Essential guide to unlocking the mysteries of Malaysia
Made famous globally by the staggeringly grand Petronas Twin Towers, Malaysia is quite the melting pot of cultures and customs. Malay, Indian, Chinese, and European influences can be seen throughout Malaysia in everything from architecture to style of dress and, of course, food! To witness a perfect blending of these cultures, one hardly needs to look further than Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s capital city, which serves as an example of what it means to be a truly international city, attracting tourists from all over the world.
For those who may not know, Malaysia is separated into two parts, Peninsular Malaysia a.k.a West Malaysia and East Malaysia. West Malaysia serves as the center of business, commerce and tourism and is, in essence, what most people refer to when speaking of Malaysia as it is home to Kuala Lumpur and most of the other Malaysian cities. West Malaysia also shares borders with Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam making travel between these countries more accessible. East Malaysia, on the other hand, is located on the island of Borneo which is shared by Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei and requires a trip by either ferry or flight to access it.
While not exactly an island-hopping sort of nation as with Indonesia or the Philippines, Malaysia is nevertheless home to beautiful beaches, vibrant cities and breathtaking landscapes that are entirely its own. Many travelers go no further than Kuala Lumpur however we’re here to tell you that there is so much more to Malaysia than just one city. Whether you’re interested in immersing yourself in the colorful city of Malacca, shopping in Kuala Lumpur, sipping tea in the Cameron Highlands, visiting the enormous and ancient cave temples of Ipoh, or hiking through one of the oldest rainforests in the world, we bet that you’ll discover more adventure in Malaysia than you ever dreamed! Keep reading to discover how to unlock these secrets and more when you visit Malaysia!
Getting to Malaysia
Being that Malaysia is located in Southeast Asia, which is in no way near to the USA, the best way to get there is by flying. Unfortunately, there are currently no nonstop flights between Malaysia and the US however there are flights departing from New York and California that generally involve less layovers but that are still really, really long. Think 19 to 20 hours or more!
To save on time and hassle, consider taking a nonstop flight to Singapore first. Yes, the Singapore Airline flights from New York to Singapore are long but they are surprisingly comfortable, particularly if you’re not more than 6 feet tall! We suggest spending a day or two in Singapore then catching a flight to Malaysia. Travel time to Kuala Lumpur is a mere two hours by plane from Singapore and there are many cost-effective flights between Malaysia and Singapore daily.
If you’re not keen to hop on another flight so soon after arriving to Singapore, then there is another option: take a bus from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur. Weekend getaways to Malaysia is a common pass-time for Singaporeans and, as such, there are many buses traveling between the countries. Travel time from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur is around 4-5 hours on average however this can change based on construction and congestion. We had one fellow traveler tell us that his journey took 9 hours instead of four due to traffic! Bus tickets are much cheaper than plane tickets and we’ve been told that the ride is rather scenic so if you’re not too tight on time, taking the bus may be a great way to travel to Malaysia from Singapore!
Visas are not required for US citizens entering Malaysia.
When to visit Malaysia
Given that Malaysia’s only season is essentially an endless summer filled with hot, humid and rainy days, there’s really no right or wrong time to go. The weather is the same regardless of where you are in the country with the exception that the mountainous regions are in fact cooler and offer the best escape from the sticky heat prevalent everywhere else.
We visited Malaysia in late May and, despite weather forecasts predicting heavy rains nearly every day of the week, we were treated to hot, sunny days. There was the occasional stray cloudburst from time to time, but the showers tended to be brief and gave way to more sunshine. Traveling from Kuala Lumpur through the Cameron Highlands and into Ipoh, we did notice significantly cooler and less humid weather however the intermittent rain and sunshine remained the same, no matter where we ventured.
As temperatures rarely drop below 85-90 degrees, we suggest dressing in light, airy clothes to keep cool. Sunscreen, long shirts, and long pants are a must to keep the intense sun from wreaking havoc on your skin. Oh, and don’t forget to grab an umbrella as it’ll be useful for both the sudden rainfalls and the hot sun!
Malaysia is an Islamic country and, although they are tolerant of tourists, be sure to dress modestly to show respect and appreciation for your hosts!
Getting around Malaysia
As with Indonesia and other countries in the region, getting around many Malaysian cities is best done by Ride Share Apps such as Grab and Gojek. Both companies offer cheap and reliable chauffeur service in Malaysia removing the need of renting a car. Although Malaysia does have a somewhat robust public transportation system including trains and buses, navigating such public transport can be confusing and more than a little intimidating. Additionally, getting to the various stops and transit stations can take a ridiculously long time due to the notorious bumper-to-bumper traffic for which Kuala Lumpur and other major cities are known.
When traveling short distances within the Kuala Lumpur city center, consider walking rather than using a Ride Share or Taxi if you’re able. Due to severe congestion in the city center, it can take an hour just to travel one mile! If you must travel by vehicle, then bring some form of entertainment for the long rides. Many of our drivers seemed to spend 10% of their time driving and the other 80% of the time watching YouTube videos!
