8 Days in Kuala Lumpur: What I’d Do Again (and What YOU Should Do Differently)
- Brittany
- Jan 16
- 13 min read
Kuala Lumpur is not talked about enough in my humble opinion. Sure, you've probably seen online the famous multi-colored stairs leading up to the Batu Caves and the remarkable twin towers, known as the Petronas Towers, but there is so much more to explore in this lush and culturally-rich city!
I also found it to be a relatively less expensive city than other cities in Asia, especially because there is so much to do for FREE. In fact, outside of food, drink, and shopping, I paid for entry into just ONE attraction!
This was my first solo stop on a 9-month backpacking journey around Asia. Read more about that beginning with the first of my two-part post: What 9 Months Backpacking Asia Really Looks Like! I'll also link it below so you can read about it later ;)
Kuala Lumpur is a city that wears its cultural richness on every street corner. The city’s vibrant character comes from the interweaving of Malay, Chinese, and Indian cultures. The Malay-Muslim influence is seen in grand mosques and flavorful dishes like nasi lemak; the Chinese-Malaysian presence appears in bustling markets, colorful Buddhist temples, and iconic foods such as dim sum and char kway teow; and, finally, the Indian-Malaysian culture is displayed through Hindu temples, festive celebrations like Deepavali, and fragrant curries and banana leaf meals. This is all interlaced among the grand skyscrapers, inviting street art, and calming green spaces!
But before we get into the day-to-day, let's get to the logistics, first.
Before You Go
Foreigners, BE SURE to fill out the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card available 3 days before your flight! Do it as soon as possible to ensure it's approved on time; don't wait until the day of! Exceptions are Singaporean citizens, Malaysian citizens/Permanent Residents, and a few others. Check out the website linked for details.
Also the exchange rate is approximately $1 USD ~ 4 RM (Malaysian ringgit) as of writing this post.
Arrival
Once you land at KUL, know that citizens of 63 countries, including the U.S., can bypass the customs lines and pass through the electronic gate (autogate)! Sadly, this means no passport stamp, but since I came off the flight from Kolkata, India, there was a long line of Indians ahead of me (who aren't eligible), so the autogate did me a huge favor!
Transportation
As a budget-traveler and New Yorker, I am a huge proponent of using public transportation because, not only is it the cheapest option, but you usually avoid traffic, and it's better for the environment. From KUL airport, you can take a 30-min journey via the KLIA Ekspres train (yes, that's how it's spelled) to KL Sentral Station for 55 MYR (ringgits) or ~$11 USD as of today. Get 10% off by buying your ticket online, or for simplicity, you can tap your card at the gate!
I didn't go to KL Sentral, but was directed by Google Maps to get off at Bandar Tasik Selatan Station and paid only 38.40 MYR. From there, I used a popular ride share app called Grab for another 15 MYR ($3 USD). Grab originated in Malaysia and is popular around Southeast Asia (and cheaper than Uber), so download it! In hindsight, I only saved $3 vs taking the Grab directly from the airport to my hotel, BUT it's money saved nonetheless, and I still got there too early to check in anyway.
Overall, over the 9 days, I spend an average of $8.67 per day on Grab rides!
Accommodations
For 6 nights, I stayed at Arte Mont Kiara, a residential complex 20 minutes north of city center in the posh neighborhood of Mont Kiara. Let me show you why I stayed here, despite it not being in a central location.
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The architecture, the pools, the interior design — as the name suggests, it was like stepping into an art museum! Of course, I HAD to book it, especially for the price ($21/night)! I got a beautiful, cozy one-bedroom apartment with a washer and a view :) I spent the entire first afternoon/evening exploring the hotel and checking out the amenities i.e. the two whimsical pools (rooftop and ground level).
Unfortunately, by booking through Airbnb, instead of directly, I didn't have access to all three buildings. Also the gym was closed for maintenance for the majority of my stay, and honestly, wasn't as equipped as I'd have liked. But I did enjoy the few restaurants on-site including Allo - a lovely brunch spot with delicious chicken and waffles, Ronin - a posh Japanese restobar, and Arte 66 - an extravagant bar on the top floor!
