"Selamat Datang to Kuala Lumpur" Kuala Lumpur by Kakapo2

Kuala Lumpur Travel Guide: 5,923 reviews and 13,230 photos

Sultan Abdul Samad Building with KL's Big Ben.

Malaysia's Capital in a Day

I have wanted to travel to Malaysia for a long time but still have not really made it. The big holiday trips have become a little difficult since I have been living in New Zealand, as most years I fly back to Germany to visit my parents, relatives and friends, and on this occasion visit places in and around Germany. But I keep on planning - or at least dreaming - of my most important trip to Malaysia which would be climbing Mt. Kinabalu in Sabah, on the island of Borneo, saying hello to the orang-utans, and see the world's biggest flower, the rafflesia.

Long-tailed macaques at the Batu Caves.

Anyway. To touch ground in Malaysia I once used Malaysia Airlines for my flights between New Zealand and Germany, and spent a day in Kuala Lumpur. And this short stopover became far more interesting than I had expected - because I changed my plans upon arrival at the airport.

I had planned to take the train into the city and then get around by taxi and bus. But in the arrival area taxi drivers were offering rides into the city, and we talked a bit, and soon I found out that I could hire a taxi driver for the whole day without breaking the bank. I think I paid about 60 Euro, including the enormous trips from the airport into the city centre and back, and we went outside the city to the Batu Caves and the grotto temple, and I could feed the monkeys sitting on the staircases.

The Petronas Twin Towers and the TV tower.

And, of course, I saw and visited all the major points of interest I had noted beforehand, and many more. This taxi driver became my tour guide, told me of local customs, took me to temples, mansions, museums, sports stadiums, the Petronas Towers, of course, to KL Tower, to mosques and palaces, to shopping places. He translated for me, and took me to a place for lunch where I was the only tourist, and the whole meal for two cost 2 or 3 Euro.

To get to all these places on my own and learn so much about life in Kuala Lumpur would have taken me two or three days.

When browsing my page you can get an idea how much you can see in such limited time.

I would even have been able to visit more places but in the late afternoon I got extremely tired, and went back to the airport to have a snooze. And I was happy I always had my air-conditioned taxi nearby, so I could cool down on an incredibly hot and humid day.

Pros and Cons

Pros:A surprising lot of space to breathe
Cons:What hot humid air!
In a nutshell:A hugely interesting melting pot of cultures and religions

Last visit to Kuala Lumpur: Nov 2003
Intro Updated Apr 25, 2011
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Reviews (40)

Great driver, great food :-) - Kuala Lumpur

Eat what and where the Locals Do Favorites (6)

- As Kuala Lumpur does not seem as overrun by tourists as other places in the world I know it is not that terribly... more travel advice

A Change of Clothes for a One-Day Stopover - Kuala Lumpur

A Change of Clothes for a One-Day... What to Pack (1)

If you just have a stopover in Kuala Lumpur and just spend the day in the city, as I did, it is essential that you... more travel advice

Even inside the caves you have to climb steps. - Kuala Lumpur

Batu Caves (10) - The Thaipusam Festival Local Customs (1)

Although I have been at the Batu Caves on a normal day, let me give you a short description what the Thaipusam Festival... more travel advice

(9) - Successful End (Part 2) of the Coke Can Test - Kuala Lumpur

(9) - Successful End (Part 2) of the... Off The Beaten Path (13)

… then they pour the content on the tiles where the liquid cannot disappear into the soil, and lick it up. Click here... more travel advice

Warnings and Dangers (1)
Smokers Beware!
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Comments (7)

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TrendsetterME Mar 8, 2012 at 11:42 AM

Your tips on KL r amazing, especially the "Off the Beaten Path" photos, keep on postin' ... :)
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carol_fooa Apr 25, 2011 at 6:25 PM

Its really a good bargained for you and you had found the good and honest taxi driver, he offered more than what you paid to him, I am glad that is such a good and responsibility taxi driver in my country ........
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Jim_Eliason Aug 13, 2009 at 2:53 PM

Great page Sissi!
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lynnehamman Mar 15, 2009 at 3:50 PM

Sissi- as usual, a wonderfully informative page on KL. I have been a few times, and never saw as much. I did see Lake Gardens. Loved your General tip on "info online'- agree with everything you said. I will return here to read rest of tips later
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hando4949 Jun 30, 2008 at 8:52 AM

What a great page for the travellor. Will be in KL for 4 days at then of the month, and your tips will be a great help. Thanks Frank
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Trekki Jun 20, 2008 at 10:54 PM

Wow, during your stopover you did see more than I did during a week's stay in KL (business trip)! I love your reflection photos, magic :-)) Oh, and dining on top of the Menara Tower is excellent! We've been there :-))
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WStat Jun 11, 2008 at 9:18 AM

To break the construction-principles of this modern architecture down to the roots is most interesting! Thanks for sharing!