On my solo travel trip around South East Asia, I visited Kuala Lumpur for a few days.
Kuala Lumpur is one of the most culturally diverse capital cities in South East Asia. Wandering around the streets you’ll find colourful food stalls selling an array of multi-cultural cuisine from Malay to Indian and Chinese.
A lot of the city is ultra modern with its huge shopping malls and impressive skyline dominated by the Petronas Towers. There are also some more classical areas with old colonial buildings and street hawkers.
Where to stay
There are plenty of luxurious Kuala Lumpur hotels in the city centre
What to do
Batu Caves
My favourite day trip was visiting the Batu Caves. It takes about 45 minutes to get here by train from the city centre. The limestone caves harbour Hindu temples and are guarded by a gold statue of Hindu deity Lord Murugan.
Be careful of the monkeys running around trying to steal your food!
Petronas Towers
No trip would be complete without visiting the iconic Petronaas Towers. For fantastic views of Kuala Lumpur’s skyline visit the observation deck for around £15. In the evenings you can go and enjoy a water fountain show which is located in front of the Petronas Towers. A multitude of colourful water fountains are co-ordinated with music and different spray patterns. There’s plenty of seats to relax in and its right next to a shopping centre where you can grab a bite to eat.
KL Tower
For the best views of the Petronas Towers make sure you visit KL tower, from the observation deck the 360 views are really spectacular and its actually even taller than the Petronas Towers.
Chill out at KLCC Park
Located around the Petronas Towers are 50 acres of garden with workout areas, children’s play areas and elaborate water features. The perfect spot to experience some greenery in the city.
Shopping
Kuala Lumpur is home to many shopping centres ranging from designer shops to high street stores.
- Pavillion Kuala Lumpur Shopping Mall – perfect for designer clothing
- The Garden – designer clothing
- Starhill Gallery Kuala Lumpur – fancy mall with designer shops
- Suria KLCC – range of high street and designer
- Mid Valley Megamall – 430 stores and a cinema
Markets
Petaling Street
This is the most popular street market, it’s in a lively and vibrant shopping district in Chinatown. Selling a range of items such as fake handbags, watches and trainers. The prices are cheap and can be haggled down even lower.
If your feeling hungry visit one of the Chinese or seafood restaurants on offer.
Kasturi Walk
Kasturi walk is a covered open air flea market here you’ll find a range of street food and fake hangbags, t shirts and watches similar to Petaling Street but less crowded.
Food stalls sell a huge range of items such as Chinese dim sum, Indian rojak (spicy salad) and Malay kiuh (sweet snack)
Chow Kit Market
This market isn’t as well known to tourists but still sells a large variety of items. There are stalls selling a range of fruit, veg and spices as well as clothes and DVD’s.
Kampung Baru Market
This night market is the perfect place to buy some traditional Malay clothes and jewellery. It’s also a popular area for food, where you can get satay, rojak, grilled fish and nasi lemak (fragrant rice dish cooked in coconut milk and served with veg)
Taman Connaught Market
This market takes place every Wednesday evening and you can find over 700 stalls here. Selling a range of inexpensive books, clothing and accessories.
If you’re hungry this market also sells a huge range of Chinese street food.
Mud the musical
This fun musical will teach you more about the history of Kuala Lumpur and how it all started in the 1800s during the mining boom.