While Grab and Gojek are great for inner city travel in Malaysia, these Ride Shares are not ideal for more long-distance travel. There are several ways to travel between cities in Malaysia including by bus, driving or taking tours. Many buses leave from Kuala Lumpur to various cities around the country, including the Cameron Highlands, daily. Bus fares tend to be on the cheaper side but varies based on how luxurious the bus is and what amenities are on offer. Traveling by bus in Malaysia is safe and a great way to sightsee while getting to your next location.
Travel times can be wildly fluctuant when traveling by bus due to traffic and road construction. Make sure to add 1-3 hours more to your estimated trip duration, this way you won’t feel stressed or pressed for time should you encounter any delays.
If you don’t fancy spending too much time outside of Kuala Lumpur but do want to see some of the surrounding cities, then booking day tours to cities of your choosing is another convenient way to get around Malaysia. There are many affordable tours departing Kuala Lumpur daily for destinations like Malacca, the rainforest and even Ipoh! Beware, though, these tours do tend to involve long bus rides although this is more due to distances rather than traffic as the tour drivers seem to possess special traffic skirting skills that the regular buses drivers don’t have!
Not feeling the long bus rides but still want to see more of Malaysia? Well, getting a rental car and driving the scenic highways may be just the thing for you. You’re probably thinking: “But what about the terrible traffic! Honestly, as long as you avoid the city centers and barring any major roadway construction, you’ll find that traffic flows really smoothly on the Malaysian highways and is in no way as awful as within the cities!
Being that we love a good road trip and as we were really excited to see the Malaysian countryside, we opted to rent a car in Kuala Lumpur with intent to drive to Ipoh and the Cameron Highlands. Following the sage wisdom of our airport taxi driver, we altered our plans a little, choosing instead to drive to the Cameron Highlands first then continuing to Ipoh. This turned out to be fantastic advice as there was significantly less traffic in our direction of travel! We must admit that several acquaintances warned us of the “treacherous” roads of the Cameron Highlands but, being the plucky adventurers that we are, we disregarded this, of course. And, you’ll be pleased to know, we were right to do so! Much like any other alpine highway, the road through the Cameron Highlands was narrow and winding but was well-maintained. We also didn’t encounter any precarious areas, but we could see how driving the road at too-fast speeds in wet weather could be dangerous. As we were careful to follow speed limits on the highways and the mountain roads, our drive through the Highlands, Ipoh and back to Kuala Lumpur was uneventful. Frankly speaking, the biggest danger we encountered during driving was in the Cameron Highlands where our gaping at the splendid landscapes put us at constant risk of driving off the road and into one breathtaking tea-filled valley or another!
Road signs in Malaysia are notated in Bahasa so taking a little time to review them online before driving could be beneficial. This isn’t absolutely necessary though as the road signs also depict the usual, universal symbols that are easily recognizable!
Now, before you hop into your rental car and get going, there are a few things to be aware of when it comes to driving in Malaysia. First, Malaysians drive on the left-hand side of the road so be ready to put your ambidextrousness to the test! Second, there are many highway food and gas stops, all of which accept credit cards. Third, anyone driving in Malaysia need to obtain a Touch n’ Go Card. These cards can be used to pay for bus and train fares and, you guessed it, tolls! As most of the highways are toll roads, make sure to stop in at a 7-eleven or a gas station and purchase one of these before getting on the highway. And, finally, lanes on the roads and highways in Malaysia are more of a suggestion. What we mean by this is that curious sights such as two cars sharing one lane, people seemingly cutting each other off continuously and even folks driving on the grass on the sides of the roads are not uncommon. And even though it may appear somewhat insane, accidents appeared to be rare lending credence to the theory that there’s some order to the general chaos of Malaysian driving. Once you see it in action, you may find that sort of driving intimidating, but we encourage you to dredge up that derring-do spirit and just go for it! We’re confident that you’ll be just fine!
Touch ‘n go cards need to be loaded with cash which can be done at any gas station. Also, if you don’t want to purchase a card, you may be able to borrow one from your car rental agency, just remember to ask at the counter!
What language is spoken in Malaysia?
The official language of Malaysia is Malay which is also known as Bahasa Malaysia. Malay is, of course, the most common spoken language in Malaysia however you do not need to speak it yourself to be able to communicate as English is also quite prevalent. The government of Malaysia, some time ago, recognized the importance of encouraging its citizens to learn English hence English is about as commonly spoken as Malay, even in the smaller towns of Malaysia!
Although the languages of Malaysia and Indonesia share the name “Bahasa”, they are, in fact, two almost completely different languages! So, even if you know a few words of Indonesia’s Bahasa, it may not be of much help in Malaysia!
Staying connected in Malaysia
Once again, we had exceptional cellular service in Malaysia with our T-Mobile international plan. Our service was fast and reliable, and we had no connectivity issues even in the the Malaysian countryside. Wi-Fi was also available at all our residences but there was no free Wi-Fi available in any of the city centers. If your cellular plan does not offer international service and you don’t have a mobile hotspot, don’t fret! SIM cards for tourists are easy to find in the Kuala Lumpur international airport. Keep an eye out for Maxis/Hotlink, Celcom, Digi or U Mobile as these are the main purveyors of SIM cards in the airport. For detailed comparison and SIM card pricing, visit this website!
