Welcome to Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia, a country in Southeast Asia. We are going to tell you the best places to visit in Kuala Lumpur, the best food suggestions, accommodation suggestions, and some cool tips that will make your Kuala Lumpur trip very smooth and hassle-free. Are you ready? Let’s go.
History of Kuala Lumpur
The town was first developed around 1857 when a member of Selangor’s royal family, Raja Abdullah, hired 87 Chinese prospectors to establish new tin mines. They found the perfect location at the intersection of the Gombak and Klang Rivers, which explains the name of the city. Kuala Lumpur literally means a muddy confluence.
From 1874, Malaysia was under British rule, and its rapid growth thereafter has been attributed to Sir Frank Swettenham, a British resident who initiated the construction of the Kuala Lumpur Railway.
In the year 1896, the city became the capital of the newly formed Federated Malay States. During the Second World War, the city was occupied by the Japanese, and in 1957, Kuala Lumpur became the capital of the independent Federation of Malaya and of Malaysia in 1963.
Back to Modern Day
Did you guys know that Malaysia is composed of two regions: East Malaysia, which is on the island of Borneo, and West Malaysia, which is on the Malay Peninsula, and this is where Kuala Lumpur is located.
Kuala Lumpur City is one of the three Federal territories. It’s one of the fastest-growing cities in Asia, with a population of 2 million people and 7.5 million people living in the Greater Kuala Lumpur metro area, also known as the Klang Valley.
Most visitors stay in KLCC, which stands for Kuala Lumpur City Center. It’s a dynamic high-rise downtown area known for upscale shopping malls, restaurants, and hotels with rooftop swimming pools.
Tip: You can take a guided tour of the Twin Towers, and the ticket price is just $21, which is a great deal.
The KLCC Park is a nice addition to the towers, overlooked by skyscrapers. The park offers walking paths and musical fountains; kids are sure to enjoy it. KLCC Park is your nature getaway in the middle of this gigantic metropolis.
Best way to get around town
When you arrive at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, the most convenient way to get to the city is to take a high-speed train. The airport is 60 kilometers away, so be prepared for a potentially long ride depending on the time of day.
Walking in Kuala Lumpur is a popular option in the city. Many major sites can be walked between. There are some popular walking routes around neighborhoods like Chinatown.
The city has a comprehensive network of buses, taxis, monorail, and Light Rail Transit. KL Central is the main transportation hub. The monorail runs directly through the city center, with LRT lines branching off to connect various suburbs to the city center. The MRT, along with the commuter rail lines, runs over long distances, connecting Kuala Lumpur with surrounding towns.
For visitors, a sightseeing bus is actually a pretty good option. It will circle around the major sites and runs every 30 minutes. Very convenient, and it’s not that expensive, just $19 for 48 hours. If you want to use a taxi, “Grab” is a great app to book taxis in Kuala Lumpur.
Tip: A great option for those short on time is to use the hop-on hop-off bus to get around to the major sites in the city.
Popular Places to Visit
-> Petronas Towers
-> KLCC Park
-> Independence Square
-> Little India
-> Chinatown
-> Batu Caves (Must Visit)
-> KL Tower
-> Perdana Botanical Gardens
-> Medan Pasar Clock Tower
-> River of Life
-> National Mosque of Malaysia
-> Thean Hou Temple
-> Sultan Abdul Samad Building
Interesting Facts
Kuala Lumpur has been named the best city in the world for foreign workers numerous times, mainly because of its great work and life balance and the friendliness of its citizens.
When it comes to demographics, Kuala Lumpur comprises 3 major ethnic groups: Malay people (46 percent), Chinese people (43 percent), and Indians (10.5 percent).
Stay in Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur makes luxury affordable. Hostel dorm beds start at around 40 Ringgit, and private budget rooms begin at around 80. Mid-range hotels in good locations start at around 800. What’s more, luxurious hotels in the city center start at around 2,000 Malaysian Ringgit.
You can also look at hotels in Chinatown, as this is a great location, and hotel prices tend to be cheaper here.
Monthly Rent House
Kuala Lumpur is such a great city. It’s great for expats to work and live in because of its well-developed infrastructure and low cost of living. Many foreigners choose a neighborhood downtown or near it, where you’ll find monthly rents in the range of $600 to a thousand dollars for a nice furnished one to two-bedroom apartment in a service condominium.
Most buildings are modern and spacious; the living areas are open plan, and most contain floor-to-ceiling windows, allowing year-round sunshine to beam through. The property prices are among the cheapest in Southeast Asia, the city is expanding fast, and construction is everywhere.
Shopping Area
If you love shopping, you’re going to love it here. The city houses some of the world’s largest shopping malls, such as “Pavilion Mall,” called a shopping paradise by many locals.
It’s a multiple award-winning shopping mall with 700 stores spread over 10 floors and an enormous food court. It’s located in Bukit Bintang, the shopping and entertainment center of Kuala Lumpur.
There are many other shopping malls in this city, like “Suria KLCC” inside the Twin Towers and “Berjaya Times Square” shopping mall, one of the largest in the world.
Nightlife of Kuala Lumpur
Bukit Bintang is the entertainment epicenter and comes alive at night. Changkat, a stretch of bars and restaurants in Bukit Bintang, is a party haven for locals, tourists, and expats.
From Irish bars and nightclubs to Cuban lounges and live music, there’s a certain energy here that you can only really experience firsthand. But don’t expect cheap alcohol prices.
You’ll find relaxed lounges, electrifying dance floors, and street performances all around here. If you are tired, just go a little further; there’s a place that has a lot of massage parlors as well.
Street Food Recommendation
If you get hungry, we have a recommendation for you. Jalan Alor Food Street is a bustling food hop. Come here to enjoy Chinese, Thai, and Malaysian cuisine, seafood, curries, and exotic fruit, including durians, of course.
Walk around and enjoy the atmosphere, and then get some food and have a good time. This place is massive and offers so many choices. Any kind of cuisine you can find here.
The best time to visit
Kuala Lumpur can be visited all year round as the weather is warm and consistent. December to January and June to August are more popular times to visit because of the festivals during these times.
February, March, September, and October are known as the off-season, and prices can be slightly cheaper at this time.
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