Kuala Lumpur is a great holiday destination with plenty to see and do. Not only does it have everything you would find in other Malaysian cities– temples and mosques, colonial architecture, Chinese markets, museums and parks– but, as you would expect from a capital city, it also has a flavor all of its own. As the powerhouse of the flourishing Malaysian economy, it represents a vibrant mix of old and new, and of many different cultures.
If you are planning a visit to Kuala Lumpur, make sure to check out Dealchecker, an established travel comparison website that offers many pricing options and discounts. It’s possible to snag a great deal for your Malaysian trip, especially if you are traveling with a group or can book in advance.
Read on for 5 must-see attractions in Kuala Lumpur.
5) The Golden Triangle
When you arrive in Kuala Lumpur, you will find it very easy to get around the city, with a well established public transport system, including LRT (rapid transit) trains, monorail and buses, as well as a plentiful supply of taxis. Many visitors start with the so-called ‘Golden Triangle’, the bustling commercial area of Kuala Lumpur. Here you will find modern hotels and conference centers, skyscrapers and shopping malls, as well as the famous 88-floor Petronas Twin Towers.
4) Freedom Square
The historic center includes many old colonial buildings. Start with Dataran Merdeka (Freedom Square), with its mock-Tudor buildings that would not be out of place in an English village. Also not to be missed are the Anglican Cathedral, the old Kuala Lumpur railway station and the offices of the Colonial Secretariat.
3) Chinatown and Little India
The Chinatown area provides a complete contrast. Here you can wander down tiny alleyways between the market stalls, buy souvenirs and traditional medicines, or even have your fortune told. Next, move on to Little India with its Hindu temples, followed by the Masjud Negara (National Mosque).
2) National Museum
The National Museum is a spectacular modern building with displays including history and natural history. Other museums in the city include the Asian Art Museum and the National History Museum. When you feel like taking a break from culture, take a walk in the Taman Tasik Perdana (Lake Gardens), home to birds, butterflies and orchids, as well as a boating lake perfect for a day outdoors with the family.
1) Dining out
There are lots of options for eating out. You can find cosmopolitan restaurants of every type in the Golden Triangle. Elsewhere in the city, look for traditional Chinese and Malaysian food. At night time, the whole of Chinatown seems to be transformed into a giant outdoor restaurant! You may also want to try one of the hawker centers: these are food courts with dozens of different stalls to choose from. After you have eaten, you can take part in the vibrant night life; there are clubs and bars to suit every taste.
This is all part of the Kuala Lumpur experience, where different cultures come together and traditional customs sit side by side with a modern infrastructure. What more could you ask for in a vacation?
Have you been to Kuala Lumpur?
Share your favorite attractions with other readers by leaving a comment below! If you are reading this via email or RSS feed, click on DowntownTraveler.com to leave your comment.
Today’s post is brought to you by a Downtown Traveler sponsor. If you are interested in contributing to Downtown Traveler, please visit our Contacts page.
Food in Malaysia is definitely one of its main attractions Chinese, Indian, and Malay–all outstanding cuisines.
I’m sure! Anytime there is that much cultural fusion, the food has to be amazing! 🙂
Was gonna ask.. why you came to KL and didn’t call me! LOL. then I saw the sponsor footnote! LOL
Hehe! I would love to visit KL. This post just makes me want to visit more. The cuisine looks especially good… you know if I visit, I will insist on trailing along to your gala Norwegian Embassy dinners and posh foodie events 🙂
Really? A museum? In the top 5?
Sure, the Golden Triangle is great for shopping. It’s also in the middle of some amazing sit-down restaurants, and a few blocks away from the most famous street food streets in the city. At least near the BB Plaza/Times Square area.
And lumping Chinatown and Little India in together? Utterly tragic. Both are awesome. Both are worth a whole day for themselves.
There’s also the bus tour (reasonable for a couple days of hop-on-hop-off exploration), an exotic bird park, and Batu Cave (one of the holiest Hindu sites on the planet).
So there is way more than just what’s here. Can you tell I rather liked the city? 😉