Kuala Lumpur (or KL in short), the capital of Malaysia, is fondly known as the “City of Lights“. This bustling metropolis offers a blend of colonial architecture & modern skyscrapers on one hand, and a traditional Malay culture & vibrant night life on the other. From iconic landmarks like the Petronas Twin Towers and KL Tower to the vibrant neighbourhoods of Bukit Bintang, Chinatown and Little India, Kuala Lumpur has a lot to offer to a curious city hopper. During our tour of the city, we also visited some of Malaysia’s most beautiful mosques like the National Mosque of Malaysia, the Blue Mosque and the Sultan Abdul Samad Jamek Mosque.
Our Itinerary of Kuala Lumpur:
We spent 3 days in the cosmopolitan city, where our itinerary was:
- Day 1:
- Arrive in Kuala Lumpur in the afternoon
- Visit KL Tower in the early evening
- Explore the KLCC neighbourhood – Petronas Twin Towers, Lake Symphony Fountain Show and Suria KLCC Mall in the evening
- Day 2:
- Early morning walk in the KLCC Park.
- Morning – Merdeka Square, River of Life, Sultan Abdul Samad Building and Sultan Abdul Samad Jamek Mosque
- Afternoon – Visit the Central Market, Chinatown Petaling Street and National Mosque of Malaysia
- Evening – Explore the neighbourhood of Starhill Gallery & Pavilion Mall, Bukit Bintang and enjoy the street food at Jalan Alor
- Day 3:
- Visit the Batu Caves in the morning
- Explore the Little India Brickfields, Blue Mosque (Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Mosque) and Thean Hou Temple in the afternoon and evening
Reaching Kuala Lumpur:
On the rainy morning of 6th October 2024, our Air Asia flight from Kolkata landed at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). Instead of travelling to the Kuala Lumpur city (located around 55 KM from the airport) in the north, we travelled south to the city of Malacca.
Next day, around noon, we checked out of our hotel in Malacca, and travelled to Kuala Lumpur by road. The Grab (an e-hailing taxi) ride took us around 2 hours and 30 minutes to reach the Vortex Suites, an apartment building located in the heart of the KLCC area.
After keeping our luggage in the apartment, we quickly freshened up and went out for lunch. We were craving for burgers, and soon we found a Mac D nearby. Post lunch, we came back for a quick nap before exploring the city.
Day 1:
KL Tower or Menara Kuala Lumpur:
One of the prominent landmarks of the city is the KL Tower. Located inside the Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve, it stands tall at 421 meter. The main attractions here are the Sky Deck & Sky Box (300 meter) and Observation Deck (276 meter). They cater to breathtaking bird’s-eye view of the city below.
We purchased the tickets for Sky Deck primarily because it is partially open and provides a better view. On the other hand, the Observation Deck is completely enclosed by glass. Also the Sky Deck has 2 Sky Boxes, which are glass covered enclosures protruding out.
Sky Deck:
It was a Monday and so there was not much rush. We had to wait for only a few minutes for our turn to enter the lift. The high speed elevator took only a couple of minutes to take us to the Sky Deck. As we entered the observation area, we were in complete awe with the magnificent view all around. We could easily recognise the iconic skyscrapers like the Petronas Twin Towers and the Merdeka 118.
Sky Box:
At the entrance the Sky Deck, we were handed over a separate slip with our Queue number for the Sky Box. As we roamed around, it started drizzling all of a sudden. Our eyes were on the electronic display of the Sky Box, as the staff informed us that the Sky Deck will get closed if the weather gets worse.
Soon our turn came up. Here each person is allocated a time of 45 seconds, so we got 45 * 4 = 180 seconds for the 4 of us. Those 3 minutes were surreal, as we sat on the glass floor and looked straight down at the city below !
No sooner than we came out of the Sky Box, it started lightening, and all the visitors were instructed to vacate the Sky Deck.
Observation Deck:
We took the elevator and came down to the Observation Deck. Normally you need to buy separate ticket to enter the place. It also provides a nice view of the city, but the place is covered with glass. We walked around and experienced a wonderful sunset as the weather improved gradually.
But the Sky Deck remained closed due to some unknown reason, and we came down. By then, the tower got illuminated with bright changing colours that looked stunning against the backdrop of the night sky.
Ticket: RM 110 for Adults (and RM 65 for kids) for Sky Deck; and RM 10 for the Sky Box. For the Observation Deck, it is RM 60 for Adults (and RM 40 for kids).
