Fascinating Kuala Lumpur – Where Thrilling Modern Life Meets Ancient Tradition!
South-East Asia is one of the most fascinating and exotic areas worldwide! Packed with beautiful people, ancient cultures and stunning natural wonders, South-East Asia has attracted millions of visitors in the last few years. At the centre of it all, yet often overlooked, lies Malaysia! No other country in the region is as diverse and multicultural! Situated just north of the equator, Malaysia boasts some of Asia’s oldest rainforests and is home to several unique indigenous animals such as the Orang Utan. Kuala Lumpur is the exciting and modern capital of Malaysia, the epicentre of the country. If you fly into Kuala Lumpur, be a good slow traveller and take some time getting to know this bustling metropolis. The city has much more to offer than just the iconic 451m-tall Petronas Twin Towers. Join us today as we explore the city's must-see sights, discover multi-cultural neighbourhoods and find some of the best places to eat!
I am excited! Over the next couple of weeks, we will explore the stunning country of Malaysia. We will have, once again, some local friends to take us by the hand and share their favourite sights, places and eats. Where better to kickstart our Malaysia series than in the country’s capital Kuala Lumpur – or rather KL – as it’s called in the region. If you had to describe KL, I guess it sits somehow in the middle of a modern and organised city like Singapore, but with a traditional core like Bangkok. It is a true gem that never seems to get the full appreciation it deserves.
My First Impressions of KL
I first went to Kuala Lumpur a few years ago when I still lived in Bangkok. It is a truly fascinating city with many faces – modern at first sight, but very traditional at heart. Thanks to the multicultural society in KL, the city has such a different atmosphere compared to Bangkok. For international visitors, it is easy to get around and find their feet in modern and open-minded Kuala Lumpur.
I was amazed by the many modes of transport! Apart from the usual buses and taxis, you can take the monorail, the light rail or commuter trains! That’s unheard of in South East Asia! The hot and humid tropical climate makes for plenty of lush green spaces and beautiful parks. From the viewing platform of the iconic Petronas Towers, you see the green jungle and stunning mountains surrounding the modern city with its skyscrapers. You feel like you landed on a modern island in an ancient rainforest. KL truly is a meeting point for so many opposites – modern metropolis meets ancient tradition, East meets West, nature meets technology.
About Malaysia
Before we dive straight into the bustling metropolis of Kuala Lumpur, let’s have a quick look at the most important facts you need to know about Malaysia.
Where is it?
Situated right in the middle of South-East Asia, Malaysia occupies the so-called Malay Peninsula, south of Thailand and the eastern part of the island of Borneo. The capital Kuala Lumpur is located on the Malay Peninsula and is the biggest city in Malaysia. Malaysian Borneo covers about one-third of the island and is split between the two federal states of Sabah in the North and Sarawak in the South. The rest of Borneo is part of Indonesia.
Who is it?
The country is home to more than 32 million people today with a diverse cultural heritage. Even though about 70% of its citizens are of Malay descent, Malaysia has an enormous amount of different ethnic groups living across the nation, speaking 140 different languages.
Thanks to the colourful immigration and turbulent colonial history, Malaysia is a very multicultural country. The Chinese and Indians were the first ones who came to settle in Malaysia and are still the biggest ethnic minorities in the country. From the Portuguese to the Dutch and British – every big Western colonial power was interested in Malaysia as a trading post.
What About Religion?
Malaysia is officially a Muslim country, with approximately 60% of the population being Muslim. This often leads to the misconception that strict conservative Muslim customs might prohibit you from having a relaxed and fun experience in the country. Please be assured that Malaysia is a modern country. While you should be respectful towards the local customs, there are still enough clubs, bars and restaurants available, serving alcohol to cater to international guests. And if you have ever travelled in a Muslim country before, you will already have experienced the unrivalled hospitality!
Money, Money, Money!
Last but not least – Malaysia’s currency is the Malaysian Ringgit (MYR) or short RM. It’s a remarkably stable currency thanks to Malaysia’s steady economic growths and regular state interventions. The Ringgit is also a comparatively strong currency in the region, where 10 RM equals about 2 EUR or 2.40 USD. This makes Malaysia not the cheapest destination in South East Asia, but it is still affordable. Compared to close-by Singapore, KL gets you a lot more bang for your buck, as they say!
