If you’re planning to be one of the expected 15 million tourists to visit Kuala Lumpur this year, and wondering about things to do in Kuala Lumpur, check out our recommendations below that will surely make your holiday a memorable one.
SHOPPING
Make no mistake about it – Kuala Lumpur is a shopper’s paradise. From cheap knock-offs to luxury brands, there is a little bit of everything for everyone.
If you’re looking to spoil yourself with some branded goods, take a long leisurely stroll inside the 13th largest shopping complex in the world, Berjaya Times Square. With a retail area of approximately 320,000m², this complex is also home to an ice skating rink and cinema multiplex. For something even more upscale, check out the luxurious Starhill Gallery located minutes away, home to some of the swankiest brands on the planet.
The breathtaking Petronas Twin Towers (topping the Kuala Lumpur Attractions List), once the tallest building in the world, is also home to hundreds of upscale retail outlets that will provide hours of retail therapy for those in need.
However, if you’re in the mood for some cheap local bargains, check out the bustling Chinatown in Petaling Street. The cacophony of sights and sounds is a delight to most first time visitors – especially since prices here are very negotiable.
Little India at Brickfields is also a delight with its wide range of traditional Indian clothing, jewelleries and ornaments. For a touch of Middle East, Ain Arabia at Jalan Berangan is a short cab ride away. Ain Arabia, as the name suggests, focuses almost exclusively on Middle Eastern products.
For the more tech-savvy, Low Yat Plaza in Bukit Bintang will leave you in raptures. The entire mall is dedicated to the latest mobile devices and computers, often sold at below recommended retail prices.
Other notable shopping spots in the city include Chow Kit Market and Central Market.
DINING
Kuala Lumpur offers a unique blend of Malay, Oriental, Indian, Western and Middle Eastern cuisine that will cater to any taste buds. We could literally fill an entire book talking about the dining choices in the city – there’s just too many to list down. For out of towners though, here’s a great tip to find the best eating spots – just follow the crowd.
Bonus tip: During the month of Ramadhan (fasting month for Muslims), food bazaars will sprout all over the city. You would do well to sample some of the roadside delights while in town. The bazaars will typically open in the early afternoon and close before the break of fast at sunset – so go early. Our favourite KL Ramadhan Bazaar spots are in Bangsar and Kampung Baru (close to KLCC).
THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE
The Golden Triangle, the area nestled between Jalan Sultan Ismail, Jalan P. Ramlee and Jalan Ampang, is the heart of Kuala Lumpur. In the light of day, the area is swarmed by people working in the offices of multinational companies, banks, shopping complexes and six and seven star hotels. Come night, the Golden Triangle will be filled with the young and beautiful crowd, pulsing with the beat of trendy nightclubs and fashionable restaurants, offering the best of Kuala Lumpur nightlife.
NIGHTSPOTS
If the crowd at the Golden Triangle seems a little young for you, perhaps the more mature, yet still classy spots in Bangsar will be more at home. However, if all you want is some good food among friendly faces, the row of eateries at Changkat Bukit Bintang behind Hotel Istana might just be what you need. Frequented mostly by long-time expatriates, the outlets here serve mostly Western food.
CULTURE AND NATURE
After all that shopping and eating, you probably want to reconnect back to your spiritual side. How about a walk up the 272 steps of Batu Caves, the holy Hindu temple located atop a limestone hill? With millions of people visiting every year, this sacred site will dazzle you with its array of statues and beautiful artwork.
For nature lovers, the Kuala Lumpur Bird Park will astound you with its collection of over 3,000 birds. Reported to be the world’s largest aviary, the park is contained within the 150-acre Lake Gardens, which also houses the Kuala Lumpur Butterfly Park, featuring over 5,000 species of butterflies, and the gorgeous Perdana Botanical Garden, which boasts of a collection of 1,300 species of orchids and hibiscus.
ARCHITECTURE
Just like St. Petersburg, Prague or Casablanca, Kuala Lumpur is dominated by imposing architectures that speak of the history and culture of the nation. Perhaps one of the most memorable architectural construct in the city is the Kuala Lumpur Railway Station. Built in 1910 at a cost of just $23,000, the building was designed by famed British architect, Brigadier General Arthur Benison Hubback. His design incorporated a perfect blend of Moorish, Mughal and Saracenic elements to create a majestic yet functional structure that would go on to serve as the nation’s railway hub for the next 91 years.
Another memorable building in the city is the Church of the Holy Rosary located in Jalan Tun Sambanthan. Designed by Frenchmen Jean-Luc Terrien and Jean-Luc Lambert, the cathedral was built in the French Gothic Revival style which was in the rage in Europe at the time. Featuring distinctive flying buttresses, pointed arches and beautifully painted glasses, the Holy Rosary is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful churches in the region.
Numerous other awe-inspiring designs can be found all over the city, including the Parliament House, Sultan Abdul Samad Building, Dayabumi Complex, and of course, the hundreds of pre-colonial edifices.
We could go on and continue to wax lyrical about the world famous Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra, the magnificent Islamic Arts Museum, the exquisite Thean Hou Temple, the annual Formula 1 races and many more attractions, places to visit and things to do in Kuala Lumpur, but this stunning city needs to be personally experienced to fully capture its magic.
So, see you soon?