What currency is used in Malaysia?
The official currency of Malaysia is the Malaysian Ringgit (MYR) which is also referred to as the Malaysian dollar. Ringgits can be exchanged or withdrawn from any airport in Malaysia and is the only cash currency accepted in the country. Being a modern nation that prides itself on its topnotch tourism and international trade, cashless payments such as credit cards and cash apps are widely accepted throughout the country. Although visitors could easily get by without cash, we recommend having some Malaysian Ringgits on hand for tipping and souvenir shopping!
Don’t forget to bring your handy ATM card that has no foreign transaction fees! This way you can withdraw Ringgits from any ATM whenever you need it and save on those exchange rates! And make sure to activate Grab Cash when you download the Grab App so that you can pay by just scanning a QR code and avoid having too much cash on hand!
Is it safe to travel in Malaysia?
Yes! It is absolutely safe to travel in Malaysia! Being a multi-ethnic country, Malaysia is home to the Malay people as well as a substantial population of Chinese and Indian people. While the Malay people tend to be conservative and appear to prefer maintaining a distance between themselves and tourists, they are nevertheless friendly. The Chinese and Indian Malaysians, in contrast, are exuberant, warm and openly welcoming. The hospitality extended to us everywhere we visited in Malaysia gave us a sense of security. Surprisingly, we did not encounter aggressive vendors or scammers of any kind even in the busiest of markets in Malaysia. In short, we found ourselves comfortable and without any feelings of trepidation as we traveled throughout the country. As with all travel, keep alert and remain aware of your surroundings and we’re confident that you’ll have nothing to worry about when it comes to your safety in Malaysia!
Make sure to sign up for the Smart Traveler Program and enter your travel plans to receive live updates on emergency situations throughout Malaysia.
How is the food in Malaysia?
With three such strong and different ethnicities influencing it, it’s no wonder that Malaysian food is the ultimate exemplar when it comes to fusion cuisine. A dash of curry here, a little hand-pulled noodle there and don’t forget the Sambal on top and there you have it, a whole new and delicious twist on noodles!
As is wont to happen, there are many similarities between Malaysian, Indonesian and Singaporean cuisines. For example, foods share common names such as the mouthwatering Nasi Goreng and Mee Gorengs. We should mention though that, despite the similar names, these dishes are prepared and flavored differently from country to country. There are some staples in Malaysian cuisine that you should skip only if forced to do so at gunpoint (or perhaps not even then)! Of these the Nasi Lemak and the Roti Canai should be at the top of your list!
For more tips on what to eat in Malaysia, check us out HERE!
Malaysians, like Indonesians, do not have traditional, western style breakfasts. Instead, they eat the same meals for breakfast that they eat for lunch or dinner. This means that witnessing someone downing a bowl of rice and fried chicken for breakfast is a common occurrence! Matter of factly speaking, the only breakfast staples we noticed in Malaysia were Maggi Noodle Soup with Sausage and Chee Cheong Fun, both of which are still unlike any western breakfast we’ve ever had!
As you probably suspect, there is a Chinatown and a Little India in Kuala Lumpur, both of which are huge and known for having some of the best food that can be found in Malaysia. A culinary tour of the city would not be complete without a visit to both these destinations but be forewarned, food safety standards here are very different from those of the western world and a little gastrointestinal upset is to be expected. Not to worry though, there are some precautions you can take prior to eating that will save you a lot of pain. First, make sure to eat only food that is steaming hot and avoid all open-air buffets. Second, do not drink the tap water anywhere in Malaysia, not just in Chinatown or Little India. And lastly, carry some Travelan with you and take it as directed. Follow these tips and you may escape our terrible fate: getting hit with the runs while on an almost 12-hour tour of a rainforest with no bathroom in sight!
Kuala Lumpur
As the capital city of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur does not disappoint. A lovely blend of modern and traditional architecture, the bustling city serves as both the main center of commerce and the biggest tourist hotspot in Malaysia. With its scintillating gastronomy, high-end shopping and lively nightlife, Kuala Lumpur will easily top your list as one of the best places to be in Malaysia!
Where to stay in Kuala Lumpur
Despite the horrendous traffic that occurs at certain times of the day, the city center in Kuala Lumpur is the perfect place to be for first time visitors of the city. Not only is the KLCC (Kuala Lumpur City Center) beautiful and clean, it’s also very close to shopping, dining, and a surprising number of tourist attractions. And trust us, you want to be able to walk to as many points of interests as you can to save on commute time if you’re staying anywhere in KLCC.
Because Kuala Lumpur is so large, there are several great neighborhoods to choose from when it comes deciding where to stay. To simplify our decision, we decided to do what we do best and pick places closest to the foods we wanted to try. As unerring as ever, our bellies led us to two great Airbnbs; one in the heart of KLCC and the other in Bukit Bintang.
