Malaysia: 10 Things Every Singaporean Should Experience in Kuala Lumpur

A melting pot of cultures not dissimilar to Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia, somehow can still offer a breath of fresh air even for Singaporeans. Located about 350 km to the north, getting to Kuala Lumpur is surprisingly easy, with plenty of options available whether by air or by land. The highly anticipated Kuala Lumpur – Singapore High Speed Rail (HSR) will no doubt add to this many options soon but until then, if you’re planning to travel overland from Singapore, http://www.easybook.com/en-sg/bus/booking/singapore-to-kualalumpur might be your best bet and easiest way to get the best bus tickets on offer to Kuala Lumpur.

At approximately 250 square kilometers in size, Kuala Lumpur offers many attractions to visitors and locals alike. A little bit of research might thus be necessary before a visit after which you can truly say that you have experienced this amazing city. Fret not however, as we are going to share with you 10 things every Singaporean should experience in Kuala Lumpur.

Go up the Petronas Twin Towers

The one place you must at least get a glimpse of is Petronas Twin Towers, the iconic landmark that defines Kuala Lumpur. Once the tallest buildings in the world - they still remain as the tallest twin towers as of today, by the way -, this mega structure is a popular destination among tourists looking to take photos that says, “I’m in Kuala Lumpur!”

The view from the ground up is breathtaking. You would see the two towers as if they are touching the sky. Do not forget though that you can go on a Petronas Twin Towers Tour, take a walk on the Skybridge that connects the two towers on 41st floor, and see an aerial view of the entire city from the Observation Deck on 86th floor of Tower 2. Entrance ticket does not cost that much, but you might want to book online, or get in early to avoid queue.

Explore the beauty of KLCC Park

Source: Flickr

At the bottom of Petronas Twin Towers and just outside of the shopping mall is a beautiful park called KLCC Park, one of the many green patches you can find & enjoy in Kuala Lumpur. Here you can see many locals and foreigners having a picnic or just taking a stroll around the park or even going on a quick jog after work whilst the kids having fun just running around or taking a dip in the wading pool.

When night falls, the Park will light up for the KLCC Lake Symphony Water Fountain Show. While the water fountain shows occur throughout the day and evening, musical fountain shows only start at 7 p.m. daily and play 2 songs every half an hour until 10 p.m. If you’re aiming for this – which you really should – be there at least 5 to 10 minutes earlier to get the best spot for the show.

Shop and have fun in Bukit Bintang

Whether you are a shopping enthusiast or just looking for a fun night out, you definitely need to explore Bukit Bintang, one of the most popular shopping districts in the whole of Kuala Lumpur. The area is home to fabulous shopping malls, al-fresco cafes, trendy bars, typical Malaysian night markets, and also tons of hawkers-style eateries.

Explore Chinatown aka Petaling Street

Source: http://kuala-lumpur.attractionsinmalaysia.com/

A trip to Kuala Lumpur would not be complete without a visit to Chinatown, or Petaling Street. You will find shopping bargains of a lifetime here, on t-shirts, souvenirs, handbags, classic watches, and everything else in between. The streets are dotted with food stalls and food courts, as well as restaurants that will give you authentic tastes of Chinese food, any time of the day. The place however becomes most alive with the crowd in late afternoon and early evening.

Central Market and Kasturi Walk

Source: Flickr

Another recommended place for shopping enthusiasts is Central Market, or Pasar Seni. Alongside Central Market is Kasturi Walk, a covered pedestrian walk that is dotted with small stalls selling things like food and souvenirs. The place is not that far from Petaling Street, but the difference between Central Market/Kasturi Walk and Petaling Street is in the shopping experience that they offer; everything at Central Market/Kasturi Walk is a little bit more modern and classy.

Batu Caves 

Source: Expedia

Batu Caves temple stands out as a monumental focal point of the Hindu community, not only in Malaysia but also among those outside of India. The 126 years old temple is lodged in a beautiful limestone cave about 400 feet above ground level, devotees have to wend their way up a flight of 272 steps to the Temple Cave.

Excavated from limestone hill believed to be over 400 million years old, the caves are a captivating feat of design and nature. Visitors will be left in awe looking at how nature and a religious site stand side by side, leaving them with a unique experience at this place of worship. 

KL Sentral 

KL Sentral used to be just a major transportation hub. The place and its surrounding areas however have undergone some major changes and developments in the last couple of years, transforming it into the latest CBD that comes complete with a brand new lifestyle mall, Nu Sentral.

Brickfields aka Little India 

Source: wonderfulmalaysia.com

Just a short walk from KL Sentral, Brickfields is a great place to have your meal before you leave for other destinations. Indian restaurants are aplenty in Kuala Lumpur but one particular area in the city stands out, and that would be Brickfields’ Little India. Here, you will find restaurants serving authentic Northern and Southern Indian cuisines, with rich ingredients such as cumin, ghee, coriander and curry. It is the place to try banana leaf rice, Nasi Briyani, tandoori and many more; you’re more or less guaranteed a tantalizing gastronomic experience.

Relax and enjoy the view at Heli Lounge Bar

Source: Flickr

There are many rooftop bars around Kuala Lumpur, but the one with the best view is probably the Heli Lounge Bar. A helicopter pad by the day, it converts into a rooftop bar when the sun starts to set in. The lounge gives you a full 360-degrees view of Kuala Lumpur, including an unblocked view of the nearby Menara Kuala Lumpur (or KL Tower), another iconic structure of the city.

Visit Jamek Mosque 

You might also want to explore Masjid Jamek, one of the oldest mosques in Kuala Lumpur, located at the confluence of two rivers that gave the name to the city. If you do, do note that it is closed during prayer times, and that you need to dress appropriately by at least covering your knees and shoulders. The mosque however does provide robes to visitors, if required.

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Of course the list of things to do does not stop here, as you can see in a previous post. One question that might perturb many travellers would be the travel options. While one might consider taking a flight as a faster option, some might want to consider the cheaper option — bus. Taking a bus is relatively easy and could work out to be more convenient as there are numerous pick up and drop off points, including right in the city centre. Should you decide to take a bus from Singapore, it is recommended that you book a ticket online in advance.

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Have you been to any of these places? How would you rate them? Do you have any other recommendations too?

This is a guest post. Going to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia? Do check out these KL hotels for your accommodation requirements there. For other blog entries on Malaysia, click here.