Kuala Lampur

Read this 2-day itinerary to prepare for your visit to this vibrant city.

Great for a weekend getaway or a longer visit to explore the highlands, Malaysia isn't to be missed. Kuala Lumpur is the vibrant capital and the perfect addition to your southeast Asia trip. This dynamic metropolis blends the modernity of towering skyscrapers with historical and cultural attractions. The city is a melting pot of diverse cultures, with the country having been colonized by the Portuguese, Dutch, British and Japanese. All these rules had impacts on the cultural, economic and political formations of the country before they became an independent nation in 1963. Here you can immerse yourself in the lively street markets, savor the culinary offerings, and witness the harmonious coexistence of tradition and innovation in this ever-growing city.

When to visit Kuala Lumpur?

The best time to visit Kuala Lumpur is during the drier months from May to July or December to February when rainfall is lower, and temperatures are more comfortable.

How to get to Kuala Lumpur?

Getting to Kuala Lumpur is easy due to it's economic and tourist standing. The city has a major international airport and is served by many local budget airlines. Flying is often easiest for us traveling with the baby and keeping travel times short. For more of a budget option, the city is also accessible by train to neighboring countries, and has a solid domestic bus system.

How to get around Kuala Lumpur?

As a cultural and economic hub, getting around Kuala Lumpur is really easy. They have an efficient transit system that we found both easy and affordable. Their monorail system hits up the majority of areas you'll want to visit. For further out areas, we'd recommend using Grab (remember the Uber-like app I keep mentioning?). Unlike many of the other southeast Asian countries we've visited you won't really be negotiation with one driver for a day rate tour. We found the transit in Kuala Lumpur to be much more westernized and most cabs will have a meter and work off it instead of negotiating for fares.

What to do in Kuala Lumpur?

Day 1: Free Walking Tour

A great way to get the feel of a city is to do a walking tour, especially if the city offers free ones. We choose to attend one as it's a good way to get a feel for the city, meet some people and learn about the city and culture. This is probably one of the best free walking tours I have attended, it was extremely organized, the guide was knowledgeable and the places we visited were genuinely interesting.

KL is also home to a lot of fantastic street art

Our tour started off in Pasar Seni or the Central Market, and then we walked along the River of Life. Along the way we learned the history of Malaysia, first colonized by the Chinese for it's tin mines in the 19th century. The influence of the Chinese can be seen in the ornate temples and religions of the inhabitants, however, many of the locals were enslaved and lost their lives.

Malaysia was also involved in the opium trade and Indians came to the country as slaves to labour in the jungle. They also left behind their mark as there are many Hindu temples and Indian foods here, more on that later!

Our tour ended at Petaling Street or Chinatown, make sure to give yourself some time to explore here. This vibrant and colourful district has traditional shop-houses, vibrant market stalls and is a great place to do some shopping. Known for it's counterfeit luxury goods, fireworks, local crafts and fantastic food there is something for everyone here.

If you still have energy after the walking tour, I suggest you continue to Little India. You can visit the Sri Mahamariamman Temple, the oldest Hindu temple in Kuala Lumpur with traditional colourful sculptures. You will have to pay to enter but you can admire the temple from outside as well. This area is also viewed as a shopper's paradise where you can find textiles, jewelry and spices or hit up the food stalls for some traditional Indian eats.

For dinner, I recommend you head to Jalan Alor. This famous street in Bukit Bintang district is known for it's restaurants and street food. The open-air restaurants sprawl into the street making for an active and unique dining experience. Keep an eye on the forecast in case it calls for rain, you may want to choose covered seats. Along this street, you'll find Malaysian, Chinese, Thai and even Vietnamese offerings. Make sure to bring cash so you can hit up the street food carts too.

Day 2: Iconic Attractions

We started our day early so that we could have our first stop all to ourselves for photos. The Batu Caves, just north of Kuala Lumpur have become famous over the years due to their colourful stairs. Hindu temples are typically decorated with colourful statues and the stairs were originally in white. There was a vibrant makeover in 2019 to enhance the tourist appeal, and it worked. While we were there, they were in the process of repainting to refresh the look so some of the stairs were once again white.

This temple is unique not just for it's colourful staircase but that it is built into a limestone cave that was once used by indigenous people as shelters. The main cave, Cathedral Cave features a massive golden statue of Lord Murugan (symbol of courage, virtue and youth) at the entrance, this is the tallest statue in Malaysia. The caves are a significant pilgrimage site for Hindus, and a popular photo spot for visitors to Malaysia.

The only way to see this mosque is on a guided tour

Kuala Lumpur is home to some of the world's most beautiful mosques. While there were many for us to choose from, Masjid Wilayah Persekutuan or the Federal Territory Mosque caters to visitors and was an easy choice. Your visit will commence with borrowing a coverings, an abaya and a headscarf. This mosque understands that visitors will want photos here and will give you colours that coordinate with the colours of the mosque. Our tour guide, who was a practitioner of the mosque, gave a quick tour of the places we were allowed to enter as visitors. She explained the decisions behind the architecture here, that its a fusion of 16th century Ottoman and traditional Malay styles. In Islam, mosques typically use nature and geometric shapes to accent the decor. She also made sure to stop at all the iconic photo spots and encouraged us to take our time and ask questions.

Thean Hou Temple is a popular Chinese temple in Kuala Lumpur. This ornate temple is dedicated to Mazu, the Chinese sea goddess, but also incorporated elements of Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism into its design. The multilevel temple provides a panoramic view of the city skyline, while the bright red decor appeals to many for photos. This temple is still very popular with cultural celebrations and we saw many weddings being photographed here. The temple's intricate architectural details, adorned with symbolic elements and natural motifs, further contribute to its allure, creating a serene yet visually captivating environment for both worshippers and visitors alike.

Bonus: Petronas Towers & Light Show

Visiting the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur at night is a spellbinding experience that showcases the architectural marvel in a dazzling display of lights. As the sun sets, the iconic twin towers come alive with a vibrant illumination that transforms the cityscape. The shimmering lights accentuate the sleek lines and modern design of the towers, creating a breathtaking sight against the night sky. The spectacle is further heightened by the captivating light show, where the towers are adorned with a dynamic play of colors and patterns. Below, the KLCC Park adds to the enchantment with its beautifully lit surroundings. Witnessing the Petronas Towers at night not only allows for awe-inspiring photography but also provides a serene and captivating atmosphere, making it a must-see for visitors to Kuala Lumpur.