Our Airbnb in central KLCC was in the Star Residences, literally one block away from the Petronas Towers. With a fully equipped kitchen and a nicely furnished living room and a spacious bedroom with an en-suite bathroom, our Airbnb surpassed our highest expectations. Toss in the floor to ceiling windows overlooking the city from every room and the most considerate host we’ve ever had and now we can never be convinced that there’s a better place to stay in KLCC. Oh, and did we mention that the roof top infinity pool and bar had almost completely unobstructed of the Petronas Towers? Or that we could even see the towers (well one of them anyway) from our bed!? What’s not to love?
Many residential buildings in KLCC in Malaysia prohibit Airbnb rentals but this does not seem to be a firmly enforced policy and many owners disregard it. If you’re staying in such a place, your host may politely request that you not mention Airbnb to building security or reception. There’s nothing to be alarmed about if you encounter this, such a request will have little to no impact on your stay.
For our last night in Malaysia, we moved to Bukit Bintang where we could explore more of the locals’ areas. While less glitzy than the Petronas Tower area, the neighborhood was quaint and charming. More importantly, it was within walking distance to Jalan Alor, the famous Kuala Lumpur street food meet up! Our Airbnb was in a lovely high-rise and offered a different perspective on the city, one that was much less glamorous but much more realistic. Our Airbnb here was much smaller than the KLCC one but was also cozy and comfortable with the added bonus of being in a gated and secured complex. And, even though there were less brand name stores in this area, there were still lots of more affordable malls and, even better: more local restaurants!
There are tons of hotels to choose from in Kuala Lumpur but Airbnbs in the city surpass the space offered by hotels, have more amenities in many instances and are a whole lot cheaper!
Fun things to do in Kuala Lumpur
Visit Putrajaya and the Putrajaya Mosque
Located about an hour’s drive from KLCC, Putrajaya is the main government center of Malaysia. Recently built, the city is extraordinarily clean and splendid in a way quite different from Kuala Lumpur. Where Kuala Lumpur is all glittering glass skyscrapers, Putrajaya is all light-colored sandstone and ornate, domed buildings. Although visitors are not welcomed in the government buildings, the iconic Putrajaya Mosque is open to tourists. The mosque is free to enter, and robes are provided, also free of charge, for those who may not be appropriately dressed. To enter the mosque, follow signs to the main entrance, scan the QR code to register your party then follow directions provided by the guards to the booth handing out robes. Guides are not required to enter the mosque hence you’ll be free to roam and explore at your own pace. Whether you’re drawn to the intricate interior or simply want to enjoy the cool breeze while strolling the surrounding terraces, we known you’ll have fun exploring the mosque!
There are no bathroom in the mosque. You can find toilets across the street directly in front of the Putrajaya sign. There are also waterfront restaurants and cafes in that area so don’t be afraid to explore!
Climb the rainbow steps to Batu Caves
Some 400 million years old, the Batu Caves are limestone marvels that are home to two colorful and ancient Hindu temples. Located just 8 miles outside of Kuala Lumpur, the caves are easily reached by taxi, train, or Ride Share App. Our ride from KLCC to the caves took approximately 20 minutes and cost less than 5 USD! As vehicles are not allowed to enter the temple complex, we were dropped at the main gate. There was no fee to enter and as we walked in, we were instantly presented with views of the gigantic golden statue and the dazzling steps just to the side of it. Now, we can’t say for sure what the best time is to visit the caves, but we visited in the evening around 5pm and the area was definitely less crowded than we expected. The day had grown a tiny bit cooler by the time of our arrival and we were also rewarded with gorgeous views of the setting sunning lighting up the golden statue, so this seemed like the perfect time to us!
Although it may be easier said than done due to the fickle Malaysian weather, try to visit the Caves on a sunny day if you can. Not only will the entire complex appear more vibrant, but the stairs will also be less slippery and much more pleasant to climb!
Making our way to the steps, we stopped in hopes of catching a good picture with the Batu Caves sign, but this was not to be thanks to the legion of pigeons and macaques collected up right in front of it! More fascinated than put-off we skirted the wildlife and began our climb up the 272 shallow steps. We want to tell you that it was easy but that’d be a lie. Although the steps themselves weren’t that bad to climb and the views were spectacular, the curious macaques added a whole other level of challenge to the climb. While they weren’t aggressive per se, the macaques seemed to particularly enjoy startling the bejesus out of people! We’re pleased to say that we didn’t jump out of our shoes Scooby-Doo style or anything but there were some close calls!
Make sure to avoid wearing anything shiny or dangly and keep a close eye on your phone and water bottles when the macaques are nearby!
Conquering the stairs and successfully skirting any monkey hijinks, we made our way into the first cave. The air was a lot cooler there and the caves were wet from ground water dripping down. The cave was well-lit and there were vendors selling water, snacks and souvenirs. We visited the first of the two temples in the cave where we admired the elaborate carvings then climbs even more stairs into the second, smaller cave. Despite its smaller size, the second cave was even more incredible boasting another lovely temple, golden stalactites, and stalagmites and steep, tree-lines walls funneling up towards a small opening through which blue skies could be seen!