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Arte 66 (1-3), Ronin (4-7), and Allo (8-9)
For the last two nights, I stayed in a very spacious, two-bedroom apartment at Star Residences in the city center with a rooftop pool boasting perfect view of the Petronas Towers! This residence also had a VERY nice gym, co-working space, and ground-level pool (all of which I, unfortunately, didn't get to use). This one was more expensive at $52/night.
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If you'd like to jump straight to my final recommendations, click here. Or stick around to journey through all the photos, videos, and important context to help you along the way!
Day 2 - Kuala Lumpur’s Icons: Caves, Temples & Towers
If you only had one day in KL, this is likely how you would spend it. Eager to jump right into the top attractions, I took a Grab at 7:30AM to the Batu Caves, supposedly just 25 mins away from Mont Kiara and from KL Sentral by car. But the rush hour traffic is awful, and it took nearly an hour to get there! So do plan to leave EARLY and arrive no later than 8:30AM to beat crowds. You can also take a train from KL Sentral to Batu Caves for an estimated 35 mins.
The Batu Caves are 400 million year old limestone caves and UNESCO World Heritage Site that house a Hindu temple. To reach the temple, you'll climb 272 colorful steps. The way this number is constantly emphasized on blogs, I was worried about the intensity of climb and left my drone at the hotel to conserve my energy (I also wasn't sure if drones were allowed; they are fine outside of the cave only). But the steps only take 3-5 mins to climb at a steady pace!
Also remember this is a temple, so respect the dress code.
Finally, my biggest caution: BEWARE OF THE MONKEYS!! They are known to steal food or belongings so that you will negotiate for them back with food. So secure your sunglasses, phones, hats, etc. and wear a crossbody bag if possible. I did use a tripod while it was still early (before 9AM). The monkeys only came out later.
To summarize my tips for visiting the Batu Caves:
Arrive before 8:30AM; it opens at 6 or 7AM. Give yourself 45 mins to an hour to get there because of rush hour traffic.
Dress appropriately! Leave the crop tops, tube tops, and shorts behind. Cover the elbows and knees.
Bring a backpack or crossbody bag and keep all loose belongings in it. Don't put the bag down!
Drones are fine outside the actual cave.
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It was here that I actually met with another travel blogger, Sabine aka Sabe Travels, whose time in KL overlapped with mine, and we ended up spending three days together!
After eating some refreshing fruits at the Batu Caves (and getting preyed on by monkeys), we took a Grab to the Thean Hou Temple, a gorgeous six-tier Chinese Buddhist temple and the most famous in KL. It was my first ever visit to a Buddhist temple (but definitely not the last)! Also to the rear of the temple is a rainbow staircase.
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We refreshed with lunch at a beautiful cafe restaurant called Broom, where I had this AMAZING chicken rendang dish!
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Then, we went to KLCC Park to get up close to the Petronas Towers, the iconic twin towers of Malaysia and tallest twin towers in the world! When nighttime fell, we basked in the illuminated views of the towers. In front of the towers, there are several photographers ready to sell you their services. We paid 70 RM (~$15 USD) for 7 photos (but he Airdropped us several more!)
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Day 3 - A Feast for the Senses: Food, Art & Rooftop Views
On this day, we decided to test our tastebuds in Bukit Bintang neighborhood, known for shopping and food. I'd also say the colorful street art is also certainly worth checking out!
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There are also plenty of massage parlors in this area, but we didn't opt for one, as we were focused on food, i.e. Jalan Alor Food Street. Now, if you prefer a lively night market atmosphere, visit Jalan Alor Food Street at night. But we went in the, less crowded, early afternoon and came across the infamous spiky local delicacy, durian.
The infamous durian!
My introduction to durian was actually in NYC: durian ice cream — I hated it. So naturally, I had to give it another chance — this time, the real deal! If you don't know, durian is a Southeast Asian fruit that most people either LOVE or HATE, mostly due to it's stench. It's even banned from public transportation and many establishments.
