Most people visit Kuala Lumpur for the culture, the great food or because it is such a convenient hub to get to from Australia. Once you have seen all there is on offer then you can easily explore this amazing country and see what else Malaysia has in store and I will share with you how long I think you should spend here on your trip to Malaysia…
Malaysia’s capital is a bustling city of 2.5 million people, but don’t be fooled by the commuting chaos. It has a plethora of sights to see with many easy to get to. The cuisine and culture you will experience here make this the perfect stopover on your trip around South East Asia. From temples, museums and mosques to street markets, shopping malls and colonial architecture this city has everything you need.
How long to spend here: 3 days
Getting around
Taxis are inexpensive (sometimes scarily so) and traffic is relatively light for peak hour. This makes getting around the city pretty easy as there will always be a driver at your door ready for you (no need to take a taxi from the street, they will find you!). The best way to get around is by Skytrain or Monorail which have three lines in operation and are pretty easy to follow. Some sights can be walked between though ensure it’s a nice day as Kuala Lumpur has some killer heat!
What to see
The richest man in Malaysia, Robert Kuok, is said to have started the eating revolution here. The food you will find so delicious at a good price there’s no reason not to eat your way around it! There are many street markets and malls with cafes that serve up incredible dishes – make sure you try Laksa…
Merdeka Square – is the heart of Malaysian independence and this square boasts a large cenotaph dedicated to the patriots who fought for independence.
Treasures of Malaysia – Malay, Chinese, Indian, Ancient South East Asian Art museum – here you can learn about all these cultures through exhibits from permanent collections and special exhibitions
National History Museum – covers the history of Malaysia through exhibits, dioramas and interactive displays.
What to pack
Light clothes as it is hot here! Comfortable walking shoes, sunglasses for the sun and a hat to protect you from the heat. You can swim in many places so bring your swimmers to contribute to all that water fun. On this trip I will be bringing my Olympus Pen Mini which is so small and light I don’t have to worry about carrying it around, yet perfect for the type of photos I want to take. And if you are planning on heading up a mountain or two also bring some warm clothes!
What to do
Eat – Malaysia has an amazing cuisine and offers great meals for great prices. This is why many locals eat out so much – their food is delicious and cheap!
Watching the sunset overlooking the Petronas Towers, eating at one of KL’s street markets, jumping on a rooftop party or doing an overnight trip to Genting Highlands are all things you could do in your three days here that will help you make the most of your time in Kuala Lumpur!
Get up close and look around the beautiful mosques, visit a temple or catch an amazing cultural dance show. You will never be short on things to do while in KL!
Where to stay
I stayed at Hostel Celus , I think it was about $20 a night including a shared bathroom which was clean and perfectly acceptable for my stay. It is about a 20 minute walk from the train station so quite close to most attractions, though not walking distance to all of them – everything is so accessible by bike or inexpensive taxi though!
Weekend getaway
Spend a weekend in Malaysia’s ‘little brother’ Singapore!
Singapore is the smaller but more well known sibling to Malaysia. It boasts even more skyscrapers and some stunning colonial architecture as well as a couple of oddities you can’t see anywhere else in the world. Singapore has been featured on the Travel Channel’s Top 10 cities, it’s clean, safe and really easy to get around.
How to get there: There are many flights a day to Singapore. They will fly into Changi International Airport, located on the east side of the island where you can find cheap taxis ready and waiting or take the MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) for $1.40 from airport straight into the city!
If you enjoyed this article you might also like to read about Malaysia 2 week itinerary and Backpacking Route Southeast Asia
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