11 things to do in Kuala Lumpur, in 3 days
Malaysia is full of captivating cities and the capital Kuala Lumpur (KL) is no exception. The delicate balance between modern ambition and ancient cultures is very apparent here, as evidenced by the mix of skyscrapers, mosques and temples. Many different religions and cultures co-exist here, with English being widely spoken.
Great for… your Malaysian base to explore the rest of the country.
Not so great for… a tranquil getaway.
Best time to visit
Kuala Lumpur is a great destination to visit year-round. Depending on what destination you want to combine with your visit to KL, the best time to visit will vary. The best time for the west coast of Malaysia is from December to February, while the dry period on the east coast is from June to August.
The dry period in KL is from June to August. That being said, don’t expect KL to be completely dry even if travelling outside the monsoon period, as rain showers are always a possibility close to the equator.
Getting there and around
Depending on where you’re arriving from, you can reach KL either by air, bus or train. If you’re flying in, you’ll most likely get into Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) or KLIA2. From there, it’s a 30-min express train ride into the city (KL Sentral) at RMB 55 one-way.
Getting around the city is quite easy with public transport (monorail, bus) or the ride-share service Grab. For shorter distances, and if you’re feeling a bit more adventurous than walking, scooter app Beam is a great alternative.
Where to stay
Compared to many modern cities, KL is still a relatively inexpensive place to stay in. The main areas with attractions in walking distance are KL city centre (KLCC), Bukit Bintang and Chinatown. KLCC is where the Petronas Towers are located. If you stay in this area, you might have a view of the towers from your room. Staying here will put you smack bang in the middle of everything. Given that it’s the centre, it’s a bit more upscale and pricier than other areas. While we were in KL, we stayed in Bukit Bintang, which is right next to KLCC and close to a lot of malls and food, including the Jalan Alor night market. The Chinatown area is the oldest area of KL, with a rich historical past. This area is ideal for people on a lower budget, so it’s great if you want to meet other backpackers here. Do pay attention to reviews before booking though, as there are some genuinely seedy places here.
Day 1
Thean Hou Temple
Located on top of Robinson Heights, Thean Hou Temple provides great views over Kuala Lumpur. The six-tiered Buddhist temple offers many beautiful picture spots to capture the mix of Taoist, Buddhist, and Confucianist elements. The temple opens at 7:30 AM. Try to go early to avoid the crowds. Entrance is free, but feel free to give a donation.
Forest Eco Park/Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve
In the heart of the bustling city is one of the oldest protected jungles in Malaysia. Spend some time exploring the park on the 200-meter canopy walk or one of the many other trails through the jungle. If you’re lucky, you might even get to see one of the many monkeys roaming up in the trees.
Opening hours are from 8 AM — 6 PM. Do try to get there early, as it often gets busy and hot later in the day. Since January 2020, an entrance fee of RMB 40 per non-Malaysian adult is charged. If, like us, you’re prone to being mosquito food, make sure to bring some spray with you! The entrance to the park is on the Upper Hill, near the KL Tower entrance here.
KL Tower
After your visit to the Eco Forest, walk across the street to the KL Tower. This communications tower is currently the seventh highest in the world (taller than the Petronas Towers!). It offers amazing 360-degree views over the city. To get to the top, there is an entrance fee. The indoor observation deck at 276 metres costs RMB 52, while the outdoor one at 350 metres is RMB 105. If you’re arriving there by foot or public transport, there’s a free shuttle service from the bottom of the hill until the entrance.
Perdana Botanical Gardens
The Botanic Gardens are located within KL’s largest green space; the Lake Gardens. In that same space, you can also find KL’s Bird Park, Deer Park, Orchid Gardens, Butterfly Park and two museums. You can easily spend an afternoon roaming around the nicely arranged flora and fauna, along with the gazebos and boardwalks.
Bukit Bintang
For a local food experience, check out the Bukit Bintang area and dine in one of the many hawker centres or malls there. After dinner, check out Changkat Bukit Bintang, which is a strip where you can find many popular bars. This area is also where the famous Heli Lounge Bar is located.
Day 2
Petronas towers
The huge KLCC development complex houses a lovely park, which is a great vantage point to see the Petronas Towers. The park also contains a jogging track, a children’s playground and children’s pool. Get here in the evening if you want to see the light show in the fountains below the Petronas Towers, every hour on the hour from 8–10 PM.
If you want to go up to the Petronas Towers, we suggest getting your tickets online in advance. Only half of the daily ticket allocation is sold online, so if you’re planning on going in high season, make sure to buy your tickets early enough! Otherwise, you’ll have to head there early in the day and wait in line on-site to nab one of the limited tickets. We didn’t head up there, since we preferred the view of the towers, rather than experiencing the touristy hype in them.
Shopping
With a wide array of shopping malls, you’re sure to satisfy your retail cravings in KL. With more than just shops, these malls are almost a local experience in an of themselves. In terms of malls, Pavilion and NU Sentral are the two of the biggest, with many internal brands present. Pavilion is within walking distance of the Petronas Towers, while NU Sentral is closer to the Brickfields area. If you’re looking for more souvenirs, try Central Market. This mall is housed in a historic building that started off as a wet market in the 80s.
Merdeka Square and Sultan Abdul Samad
Merdaka Square is also known as Kuala Lumpur’s independence square. It’s where the first Malaysian flag-raising took place in 1957 and the tall flag post still stands there today. Right across the road is the picturesque Sultan Abdul Samad building.
Jalan Alor Night Market
There are many street food markets in KL, but Jalan Alor is one of the most famous ones. And for good reason, there is an immense choice of stalls with delicious food on offer at cheap prices. The atmosphere is loud, messy and smoky. With metal woks clanging and meat skewers being cooked over charcoal, expect a truly Malaysian food experience. Some of the typical dishes to try are Satay, Char Kew Teow, Rojak, Oyster Omelette, along with many, many more.
Day 3
Batu caves
Climb up the 272 steps to the Batu caves main temple, dedicated to the Hindu god Murugan. It’s his golden statue that stands in front of the steps. Be on the lookout for cheeky monkeys, that’s steal anything hanging out of your bag. If possible, try to get here early in order to dodge the crowds and avoid weekends and public holidays. The caves are open from 6 AM, while sunrise starts around 7 AM. Entrance to the caves is free.
The best way to get there is a 20–30-minute ride by Grab (around RMB 25) or a 30–40-minute train from KL Sentral. The earliest train leaves at 6:45 AM.
Hiking
A short Grab ride from the Batu caves lies a lovely hiking spot. Yes, we did manage to go hiking in KL! Bukit Tabur, also known as Dragon’s Backbone, is a lovely round trek. Depending on your fitness level and the amount of time you have available, we suggest two options outlined in this article here.
To check out our video of the full Malaysia trip, click on the image below and watch it on YouTube. Follow our channel and like the video (if you actually like it, of course!).
