 |
|
|
 add to Travel Bag (NEW)
Tour One: Architectural Tour
Over the last few decades, there has been a major boom in the building industry in Kuala Lumpur (KL), which now has one of the most impressive skylines in Asia. Today KL displays a microcosm of Malaysia, a city with a blend of old and new, a garden city and a melting pot of architectural styles. This one-day city tour covers most of KL's must-see buildings and landmarks within about four hours, perfect for those without the luxury of time.
Start with the city's commercial and business hub. Even if shopping is not your cup of tea, you don't want to pass up the chance to appreciate the modern office buildings and classy hotels that define the capital's skyline.
Standing majestically in this area are the Petronas Twin Towers. The twin 88-story towers were designed to be the tallest in the world, although they lost the crown after Taipei 101 was built. Also known as the Kuala Lumpur City Centre, the 1.1 million-square-meter development is in the very heart of the city. Incorporating Islamic geometric principles, the towers are connected by a sky-bridge on the 41st and 42nd floors. These towers house an upscale mega-mall known as Suria KLCC, a concert hall and more. From this area you can also view another prominent landmark in the distance, the KL Tower. Among the tallest of its kind in the world, the telecommunications towers hovers at 421 meters.
From this mushrooming concrete jungle of high-tech buildings, move on to the original architecture of KL. South of the KL City Centre lies the old commercial center known as Chinatown. Towards the eastern end are two important sports centers: the National Stadium and Merdeka Stadium, which is the historical site where Malaysia declared independence from colonial power. The Merdeka Stadium seats a crowd of 20,000 and plays host to national and international sporting events, as well as the annual international Quran reading competition.
Veering off from Jalan Stadium, pay a visit to Petaling Street, a haven for bargain hunters. Here, Kuala Lumpur’s colonial buildings nestle between modern office blocks and traditional Chinese shophouses. These shophouses, two-storied terrace houses with shops below, are filled with exhibits of all kinds of knick-knacks at great prices. Haggle if you must and beware - some of the "branded goods" are not genuine.
Shopping aside, do not miss the architectural goldmines here. Start with Chan See Shu Yuen, built at the end of the 19th century with a courtyard and pavilions. Moving northwards along Petaling Street you will find one of Malaysia's most impressive Hindu temples, the Sri Mahamariamman Temple. Founded in 1873, it displays an elaborate gopuram (gateway) and a facade of gold and precious stones. Perhaps less impressive is the Chinese Sze Ya Temple, situated a little further up the road.
Now, turn left into Jalan Raja Chulan and explore the city's colonial core where even more structural marvels await you. These include the National History Museum, Merdeka Square (where the Malayan flag was first raised after independence) and the Sultan Abdul Samad Building - the Big Ben of KL.
In the same vicinity lies the old cricket club, Selangor Club, with its mock Tudor architecture, plus Cathedral of Virgin St Mary, one of Malaysia's oldest Anglican churches. Stroll around the area to appreciate the other old colonial buildings with their captivating Moorish designs.
If a 15-minute stroll sounds appealing, go southwards along Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin until you come to the magnificent National Mosque, the main point of convergence for Muslims in KL with a capacity of 15,000 people. About 500 meters away sits the Kuala Lumpur Railway Station with its enchanting design incorporating Islamic, Gothic, Moorish and several other eclectic styles. Just opposite the station, be sure to check out the Malayan Railway Building, designed in the early 20th century.
End your architectural tour by visiting the National Museum, constructed in traditional Minangkabau design with two huge murals of Italian glass mosaic flanking the entrance. If you have some time to kill, a quick browse through the museum offers a good overview of Malaysia's major historical events and cultural activities.
Tour Two: Museum Trail
This tour is designed to give you a deeper insight into Malaysia’s history and its rich cultural heritage. It covers a selection of Kuala Lumpur’s best museums that you should be able to cover within a day. Having your own transport is the best way to get around, though there are always taxis to usher you from place to place.
First, start with the National Museum, the principal museum of the city. It's just a 10-minute ride from the Kuala Lumpur Railway Station - if the traffic is clear. A beautiful palatial building with two huge Italian glass murals flanking the entrance, the museum features several galleries spanning three levels. Here, you can spend at least an hour soaking up the Malaysian history, especially from social and cultural viewpoints. Particularly interesting is the section on Peranakan culture, which illustrates a unique fusion of Chinese and Malay traditions.
