Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Posted on Sep 2, 2016 in Places

Next stop, Kuala Lumpur and it’s just the same as I left it 3 years ago… big and bright and busy, busy, busy!

Colonial architecture sits beside sparkling skyscrapers and flea markets vie with mega-malls for visitor dollars while cafes, restaurants and bars provide the glue to keep the sightseeing and shopping on full speed. As a contrast to the high rise, KL is a very green city with large open spaces and tree lined streets providing a respite from the assault of modern life in the capital. There really is something for everyone here.

Most travelers find themselves based in the Golden Triangle area which has the greatest concentration of sights and flowing on from that, restaurants, bars, markets, etc. We stayed at Oasia Suites which is centrally located with views of the Menara Tower (from my shower!) but I’ll review that separately.

If shopping is your thing and you can stand the heat, the Petaling Street Market in Chinatown is probably the most popular choice for an all round market experience – clothing, shoes, handbags and watches.

If you fancy a walk through a wet market, Chow Kit is the largest in the city with meat, seafood, fruit, vegetables and spices. As with most markets of this style, some sections are not for the squeamish but once you get past that, it’s just as much fun as the others.

One I haven’t visited is the Taman Connaught Night Market. It only happens each Wednesday evenings and I’ve heard that it’s a great spot to haggle for clothing accessories, bags and general bric-a-brac. Apparently it is large so a serious commitment of time would be handy but you will be rewarded well-regarded hawker food for your efforts.

If you would prefer fine dining with a view of the stunning skyline, your biggest decision is whether you eat in the Petronas towers or with a view of them. Bukit Bintang is where the action is for a casual night out with a huge selection of international restaurants and bars. For cheap and cheerful, the variety of street food and hawker stalls on offer will satisfy even the pickiest eater (as well as those who have exhausted their travel dollars!). While the hawker food is delicious, I don’t find the KL dining scene exciting or innovative (not to say it’s not there) but being such a cultural melting pot, if you have an appetite for something specific, chances are it’s here somewhere.

If you find yourself with a few days to kill in KL, there are a number of day trips available. Batu Caves is one of the shorter trips (half day) but if you’re using KL as a base, the Genting Highlands and Malacca are both do-able although it will be a full day.

Buses are plentiful and trains are reportedly efficient and easy to use however, having covered most of the sights on previous trips, most of our time is spent on foot. There is a train line servicing the airport/city route but groups in excess of two people, it’s more cost effective to take a taxi and they’re metered and clean.

Visited: August 2016