It’s fairly straightforward to foretell what a first-timer’s Kuala Lumpur itinerary would appear to be. You’ll be able to wager that it’ll embrace a cease on the Petronas Towers, a climb to Batu Caves, and a meals crawl via Jalan Alor. Maybe a day journey to Genting Highlands, too. These are staples, and for good purpose. They’ve change into probably the most recognizable tourism icons not only for the town however for Malaysia as a complete.
However in the event you’ve visited KL earlier than, the place do you have to go? Does the Malaysian capital have something contemporary to supply as of late? And the reply to that, my good friend, is a powerful sure.
Over the previous few years, Kuala Lumpur has restored outdated websites and created new ones, including to the already lengthy checklist of issues to do and locations to go to within the metropolis. On this put up, we’ll share with you some that you simply may wish to contemplate in your subsequent journey to the Backyard Metropolis of Lights.
WHAT’S COVERED IN THIS GUIDE?
Spanning virtually 70 meters, the Saloma Hyperlink is a pedestrian and bike owner bridge that straddles Klang River and Ampang-Kuala Lumpur Elevated Freeway. As a result of it connects the old-world village of Kampung Baru (Kampong Bharu) to KLCC (Kuala Lumpur Metropolis Centre), the place the Petronas Towers stand proudly, it additionally serves as an impressive lookout. From right here, one might admire the highest halves of the dual towers protruding from the skyline.
Saloma Bridge was opened to the general public in February 2020, simply earlier than the pandemic introduced world tourism to its knees. Therefore, a lot of those that had been to Kuala Lumpur earlier than in all probability have by no means seen this hyperlink but. And it’s a sight to behold, certainly! Designed by VERITAS Design Group, the construction is impressed by the betel nut leaf, a part of the Malay marriage ceremony customized. It’s best visited at evening, when it’s wearing colourful, virtually kaleidoscopic illumination, seemingly inviting and ushering guests to the Petronas Towers and different close by buildings. Which means it’s additionally extra crowded at evening, so simply maintain that in thoughts.
It wasn’t plan of our authentic itinerary. We didn’t even find out about this hyperlink till we have been already on the best way to the Petronas Towers. Our AirAsia Experience driver casually talked about it as we handed by the intersection near it. He really useful that we go in that route after we had our time with the Twins. And we did!
From the Petronas Towers, it was solely a straightforward 10-minute stroll away. As a result of it was constructed to service each pedestrians and cyclists alike, it’s geared up with ramps on both facet and an elevator on the Kampung Baru facet.
The bridge was named after the Malaysian-Singaporean singer Saloma, whose stays have been laid to relaxation on the close by Jalan Ampang Muslim Cemetery on the KLCC facet.
Location: Kampung Baru, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Nearest Station: Kampung Baru LRT Station or KLCC LRT Station
We all know Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown district has been round for a very long time. And in the event you’ve been right here earlier than, you in all probability greatest keep in mind Petaling Avenue, a 800-meter buying strip working from Leboh Pasar Besar/Jalan Yap Ah Loy on the northern finish to Bulatan Merdeka within the south. About 300 meters of it’s lined by a inexperienced roof (fondly nicknamed the “Inexperienced Dragon”) and marked by two Chinese language arches on both finish.
Petaling Avenue, specifically, has seen a variety of transformations since Cantonese and Hakka tin commerce staff arrived within the metropolis within the nineteenth century. However someday in the direction of the tip of the millennium, growth slowed down and this a part of KL turned largely generally known as the go-to place for counterfeit merchandise — from branded equipment to unlawful DVDs.
However because the 2010s ended, Chinatown has been having fun with a kind of renaissance. Counterfeit merchandise are nonetheless there, however cool, hipster, Instagrammable spots additionally started popping up. An evening meals market got here to life, serving an countless choice of Chinese language and Southeast Asian dishes and snacks. Some buildings additionally bought a much-needed face elevate.
However this transformation is most evident at Lorong Panggung, also called Kwai Chai Hong after a restoration ardour mission that spearheaded by Bai Chuan Administration. It was once a bleak and forgotten alleyway, however when it reopened to the general public in 2019, guests noticed a fascinating heritage website that has been totally cleaned up and adorned by colourful avenue artwork and murals, depicting the Chinatown of yore.
It covers the restoration of 10 pre-war shophouses — six on Jalan Petaling and 4 on Lorong Panggung — bringing again the Sixties glory days of KL’s Chinatown. The once-neglected again lane has change into a captivating attraction that each locals and vacationers can take pleasure in.