When you are done, hail a taxi just outside the museum and head for the National Planetarium. With its exciting hands-on interactive exhibits, this is the perfect place to visit if astronomy is your thing.
Before proceeding to the next museum, drop by the Tun Abdul Razak Memorial at the scenic Lake Gardens, a short walk from where you are now. The memorial was built in 1961 in honor of Malaysia’s second president, who was also known as the "Father of Development." From the memorial, take a picturesque stroll along Jalan Perdana towards the Bird Park to see all types of winged creatures.
Just a short hop from the Bird Park is the Islamic Art Museum, the region's first museum dedicated solely to Islamic art. Apart from housing eclectic and fascinating exhibits, the building itself is a masterpiece, with Italian marbling, Iranian tiling and Uzbekistan craftsmanship. It should be around midday by the time you have made your rounds, so the restaurant located within the premises is an ideal lunch stop.
Once satiated, retrace your steps and head for the more sedate yet interesting Royal Malaysian Police Museum. This is where archives of past crimes are kept and where you can learn about the operations of the police force all the way back to the Malacca Sultanate in 1511. After a quick browse, make your way down to Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin. Within a few minutes, the magnificent National Mosque with its tall minaret and geometric latticework looms ahead, resplendent in white marble and pools of gurgling water.
When you are out of the mosque, take the Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin trail, turn left into Jalan Kinabalu and you will come to the National History Museum. Built in 1910 as a bank, it was re-opened as a museum following extensive renovations. The exhibits here today depict the wealth of Malaysia’s heritage.
Nearby is the Kuala Lumpur Library, situated at the corner of the Merdeka Square, the spot where the Malayan flag was hoisted for the first time back in 1957. The stunning Moorish building standing imposingly in front of the square is the Sultan Abdul Samad Building, also known as Malaysia’s "Big Ben." Nearby is another colonial relic, the Selangor Club, a wooden Tudor-style building which prides itself on an ambiance that dates back to the days when Somerset Maugham was a regular visitor.
From the Kuala Lumpur Library, turn left towards Jalan Raja Chulan via Lebuh Pasar Besar. This route brings you to the Maybank Numismatic Museum, located within the Maybank building. This museum features an impressive collection of numismatic items, some dating back to the Malacca Sultanate era.
If that does not quite peak your interest, stroll along Jalan Raja Chulan to the Telekom Museum for an overview of the nation’s telecommunications history. After that, hail a taxi and head for the Craft Museum at the Cultural Craft Complex. This complex is a one-stop craft center showcasing some of the best Malaysian arts and crafts, a souvenir shop and a restaurant.
Over at Jalan Conlay on your right is the MISC Building. The MISC Museum, situated at the ground floor of the building, is devoted to the maritime world. It has a good display of model boats and traditional craft, along with accounts of great maritime explorers.
When finished, head for the last destination of the tour, the Petrosains, located at the prestigious Suria KLCC, within the Petronas Twin Towers. Petrosains is a modern science museum focusing on petroleum and technology, and is filled with exciting hands-on interactive exhibits and simulations.
With this visit, you have come to the end of the tour, but perhaps not the end of your day, as you are right in the heart of KL’s most sophisticated shopping zone - Suria KLCC. So go ahead and brace yourself for a shopping extravaganza!
Tour Three: Shopping
For the well-traveled and avid shopper, Kuala Lumpur is a shopping haven as it offers a wonderful array of products, from locally-produced handicrafts to international designer labels, all at comparatively lower prices than many other Asian metropolises. As there are so many things to do and see, it is best to spread shopping activities over two to three days. For those who have limited time to shop around, the following tours are recommended.
Day 1 - The Ultimate Shopping Experience
Shopping in Kuala Lumpur has become a breeze with the introduction of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) system. This tour is perfect for those who want hassle-free shopping, at least no parking worries and traffic jams, within the cool comforts of ultra-modern, one-stop shopping complexes. It is also the ideal way to see Kuala Lumpur’s best and most trendy places, and catch a quick glimpse of what most Malaysians do when they hang out.
