Kuala Lumpur is an amazing city- an incredible mix of modernity and tradition. From the skyscraping heights of the famous Petronas Towers, to the food vendors and knock off stalls in Chinatown; from the remarkably modern and cutting-edge malls, to the traditional neighborhoods scattered through out the city- Kuala Lumpur touches both extremes. It is a great city for exploring, and the shopping- whether you’re looking for knock-off or the real deal- is second to none.
Getting There
Kuala Lumpur is serviced by the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, with innumerable domestic and international flights arriving and departing daily. You can get to KL by bus and train as well, depending on where you are coming from.
Things to do in Kuala Lumpur
- Visit the Petronas Towers- still ranked the tallest twin-towers in the world, they are THE landmark in KL. Simply put, they are SPECTACULAR. There is no ‘top-floor’ observation deck, but you can go up to the Skybridge to get a closer look, and a great view of the city.
- Hang out in Chinatown- Petaling Street is known for its cheap eats, cheap drinks, cheap clothes, cheap EVERYTHING. If you’re looking for knock-offs and/or souvenirs, this is the place for you.
- Go shopping- KL has some of the best malls in all of SE Asia- ultra-modern, with all the brand name stores you’re familiar with, and a lot that you aren’t. Just walking through one or two of these malls is an experience.
- Buy some electronics- KL has the reputation as being THE place to buy electronics on the cheap in SE Asia. Whether or not this is deserved is unknown, but you can find some pretty sweet deals on cutting-edge technology.
- Have a night out in the Golden Triangle- KL’s hippest bars, clubs, and restaurants are located between P. Ramlee, Sultan Ismail, and Ampang Road.
- Check out the Batu Caves- 8 miles out of the city, this Hindu religious site is something to see. A giant staircase leads up into some remarkable caves- watch out for the monkeys.
Insider Tips
- Go EARLY when you’re heading to get you tickets for the Petronas Tower Skybridge- the line forms quickly, and tickets are first-come, first-served. Bring something to do while you wait- you’ll be there for awhile...
- KL is a great city to just get out and walk around in- there are so many great neighborhoods and alleys to explore.
- If you are going to buy some electronics, you can still shop around to get a better deal. Many stores will offer varying discounts, and you can use these to negotiate a lower price than what they initially ask.
The iconic Petronas Towers