Exploring Petronas Twin Towers and KLCC attractions:
Kuala Lumpur City Centre (or KLCC in short) is the heart of city, and is home to the iconic Petronas Twin Towers, the lush green KLCC Park, the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Aquaria KLCC and Suria KLCC Mall.
Petronas Twin Towers:
No trip to Kuala Lumpur is complete without a visit to the iconic Petronas Twin Towers, standing tall at 452 meters. The major attractions here are the Observation Deck (on the 86th floor) and the Sky Bridge (which connects the two towers at the 41st and 42nd floors). Like the KL Tower, the Observation Deck of the Twin Towers also offers an amazing view of the sprawling metropolis below.
By the time we arrived, the towers were fully lit up, and it looked majestic.
As we already went up the KL Tower, we decided not to visit the observation deck here.
Suria KLCC Mall:
Adjacent to the twin towers is the sprawling Suria KLCC Mall. It houses premier outlets selling products of international luxury brands. For a shopping buff, the mall will certainly provide an unforgettable experience. Apart from shopping, it offers a wide range of dining options. After few rounds of window shopping, we exited from the back side of the mall to approach the Fountain Show.
Lake Symphony Fountain Show:
Lake Symphony is a small man-made lake along the KLCC Park. Every evening the place comes into life with a magical fountain show, which takes place every 30 minutes. We sat on the steps leading to the lake, and were spellbound by the fascinating dance of water jets, synchronized with colourful light and music.
As it was dark, we decided to explore the KLCC Park the next day morning. So we went to the food court of the mall, had dinner and walked back to our apartment.
Day 2:
KLCC Park:
KLCC Park is a welcome respite to the residents of Kuala Lumpur from the hustle and bustle of the city. With lush greenery, winding walking trails, children’s play area and placid water bodies, it is the perfect place for a morning walk or an evening relaxation after a tiring day.
On the morning of our Day 2, we woke up early and went to the KLCC Park for a walk. As we strolled around the park, we found out some vantage points for the amazing view of the Petronas Twin Towers. As the kids got busy with the rides in the play area, we sat down on a bench by the lake side and spent some time in serenity.
After a while, we came back to our apartment and had bath. The kitchen had all the cutleries and amenities, and we prepared butter toast and omelettes for our breakfast.
Merdeka Square and Sultan Abdul Samad Building:
Around 10.30 AM, we booked a Grab cab, and headed for the Merdeka Square or Dataran Merdeka. The place bears huge historical importance, as it is where the country declared its independence from the British rule in 1957. The big open field now has the Malaysian national flag hoisted on a 95 meter tall flagpole at one end.
We walked along the periphery of the field, and then crossed the road to approach the Sultan Abdul Samad Building. This colonial era building is influenced by Moorish and Mughal architecture. The grand façade features intricate arches, large domes and a huge clock tower.
Sultan Abdul Samad Jamek Mosque and River of Life:
Crossing a small bridge over the Gombak River, we came to the Sultan Abdul Samad Jamek Mosque, or Masjid Jamek in short. The beautiful mosque, constructed in 1909, is strategically located at the confluence of the Gombak and Klang Rivers.
Inspired by Moorish and Mughal architectural styles, the mosque has large open courtyards, milky white domes and tall minarets. It was very peaceful inside, and we spent some time soaking ourselves in the tranquillity of the surrounding.
The riverfront here is being beautified under the project “River of Life”. We walked along the river bank towards the Central Market.
Central Market:
The Central Market of Kuala Lumpur is not just ‘another’ market. This bright blue and white building is a centre of culture and heritage of the city. Established in the year 1888 as a wet market, it gradually transformed into a hub of handicrafts, souvenirs, textiles and fabrics.
Chinatown Petaling Street:
A short walk from the Central Market brought us to the Chinatown, a bustling district with people mostly of Chinese origin. The main thoroughfare here is called the Petaling Street, a pedestrian only pathway. It has small shops on both sides of the road, selling items from clothes, accessories and souvenirs to electronics and luggage.
You need to be an expert in bargaining to get the best deal here. But keep your eyes open for fake items being sold in the guise of international brands. We played safe and bought some gift items like key chains, magnets etc. to take back home.
It was 3 PM by then, and we were already hungry. The hunger had grown manifold due the aroma of Chinese food all around. So we quickly settled down in one of the restaurants and ordered for some fried rice and noodle dishes.
