For a lot of, a visit to Kuala Lumpur (KL) in Malaysia means wandering round Obligation-Free whereas they wait for his or her connecting flights.
An Asian metropolis too typically neglected, KL has a wealthy Nyonya (also referred to as Peranakan Chinese language tradition), vibrant shophouses and a few of the friendliest locals I’ve encountered on my travels. However you don’t want a lot time to hit all of the highlights. Right here’s find out how to spend 48 hours in Kuala Lumpur as quickly as you land.
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Exploring the markets in Kuala Lumpur.
From the airport
When in search of a taxi, the perfect and the most affordable choice is to obtain Seize, Asia’s model of Uber. You’ll be capable to discover dependable, secure taxis at a less expensive charge to get you into downtown. There’s a prepare that may even take you to the centre of town, however at just below $16 USD for an hour-long cab trip, it’s an ideal deal. My associate and I used Seize all through our whole keep in Kuala Lumpur, because it was the quickest and best choice to get round when pressed for time.
Day One
Put together to take ALL the photographs at Batu Caves.
Should you solely have in the future to spend, the primary place you need to see is the well-known Batu Caves. Vacationers climb a steep 272 rainbow-colored staircase to the location of a Hindu Temple and shrine inside a towering cave. The newly painted Technicolor stairs are an Instagrammers dream and well worth the journey alone. When you huff and puff your option to the highest, there’s a small, but vibrant temple inside an enormous cave teeming with monkeys and chickens. Arrive round 9am (or earlier) to make sure you’ll see extra pigeons than folks.
At 10 am the Darkish Cave Conservation Web site close to the highest of the steps opens up for small teams excursions. It price us $9 USD per individual, and we’re so glad we did it. A scientist led us into the pitch black cave with helmets and flashlights to see cave bats, spiders and bugs, all whereas speaking in regards to the historical past of the cave and its conservation.
CHECK OUT KUALA LUMPUR AT THE START – OR FINISH – OF OUR 10-DAY BEST OF MALAYSIA ADVENTURE
Putra Mosque at sundown. Picture by mohd farid.
Afterward, head again to downtown to a different Kuala Lumpur establishment — Yut Kee Restaurant. Serving conventional Hainanese delicacies (derived from Hainan Province in China) since 1928, this iconic store is all the time packed however very similar to its servers, it strikes quick. I sat down for some spicy Belacan Fried Rice and an iced espresso (one other declare to fame). No matter you do, don’t go away with no slice of their marble cake (I nearly purchased an entire one to go). The complete meal price lower than $2 USD. I do know, I used to be shocked too…
Having fun with some downtime at the perfect pool on earth.
Should you don’t want a mid-afternoon nap, make a beeline for Kuala Lumpur Tower. Not solely is it a good way to get the lay of the land, however the views of the enduring Petronas Towers are a severe spotlight. E book tickets for the Sky Deck for lower than $24 USD. Plus, KL Tower is the one tower on the planet positioned inside a forest. Earlier than or after, go to KL Forest Eco Park to cease and odor the Malaysian flowers and indigenous crops.
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Such an affordable – and nice – dinner!
For dinner, stroll to Jalan Alor Market. This road meals market is among the greatest locations to strive an enormous number of Malaysian meals. Seize a recent coconut and peruse the choices, from large steamed pork buns to grilled frog, mango sticky rice and dozens of meat and seafood retailers; we pulled up a few tiny plastic stools and ordered grilled hen wings, and it was so, so good.
Day Two
When visiting Kuala Lumpur, you need to strive a conventional Malaysian breakfast. Consisting of soft-boiled eggs, Kaya toast and Hainanese espresso, probably the most genuine locations to strive it’s Ah Weng Koh Hainan Tea. This gap within the wall spot is continuous, beginning at 6.30am. Eat your soft-boiled eggs just like the locals, including somewhat soy sauce and white pepper on high. For a sweeter begin, the Kaya toast is a should. The peerlessly toasted white bread with chilly butter and recent coconut jam is an area staple.
Heading into the Central Market.
Seize a Seize and drive to the Brickfields, also referred to as Little India. Right here you possibly can stroll down alleys coated in flower garlands, sari retailers, markets, and stalls cooking up recent dosa. Stroll in direction of the Central Market, in-built 1928 as a moist market and transformed into one of many metropolis’s prime vacationer locations. Come right here for any and all trinkets and souvenirs. Then, hit close by Chinatown, my favorite part of Kuala Lumpur. Crisscross down the small vibrant streets, peeking inside varied temples and shophouses promoting Chinese language medicines and tea (and some counterfeit purses too).
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It will hold you going for hours.
For lunch, strive Ali, Muthu & Ah Hock for Nasi Lemak. Malaysia’s nationwide dish has barely spicy hen served with fried anchovies, peanuts, egg, cucumber and, the pièce de résistance, the aromatic rice cooked in coconut milk and pandan leaves.
Within the late afternoon, simply earlier than sundown, take the elevator as much as the Heli Lounge Bar and deal with your self to tourist-priced cocktails on high of a functioning helicopter pad. This bar has next-level views of all the metropolis, and so they make a imply martini. We sipped our drinks and watched the lights of the skyscrapers change on because the solar dipped behind the mountains.
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Rooftop cocktails.
In your final night time within the metropolis, go all out at Beta KL. Hidden down an alley, this fashionable restaurant and bar serves traditional Malaysian dishes – with a twist. Strive the hen dish, a wonderfully salty play on Hainanese hen rice, or the gentle shell crab, an elevated model of chili crab. When you consider cocktails and dessert, this might be your most costly meal within the capital metropolis, however who is aware of the following time you’ll be capable to go away the airport and discover.
Malaysia’s capital has a lot to find! Discover Kuala Lumpur now – earlier than, throughout or after your small group journey with Intrepid.Â
Function picture by r.nagy, Shutterstock. All different photos by Patrick Sgro, until in any other case said.Â