While there are no fees to enter the caves, a donation must be made for anyone wanting to visit the temples. If you plan to enter the temples within the cave, make sure to wear clothing that covers your knees and be prepared to leave your shoes at the door!
Take a tour of Royal Selangor Pewter
A popular stop on tours of Kuala Lumpur, Royal Selangor Pewter is the oldest pewter making company in Malaysia. Tours of the factory are offered several times daily and are free. On arrival, we were assigned a tour guide who walked us through the manufacturing process. During the tour we were treated to demonstrations of how to make pewter products as well as how hand-hammering was done. We were then offered the opportunity to order custom pewter jewelry or take part in a pewter dish-making workshop for a cost. As this was towards the end of the tour, we declined both options and our tour guide graciously deposited us in the gift shop. We proceeded to spend more time in the gift shop than on the tour itself but, in our defense, there were some truly incredible pewter wares on display, and we were not about to miss out on some premium souvenir shopping!
If you want a well-made pewter souvenir, make sure to buy it here. There are no taxes if items are bought at the factory versus elsewhere in the city, so you’ll be saving a few dollars!
See the Batik artists at work
Batik, the art of hand-painting designs onto fabric, is the technique used to produce clothing worn by the well-to-do in Malaysia and the Malaysian Royalty. There are two places producing Batik items in Malaysia, one of which is close-by the Batu Caves. A tour at a Batik producer takes no more than 15 minutes and allows patrons the opportunity to watch the artists at work. Although a quick stop, seeing the Batik artists spontaneously developing their designs on fabric was fun and interesting. Not surprisingly, this tour also ended in the gift shop however that was fine by us as the gift shop had tons of reasonably priced items to chose from, all of which were individually designed pieces!
If you’d like to try your hand at painting on fabric then make sure to visit Jadi Batek, the Batik producer and retailer located closest to the Batu Caves.
Visit the National Palace
Known as Istana Negara, the palace is home to the King of Malaysia. Although the palace is not open to the public, it is magnificent with its white walls, golden domes, lush landscaping and ceremonial guards on horseback.
Take a stroll around the National Monument
Known locally as Tugu Negara, this monument was erected in honor of the fallen soldiers of World War II and the Malayan Emergency. The monument, while not overtly glamorous, is impressive and located within a peaceful part of Kuala Lumpur. Tugu Negara is free to visit and is open daily from 7am-6pm.
Hop on a train at the Kuala Lumpur Railway Station
While this may not seem like an exciting stop especially if you’re not a train aficionado, the KL train station is well worth a visit if only to see the beautiful, preserved historic building in which it is housed. Opened in 1910, this was the city’s main train station until 2001. After the opening of KL Sentral Station, services through this station were reduced however there are still active trains and routes that you can hop aboard at this station.
Pay a visit to the National Mosque
Located across the street from KL Railway Station, the National Mosque is enormous and can house 15000 worshippers at once! It sits on 13 acres of gardens and visitors are welcome to roam the mosque and the gardens. Guests must register online to enter the mosque, and this can be done at the entrance. Entrance here is free as well and there are robes on loan for those who are not appropriately dressed. Note that visitors cannot enter the mosque if prayers are underway so be sure to plan your visit around the prayer hours.
Explore Independence Square
Independence Square also known as Merdaka Square is where the Malayan flag was raised for the first time in 1957, the year the country gained independence. In addition to the flag display, there is a large green space for visitors to stroll and admire the surrounding mix of modern and historic buildings. Keep an eye out for the Sultan Abdul Samad building with its bronze domes and spectacular spiral staircases that once was the home of the British government offices in Malaysia.
Check out the River of Life
Just across the street from Merdaka Square is the River of Life. While the name is grand, the River of Life is simply just the meeting point of two rivers in Kuala Lumpur. In fact, the word “Kuala” itself actually means the meeting of two bodies of water! And since there are so many lakes and rivers in Malaysia, this word is often used to preface the names of several other cities in the country that contain this natural feature. The rivers are easily viewable from a pedestrian bridge making this a quick but fruitful stop on your tour of Kuala Lumpur. Keep an eye out for the Monitor Lizards that enjoy sunbathing on the concrete by the rivers’ edge.
Shop the brands on Petaling Street
Essentially the Chinatown of Kuala Lumpur, Petaling Street is a humongous marketplace with vendors selling everything from food, clothing, and household items to “brand name” merchandise like Fendi purses and Gucci shoes at some unbelievably low prices. While fun to explore and shop, keep in mind that just about every branded item here is fake so make sure to haggle for a good price!
Petaling street is crowded but safe to explore, just be sure to secure your valuables as you walk through the market. Also bring cash for purchases and separate it into smaller bundles. This way you can avoid revealing how much cash you have when you’re haggling!.