National Mosque of Malaysia:
The most iconic mosque of the country is Masjid Negara or the National Mosque of Malaysia. Open to the masses in 1965, its design deviates from the traditional mosques with minarets and domes. Instead, the main building has a roof that has the shape of a 16-cornered star, each symbolizing 13 states and 3 federal territories of Malaysia. Under the roof there is a large prayer hall, with beautifully painted interiors and decorated with chandeliers.
As non-Muslims, we were not permitted to enter the main part of the prayer hall. So we sat at the periphery. It was very peaceful, and was a welcome break for us from the scorching Sun outside.
After spending around 30 minutes inside the mosque, we came back to our apartment to take a break and to energize ourselves for the eventful evening.
Bukit Bintang:
The plan for the evening was to visit the Bukit Bintang – the most happening place of Kuala Lumpur.
We wanted to experience the Monorail ride. So from our apartment, we headed towards the Bukit Nanas station. Bukit Bintang was 2 stations away. As we came out of the station, we were greeted by dazzling neon lights, colourful & moving billboards and a euphoric crowd. It made me reminiscent of the New York Times Square. The whole environ was lively and electric, with street performers keeping the audience engrossed, and the pubs & restaurants playing the popular hit songs.
The neighbourhood is home to some of the most high-end shopping malls – Pavilion KL, Lot 10 and Fahrenheit 88, with outlets of internationals brands that offer a luxury shopping experience. We strolled aimlessly along the footpath, soaking ourselves in the electric vibe. We then went inside the Pavilion Mall for some window shopping.
Jalan Alor:
We had plans to have our dinner in Jalan Alor – Street Food Paradise of Kuala Lumpur, a short walk from Lot 10. Jalan Alor (jalan = street in Malay language) is a walking street, with food stalls on both sides. If you want to try out the flavours of Malaysian cuisine, this is the place to be. And plan to visit Jalan Alor after sun-down, when it comes alive with colourful neon lights and high pitched music.
As we entered the buzzing area, we were greeted by the sound of sizzling seafood, spicy aroma of grilled meat and distinct smell of Durian, the ‘King of Fruits’. As we walked down the lane, the food stall owners spread out the colourful menu cards in front of us, and persuaded us try their food.
The entire road was very crowded, and we moved forward and settled down in a comparatively quiet place. We ordered for Satay, grilled Lobsters, spicy Squids and the food was really yummy ! We wrapped up our dinner with Cendol, a local favourite dessert prepared with coconut milk and palm sugar syrup.
Day 3:
Our plan that day was to visit a few places outside the city centre. The very first place that we had planned was the Batu Caves, which gets very crowded over the day. So we had thought of starting early.
After another day of homemade breakfast, we booked a Grab and reached Batu Caves. It was 10 AM, and the place was already teeming with tourists.
Batu Caves:
Batu Caves, located around 14 KM north of KLCC, is a cave temple in a Limestone hill, which was formed millions of year ago.
It attained religious significance when the Tamil Indian traders built a Hindu temple inside the cave. They dedicated the temple to the Hindu god Lord Murugan. The major attraction here is the towering 43-meter (140-foot) golden statue of the deity, who stands at the entrance to greet all the visitors.
Keeping the Lord on our right, we started climbing the colourful “rainbow” steps. During our ascent of the 272 steps, we came across some mischievous monkeys who were trying to snatch food, water bottles, bags and purse. On the way we also crossed the entrance of the “Dark Cave”, which was closed for the public.
Climbing up the stairs was indeed worth, as we entered a huge cavern with stunning stalactite formations. Inside, there are a few shrines with a Gopuram (a structure at the top that resembles the two horns of a cow) at the entrance. Gopuram is a unique feature of the Dravidian (South Indian) style of architecture.
We found the Hindu devotees offering prayers in the temples, while others were simply admiring the natural beauty all around.
The other important cave here is the Ramayana Cave. It is situated just beside the main entrance from the car parking area. The cave depicts stories from the Hindu mythology “Ramayana”, with the help of elegant life-size figures of the characters in the epic. It is worth the visit.
Although the Batu Caves is free for a visit, there is a ticket of RM 15 to enter the Ramayana Cave.
KL Sentral:
Batu Caves is well connected to the KL Sentral, the main transit hub of Kuala Lumpur, by the KTM Komuter train. The train station is located just beside the main entrance of the Batu Caves. We availed the train of 12.02 PM.
