Malaysia is a country that we knew very little about, but we were intrigued by the city of Kuala Lumpur. It is the capital of the country and one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in SE Asia. We also read that it was one of the top ten most visited cities in the world. Add all that information in with the fact that Justin liked the movie Entrapment, and it was partially filmed there, and it was an easy add to our itinerary. We’re sharing our five favorites in Kuala Lumpur to help you decide to add it to your wishlist!
We took an easy flight directly from Ko Samui to Kuala Lumpur. Five days to explore the city proved to be a good amount for us, but there is a lot we left unseen on this visit. One of the things you’ll notice right away is the religious diversity. The city is almost 50% Muslim, but every major religion is represented in the cityscape. You’ll see in our list of five favorites in Kuala Lumpur that a few different religious places made the cut.
Our 5 Favorite Things to Do in Kuala Lumpur
The Colorful Batu Caves
You have probably caught a glimpse of the rainbow-colored steps on your Instagram feed at some point. It is worth the trip to the caves to see this beautiful and very colorful temple. After months of visiting Hindu and Buddhist temples, I thought I had seen every variety, but this was very unique.
You should watch your belongings while here because the resident monkeys love water bottles and snacks of any kind. And they aren’t shy.
The Wilayah Mosque
Malaysia is a country with many different religions and backgrounds, but Islam is the most practiced in Kuala Lumpur. We wanted to learn more about Islam and visit a mosque while in Malaysia. This mosque is located a little northeast of the city and offers free tours each day. Our guide was amazing. He showed us around the entire building, explaining what each room was, and taught us more about Islam and its history in Malaysia.
You don’t have to worry about what to wear there either. They will provide you with the appropriate attire. The staff there was extremely friendly and answered all of our questions. It was one of the most beautiful buildings I had ever seen. You may remember reading about this in our month 5 recap.
Rooftop Views of Downtown Kuala Lumpur
The Petronas Towers were the tallest buildings in the world for a few short years. Even though they’ve lost their title, they are still a remarkable part of the KL skyline. You can go to the top of them, but I recommend a different viewpoint. The bar named Helipad opens at 5 PM each day (it is an active Helipad during the daytime.) You can enjoy happy hour while sitting on the roof of a 36-story building with 360-degree city views. The beers are not the cheapest you’ll find, but the view is definitely worth it.
If you are shopping around for AirBnB’s to stay at, you’ll find that many of them are in apartment buildings with rooftop pools and amazing views. That can be an even cheaper way to enjoy the skyline.
Walk the Parks
Kuala Lumpur is a busy city with more construction happening than I’ve seen anywhere else in the world. Even with all the new buildings, it is easy to escape the hustle & bustle. The parks are incredible. Our favorites in Kuala Lumpur were the different areas of the KL Forest Eco Park. The treetop canopy walk was awesome and completely free. It’s located right in the center of town and offers great skyline views.
We paid a much higher admission for a similar park in New Zealand, so we thought it was so cool that this is free and accessible for everyone. Since we were there, they have added an admission charge, but it’s very affordable and worth it for the beautiful views.
Central Market & the Surrounding Neighborhood
Chinatown and the surrounding area is great to get out and explore on foot. It was my second favorite Chinatown after Singapore. You can find all kinds of interesting shopping on Petaling Street and in the Central Market. Lots of people recommended a different part of the city for shopping, but I loved the stalls here more. The neighborhood is so colorful and full of energy at all hours of the day and makes for a great experience. The fact that I felt like I was in a Wes Anderson movie also made it one of our favorites in Kuala Lumpur.
And I cannot leave out…
This souffle pancake I enjoyed at Coffee Stain (near the mosque tour.) I don’t think I’ll be able to enjoy pancakes the same anymore. The cafes and mall food courts are UNBELIEVABLE in Kuala Lumpur. Because of all the different religions, food courts are popular here so everyone can dine together but find the foods that fit their dietary needs. You can find just about anything to eat here and should definitely explore. You won’t go hungry.
Know Before You Go to Kuala Lumpur
Airport – The international airport is about a 45 minute drive from CBD. You can take a Grab or taxi from the airport and they also have a quick train that takes you downtown. Just plan enough time to get there before your flight.
Muslim Majority – If you have never traveled to a country that has a large Muslim population, you may be surprised about the liquor warnings at the stores and the call to prayer that you hear throughout the city multiple times each day. It’s important to know more about the customs of the place you are visiting. Dressing more conservatively is important to not stand out. This article is helpful to give you a few starter tips.
Language – Everyone spoke English that we ran into, so we didn’t have any language mishaps while there. Justin learned a little Indonesian before we left, so we could say thank you.
Now get planning!
This city will look so different over the next few years. There was construction everywhere. We are glad we got to experience it now. Our favorites in Kuala Lumpur are just the beginning of amazing things to explore in this city. We didn’t even scratch the surface of the museums. Visiting more of Malaysia is definitely on our list for next time.
Let us know if this lively city is on your wish list & pin the photo below for later.