If you happen to get hungry or thirsty, strive one of many eating places, cafes, and bars lining Lorong Panggung and Jalan Petaling. Probably the most widespread is Bunn Choon Restaurant, an iconic institution serving extremely sought-after egg tarts together with different pastries and dimsum since 1893. Simply subsequent to it, in the identical vivid yellow constructing, is Pandan Republic, additionally an area favourite best-known for its breakfast and dessert choices like Hakka lei cha (pounded tea), pandan gula Melaka cheesecake, and pandan delicate serve.
In one other nook, you’ll discover Beryl’s Chocolate and Cafe at Lot 18. Beryl’s, after all, is Malaysia’s homegrown chocolate model, which I greatest know for its dragées, these merely irresistible egg-shaped candies with almonds or raisins at their core.
You may even spot an artwork set up or interactive reveals.
Location: Lorong Panggung, Metropolis Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Nearest Station: Pasar Seni MRT Station
The River of Life is seven-year RM4-billion authorities mission that ambitiously aimed to scrub up, rehabilitate and beautify Klang River (Sungai Klang) and surrounding areas. However for tourism functions, it principally refers back to the level the place the Klang meets the Gombak River (Sungai Gombak), which greatest exemplifies this spectacular transformation. This is a crucial a part of the town as a result of Kuala Lumpur actually means “muddy confluence” in Malay, referring to the convergence of those two muddy rivers.
From the lookout alongside Leboh Pasar Besar, probably the most eye-catching construction is the Masjid Jamek (Jamek Mosque), wearing Moorish structure, standing proudly on the junction. Inaugurated in 1909, it is among the oldest within the capital. So sure, this isn’t new in any respect; it’s fairly historic. What’s contemporary is what’s occurring round it.
Within the day time, the primary issues to in all probability get your consideration are the big murals adorning the facade of the flanking buildings! At evening, the positioning is flooded with blue illuminations. We have been additionally informed {that a} fountain present prompts each 20-Half-hour or so, making a splash of magical visible show with the mosque within the background to varied acquainted tunes. It was round midday once we visited, so we didn’t get to see any of those mild and water exhibits, although.
Alongside the river, you’ll additionally discover cafes and bicycle paths.
Location: River of Life, Leboh Pasar Besar, Metropolis Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Nearest Station: Masjid Jamek LRT Station
Japan’s borders stay closed for impartial vacationers, but when you really want a dose of it and also you’re KL-bound anyway, head over to Bukit Bintang, the place Japanese institutions have been mushrooming.
First on the checklist is Don Don Donki. Doesn’t ring a bell? That is really the identical as Don Quijote, Japan’s largest low cost retailer chain. Why the title change? As a result of its very first Asia-Pacific department exterior Japan was opened in Singapore, the place one other model has already been utilizing the title so that they used Don Don Donki as a substitute. When it opened its first Malaysian retailer at Lot 10 in Bukit Bintang in March 2021, they adopted the SG branding for regional consistency.
For the uninitiated, Don Quijote is an area and vacationer favourite in Japan, with over 160 shops throughout the archipelago. Even we will’t resist getting into a Donki retailer every time we see it simply to snag some pasalubong. It has virtually every part you could possibly consider — from snacks to attire to equipment to cosmetics to houseware — at a pocket-friendly value. Like in Japan, Donki right here in Malaysia makes use of the identical cute penguin mascot. It was really how we acknowledged the shop as we handed by.
Since then, they’ve launched one other department, at Lalaport additionally in Bukit Bintang, which can also be a brand new addition to the rising checklist of buying malls in KL. Opened to the general public in January 2022, Lalaport is the primary Southeast Asian department of Mutsui Purchasing Park, one other well-known establishment in Japan. It homes a number of recognizable manufacturers like Nitori, providing Japanese-style furnishings much like Muji (in the event you’re extra acquainted with the latter); Nojima, well-known for electronics; and Coo & Riku, Japan’s largest pet retailer chain.
Don’t go away with out climbing the LED-illuminated starcase and trying out the open rooftop backyard, which affords an imposing view of the town skyline together with the KL Tower, particularly at sundown.
After all, we nonetheless extremely advocate the traditional culinary sights in Kuala Lumpur, particularly in the event you’ve by no means been there. However in the event you’re in search of one thing new to strive, new meals spots have additionally sprouted all through the town even within the midst of the pandemic.
On our final KL go to, after a vibrant photo-op session on the Saloma Hyperlink, we determined to go right down to Kampung Baru. Whereas the title interprets to “New Village”, it’s really one of many few remaining conventional Malay strongholds in KL, as extra trendy surroundings and constructions dominate the town. Formally established on the flip of the twentieth century, it was formally declared because the Malay Agricultural Settlement in 1950. Whereas vacationers flock round Jalan Alor, many locals hang around right here for meals and drinks. It’s fairly outdated, and it’s residence to some time-tested eating institutions.