Quick Facts About Kuala Lumpur
Back to Kuala Lumpur – the star of the show! As mentioned before, KL is one of the most modern and progressive cities in Southeast Asia with a fast-growing economy. The city came a long way from a small tin-mining settlement at the mouth of the Klang River. The name Kuala Lumpur literally means ‘Muddy Confluence’ since the Klang and the Gombak rivers meet here. Port Klang is the country’s biggest harbour and lies about 40 km West of the city.
Today about 8 million people call the greater Kuala Lumpur area their home. In the city centre of KL, you find international hotel chains, huge shopping malls and tall skyscrapers, topped off with the iconic Petronas Twin Towers! But even amongst all the modern buildings, you can still find hidden temples, historic neighbourhoods, breathtaking mosques and tropical parks. This makes the city such an exciting place to go and explore.
Attractive to Live!
Thanks to its central location within Asia and its ever-growing economy, KL has become an increasingly attractive business hub. As more local and international businesses are settling in KL, salaries have increased and the overall lifestyle is improving. This attracts not only Malaysian’s to the city, but also many foreign skilled workers. Kuala Lumpur offers the perfect mix between Asian and western influences, which makes it ideal for ex-pats to live here. It is the same reason visitors have a great time in the city – experiencing the best from East and West!
Easy Access!
To top it all off, KLIA – the Kuala Lumpur International Airport – is one of the most important travel hubs in South East Asia. It has two huge modern terminals connecting hundreds of regional and overseas flights daily. If you are travelling further within Malaysia, you will most probably stopover in Kuala Lumpur. Do make sure to take some time to visit the city, it is very well worth it. It’s easy enough to get to the city as the airport is well connected by taxi, train and bus.
What Do You Love Most About KL?
From the outside, it’s sometimes easier to see what makes a place so loveable and interesting. But what does a local think about their hometown?
When I asked Renee, she thought that KL is – hands down – the best city in Malaysia for sure! What she loves most about KL is, how multidimensional it is. Although strongly rooted in traditions, the city is also thriving with modernity and a fast-paced economy. Yet, it is such an open society, without boundaries between different races and different backgrounds. And you can find this feeling all over the city in everyday life. Go to a small local coffee shop in the city and you can be sure to find all sorts of locals enjoying a good local brewed cuppa, chatting over a Kaya toast about football or debating on what’s the best food is in Malaysia. And most importantly – amongst all the fast-paced modern life, Kuala Lumpur still has those small local coffee shops, hidden in a little corner of a quiet street.
Kuala Lumpur Must-Do's!
#1 - Petronas Twin Towers
If you see a picture of KL, you will see the Petronas Twin Towers in it! Between 1998 and 2004, the twin towers were the tallest buildings in the world until they were surpassed by the Taipei 101 skyscraper. Nevertheless, the Petronas Twin Towers are still iconic and still incredibly impressive. Therefore, if you visit KL, you can’t leave without visiting the famous sky bridge connecting the two buildings. Enjoy the stunning views from the Observation Deck and grab a coffee marvelling at the city below. Maybe peruse the shops for a souvenir in the mall downstairs afterwards. Admission tickets for adults cost 80 RM (about 16 EUR or 19 USD). No visit to KL is complete without having experienced the lofty heights of the Petronas Twin Towers!
#2 - Old Town - Traditional Neighbourhoods
After visiting the twin towers as the centrepiece of modern KL, it’s time to explore KL’s different traditional areas. Just hop on the MRT, the local city train, to discover KL’s multicultural neighbourhoods like Kampung Baru, Chow Kit Market, Petaling Street (Chinatown) and Little India. Here you get to understand what makes Malaysia such a colourful melting pot of races and cultures.
Kampung Baru is defined by its rural flair. Wander around the area with its traditional Malaysian wooden stilt houses framed by palm trees. It is not unusual to find livestock wandering the narrow streets of the neighbourhood. Streetfood vendors sell traditional delicacies, juices or smoothies. Give it a try, it’s always the best way to explore the local culture. Not far from Kampung Baru you find Chow Kit Market. It is a bustling hive of activity and the best place to buy exotic spices, local textiles and fresh produce. Petaling Street is a Must-Visit in KL to peruse the shops and stalls for typical Chinese goods and some of the best Chinese restaurants in town. Little India takes you mentally straight into the backstreets of Mumbai, enchanting you with the smell of typical Indian spices and its busy street life.
