What to do in Kuala Lumpur

[NM]

Based on the wonderful ideas and tips from this thread about Bangkok, I thought it may be interesting to see people's thoughts about KL.

Now I have been to KL many time. Each time for work purposes and I have not done much in the way of being a tourist. But I do have some things I want to do on this leisure trip. The purpose is to show Mrs NM the places she has heard me talking about during my many trips to KL and to have a chance to get out and see some of the things I have always meant to do and never managed due to heavy work loads.

So I am confident with getting around using the MRT, Monorail and Teksis, confident with the culture and finding good places to eat.

But if people have any suggestions on good sight-seeing activities, please chime in.

Already on the list are things like:

• Petronas Towers skybridge
• Petaling Street markets
• Bukit Bintan area (BB Plaza, Sungei Wang Plaza, Low Yat Plaza)

Definitely not on the agenda is Durian.

Will be dining with some locals (work colleagues) for an authentic culinary experience.

 

[drron]

Presuming that you are staying at the Hilton then eat.The 3 restaurants apart from the coffee shop are all fantastic though expensive for KL.If there on a Sunday the Japanese restaurant Iketeru does an all you can eat promotion-not a buffet you just keep ordering dishes until you drop.You can add all you can drink champagne for an extra 99 Ringgit.
Chynna-the chinese restaurant,does very good beijing duck that does not have to be preordered but they usually run out so dont go there too late.
Of course you have to drag yourself away from the exec lounge which I do find difficult.

 

[Keith009]

Pavillion, also on Bukit Bintang - the new mecca of shopping in KL. Then there's Starhill directly opposite.

There's a whole lane of hawkers that runs parallel to Bt Bintang that serves really nice Malaysian street food. Jalan Alor i think it's called.

And Asian Heritage Row next to the Sheraton for something more upmarket.

 

[Ric]

Don't forget Bangsar, the trendy p[art of town. Can easily spend an afternoon there and do the night markets there after.

Also, at the basement of Pavillion, you can find "indoor hawker stores" that practically sells all the kinds of food found in Malaysia.

 

[Keith009]

Oh and one more thing - go to the area around Jalan Imbi for Bak Kut Teh. Can't get any more authentic than that. Literal translation: "Pork Bone Tea" (pork in a yummy tea broth, eaten with rice). Ask your hotel concierge for precise directions, but it's the part of Imbi that's near the Bt Bintang (the Westin is diagonally opposite).

Also, at the basement of Pavillion, you can find "indoor hawker stores" that practically sells all the kinds of food found in Malaysia.

Despite spending a week in KL shopping at the Pavillion nearly every day, I missed that basement bit entirely! I was thinking why can't this place have a food court in the same complex like KLCC. Will check it out next time. It's deffo a better option than dragging all my shopping bags with me whilst hunting for food in KL weather. :shock:

 

[NM]

Presuming that you are staying at the Hilton then eat.

Have stayed there many times and sampled their restaurants. This time I am using PC points at staying at the Crowne Plaza, so very close to lots of good dining places.

 

[NM]

Pavillion, also on Bukit Bintang - the new mecca of shopping in KL. Then there's Starhill directly opposite.

I have not been to Pavillion or Starhill. Been to KLCC many times and found it quite expensive as far as shopping is concerned - some good restaurants though. Are the others any better?

There's a whole lane of hawkers that runs parallel to Bt Bintang that serves really nice Malaysian street food. Jalan Alor i think it's called.

Yes, know it well

And Asian Heritage Row next to the Sheraton for something more upmarket.

another one that is on the dining list. Just wander along until something takes your fancy.

 

[Keith009]

I have not been to Pavillion or Starhill. Been to KLCC many times and found it quite expensive as far as shopping is concerned - some good restaurants though. Are the others any better?

If you think KLCC is expensive, then avoid Starhill. Pavillion is a good mix of luxury high end brands (eg Prada, Versace, Hugo Boss), trendy mid market brands (eg Juicy Couture, Club Monaco) and budget (eg Zara). Given the AUD/MYR though, I generally find KL cheap as chips all round anyway even the high end stuff. Bought a few pair of shoes that'd have cost me $200-300 more had I gotten them in Melbourne.

 

[Ric]

IMHO, I reckon the choice and variety at the basement of The Pavillion is far better than KLCC and the standard is just as good if not better. There's also a Madam Kwan's at the basement.

NM, re shopping, the sales were on at the beginning of Aug. Not sure whether there's still any going on when you get there. I was there last week and there's still a bit going on. Re: Starhill. It has been renovated over the last couple of years and now boast to be the Mecca for shopping for high end watches. I still find it more cheaper (tough bargaining needed) to get them from the stores outside e.g. The Hour Glass.

Cheers!

Ric

 

[NM]

NM, re shopping, the sales were on at the beginning of Aug. Not sure whether there's still any going on when you get there. I was there last week and there's still a bit going on. Re: Starhill. It has been renovated over the last couple of years and now boast to be the Mecca for shopping for high end watches. I still find it more cheaper (tough bargaining needed) to get them from the stores outside e.g. The Hour Glass.

Are you suggesting its a better place to buy high-end watches than from Jimmy down at Petaling Street? He claims to have the best range and prices

 

[Ric]

Nah, wouldn't touch Jimmy with a 10ft pole!!
He is too tough a negotiator!!:mrgreen:

 

[serfty]

Nah, wouldn't touch Jimmy with a 10ft pole!!
He is too tough a negotiator!!:mrgreen:

Was that wouldn't or couldn't?

 

[Ric]

Was that wouldn't or couldn't?

Touche:!:

Have to be "couldn't"!!Slippery bugger isn't he??

 

[Batesy]

Try KL tower, in my opinion a better view than the Petronas towers bridge.

 

[kpc]

Try KL tower, in my opinion a better view than the Petronas towers bridge.

Can have a buffet dinner at the revolving restaurant as well - pricy but not bad!

As an ex KL resident and frequent visitor, some other suggestions not already mentioned:

1) MidValley MegaMall (for everything you could want and eat): 1 stop on the KTM train (to Seremban) from KL Sentral for RM1!
2) A local night market in PJ (Paramount Night market) on Sunday evenings - catch LRT from KL Sentral to Taman Paramount stop (about 20mins), and follow the crowds - no tourists ever go there, only locals so less likely to be ripped off.
3) Putrajaya
4) KL aquarium

A day trip to Batu Caves or even Melaka could be considered.

 

[Teagz8686]

You definately have to do the Batu Caves. Be warned though ... it is hard work climbing all those stairs, especially with KL's weather! It is awesome though because there are monkey's running around everywhere and they are so cute ... unless they steal your hand bag of course, which did happen to one lady I saw. She certainly won't be getting those bananas back ...

Another tourisy thing you can do is go on the Elephant Sanctuary Tour. Yes, it is a couple of hours out of KL, but it is great to feed and ride them. I had so much fun ... especially feeding them, that was great. The baby elephants are so adorable ... one of them only has 3 legs though Poor little guy! If you book the tour through Journey Malaysia it's about half the price of a lot of other places. RM195 each, and that includes a delicious lunch (choice between KFC and traditional Malaysian ... obviously go the Malay, it is really yummy!) and a great tour guide to help you out every step of the way (thanks VJ!!).