Kuala Lumpur, or commonly known as KL among the locals, is the capital city of Malaysia. If you have never heard of this country or never travelled to this side of the world, let me introduce a little bit of my country to you.
Malaysia is a multi-racial country with the majority of Malay, Chinese, Indian, and other races. Although the national language is Malay, most Malaysians can speak at least two to three languages fluently. So, you don't have to worry about language barrier because most Malaysians can speak English very well.
Currency is MYR or commonly known as RM (Ringgit Malaysia) among the locals. Cash comes in COINS: 5 cent, 10 cent, 20 cent, 50 cent; BANK NOTES: RM1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100.
Food price: You can get a simple breakfast at mamak shops with a drink for RM5. If you eat at Chinese coffeeshop (known as kopitiam), you can expect to pay RM6 or RM7 for a bowl of noodles or a plate of chicken rice, excluding drinks. If you eat in an inexpensive restaurant, expect to pay RM25 to RM30 per person. If the restaurant is inside a shopping mall, a meal could range from RM30 to RM50 per person. Restaurants charge 10% for service charge and 6% GST (Goods & Services Tax).
Tipping: No tipping is required in Malaysia as it is not a common practice here.
Local Transportation: LRT, MRT, Monorail, Bus, Taxi, KTM Komuter Train. In addition to these, you can also get UBER or GRAB car from your smartphone for your convenience.
Currency is MYR or commonly known as RM (Ringgit Malaysia) among the locals. Cash comes in COINS: 5 cent, 10 cent, 20 cent, 50 cent; BANK NOTES: RM1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100.
Food price: You can get a simple breakfast at mamak shops with a drink for RM5. If you eat at Chinese coffeeshop (known as kopitiam), you can expect to pay RM6 or RM7 for a bowl of noodles or a plate of chicken rice, excluding drinks. If you eat in an inexpensive restaurant, expect to pay RM25 to RM30 per person. If the restaurant is inside a shopping mall, a meal could range from RM30 to RM50 per person. Restaurants charge 10% for service charge and 6% GST (Goods & Services Tax).
Tipping: No tipping is required in Malaysia as it is not a common practice here.
Local Transportation: LRT, MRT, Monorail, Bus, Taxi, KTM Komuter Train. In addition to these, you can also get UBER or GRAB car from your smartphone for your convenience.
Let me introduce some of the beautiful places to see and visit around KL.
PETRONAS Twin Towers
The tallest twin towers in the world. It houses offices and a huge shopping mall with many branded boutiques, cinemas, cuisine from all over the world (Malay food, Chinese food, Western, Japanese, Korean, Arab, etc. at the food court, restaurants, cafes. There is an aquaria inside the mall for those who want to see sea creatures up-close. In front of the shopping mall is a huge KLCC Park with water fountain display.
How To Get There: Take the KELANA JAYA LINE LRT towards Gombak. Stop at the KLCC station which is situated inside the shopping mall inside the Twin Towers.
How To Get There: Take the KELANA JAYA LINE LRT towards Gombak. Stop at the KLCC station which is situated inside the shopping mall inside the Twin Towers.
Suria KLCC. This is the shopping mall inside the Twin Towers.
Aquaria KLCC spanning 60,000 square feet with a 300 foot tunnel which allows visitors seeing up-close with over 50,000 sea creatures. Admission fee: RM69 (Adult), RM59 (Child), RM49 (Senior citizen). Children below the age of 3 is FREE. It is open daily from 10:00am to 8:00pm. Last admission is at 7:00pm.
KLCC Park: the water fountain display with lights at night. Admission is FREE.
Batu Caves is the focal point during the Hindu festival of Thaipusam every year. The temple on top of the hill is dedicated to Lord Murugan. The caves is believed to be around for 400 million years old. Climb up the 272 concrete steps to the top to see the view and visit the temple inside.
How To Get There: Take the KTM KOMUTER from KL SENTRAL towards BATU CAVES which is the last stop. There are also buses that goes to Batu Caves but they don't stop directly in front of the caves. You have to walk around 8-12 mins from the bus stop to Batu Caves. To check how to take the local bus, go to www.myrapid.com.my and click on Plan My Journey and type in the location from the place you're at to Batu Caves and a detail route with which LRT or bus to take will be shown.