#3 - Batu Caves
This is another non-negotiable Must-Visit when visiting KL! The Batu Caves are located about 30 minutes outside the city. It is one of the most significant Hindu shrines outside India, dedicated to Lord Murugan, the philosopher-warrior god of Tamils. The Batu Caves describe a series of caves in the limestone hills, which house several Hindu shrines.
Make sure to wear comfortable shoes and bring some water as you climb the 272 colourful stairs to reach the cave temple. You’ll see that breaking a sweat is worth it, once you reach the caves to experience the beautiful shrines and pay your respects. Just watch out for the cheeky monkeys living in the hills, who love to play tricks on unassuming visitors.
#4 - Perdana Botanical Gardens
To keep a good balance after exploring all the hustle and bustle of the city, take some time to relax in nature. The Perdana Botanical Gardens is the ideal place to slow down and enjoy the peace and quiet of the lush gardens! The park is located on a small hill right in the heart of the city centre. It’s the perfect place to take a stroll, wind down and maybe have a little picnic. Leave the concrete jungle behind and discover a different side of the city. The Gardens are also home to the Kuala Lumpur Bird Park as well as several museums and monuments. There is plenty to explore on foot or you might even opt to whizz around on a Segway. It’s a great way to end your day exploring Kuala Lumpur.
Your KL Food Safari!
As I said probably too many times already, the best way to get to know a place and its people is by tasting their food. And since KL is so multicultural there is even more to try! No other city in South-East Asia offers such an array of flavours and a variety of dishes. Malaysia’s culinary style is truly a melting pot of different cuisines from the region but also an inheritance of their colonial past. Malaysian cuisine is a symphony of flavours with influences from Malay, Chinese, Indian, Indonesian, Portuguese, Thai and Arabian cuisines. There is so much to explore and try – make sure you get out on a food safari through the city!
#1 - Jalan Alor
This is a favourite amongst visitors and ex-pats, located close to the modern city centre, called the Golden Triangle. You find inexpensive typical hawker food here, from delicious grilled meats, mouthwatering noodle dishes to sweet desserts. The area is probably best known for the fresh Chinese Seafood restaurants. The operating hours are from evening until late, the best time in Asia to get on the streets and take in the exciting atmosphere. Jalan Alor is conveniently accessible by foot from the party street of Changkat and the shopping area Bukit Bintang.
#2 - Kampung Baru
The best spot to try flavourful authentic Malay cuisine is Kampung Baru. Loved by locals and tourists alike, it’s the best place to explore some typical Malay street food. It’s a fantastic place to explore on foot, trying some typical dishes from either roadside hawkers or sitting down at one of the local restaurants. Try some Nasi Lemak, the fragrant coconut rice with fried chicken or get your hands on the popular Roti Canai. Over the weekends, this area is even more jam-packed with patrons, who come here for the popular night market – Pasar Malam Kampung Baru. It’s the best place to buy traditional clothing, crafts and jewellery and, of course, to indulge in some authentic Malay street food dishes.
#3 - Bangsar
The affluent suburb of Bangsar is the best area to explore KL’s nightlife. Located about 40 minutes outside the city centre this area is extremely popular with locals and ex-pats to spend hard their-earned cash.
Even though the neighbourhood is primarily residential, you will find some of the city’s best restaurants, bars and nightclubs here. Especially over the weekends, this area turns into KL’s party zone. Bangsar offers chic artisan coffee places, good small restaurants and fun bars – the perfect place to explore for an evening.
Hot Tip From The Local - SPG by Bijan!
Asked for Renee’s restaurant recommendation, she says her go-to has to be SPG by Bijan in Kuala Lumpur. This hip and happening restaurant is housed in a nearly secret bungalow, located at Jalan Ceylon. The food is an exciting new spin of traditional, local dishes – a new wave of modern Malay cuisine. Apart from the stunning Malay cuisine, SPG also offers some deliciously handcrafted cocktails. The restaurant is beautifully decorated with colourful tiles, modern touches and bold wallpapers. It’s a foodies paradise offering plenty of Instagrammable moments.
It is surely not the cheapest place in Kuala Lumpur, but it is one of the precious treat-yourself moments you shouldn’t miss out on!
Thank you so much for joining us today in Malaysia’s exciting capital KL.
A big Thank You to Renee for the insights and inspiration. Hopefully, it will inspire you to spend some time in Kuala Lumpur. The city is definitely worth a visit!
Next week we will explore the exciting Malaysian part of Borneo. We will travel North, to the Malaysian state of Sabah! Don’t miss out on it!
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Have a fantastic week and until next time!
