Amenities and facilities that offer the best of food, drink, art, culture and travel in Kuala Lumpur.
BY NURUL ASMUI MD AZMI
asmui@ocision.com
Passengers lining up to get on the KL Hop-On Hop-Off bus.
WHAT better way to understand the diverse culture and lifestyle that we have in Malaysia than perusing around a city that has mostly everything. From authentic food to heritage development, Kuala Lumpur (KL), the capital state of Malaysia, offers a great mixture of cuisine, culture, activities as well as nature.
Despite the hot and humid weather during the day, travelling in the city is very convenient with the availability of public transportation and extensive road network. The recently completed pedestrian walkway that links the KLCC area to the Bukit Bintang area also offers a better and safer pathway for pedestrians as it is not only covered, but also equipped with air conditioners.
Furthermore, with the famous Hop-On Hop-Off bus service that covers more than 40 attractions with 23 stops around KL, one will find many interesting places to visit and fascinating things to do. This service is great not only for tourists, but also the locals looking to explore what Kuala Lumpur has to offer.
Tourist attractions
Most of these tourist attractions can be easily reached via the KL Hop-On Hop-Off bus. Spending RM45 for a 24-hour adult pass, or RM79 for a 48-hour adult pass is definitely worth it as one will get to witness spectacular views and architectures while roaming on a double-decker bus.
In addition to these, there are of course many other attractions that one should visit.
The majestic view of the Petronas Twin Towers.
Petronas Twin Towers
A tour in Kuala Lumpur is only complete with a visit to the Petronas Twin Towers where one can get to the Twin Towers Skybridge and witness a spectacular view from the highest two-storey bridge in the world.
The twin 88-storey skyscrapers also offer all sorts of family entertainment, branded shopping outlets and eateries.
KL Tower
KL Tower (Menara Kuala Lumpur), along with the Petronas Twin Towers, is Malaysia’s most popular landmark. Standing tall at 421 metres, KL Tower is visible from almost anywhere in Kuala Lumpur.
One major attraction at KL Tower is the observation deck where visitors are able to enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the entire city. In addition to that, there is a revolving restaurant dubbed Atmosphere 360, which is a perfect venue for visitors to dine while enjoying a scenic view.
Kuala Lumpur City Gallery
This is the most anticipated stop for art enthusiasts. Situated opposite Dataran Merdeka (Independence Square), Kuala Lumpur City Gallery is just what travellers need to wind down and escape the hustle and bustle of the city. The gallery showcases a collection of photos, prints and miniatures to reveal the story and history of the city.
The most astonishing highlight of Kuala Lumpur City Gallery is the city model that features the city’s past, present and future through advance multimedia projection mapping on the model, the first of its kind in South-East Asia.
Chinatown
Based in Petaling Street, Chinatown is known by many as a bargain hunter’s paradise. This place is deeply immersed in oriental culture, heritage and history where one can find a diverse collection of things from Chinese herbs to fashion items. During the night, the main market area transforms into a vibrant night market with hundreds of stalls.
The entrance to Chinatown in Petaling Street.
Little India
With a vast selection of Indian stores and restaurants in Brickfields, this is where visitors can experience true Malaysian Indian culture. While walking to the pulsating beats of Bollywood hits, one will discover all sorts of stuff from traditional-style sarees and gorgeous bangles to finger-licking chapatis.
Central Market
Situated along Jalan Hang Kasturi, Central Market is only a few minutes away from Petaling Street. Also known as Pasar Seni, this market features an assortment of merchandise and services that includes souvenirs, handicrafts, authentic Malaysian batik prints and skilled sketch artists.
Just adjacent to the Central Market is the Kasturi Walk. It is an open-air flea market with roofing, similar to Petaling Street. There are vendors selling local snacks, fruits and an array of goods, such as T-shirts and watches.
Merdeka Square
Merdeka Square (also known as Independence Square) is a historical landmark in Kuala Lumpur. The venue was used to announce Malaysia’s Independence in 1957, and there's a 95-metre flagpole, one of the highest in the world. The wide field in the middle of the Independence Square is usually used to hold tourism-related and national celebrations.
The welcoming gate into Little India.
Bukit Bintang
As one of the most lively areas in Kuala Lumpur, Bukit Bintang is packed with incomparable entertainment and boundless enjoyment. The area spans across three roads – Jalan Bukit Bintang, Jalan Imbi and Jalan Sultan Ismail.
During the day, it is a shopping haven that boasts the highest concentration of shopping outlets in Kuala Lumpur. The famous Pavilion Mall-cum-the biggest shopping mall in Bukit Bintang is also a popular hotspot among the locals and tourists. Walking down the wide pedestrian walkway of Bintang Walk, one will step into an exciting rendezvous point with al fresco cafes and restaurants.
For after-hour entertainment, Changkat Bukit Bintang, located behind Jalan Bukit Bintang, is a great trendy place for pub crawling. It is the avenue where most of Kuala Lumpur’s most popular bars and restaurants can be found.
Recreational parks
Amidst the concrete jungle of Kuala Lumpur, one can still find peace and comfort from recreational parks. Among the famous parks in Kuala Lumpur are KLCC Park, Taman Tasik Titiwangsa (Titiwangsa Lake) and Perdana Botanical Garden (formerly known as Taman Tasik Perdana or Lake Gardens). KLCC Park is a 50-acre urban sanctuary with around 1,900 trees and plants from 74 different species. The main highlight of this elaborately landscaped park is the dazzling dancing water fountains at the Lake Symphony. The park also has jogging tracks, a children’s playground and an elevated bridge.
A boy standing near the water fountain in Perdana Botanical Garden.
Titiwangsa Lake offers a perfect place for one to rest and relax in a vast open space. There are also entertainment services available for rent, such as bicycles and pedal boats, and horse wagon rides near the lake.
Located in the Heritage Park of Kuala Lumpur, Perdana Botanical Garden has a history that dates back to the 1880s and still remains as a part of the green lung of the city. As a popular recreational spot, the garden houses beautiful botanical collections in a tropical rainforest ambiance.
Dining experience
Kuala Lumpur’s eateries range from budget street food to high-end luxury, and it reflects the diverse culture of Malay, Chinese, Indian, and even Western influences in Malaysia. Restaurants that offer luxury dining in Kuala Lumpur are plentiful. Some of the more luxurious restaurants are Lafite at Shangri-La Hotel, Tamarind Springs in Ampang, Cilantro on Jalan Tun Razak, Li Yen at The Ritz-Carlton and Bijan Restaurant on Jalan Ceylon. Budget eats are also aplenty around the city, such as Nasi Kandar Pelita on Jalan Telawi, Lot 10 Hutong Food Court in Lot 10 Shopping Centre, Warung Rindu off Jalan Pantai Dalam, Chat Masala Restaurant in Brickfields and Precious Old China in Central Market.
Kuala Lumpur is rapidly growing, but there is always room for improvement. Since some walking paths are not properly maintained and crossing the busy road in KL can be challenging, it would be great to have more comfortable pedestrian walkways like the one that connects Bukit Bintang to KLCC. It will also be beneficial to have arts studio for visitors who want to obtain a deeper understanding of Malaysia's culture and arts. Art studios will not only give personal space for artists to showcase their creativity, but also allow visitors to interact with artists.
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