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Kuala Lumpur was the first city I visited in Asia and to this day remains a favorite. Like all of Malaysia, it is a melting pot of culture and the incredible food that comes with it. Although tourists seem to sleep on this city and country a little, Kuala Lumpur is not to be missed. This Kuala Lumpur Guide will help you enjoy your time in this wonderful city.
Currency Converter – 10 Malaysian Ringgit (MYR) = €2.10/£1.90/$2.40
Accommodation in Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur is quite a large city. This means choosing the right accommodation is vital for getting the most out of your time there. My personal recommendation is to stay in the Bukit Bintang area. This way you are close to Jalan Alor, the food street of KL. The area also has excellent public transport. The monorail service has quite a few stations there and, most importantly, the GOKL bus lines (a FREE!!! bus service provided by the city) operate through this area. The city’s best nightlife is also there My personal recommendation is the newly renovated Irsia Guesthouse. This hostel has excellent staff and a really cool, chilled atmosphere. I have heard Dorm KL and Sunshine Bedz KL are also great places to stay.
For a dorm room in Kuala Lumpur, you should never pay over 30MTR a night. These prices are about average for a hostel dorm bed in South East Asia and the hostels recommended above are priced at slightly lower than this. They do offer private rooms, but you will pay a higher price for these. A decent hotel room in Kuala Lumpur will cost you 100MYR.
When To Go
Visitors to Kuala Lumpur are quite lucky as the weather never gets too bad. September and October are the wettest months, but heavy showers can happen at any time throughout the year. High season starts in December to February, the rain showers will be less frequent but temperatures have yet to peak. The hot season is from March to June. I would suggest avoiding that if you plan on frequent or strenuous activity. I think of November as the best month to visit. There are fewer crowds and less rain. It’s not quite as hot, but in reality, any time of the year is a good time to travel to KL.
What To Do in Kuala Lumpur
Masjid Negara
The National Mosque of Malaysia, Masjid Negara can hold 15,000 people. Its sheer size coupled with its amazing beauty makes it a must-see when you visit Kuala Lumpur. Entry is free and they have some very friendly staff inside who are happy to engage in conversation and answer any questions you may have.
Petronas Towers
The Petronas Towers are the iconic landmark of Kuala Lumpur. Standing over 450 meters tall, the Petronas Towers are the tallest twin towers in the world. For those wanting to visit the towers, you can go up to the 41st and 42nd floors to witness the SkyBridge, the world’s highest 2-story bridge that connects the twin towers. There is also an observation deck on the 86th floor. Tickets cost RM28 and can be bought here. Be sure to return to the towers after dark and catch the light shows in KLCC Park. The towers are also even more spectacular at night.
National Museum of Malaysia
The National Museum of Malaysia provides an overview of Malaysian history and culture. The museum consists of 4 galleries over 2 floors covering the colonial era of the country, the Malay kingdoms, and the more modern history of the country. Entry is just RM5 and a visit will take 1-2 hours.
Batu Caves
The Batu Caves located just outside Kuala Lumpur will be one of the highlights of your time in the city. The caves are over 120 years old and are dedicated to the Hindu God Murugan. The caves are accessible by a 272-step climb, something which is not so easy in the heat. Watch out for the hyper macaques along the way. To reach the Batu Caves, take a train from KL Sentral. It costs just RM2.60. The caves are free to enter.
Lake Gardens Park
Also known as Perdana Botanical Gardens. It is Kuala Lumpur’s first large-scale recreational park. The perfect place of refuge from the hustle and bustle of the busy city. You can rent bicycles for a relaxing ride. Guided walks are also provided free of charge on Sunday mornings from 8 am to 10 am. Some of the tourist attractions located at Lake Gardens are the National Monument, deer park, Orchid Garden, Kuala Lumpur Bird Park, and Kuala Lumpur Butterfly Park.