Get a blessing at the Sri Mahamariamman Temple
The oldest Hindu temple in Kuala Lumpur the Sri Mahamariamman Temple is located just one block up the street from Malaysia’s Chinatown. The majestic temple dominated a half of a block and had hundreds of Hindu Deities on display on its pastel-painted façade. The temple is open to visitors however make sure to wear clothing that covers the knees and shoulders and leave your shoes at the door. There’s no fee to visit and, although open daily, visitors are occasionally prohibited from entering the temple due to prayer ceremonies being held.
Catch the highest views of Kuala Lumpur from the Kuala Lumpur Tower
Reminiscent of the Seattle Space Needle, the KL Tower stands 1381 feet above ground and is the 7th tallest building in the world (although locals may try to convince you that it’s the 3rd tallest building in the world). Officially, the KL tower is a telecommunications and broadcasting hub however it is a big tourist spot thanks to its observation deck offering panoramic views of Kuala Lumpur. Be sure to buy tickets to the observation deck ahead of time as tickets do sell out and fairly quickly too!
Walk on the highest sky bridge in the world at the Petronas Twin Towers
Arguably the most iconic attraction in Kuala Lumpur, the dazzling Petronas Twin Towers dominate the city’s skyline. Home to mostly office buildings, the towers are not open to the public except on timed, guided tours that are offered by the company. Visitors are welcomed to freely walk into the buildings but to ride the elevator up and to access the Skybridge connecting the towers, tickets are required. Tours are strictly timed and visitors who miss their entrance time can miss out on their tour altogether. The tour itself involves riding the elevator up to the skybridge where guests are allowed to walk onto the highest two story skybridge in the world and take pictures. Visitors are then guided to the 86th floor observation deck for some exceptional views of Kuala Lumpur. We suggest taking the tour at night when the Towers glow their brightest and the sparkling lights of the city come on.
Buy tickets as soon as you know you’ll be visiting the Petronas Towers as they can sell out up to a week in advance. If you miss out on tickets, you can still enter the ground floor of the towers and visit the attached mall. And definitely try to catch the free fountain lightshow held nightly at the towers!
Eat your way through Jalan Alor
Kuala Lumpur’s most famous street food stop, Jalan Alor is located in Bukit Bintang, around 20 minutes away from the Petronas Twin Towers. While not the largest street food stop, we’ve ever seen, it was bustling with hundreds of people and more food stalls to choose from than we would ever be able to sample. A true melting pot of Malaysia, just about anything you’re craving can easily be found in Jalan Alor. Come hungry and bring cash and you’ll be in for an unforgettable experience.
Jalan Alor is mostly a night market so make sure to visit for dinner. There are some stalls open in the daytime however the majority remain closed until evening so an early visit may find you missing out on some essential foods!
Take a day trip to Taman Negara
The third oldest rainforest in the world, Taman Negara is located about 3.5 hours away from Kuala Lumpur. There are multiple ways to experience the rainforest including multi-day tours and day trips. The multi-day tours are very affordably priced and include overnight stays and several incredible rainforest hikes. As we wanted to save on time, we decided on a day trip to the rainforest from KLCC which turned out to be a 13-hr feat! We were picked up at 5 am from our Airbnb and made our way into the rainforest first by highways then by a winding, mountain road. Given that the highway had intermittent speed bumps, a pothole here and there, random wildlife darting into traffic from time to time, and a one-eyed driver that drove like the devil was literally on his butt, all of us were relieved when we could at last escape the tour bus!
If you’d like to spend more time in the rainforest, consider booking one of the nature/jungle resorts in Taman Negara. Rooms are limited and bookings need to be made at least a few weeks in advance to avoid being stranded once you get there.
Arriving to Taman Negara, we were dropped off at a riverfront lined by floating restaurants. We were paired with an official rainforest guide and briefed on what to expect on the tour. Our group then boarded a small speedboat to cross the river to where the actual entrance of the rainforest was located. Once across the river, we disembarked from the boat unto steep concrete steps and officially began our rainforest hike. Now, hiking the rainforest might sound daunting but it was really quite tame. Most of the hike involved climbing wooden steps to a viewpoint located about 1.5 miles away from the start. Although the hike was not overtly adventurous, it was arduous as we had to climb a ton of stairs in the heat and humidity of the jungle. It was also scenic as we were surrounded by lush trees of innumerable shapes and species. We did not spot any particularly scary wildlife or insects but did see a few unique birds. The hike culminated in a high viewpoint overlooking the dense jungle and the golden river below.
If you decide to drive to the park independently, make sure to have ringgits on hand to pay the park entrance fees and for parking as well. And be aware that even if you visit on your own, you should not enter Taman Negara without an assigned guide which means that you will likely be placed in a small group of other hikers to tour the rainforest.
Making our way back down the stairs, our next stop was the Canopy Walk, an elevated walkway comprised of several rope bridges that form the longest canopy walk in the world. Sitting at around 130 feet above ground, the swaying walkway is not for the faint of heart. Although scary at first, there were plenty of handholds and the bridges were sturdy so we were able to relax and enjoy the close-up views of the forest that we could not have otherwise gotten.
The Canopy Walk is one-way only and once you get started you cannot go back. Make sure to put distance between yourself and other walkers as this will reduce swaying of the rope bridges, making it more stable and enjoyable.