We gave it a try, and to my surprise, I may be one of few that doesn't have a strong opinion on it! I would say it tastes like an "oniony mango" and has the texture of a ripe mango, as well. Our package of durian cost us 28 RM (~$6 USD).
From Jalan Alor Street, Central Market is a 20 minute walk or short and cheap Grab ride. Built in 1888 as a wet market, today, Central Market is considered a center for Malaysian culture, art, and craft, and it certainly lives up to that.
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In addition to doing a little shopping, we were able to partake in some DIY Batik painting! Malaysian batik is a vibrant wax-resist dyeing art form and national heritage, featuring distinct floral, leaf, and geometric patterns (like spirals). Indonesia may have originated the Batik style, but Malaysian Batik is more vibrant with simpler designs. It's most often used on clothing and decor.
For our Batik painting class, we selected a pre-drawn design on canvas and were shown how to apply the watercolor paint to create beautiful ombre effects! This activity cost 20 RM (~$4 USD).
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Finally, we took a break and then ended the night on my friend's rooftop pool, with a nice view of the Petronas Towers. I will say the pool itself made up for the obstructed view.
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Day 4 - A Deeper Dive into Bukit Bintang
In the morning, I accompanied my friend to catch her bus at Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS). Very important note: there are several bus terminals in KL, so make sure to check which one you're departing from, and give yourself PLENTY of time to get there, as the traffic in KL has proven to be horrendous (like the time it took us 2 hours to go what should've been 30 mins). TBS is a pretty big station, so first, find your bus line and gate before shopping or eating.
Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS) Bus Station
Afterwards, I did a little more shopping at Central Market and explored more of Bukit Bintang neighborhood, specifically to see Bukit Bintang Crossing, a "Shibuya-style" crosswalk (one that allows pedestrians to cross in all directions, like the famous one in Shibuya, Tokyo)!
I stumbled into Lot 10 mall right by the crossing, where I indulged in some appetizing sushi and a sake tasting in a fancy food court. The bartender was SO cheerful; I tell you, Malaysians were the friendliest people I'd meet in Asia!
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Lot 10 Mall
Finally, I had had my eye on another eatery to try, Chinese Beef Roti. I saw a long line for this in passing the day before, so I had to see what the hype was. It was #worthit especially for only 5.50 RM or ~$1 USD!
Chicken roti from Chinese Beef Roti
Day 5 - A Sacred Space and Green Escape
This morning, I walked a few minutes from my Mont Kiara residence to the Federal Territory Mosque. It would be my second ever visit to a mosque, but certainly not my last. In fact, I've developed a huge affinity for mosques during my Asia travels — they're probably my favorite houses of worship to visit, due to the stunning architecture and mysterious, yet familiar, nature of Islam (growing up Christian and learning about their close ties).
At the entrance, visitors are lent the proper attire — long robes and, for women, hijabs to cover hair. They offer free 45-minute guided tours covering the history of the mosque and overview of Islam with plenty of spots to take lovely photos. I happened to be there during one of the five daily prayers, or Salat, around 1 PM! I suggest being there for that, as this is one of the few mosques in Malaysia that offers visitors a chance to do so!
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Federal Territory Mosque (2nd pic taken with my drone!)
From the mosque, I took a Grab to the Perdana Botanical Gardens (because I also have a huge affinity for botanical gardens)! Perdana Gardens is Kuala Lumpur's oldest and biggest public park, having opened in 1889, and housing over 1,600 local and foreign plant species. I could say more, but I'll let the photos speak for themselves.
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Perdana Botanical Garden (2nd and 3rd pics taken with my drone!) You can definitely spend half a day here!
Day 6 - A Deeper (and Higher) Look at the Batu Caves
Day 6 was pretty chill and focused on one mission: getting drone footage at the Batu Caves!
Success!
But then, I ended up wandering into the two other attractions on site: the Cave Villa and Ramanya Cave.
