How to spend 3 days in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
If you need to add a destination for 3-4 days when being in Southeast Asia, the capital of Malaysia is a very good option. Kuala Lumpur combines both Asian and muslin characteristics and it worths a short visit.
Petronas Twin Towers/Menara Kuala Lumpur Tower
Petronas Twin Towers undoubtedly is the first image that comes in mind when thinking of Kuala Lumpur. The impressively high Twin Towers with a glass bridge connecting them is a must do when being in the city. You need to book your tickets in advance as they tend to sell out quickly especially if you wish to enter during the sunset time. At the entrance of the towers is located the luxury KLCC Mall with lots of famous brand’s stores and cafes and outside of the mall stands the calm KLCC Park. During evening hours (8pm, 9pm and 10pm) you have the chance to enjoy the Symphony Lake Water Show. Two fountains create a spectacular performance with lights, sound and water that deserves your attention.
Another interesting and impressive building is Menara Kuala Lumpur Tower. You also need to have a prebooked ticket to enjoy the panoramic view from its observation deck and to take some photos at its breathtaking glass floor. If you don’t have the opportunity to visit its deck, no need to worry as the Tower is also stunning from its outside, especially during the night with its different colors and lights.
(A little piece of advice when being in Kuala Lumpur : try to stay at those spacious apartments that you may rent in luxury skyscrapers with a pool on their last floor (mine did not cost more than 40 euros per night). The view is absolutely amazing especially during the night while the feeling of swimming on the 55th and maybe higher floor is unforgettable).
Batu Caves
Half hour from the center of Kuala Lumpur are located the iconic Batu Caves that you cannot afford missing. (You may go by taxi- grab is very economic and reliable. Otherwise, there is also a train that takes you at short walking distance from the caves and it needs about an hour to arrive). Batu Caves are consisted of the biggest golden Hindu statue in Malaysia and 272 colorful fairy tale stairs that lead you up to two big caves with Hindu temples and shrines. Be careful of the naughty little monkeys when climbing the stairs as they are seeking for food and tend to grab your personal belongings. There is no entrance fee for the Caves and are totally worth visiting. Don’t miss it!
Mosques
As Malaysia’s official religion is Islam, there are many mosques spread in the city that you may visit. In my opinion the most beautiful one is Sultan Abdul Samad Jamek Mosque which when it gets dark is full of colors. It looks more like a palace from which you can imagine Aladin arising on his flying carpet. Next to Sultan Abdul Samad Jamek Mosque you will find the impressive Sultan Abdul Samad Building and the famous Merdeka Square. It is better to visit both during evening-night hours as vehicles are not allowed on this part of the street at that time, and you can enjoy your walk and the local kids playing. Other beautiful mosques are Masjid Asy-Syakirin which is close to the Petronas Twin towers and Masjid Negara, Malaysia’s national mosque.
Central Market/Kasturi Walk/Petaling Street Market
In walking distance from the Sultan Abdul Samad Jamek Mosque and Merdeka Square a whole affordable shopping world appears. Central Market, Kasturi Walk and very close to them the popular Petaling Street Market are ideal for buying whatever you imagine and lots of souvenirs for your beloved ones.
Apart from clothes, shoes, accessories, magnets you can also find traditional Malaysian products like the famous white coffee, Malaysian high-quality tea and candies from durian and tropical fruits (guava is a must try). Malaysia is the queen of durian (the smelliest fruit). You can find innumerous products with the popular and controversial for its taste fruit. There is even coffee with durian taste for the funs of it. It would be better to visit Petaling Street Market after 3pm as earlier some if its stores are not opened yet. Of course, you can haggle the prices and get very good deals.
Jalan Alor Food Street/ Changkat Bukit Bintang street
One of the things that I loved in Kuala Lumpur was its street food. The ideal place to find delicious local and from different Asian countries street food is Jalan Alor Food Street. After 2pm the street starts to get very crowded, and you can taste any kind of asian fruit and food delicacy (Durian- the smelliest fruit- is the king of the market). For its funs and those who would like to try it fresh (I find it delicious btw), Jalan Alor Food Street is the right place. Apart from the street food, there is a variety of very affordable and tasty Malaysian restaurants if you want to enjoy your food sitting instead of standing.
Next to the food street there is another interesting road: Changkat Bukit Bintang street. Closer to the street food’s market, there are lots of massage studios. The massagers are outside of them trying to persuade you to enjoy their massaging services. Most of them are actually good, and you can get a very decent massage in a very affordable price (about 10 euros per hour). What draw my attention at those massage studios was the lack of local women having a massage.
At the same street after the massage studios there is a whole different scenery. A very busy, full of pubs and some clubs road. For the beer lovers and those seeking fun at the Malaysian capital, this is the ideal place to be. Enjoy it!
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