Top 5 things to do in Kuala Lumpur
Looking for things to do in Kuala Lumpur? Here’s our list of the top 5 things to do while you’re there.
1. Visit the Petronas Twin Towers
Petronas Towers
Bet you didn’t see that coming! Seriously though the towers are pretty amazing, especially at night when they’re lit up. There’s no need to pay to go up top (although the views are stunning if you have the budget) at the base of the towers you can take some great photo’s, enjoy the fountains and the gardens nearby and of course do plenty of shopping if that’s your thing.
If you are planning to take the trip to the top make sure you book your tickets well in advance. We popped in hoping we could get a ticket but there weren’t any available for the next few days, needless to say I got a big “I told you so” from Lisa!
2. Take a break from the city at KL Bird Park
The Kuala Lumpur Bird Park is a fab day out. KL grandeur at its best
KL Bird Park is found just a few minutes from KL Sentral in the peaceful Lake Gardens. It is the “World’s Largest Free-flight Walk-in Aviary” and is a great place to see a huge variety of birds. It’s also nice to get a break from the hectic pace of the city and enjoy the tranquility of the surrounding gardens. Nearby you can visit the Butterfly Park and the Planetarium which are well worth checking out if you have time.
3. Browse through China Town and Little India
A fabric shop in little India – the alternative to the super malls of KL
There’s a great mix of cultures in Kuala Lumpur and you can sample them all in a few hours if you like. We spent an hour or so browsing through each district. It’s a great way to sample the diversity and soak up a little of the different cultures of KL. We also picked up a delicious lunch in Little India for next to nothing!
4. Eat out on Jalan Alor
Jake @ Jalan Alor
Steam as it rises from the street food
Kuala Lumpur’s Jalan Alor is famous for its restaurants and street food vendors. It is a must visit while you’re in the city. The food was tasty, cheap and filling but you really come here for the atmosphere. It’s always bustling, strung with lights and lanterns and the sights, sounds and smells are a feast for the senses.
5. Shop at the Super Malls
Berjaya time square, a super mall with its own theme park!
Berjaya time square again. In KL it’s not enough to have a theme park in your mall, a piano stair case is a must. A great example of KL’s exuberance.
Like shopping? You’ve come to the right place! Kuala Lumpur has so many gigantic malls it’s hard to keep track of them all. You can buy everything from high-end luxury fashion items to dodgy Ray Ban’s depending on where you go. It’s worth checking out some of the malls for the spectacle alone. Berjaya Times Square has a full-size rollercoaster in it! There’s also some great attractions at the malls. We really enjoyed Breakout in the Avenue K mall (just over the road from the Petronas Towers) and wandering through a slice of Tokyo on ‘Tokyo Street’ in the Pavilion Mall.
Tips for your time in Kuala Lumpur
1.Don’t spend too long here. We ended up spending a total of 10 days in KL with our travel back and forth which is a bit much. I’d say 2-3 days is a much better timescale to see the sights but not get jaded.
2. KL has a great monorail system so take advantage of it! We spent a lot of time wandering around the very unscenic parts of the city looking for various places. Just find out where you want to go and hop on the monorail. It’s cheap, quick and easy.
3. And finally… Carry an umbrella. It’s usually warm and humid in KL but when it rains it comes from nowhere and it really rains. We got caught in a few downpours and if you’re not near shelter you will get soaked!
Take care,
Jake
Have you been to Kuala Lumpur? We’d love to hear your tips for things to do while you’re there in the comments below.