However every so often, a brand new title pops up. And final yr, one which took Malaysian social media by storm was Papa Kanafa, a stall that whips out tray after tray of candy Turkish pastries in a spectacularly entertaining style. And in the event you’ve ever been right here, you’ll perceive why there may be a lot on-line traction. The employees tirelessly and stylishly prepares every order of kunafa in entrance of shoppers, in a fashion much like a Salt Bae efficiency and exclaims “Welcome, Habibi!” earlier than closing the lid.
(We’re nonetheless getting ready the movies so we might present you higher. Within the meantime, listed here are some screencaps.)
It’s so widespread that it’s arduous to overlook the queue. We needed to burn Half-hour earlier than our flip, however a lot of the wait was as a result of they needed to warmth the pastry after they change trays, which I feel is nice. It’s additionally time for the employees to relaxation a bit as a result of I might think about how exhausting it may very well be doing it numerous occasions.
Nevertheless it’s not all type. It serves fairly tasty desserts! Its predominant product is the kunafa — a pastry comprised of baked kataifi or shredded phyllo dough, doused with syrup and topped with bits of pistachios — which comes with one in all two stuffings — cheese and cream (in all probability ashta). Whereas we didn’t care a lot in regards to the cream model, the cheese kunafa was actually definitely worth the wait. The beneficiant quantity of stretchy cheese complemented the sweetness of the syrup. It wasn’t too candy, which I appreciated. The nuts merely add texture.
There are additionally just a few cafes that not too long ago opened inside the Malay enclave however we didn’t get to strive. If you happen to’re not within the temper for one thing new, Kampung Baru additionally has its extra established homegrown eating spots together with Suraya Seafood and Nasi Lemak Wanjo.
One other meals place getting good opinions on-line is The Chow Package Kitchen and Bar, situated on the floor ground of its namesake boutique lodge, a part of the Ormond Lodge group. Essentially the most exceptional maybe is its inclusion to CNN Journey’s checklist of 20 Finest New Eating places in Asia Pacific for 2020. The menu modifications nevertheless it places its trendy tackle conventional Malaysian fare at its middle together with rendang and laksa. You don’t have to be a lodge visitor to dine right here.
If for no matter purpose you don’t wish to eat out, meals supply apps are additionally thriving within the metropolis, the latest of which is AirAsia Meals. Yep, Malaysia’s largest low-cost service now has its personal meals supply service by way of its unified AirAsia SUPER APP!
AirAsia Meals gives a large spectrum of gastronomic delights, excellent for while you had a protracted day and needed to simply keep in your lodge (or hostel) for dinner. You’ll be able to select from totally different meals classes — halal, vegetarian, Asian, Western, wholesome, desserts, and so forth. You may even get a reduction via its many promos.
You’re in all probability questioning why Batu Caves is on this checklist. However hear us out.
If you happen to final visited earlier than August 2018, then you definately’ll be stunned that quite a bit has modified since — a minimum of visually. That yr, the positioning was given a colourful — albeit a bit controversial — makeover. The 272-step staircase resulting in the Cave Temple was painted in vivid rainbow colours, utterly altering its feel and appear, so that you may wish to test it out once more!
Batu Caves is a crucial and sacred place for the Hindu folks. It’s a community of caves and chambers carved right into a 4-million-year-old karst hill. There are three huge caves however the largest is the Cathedral Cave or Temple Cave, so referred to as for its excessive ceiling and a variety of Hindu shrines it homes. Situated 13 km north of the Malaysian capital, Batu Caves is definitely in Gombak, Selangor. It was named after the close by river Sungai Batu.
OK, this one isn’t an attraction in itself however a strategy to get round! Other than meals supply, AirAsia has additionally launched a ride-hailing service — AirAsia Ride — out there via the AirAsia SUPER APP. You need to use it not simply to get out of the airport to the town middle, but additionally to get across the metropolis!
When AirAsia invited us to KL, they allowed us to make use of this service when going round on our personal. Sure, sure, we all know there are already extra established comparable apps providing this, however we adore it when manufacturers get some competitors as a result of most of the time, it comes with aggressive costs! And true sufficient, once we tried AirAsia RIDE, we discovered that it fees lower than common, at occasions virtually 50% cheaper in comparison with direct competitor. That’s an enormous plus for funds vacationers like us. It means we will spend extra on different issues, like meals and sights.
It gives various kinds of rides — LadiesONLY, Compact (extra reasonably priced), and Anyride (closest to your neighborhood).
AirAsia Experience and AirAsia Meals can be found on the airasia Tremendous App! It’s possible you’ll obtain it right here: iOS customers, Android customers.
Article and photographs by: Yosh Dimen
Extra phrases by: Asta Alvarez
Our latest Kuala Lumpur journey was made doable by AirAsia. Opinions are our personal.
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