Looking for an affordable getaway? Haaaaaave you met Kuala Lumpur?
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Singapore, Bali, Bangkok…all great destinations for escaping a Canberra winter.
But we have another contender. You might not have Malaysia on your bucket list—but you absolutely should. Not only does its capital of Kuala Lumpur boast a glittering restaurant and bar scene to rival Bangkok and premium shopping mall experiences a la Singapore but this cultural melting pot has art and museums in spades and if you fancy a beach getaway, travel just a little further west to resort destinations like Penang and Langkawi.
Having traveled to Kuala Lumpur no less than four times in the past decade, here’s a snapshot of where to eat, drink, play and stay.
STAY
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The Journal Hotel
Located in the inner city area of Bukit Bintang, The Journal is a boutique hotel that doesn’t skimp on aesthetics—or space. The room I stayed in last time was enormous.
It’s also in a great location—a stone’s throw from Pavilion KL, one of the city’s most premium malls, and close to a metro stop and plenty of restaurants.
Not only does rooftop pool area The Swimming Club look like something out of Barbie’s Dream House, but it boasts panoramic views of downtown KL from its infinity pool.
EAT
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Central Market Kuala Lumpur: While there are more places to get iconic Malaysian dishes like nasi lemak than you can poke a fried anchovy at, Central Market’s food court is a great place to start.
Grand Harbour Restaurant: The Grand Dame of Dim Sum served yum cha-style, Grand Harbour will not disappoint. Make sure you make time to do it properly—2-3 hours here should do it.
Fuego: Are these the best views in KL? Check out the feature image and see if you agree.
Devi’s Corner: Some of the best Indian food I’ve ever eaten, served on banana leaves. Make sure to get a mango lassi too.
DRINK
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Sky Bar at The Traders Hotel: Sky Bar is where to see the iconic Petronas Towers lit against the backdrop of KL’s glittering skyline. It’s expat city in here, so don’t expect to be rubbing shoulders with locals, but the cocktails are colourful and the vibes are high.
Helipad KL: A rooftop bar on a helipad…really? Yes, and it’s as epic as it sounds. Helipad KL is reached by a (very long) lift ride to the top of a skyscraper, where you’ll then select drinks from the penthouse bar before being escorted upstairs to the helipad where chairs, tables, couches and egg chairs are scattered under the night sky with the most breathtaking view of the city below. The only place to be on a hot and sticky night.
SHOP
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Like most large Asian cities, KL is a land of mega malls, which provide both highly immersive customer experiences and an air-conditioned haven on muggy days—but there are plenty of other shoppable spots.
Central Market: Kuala Lumpur’s blue Central Market has been a place of gathering and shopping since it was established as a wet market in 1888. The current iconic blue art deco facade was finished in 1937 and today you’ll find it bustling with everything from trinkets to traditional snacks to jewelry, fashion and more. Oh and a great food hall upstairs!
Petaling Street Market: Petaling Street Market is the place to go for designer handbag knockoffs and bulk souvenirs. It won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s quite the vibe (and located just outside the Central Market).
Tokyo Street at Pavilion KL: Pavilion KL is one of the city’s most elevated shopping malls (pictured above), with more designer brands than you can poke a handbag at. But one of the most accessible experiences can be found on the top floor where a section has been transformed into a cherry-blossom-strewn alley of tiny Japanese stores, surrounded by large eateries.
KLCC: Another of Kuala Lumpur’s biggest malls, it’s easy to get lost here. If you’re looking for a reason to brave the hoards, I recommend heading to Isetan, Japan’s most famous department store. It has floors of goodies to discover, with my personal favourite being the beauty section. Heaven.
Kinokuniya: In KLCC you’ll also find a large Kinokuniya. This enormous Japanese bookstore has a vast selection of English language titles but at KLCC there’s also a large children’s section, heavenly stationery (including diaries and notebooks from Malaysian stationery stars Mossery) as well as anime and fandom collectibles.
Photo printing booth: Speaking of KLCC, don’t miss the photo printing booths dotted around that give you the opportunity to print Polaroid-style photos directly from Instagram, complete with dates and captions. A sweet keepsake that blends the best of digital and hard copy.
Watsons Pharmacy: There’s a cracking Sephora near Pavilions that has a great array of beauty brands from across Asia and beyond, but if you’re looking to fuel your KBeauty habit (just me?) head to Watson’s Pharmacy. You may not expect it to pack a punch but this Priceline of Asia has plenty of Insta-famous brands at really affordable prices.
SEE
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REXKL
The recent conversion of an abandoned warehouse in the city centre has brought forth REXKL, an uber-cool multi-floor venue with exhibition spaces, a skate park, cafes, a nightclub, bookstore and markets as well as studio spaces for artists and other creatives.
National Museum of Malaysia
The country’s national museum will give you a comprehensive view of this fascinating country, from pre-historic artifacts through to its sumptuous kingdoms, colonial period under British rule and modern Malaysia.
Islamic Art Museum Malaysia
A striking building ensconced in the Botanic Gardens, the Islamic Art Museum Malaysia is a must-see. There is nothing as breathtaking as seeing the intricate details of Islamic art and architecture up close, with 12 permanent galleries dedicated to everything from lovingly illustrated Qur’an manuscripts to paintings, murals and more
Feature image: Fuego, via Facebook