After conquering the canopy walk, we made our way back to the boat then down the river for a cultural visit with the Orang Asli Tribe. Long-time inhabitants of Taman Negara, members of the tribe live a remote life of foraging and hunting. Although the members of the tribe rarely venture off their own land, they do interact with the local tour guides and are friendly and welcoming towards tourists. As guests of the village, we were allowed to roam freely and to interact with the villagers. We were then treated to a demonstration by a local teenager of how fire is made in the village and the proper way to use a bamboo blow dart. We were invited to try out these tasks which were, of course, much harder to accomplish than they appeared. To say that we left the village with an immense sense of relief that our lives don’t depend on us learning such skills and with a renewed appreciation for modern innovations would not be an exaggeration.
Remember to tip the villagers for the demonstrations performed because, even though it may seem as though they don’t need cash, this is not true as the villagers do travel to the small town in Taman Negara for trading and to purchase necessities.
To conclude the tour, our group left the local village aboard our small boat and headed for the last activity of the day: shooting the rapids. This is as you might imagine: an invigorating and bumpy ride in a wooden speedboat across some rapids that ended with everyone getting extremely wet! Making our way back from the rapids, we were dropped off at the river’s edge and boarded our tour bus for a slightly less rocky ride back to Kuala Lumpur.
Make sure to bring extra clothes to change into after shooting the rapids unless you fancy a very uncomfortable ride back to Kuala Lumpur. There are bathrooms with showers available for a fee for those wanting to get cleaned up before the ride back. Oh, and we should mention that rain ponchos won’t keep you dry so don’t bother to don one when you go to shoot the rapids!
Cameron Highlands
Located in the mountains of Malaysia and sought after for its temperate climate, the Cameron Highlands is home to some of the most whimsically lovely landscapes of Malaysia. With everything from dramatic rainfalls to undulating tea plantations that extend further than the eye could see, the Cameron Highlands easily makes the list of must visit places in Malaysia.
To get to Cameron Highlands from Kuala Lumpur, travelers can either use public transportation, hire a private driver and car, take a tour or simply drive there themselves. The Highlands are located around 3.5 hours away from Kuala Lumpur and are relatively easy to get to. Although we’ve said it before, we feel it is imperative that we repeat it once again: because of the narrow mountain roads, traffic in Cameron Highlands is often terrible particularly heading towards Kuala Lumpur so make sure to leave plenty of room in your schedule for such delays.
As there’s much to do and see in Cameron Highlands, consider spending a night or two there relaxing in one of the oddly European but very luxurious local hotels. There are tons of restaurants and marketplaces to explore nearby as well so you’ll undoubtedly be spoiled for fun things to do!
Fun things to do in Cameron Highlands
Pick fresh strawberries from a local farm
Due to the higher elevation and cooler temperatures, Cameron Highlands has proven to be the perfect place for cultivating strawberries in Malaysia. Domed greenhouses containing raised strawberry beds can be seen across just about every slope and hill in the highlands. Stop by any of the farms that look welcoming to you and load up on some of the freshest, juiciest strawberries around! Honestly, you just can’t go wrong when it comes to where you pick your strawberries in the Cameron Highlands.
Stroll through Cameron Highland Flora Park
The favorable climate of Cameron Highlands is as good for growing flowers as it is for growing strawberries so it should come as no big surprise that there are loads of gardens open to tourists in the area. We caution you though, that not all these gardens are created equal. In fact, some of the gardens are no more than a few rows of potted plants that will surely leave you feeling cheated after paying your entrance fee. Thankfully, you can avoid all this heartache by paying a visit to Cameron Highland Flora, a vibrant garden with tons of local flowers, architectural features like the golden maple bridge and their very own Hobbit House!
Sample tea at one of the tea plantations
Perhaps the biggest attraction of the Cameron Highlands, tea plantations are a common sight along the winding roadways. There are many to choose from with all of them offering excellent tea and even better scenery. Some, like Cameron Valley Tea Plantation can be admired from the roadway while others require a drive through dirt roads to access. Of the tea estates, the BOH tea plantation is one of the largest and best known internationally. In fact, the BOH tea company is so large that there are two plantations in the Highlands! Of those, we visited the BOH Tea Sungei Palais where we could enjoy the balcony overlooking the plantation.
The drive into the plantation was on a rutted, one-lane dirt road along a mountainside that was a little precarious at times but was made better by employees directing traffic. We pulled over to walk amongst the tea trees before arriving to the main parking area and were glad that we did as this was less crowded and easier to access than other areas of the plantation. There was plenty of free parking onsite and we easily found the entrance to the walkway. On the short climb up to the tea center, we were presented with unobstructed views of miles upon miles of verdant fields in dappled sunlight. At the main plaza, we enjoyed tea samples, tried a slice of tea inspired cake, took a million pictures, and bought more tea than we could consume in a year!
Now, we personally didn’t have time to visit all the wonders of the Cameron Highlands ourselves but here are the ones that we missed out on that we know you’ll want to see! Be sure that you don’t miss your chance to take the short hike into the Mossy Forest or to dip your feet in the cool waters of the Lata Iskandar waterfalls.