The Cave Villa cost 5 RM (~$1 USD) and begins with a small "zoo" housing several birds, bunnies, free-roaming peacocks, and reptiles (that I couldn't take a picture of, but you can pay to take pictures with). At the end, there's the actual cave filled with colorful Hindu statues and posts of moral teachings, life lessons, and spiritual messages tied to Hindu philosophy.
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I also sat through a surprise traditional dance performance.
Ramayana Cave is near the other entrance by the Hanuman (monkey god) statue and depicts the mythology of Ramayana, an all-popular epic in South and Southeast Asia. It is the story of King Rama who must save his kidnapped wife, Sita. Along the way, it teaches Hindu life lessons.
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That evening, I chilled pool-side at my Mont Kiara residence and paid another visit to Ronin, the on-site Japanese lounge.
Day 7 - Hidden Corners and Sky-High Surprises
Day 7 was another slow day, but certainly not uneventful! I moved from Mont Kiara to my new accommodation in the city center and immediately checked out the rooftop pool. Then I explored a Mini Stonehenge I came across on my Google Maps. It's actually within the Perdana Botanical Garden, and close to the National Mosque, the National Museum of Malaysia, and the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia, so if you can, try to do one of those along with the Botanical Garden!
For the evening, I absolutely had to visit Helipad Rooftop Bar, a bar on, you guessed it, an active helipad! What better place to take in 360-degree city views? Entry cost 100 RM (~$20 USD) and included two drinks. I also met a nice couple here with whom I chatted until dark — the wife took the picture of me!
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Day 8 - Bank Negara Malaysia Museum and Art Gallery
On my final full day in KL, I decided to check out the Bank Negara Malaysia Museum. It was cute — it's interactive, colorful, and you can learn a lot (if you have a good memory. I really don't so I don't know why I bother with museums sometimes)! In retrospect, I would have much rather explored the National Museum or Islamic Arts Museum. At least it was free!
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A money tunnel (Malaysian ringgits), the main staircase, the oldest currency, and the evolution of Arabic numerals
Day 9 - Onto the Next One!
I checked out early and caught my bus at Hentian Duta bus terminal. This was a VERY small terminal with limited food options, so I recommend bringing your own food for longer rides. For me, it was a two-hour ride to my next destination — Ipoh! Was it worth it? Subscribe to see when I share all about it in my next post!
Let's Summarize the Absolute MUSTS!
The real question is: Was 8 days in Kuala Lumpur too long?
My answer: Probably, since I clearly repeated some things and wasn't the most strategic in my planning because I had so much time at my disposal. However, this just means I can tell you exactly the RIGHT way to do it now!
I'd say 3 days will hit all the main spots, 4-5 days will allow for a little more relaxing in between (especially if you have a nice accommodation you want to enjoy, like I did)! If you only have a few days, you'll want to hit up (with links to Google Maps locations):
Day 1
Day 2
Bukit Bintang - shopping and Jalan Alor Food Street
Day 3
Perdana Botanical Gardens (including Mini Stonehenge)
One of many mosques - the National Mosque of Malaysia or Federal Territory Mosque
Merdeka Square (somehow I missed this, but it looks cool, and is also near the Botanical Garden)
You'll want to consume:
Chicken rendang - try it at Broom
Durian - try it at Jalan Alor Food Street (or anywhere really)
Chinese beef (or chicken) roti canai at Chinese Beef Roti
Drinks at Helipad rooftop
Other Malaysian dishes: Nasi Lemak (coconut rice with sambal), spicy and sour Laksa, flaky Roti Canai with curry, savory Satay (grilled skewers), and rich Char Kway Teow (stir-fried noodles).
Now it's your turn to talk! Have you been to Kuala Lumpur, or is it still on your bucket list? Tell me in the comments! I’d love to hear what caught your eye, what you’d add to this list, or where you’d go first!
And if you enjoyed or found this post helpful, SUBSCRIBE to my blog below to get the next post, as I recap my 9-month backpacking journey through Asia!
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