The train took 30 minutes to reach the KL Sentral station. It is a huge complex, with different nodal points for train routes towards different parts of the city and the suburbs. There is also a mall – the NU Sentral Mall, which is part of the KL Sentral.
Little India Brickfields:
A short walk from the KL Sentral brought us to the Little India neighbourhood. The residents here are mostly Tamilians from South Indian state of Tamil Nadu.
The major arterial road, Jalan Tun Sambanthan, is dotted with Indian shops and restaurants on both sides. Stalls selling colourful South Indian sarees, jewellery & bangles, fresh flowers & garlands made the enclave cheerful.
It was lunch time, and we had a scrumptious meal of spicy chicken curry and rice on a banana leaf.
Blue Mosque (Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Mosque):
From Little India, we hailed a Grab cab for Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Mosque, located in the neighbouring city of Shah Alam, around 30 KM east of KLCC.
Popularly known as the Blue Mosque for its distinct Blue and White theme, it is the largest mosque in the country. The structure is an architectural masterpiece, with a massive central dome and 4 huge minarets on each side. We were awed by the decorated glass windows; and intricate designs and complex calligraphy that adorn the interiors of the mosque.
The mosque officials provided us a free guided tour that provided an insight into history of Islam and the mosque. We spent some time sitting in the tranquil main prayer hall; and then roamed around in the green velvet of manicured garden.
Thean Hou Temple:
A grand Chinese temple perched on top of a hill, the Thean Hou Temple serves as a nice escapade from the busy city life.
The ornately decorated complex consists of a six-tiered temple dedicated to Thean Hou, the Chinese sea goddess Mazu. Around the main building, we found exquisite figures from Chinese mythology & folklore, statues of deities and motifs of dragons and phoenix.
It was getting dark when we reached, and the temple complex was illuminated with soft light. We climbed up the stairs to reach the main alter, with a large open space in front. We sat on a bench and soaked ourselves in the cool breeze. The evening prayer started soon, which filled the air with peace and reverence.
It was our last day in the City of Lights, as we had plans to travel to Penang the next day morning. As we started our journey towards our apartment, we felt sad that the stay in this vibrant city got over so soon. The unique blend of old & new, tradition & innovation makes KL an ideal destination for every traveller seeking to explore the unknown.
Some useful information and tips:
How to reach Kuala Lumpur:
Kuala Lumpur International Airport is a major transit hub of the whole of South East Asia. It is well connected to other cities of Malaysia and abroad by regular flights. The airport is located around 55 KM south of the Kuala Lumpur city. From the airport, one can avail a train, bus or cab to reach the city centre.
Kuala Lumpur is also connected to other parts of the country by train and bus services.
Mode of transport within the city:
- Train and Bus: KL has a great network of train and bus routes and the ticket fare is also cheap. Please refer to this site for useful information on KL’s public transport system – https://myrapid.com.my/bus-train/rapid-kl/rapid-kl-integrated-transit-map/
- Grab e-taxis are available at every corner of the city, and they arrive within minutes.
Best Time to Visit:
The best time to visit the entire West coast of Peninsular Malaysia is between November and March. During these months, the weather remains dry and sunny, making it ideal for sightseeing and outdoor activities. It also coincides with popular festivals like Chinese New Year and Thaipusam.
The shoulder season is from April to June. The monsoons lash the area between July and October, which you should avoid.
We explored the West Coast of Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur, Langkawi, Penang and Malacca) from October 6 to October 16, when the monsoon was receding. So, we experienced mostly sunny weather, with occasional afternoon showers.
Review of The Moods – Vortex, where we stayed in Kuala Lumpur:
The Vortex Suites is located at a very strategic location in the KLCC area, with the KL Tower in one direction and Petronas Twin Towers in the other. Both are walkable from the Vortex.
There is a mini 7-11 store on the ground floor and a mini mart on the 6th floor, which is very convenient for to buy breakfast items, mineral water etc. There is also a swimming pool in the building, but that is chargeable.
Now coming to the apartment “The Moods“, our Delux Apartment located on the 12th floor. It had 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and drawing & dining spaces. Also, it had a fully equipped kitchen with induction oven, electric kettle, toaster, cutlery and a washing machine.
During our 3 nights’ stay, we didn’t physically meet any human being from “The Moods”. The entire communication was via WhatsApp chat, and it was completely hassle free.
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