How To Get There: Take the KTM KOMUTER from KL SENTRAL towards BATU CAVES which is the last stop. There are also buses that goes to Batu Caves but they don't stop directly in front of the caves. You have to walk around 8-12 mins from the bus stop to Batu Caves. To check how to take the local bus, go to www.myrapid.com.my and click on Plan My Journey and type in the location from the place you're at to Batu Caves and a detail route with which LRT or bus to take will be shown.
Thean Hou Temple is a huge Buddhist temple with its 6-tier design making it an iconic landmark in KL. Admission is FREE. Just walk around the temple and you'll notice the intricate carvings and decorated ceilings inside the temple.
If you're there after the sun sets, the whole temple will be light up with red lanterns and lights all over. There is a food court in the basement if you like to have a vegetarian meal there. Don't be surprised if you see Chinese couples in wedding attire taking photos because the Marriage Registar office is located inside the temple for any Chinese couple who would like to register their marriage officially.
How To Get There: None of the LRT or KTM stations is within walking distance from Thean Hou Temple. The best way is to take a taxi. To save on the taxi fare, you can first travel by KTM to Mid Valley station or by LRT to Bangsar station. From there, you hail for a taxi and travel for 2-3km to reach Thean Hou Temple.
Muzium Negara (National Museum) is built in the shape of a tradiational Malay house. Experience the history and culture of Malaysia in this museum. Opens daily from 9:00am to 6:00pm. Admission fee: RM5.00 (Adult), RM2.00 (Children age 6 to 12). Admission is FREE for children below 6 years old. Website: http://www.jmm.gov.my/en/museum/muzium-negara or CLICK HERE
How To Get There: There are several ways. You can take the KL HOP ON HOP OFF bus and get off at the museum, or you can take the MRT and stop at the Stesen Muzium Negara station, or you could walk 0.5km from KL Sentral to the museum.
Central Market (Pasar Seni) used to be a wet market selling fruits, vegetables, and meat. Now, it is a cultural place to get your local souvenirs, arts and crafts for your family and friends back home. The upper floor is a food court selling local delicacies.
How To Get There: Take the MRT and stop at the Pasar Seni station.
Sunway Lagoon is a huge water theme park located a little outside of KL city center in the suburb of Petaling Jaya. For admission fees and the types of theme rides and games, please visit the website: https://sunwaylagoon.com/pricing/ or CLICK HERE
How To Get There: Take theKTM Komuter train to the Subang Jaya Station then catch a feeder bus to the Sunway Pyramid stop. Or, take the Putra LRT train to the Kelana Jaya Station then catch a feeder bus to the Sunway Pyramid stop.
Jalan Alor is a food haven not only to locals but to many tourists who wants to taste all the good food that this country has to offer. Do not come in the day time because this street only comes alive during evening till late at night so have make sure you come with an empty stomach. Most of the shops here accept cash only.
How To Get There: From KL Sentral, take the Monorail and stop either at the Imbi station or the Bukit Bintang Station. Jalan Alor is accessible within walking distance from these two stations.
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HOW TO GET FROM AIRPORT TO CITY CENTER:
Most international flights will arrive at the KLIA (Kuala Lumpur International Airport). There are few ways to reach the city center as I explain below.
EXPRESS COACH / STAR SHUTTLE BUS / SKYBUS / AEROBUS: RM10 (Adult) , RM6 (Child). *Please note that some buses charge RM11 for adult. This bus will take you from KLIA to KL SENTRAL. The bus will depart every 30 minutes and the journey to the city center takes 1 hour. KL SENTRAL is a hub where you can take the LRT, Monorail, KTM train.
EXPRESS RAIL LINK (ERL): RM55. It will also take you to KL SENTRAL.
TAXI: RM70-RM80. Journey takes roughly 50 minutes depending on traffic.
UBERX: RM90. Journey takes roughly 50 minutes depending on traffic.
GRAB CAR: RM80-RM110. Journey takes roughly 50 minutes depending on traffic.
If you have any other queries about KL or Malaysia, feel free to drop a comment below.
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