Batu Caves. These caves were formed inside the limestone hill millions of years ago. Now, the 272 steps leading up to the cave have been painted rainbow, therefore making it one killer Instagram spot. Before the entrance you are also greeted by a giant… and we mean GIANT golden statue of Lord Murugan, who the Batu Caves are dedicated to. Once at the top, you can look up in the cave and see hundreds of monkeys playing around.
Note: ladies be sure to cover your legs! No shots or short skirts allowed.
Pro Tip
Rise and Shine! We took the metro there EARLY to get the shot and beat the crowds. However, it’s also worth getting there early to see how magical it is at sunrise!
Chinatown
Chinatown is one of the more popular neighbourhoods to explore in KL. They have many markets lining the street with pretty much any and every fashion item, or accessory you can think of. At night the food stalls come alive and you have some pretty great street food options. Our favourite was the shrimp dumpling soup!
Thean Hou Temple
This six tiered temple dedicated to the Chinese sea goddess Mazu, is definitely worth seeing on your trip to KL. We happened to be there during Chinese New Year, so the temple itself was even more spectacular with red Chinese lanterns everywhere!
Petronas Twin Towers
KL boasts to have one of the most modern skylines, but you can’t miss the infamous Petronas Twin Towers. These 451m tall buildings are stunning and designed with Islamic motifs. The towers also offer a public skybridge and observation deck. There is also great shopping inside. Make sure you catch them right at sunset, thats when they are the most beautiful!
KL Forest Eco Park / Jungle Bridge
The Kl eco park is a great way to immerse yourself in some greenery within a city. With a winding trail and raised platform, you’ll get to see the forrest from the sky and ground. With the raised platforms there are some pretty cool bridges connecting them, they also make for a pretty sweet shot. Hidden from the busy streets below, this jungle will take your mind away from the city.
Ultimate Guide to Kuala Lumpur
Where To Eat
Merchants Lane
This hidden cafe in the middle of Chinatown is 100% interior goals. A bit tricky to find, but totally worth it, this cafe serves up both classic western dishes along with traditional Malay ones as well. We went for brunch and it did not disappoint.
Indian Food
We stayed in the middle of Little India, so there were a surplus of Indian hawkers (food stalls) near by. We recommend trying some of their curries and of course the garlic nan bread! For example the meal below was a Dollar !!!!!!!
Shrimp Dumpling Soup
If you are in Chinatown, have a lookout for the old man serving up delicious shrimp dumpling soup. For only 5 ringgit you can get yourself a super tasty meal!
Ultimate Guide to Kuala Lumpur
Where We Stayed
We stayed at a hotel called OYO 431 Hotel in the heart of the city. It was a good location, as it was a short metro ride to all the stops on our list. It was a bit tricky to find upon arrival, but once we knew are way around, it was easy to navigate. For only $10 USD a night, this place was a steal. Proper aircon, wifi and hot water. Keep in mind this was a budget stay! Pro Tip: If you are traveling with a group, or another couple we 100% recommend that you book an air b n b at The Platinum Suites. They have an insane infinity pool with a view of the towers! You’ll thank us later!
Check the latest prices and dates on OYO 431 Check Here.
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