Malaysia absolutely stole my heart. When I first booked this trip, I had limited expectations and or knowledge of the beauty Kuala Lumpur had to offer! With an incredible multicultural environment, there are countless things to do in and around the city. Here are some of my top recommendations for your trip to Kuala Lumpur!
Batu Caves and Hindu Temples
My top recommendation I am sure will come as no surprise to many tourists – Batu Caves. Arguably the most highly visited site in Malaysia, this Hindu religious site easily sits in my top ten favorite destinations around the world. Located just outside the city, Batu Caves hosts several Hindu temples and shrines to gods such as Hanuman. I strongly suggest that you walk into the temples where applicable, and keep in mind that you need to remove your shoes before entering these sites, so plan accordingly! Also, if you are able and willing, it is definitely worth it to hike up the 272 steps to the caves themselves. Check out some more recommendations for visiting Batu Caves here.
Thean Hou Temple
In addition to Batu Caves, one of my top favorite sites in the Kuala Lumpur region was the Thean Hou Temple. This Chinese Buddhist temple dedicated to the sea goddess Mazu is absolutely breathtaking and is visited by countless tourists every year. There are several levels to the temple, providing countless vantage points to see the exquisite designs carved into the pillars and walls. When I visited, there was a service going on with traditional music! It was a beautiful cultural experience. I visited this temple on a half-day tour in and around Kuala Lumpur and got to spend just a little bit of time before it started pouring rain – be sure to pack/dress accordingly!
National Mosque of Malaysia
To complete the trifecta of the main dominant subcultures here in Malaysia, I would recommend that you visit the National Mosque. This religious site is beautiful and full of breathtaking stained glass and marble. When you visit this site, there are several things you need to consider. Similar to the temples at Batu Caves (and if you enter the center room at Thean Hou Temple), you will need to remove your shoes before entering the site. Additionally, they will provide a robe for you (included with your tour and or ticket) to adhere to the religious conventions of Islam. For me as a woman, that included covering my head and hair with the hood of the robe. Unfortunately, when I visited I observed another female tourist arguing with the volunteers at the site about donning the robe and covering her hair. Please be a courteous guest when visiting the National Mosque and understand that you are being welcomed into a place of worship and recognize the importance of adhering to the rules and requirements of entering the mosque. Cross-cultural exchange is a beautiful part of traveling and I encourage you to lean into the culture instead of fighting it! I can guarantee you will enjoy the National Mosque of Malaysia.
Shop ‘till You Drop
I truthfully was so taken aback at how ~beautiful~ the city of Kuala Lumpur was. The capital of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur hosts a plethora of cuisines, shopping options, and historical sites! I stayed in the heart of the city and was located very close to the Kuala Lumpur Convention Center and the Petronas Twin Tower. I would highly recommend exploring the KLCC Park in this area – there are water shows and luscious green vegetation that highlight the fact this city is located right in a jungle! If you are looking for some extensive shopping options, the Petronas Twin Tower and the Central Market are great places to start! I am not an avid shopper myself, but there were great deals on clothes, food, jewelry, souvenirs, and countless other items at these two locations. Happy shopping!
Indulge in the Delicious Street Food at the Jalan Alor Food Street
While I would certainly not consider myself a food connoisseur or adventurous in that sense by ANY means, even I was taken aback by the diverse (and DELICIOUS) cuisine options in Kuala Lumpur. My favorite place to find Malaysian, Chinese, Thai, Indian, and countless other Asian dishes was at the infamous Jalan Alor Food Street. While overwhelming at first, this lively street has countless food options that make the chaos worthwhile, and even quite fun! Some of my favorite dishes that I had were potato scallion pancakes and mango sticky rice. Disfruta!
Walk Between the Treetops at the EcoPark
One of my favorite things about Kuala Lumpur is that it is a bustling modern city in the middle of the jungle. All around the city, you can find lush greenery, but the Kuala Lumpur Eco Park takes the cake. This site is a great opportunity for people like myself who get overwhelmed in large cities to take a breather and indulge in some peace and quiet within nature. To get into this site, you have to pay cash, so keep that in mind, and then you are free to roam the various pathways and the canopy walk, which I highly recommend. Be sure to pack some water and bug spray for this exciting adventure!
While there are countless other things to do in Kuala Lumpur, such as stroll through the Merdeka Square and visit the Sultan Abdul Samad building, I hope you find these recommendations helpful for your trip to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia! Happy travels!
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