Avoid tours of Cameron Highlands that include the Butterfly Gardens, Honeybee farms and animal sanctuaries if possible as these stops are unremarkable, taking up time that could be better spent elsewhere.
Ipoh
Despite being one of the largest cities in Malaysia, Ipoh somehow maintains a small town feel with its quiet streets, charming town center and quaint neighborhoods. The city often serves as a transportation hub for those passing through to other parts of Malaysia including the Cameron Highlands, but tourists seem to rarely linger here. This is not to say that there aren’t tourists in Ipoh though. In fact, the better informed recognize Ipoh for what it truly is: the culinary center of Malaysia! With thousands of food stands and restaurants serving fusion and local cuisines, Ipoh is a foodie’s dream come true. If, for some crazy reason, the food alone is not enough to make you stay a few days then we’re sure the unique landforms and welcoming locals will help in convincing you!
Where to stay in Ipoh
Once again, there’s no dearth of hotels when it comes to finding a place to stay in Ipoh. We opted to stay relatively nearby to the city center and chose the Ipoh Bali Hotel. True to its name, the little boutique hotel exuded Balinese charm with its open-air architecture, strategically placed greenery and spacious rooms with gorgeous wooden furnishings. The staff were warm and accommodating making us feel right at home. And as this was Ipoh after all, our included breakfast was not buffet style but was instead chosen from a menu of customizable entrées! Needless to say, we’ll be back the next time we’re in Ipoh!
Fun things to do in Ipoh
Get lost down Concubine Lane
Located in Old town Ipoh, Concubine Lane is a shopper’s paradise. Lined by hundreds of stalls selling every kind of food and wares imaginable, Concubine Lane is one of the best representations of the richness of culture in Ipoh. Whether you spend a day or a week exploring it, we’re positive that you still won’t discover all the secrets of this ancient and storied street!
Relax at the Ipoh Town Center
Albeit small, the Ipoh Town Center is nevertheless charming. With wide open streets, a lovely green space, and surrounded by prestigious-appearing buildings, the town center is the perfect place to wile away an evening with friends and some refreshing tofu pudding!
Spend time with the Orangutans at Bukit Merah Orang Utan Island Foundation
Just over an hour away from Ipoh is the famous Orang Utan Island, a refuge for rescued and rehabilitated orangutans. The sanctuary is located on the shores of Lake Bukit Merah, just across from the Bukit Merah Laketown Resort and Waterpark. To access Orang Utan Island, visitors must enter Laketown Resort and proceed down the dock to the ticket office. Here, tickets can be purchased for the ferry and the park. There are several ferries that depart to Orang Utan Island daily, but we suggest visiting the sanctuary’s website to confirm times.
Orang Utan Island closes when water levels drop in the lake or if there is bad weather so be sure to check their website before visiting.
On arrival to Bukit Merah Laketown Resort, we made our way down the dock, purchased our tickets, got fitted with life vests then were ferried to the sanctuary. Departing the boat, we could immediately see orangutans climbing in their habitats or cooling off in the lake water. Although initially put off by the zoo like appearance, on entering the sanctuary itself we realized that we were actually the ones in the cage and not the Orangutans! While we walked along an enclosed and protected pathway studying them, the orangutans were freely moving about their spacious and open habitats. Our tour of the sanctuary was mostly self guided however there were rangers providing brief lectures and tending to the Orangutans all of which we found fascinating. All-in-all, we spent around an hour in the sanctuary before being driven back to the boat by the heat and humidity. And honestly, after the 30-minute walk through the sanctuary there was not much else to do anyway! While this was a fun and enlightening visit, we suggest going to Orang Utan Island only if you’re in the area.
Consider adding time in your itinerary to spend at Bukit Merah Laketown Resort. There is a lot of food and entertainment at the making it a great place to relax and recover from your visit to Orang Utan Island.
Explore Kek Look Tong Cave Temple
Another interesting feature of Ipoh and the surrounding area is the striking limestone caves that have been converted into magnificent temples. Two of the most popular temples in the area are the Perak Cave Temple and Kek Look Tong Temple. Although both are Buddhist Temples built into caves, they are different from each other in significant ways. The Perak Temple, for instance, can only be reached by a steep uphill climb and is smaller overall while the Kek Look Tong temple requires a much shorter climb and is housed in a multilevel cave!
Somewhat short on time as we sadly often are on our travels, we had to choose between the Perak and Kek Look Tong caves. As we were nearest to it, around 35 minutes away from Ipoh, Kek Look Tong won! Or maybe we should say that we got extremely lucky! Not only was Kek Look Tong gigantic with multiple levels showcasing elaborate Buddhist sculptures, it also had a charming outdoor garden featuring even more sculptures, a pond, and a stream with paddle boats! While we’re sure the views of Ipoh from Perak Cave’s high position would have been phenomenal, we can’t imagine a more serene and grounding experience than what we experienced at Kek Look Tong Temple.
