Kuala Lumpur, or fondly known as KL, is a big city with an area of 94 square miles and a population of 1.3 million. Being a big city, sometimes we wonder, what can we do in this city? Where to go or what to do? Here are the top things to do in Kuala Lumpur based on my personal experience living here:
Batu Caves
Not exactly in Kuala Lumpur city but rather a short LRT ride up north, the Batu Caves are located near the Kuala Lumpur border with the state of Selangor. The caves are a limestone hill that has a series of individual caverns and temples inside of the caves. The main attraction here, apart from the highest Lord Murugan statue in the world, is the fact that one has to climb 272 concrete steps in order to reach the Temple Cave. It has another cave for exploration, called the Dark Cave tour, which is open for the public to explore, with a fee of course.
To get to Batu Caves, take the Komuter Line train to the last station on the northern end, Batu Caves station. From there simply exit the station and walk inside the gate.
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Try Banana Leaf Rice
Yes, it is Indian food. But don’t you know that Malaysia is Truly Asia? So, if you have never had the chance to go to India, try the banana leaf rice in the Petaling Street (Chinatown) area of Kuala Lumpur. They are delicious, exotic for those who are going to eat with the hand (right hand only, please) for the first time and satisfying. There are plenty of banana leaf restaurants around, just go on a food hunt!
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Petronas Twin Towers
No visit to Malaysia is not complete if a trip to the tallest twin building in the world is not included in the itinerary, they say. I agree. If we were to visit a particular place, of course we are going to take photos with the famous landmark of the place, no? Well, a visit to the skybridge comes with a fee, so if you want to enjoy the place for free, just go to the 2 exits in the middle of the shopping mall for different views of the towers. One exit through the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra and another through the KLCC Park. Definitely a sight to remember.
To get to the Petronas Twin Towers, just take the Kelana Jaya Line LRT and exit at KLCC Station.
Sultan Abdul Samad Building
For a dose of colonial period building, the Sultan Abdul Samad Building can fix that. Built in 1897, this is one of the oldest buildings in Kuala Lumpur. Previously used as the British government administrative office, this building had also been used as court houses as well as the Culture and Heritage Ministry office. This building had also seen a lot of historical events, such as the independence day and the infamous trial of Anwar Ibrahim. The design is unique to the period it was built and is evidenced by the similar concept buildings around its vicinity.
To visit the Sultan Abdul Samad Building, take the Kelana Jaya Line or Ampang Line LRT and disembark at the Masjid Jamek station.
Eat Some Delicious Street Food
Nothing beats roadside stalls. Seriously. There are plenty of such stalls in the Chinatown area, otherwise known as Petaling Street — home to the best kuew teow goreng (fried noodles or fried flat noodles) outside of Penang — as well as tons of other fried foods. Also satay and Chinese steamboat are both delicious. Near Dataran Merdeka besides the river is D’Tebing, a roadside food stall. Just find one. Amazing experience.
Don’t forget Jalan Alor, Kuala Lumpur’s biggest food street and a popular tourist destination. Here you can find cuisines from a dozen different Asian nations and there is no such thing as a bad meal. A few of the shops are open all day, but most do not open until around 5pm or so. Peak time here at Jalan Alor is after dark, and on the weekends it stays busy past midnight.
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Go For An LRT Ride Around Town
I intended to ride on Singapore‘’s MRT from one end to the other to see the city during one of my visits there. Nevertheless, considering the fact that almost the whole journey was underground, I cancelled the plan and did something else instead. But here in Kuala Lumpur, most journeys are elevated, so you could see the city from a higher point, including all the suburban places. So, why don’t you buy a ticket to the next station, but ride it until the last station, and then at the last station, get back into the train and go back to the station where you bought the ticket to. Sounds like a plan? 😉
// isriya d_paraskevas whatcouldgowrong nazerim