Start your day by taking the LRT to the KLCC station and make your way to Kuala Lumpur’s premiere shopping center, Suria KLCC, via the underground walkway. Spacious and elegantly decorated, Suria is right at the base of the Petronas Twin Towers, and features high-end retailers such as Marks & Spencer, Burberry, Gucci, Hugo Boss, Hush Puppies, among others. World-class jewelery retailer, Tiffany & Co, is a favorite shopping spot especially among expatriates and local celebrities. Are you a handicraft collector? Don’t miss Aseana Gallery on the ground floor. The place is a treasure-trove of Asian souvenirs from handmade jewelery to straight-from-factory silks, sarongs and wraps. Suria also has two great food courts and a number of fine dining and fast food outlets to cater to all kinds of taste buds. For a quick lunch, get a takeaway from 1901 Hot Dog and step out into the KLCC Park, located just outside. Take a minute to marvel at the second tallest skyscrapers in the world and enjoy the scenery.
Next stop is the Mid Valley Megamall - one of Southeast Asia’s largest shopping malls. To get there, take the LRT to Bangsar station, proceed to the nearest bus stop and take bus No 5. The trip should take you no longer than 10 minutes. The ambiance in Megamall is comparable to Suria KLCC, but the floor space is so huge that it is easy to lose your way around. In terms of the number of retail shops and product variety, Megamall has more to offer. Megamall is also the first in the country to have an 18-screen multiplex that features international movies (apart from the mainstream Hollywood, Bollywood and Chinese films), so if you like arty flicks this is the place to go. Also, don’t forget to visit the MPH Book Store, which has converted a corner of its retail space into a reading hall where you can do all the free reading you want!
After this, hop back on to the LRT and make your way to Sunway Pyramid. The nearest station is Kelana Jaya, which is the final destination on the southbound line. The 20-minute ride is a good way to see suburban Kuala Lumpur at 20 feet above the ground. Upon arrival, get on the feeder bus that goes to Subang Jaya. Going back is the same. Sunway Pyramid is worth a visit even if it is only to witness its impressive Egyptian façade and architecture. In addition to more than 250 retail, food, beverage and entertainment outlets, this place has a 48-lane bowling center and a cool ice skating rink, a hit among teenagers. Come here on any day except Tuesday and you will also be tempted to visit the popular theme park next door, Sunway Lagoon, that stays open up until 10 at night. On your way back, if you have time, stop by at Amcorp Mall at the Taman Jaya station. On Sundays, this place plays host to a flea market that sells all kinds of bric-a-brac, from second-hand household items to back issues of international magazines and paperbacks. It's enjoyable especially if you don’t really like shopping with a huge crowd.
Day 2 - Bargain Hunting in Kuala Lumpur
This tour will suit the adventurous shoppers who want to combine quality shopping with the thrill of bargain-hunting, and those who do not mind mingling with a jostling crowd or sharing in the heady excitement of a carnival-like pasar malam or night market.
With Bukit Bintang as the start-off point, make your way to the Bintang Walk, a pedestrian shopping haven featuring a row of five-star shopping complexes and hip restaurants. This place may remind you of Singapore’s Orchard Road. The shopping complexes located in this district include Starhill, KL Plaza and Lot 10 and, just across the road, Sungei Wang Plaza. Further up is Low Yat Plaza. For the best in branded items, shop at Lot 10. For all others, Sungei Wang and Bukit Bintang Plaza are recommended because these offer more variety to fit all budgets.
Proceed to Central Market later in the afternoon either by taxi or bus, from the Starhill bus stop. This tourist market sells handicrafts, curios and antiques from throughout the country and attracts plenty of foreign visitors. Hence, prices can be grossly inflated, so be prepared to haggle. A short walk away is Petaling Street, otherwise known as Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown. This unusually busy street becomes lively at night with the sprouting up of stalls offering a diverse range of products from ethnic goods, clothing and cosmetics to "designer watches," dried food, herbs, fruits, flowers and herbal remedies. The blaring music lends the area a festive carnival air. This is one place to hone your bargaining skills! While Petaling Street is very Chinese, the market here is very Indian, consequently it is the best place to buy saris and Indian spices. To get there, just walk towards Masjid Jamek LRT station from Petaling Street’s Kotaraya. Turn left after the station and you can’t miss the market. Happy shopping!
|
|
|
|
|
Travel Bag
Interested in writing content for Wcities?