Jalan Alor
Jalan Alor is the beating heart of Kuala Lumpur’s food scene. Nearby are the modern shopping malls and high-rise buildings but at night this street will take you to a bygone era, where restaurants and vendors sell undeniably excellent food for low prices. Jalan Alor is a must for your evening meal at least once during your stay in KL.
Jalan Petaling
These pedestrianized streets are known as the Chinatown area of Kuala Lumpur. Here, vendors will sell anything from fake football jerseys to cheap electronics, to delicious sweet treats. For such a small area, Jalan Petaling manages to pack quite a lot in. Come here, take a lot around and find yourself a bargain or at the very least, some delicious food.
Royal Police Museum
This museum showcases the history of the Royal Malaysia Police. It includes exhibits from the history of the Royal Malaysia Police since its origins under British colonial rule until the 1970s. There are quite a lot of weapons previously used on display and outside there is a good collection of transports surrounding the museum from tanks to a boat and a helicopter. The museum is free to enter and can be found between Masjid Negara and Lake Gardens Park.
Museum of Islamic Art
The largest museum of Islamic arts in South East Asia with more than seven thousand artifacts from the Islamic world. This open-planned museum is made up of galleries for Chinese, Indian, and Malay art while also including themed sections for the Quran, manuscripts, textiles, jewellery, coins, metal, wood, and ceramics. The museum costs RM14 and is located beside the above Royal Police Museum.
Menara
Also known as KL Tower. Menara is a 6-story, 421-meter-tall telecommunication tower. It is the world’s 7th tallest tower. Here you can get some of the best panoramic views of the city from its observation deck. They also have a Sky Box where you can step into the glass box that hangs from the side of the tower. Here you can watch the city moving below you. Tickets for the Menara Tower cost RM22 and can be bought here.
Thean Hou Temple
This temple was built to honor the Chinese sea goddess Mazu. It is one of the largest and oldest Buddhist temples in Southeast Asia. The temple has 6 tiers, and from the top stories, you can get some nice views of the surrounding Kuala Lumpur. The building itself has a contemporary Buddhist pagoda and images of Buddha enshrined in the octagonal hall. The temple is within walking distance of the city. Take public transport to one of KL Sentral or MidValley Station and make your way from there. Entrance to the temple is free.
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Merdeka Square
Also known as Independence Square. This large green area is overlooked by the Sultan Abdul Samad building. The building is an iconic government building from the 1800s featuring large copper domes and a large clock tower with a 1-ton bell.
Masjid Jamek Sultan Abdul Samad
Constructed in 1909, this is one of KL’s oldest mosques. Before the opening of Masjid Negara, this mosque was considered the primary place of worship for the Muslim community in Kuala Lumpur. It is located at the confluence of the Klang and Gombak Rivers, near the original settlement and birthplace of Kuala Lumpur. Entrance to the Mosque is free.
Berjaya Times Square
Kuala Lumpur is a shopper’s paradise. There are many shopping malls here, from the high-end to the knock-off bargains. The best of the lot is Berjaya Times Square. A 9-floor shopping mall where you will find it all. This mall has a cinema, a bowling alley, and even a wonderful theme park. This theme park, on the 5th floor, has everything from flying bumblebees for kids, to an 800-meter roller coaster for adults. It is quite surreal seeing this in the middle of a shopping mall.
Where To Eat in Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur has one of the most diverse food scenes imaginable. The influence of many different cultures really tells in the food there. For some of the best, budget eats in the city, click here!
I will always have a soft spot for KL. My first time there, my first stop in Asia, everything seemed so chaotic. I was almost dizzy trying to keep up with the pace of life there, something which I had never experienced before. It took a second trip to the city to see that it is actually calmer and more peaceful compared to many others in South East Asia. I will always welcome any opportunity to visit. KL is a city that too many seem to skip over, missing out on one of the region’s most exciting places to visit.
To check out my full Malaysia Travel Guide, click here
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Hey!
Thanks for this article, I’m going to KL soon and found this helpful 🙂