It’s fairly simple to foretell what a first-timer’s Kuala Lumpur itinerary would appear like. You’ll be able to guess that it’ll embrace a cease on the Petronas Towers, a climb to Batu Caves, and a meals crawl by means of Jalan Alor. Maybe a day journey to Genting Highlands, too. These are staples, and for good cause. They’ve grow to be probably the most recognizable tourism icons not only for town however for Malaysia as a complete.
However for individuals who have visited KL earlier than, does the Malaysian capital have something contemporary to supply lately? And the reply to that, my jet-setting buddy, 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Over the previous few years, Kuala Lumpur has restored outdated websites and created new ones, including to the already lengthy checklist of issues to do and locations to go to within the metropolis.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 publish, we’ll share with you some that you just would possibly need to take into account 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 may 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 international tourism to its knees. Therefore, lots 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. Because of this it’s additionally extra crowded at evening, so simply hold that in thoughts.
It wasn’t plan of our authentic itinerary. We didn’t even learn 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 path after we had our time with the Twins. And we did!
From the Petronas Towers, it was solely a simple 10-minute stroll away. As a result of it was constructed to service each pedestrians and cyclists alike, it’s outfitted 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 should you’ve been right here earlier than, you in all probability finest keep in mind Petaling Road, 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 Road, particularly, has seen various transformations since Cantonese and Hakka tin commerce staff arrived within the metropolis within the nineteenth century. However someday in the direction of the top of the millennium, improvement slowed down and this a part of KL grew to become largely often called 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 type 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 infinite choice of Chinese language and Southeast Asian dishes and snacks. Some buildings additionally received a much-needed face carry.
However this transformation is most evident at Lorong Panggung, also referred to as Kwai Chai Hong after a restoration ardour venture that spearheaded by Bai Chuan Administration. It was a bleak and forgotten alleyway, however when it reopened to the general public in 2019, guests noticed a fascinating heritage web site 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 Nineteen Sixties glory days of KL’s Chinatown. The once-neglected again lane has grow to be an enthralling attraction that each locals and vacationers can get pleasure from.
In case you get hungry or thirsty, attempt one of many eating places, cafes, and bars lining Lorong Panggung and Jalan Petaling. One of the common 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 vibrant 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 mushy serve.
In one other nook, you’ll discover Beryl’s Chocolate and Cafe at Lot 18. Beryl’s, in fact, is Malaysia’s homegrown chocolate model, which I finest know for its dragées, these merely irresistible egg-shaped candies with almonds or raisins at their core.
You would possibly 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 venture that ambitiously aimed to wash up, rehabilitate and beautify Klang River (Sungai Klang) and surrounding areas. However for tourism functions, it largely refers back to the level the place the Klang meets the Gombak River (Sungai Gombak), which finest exemplifies this spectacular transformation. This is a crucial a part of 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 location is flooded with blue illuminations. We have been additionally advised {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 numerous 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 unbiased vacationers, but when you actually need 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 identify 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 identify so that they used Don Don Donki as an alternative. 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 coming into a Donki retailer each time we see it simply to snag some pasalubong. It has virtually the whole lot you would 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 lovable 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 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 just like Muji (should you’re extra accustomed to the latter); Nojima, well-known for electronics; and Coo & Riku, Japan’s largest pet retailer chain.
Don’t depart with out climbing the LED-illuminated starcase and trying out the open rooftop backyard, which affords an imposing view of town skyline together with the KL Tower, particularly at sundown.
After all, we nonetheless extremely advocate the basic culinary points of interest in Kuala Lumpur, particularly should you’ve by no means been there. However should you’re on the lookout for one thing new to attempt, new meals spots have additionally sprouted all through 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 move right down to Kampung Baru. Whereas the identify interprets to “New Village”, it’s really one of many few remaining conventional Malay strongholds in KL, as extra trendy surroundings and buildings dominate 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 dwelling to some time-tested eating institutions.
However every so often, a brand new identify pops up. And final 12 months, 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 should you’ve ever been right here, you’ll perceive why there’s a lot on-line traction. The employees tirelessly and stylishly prepares every order of kunafa in entrance of consumers, in a fashion just like a Salt Bae efficiency and exclaims “Welcome, Habibi!” earlier than closing the lid.
(We’re nonetheless making ready the movies so we may present you higher. Within the meantime, listed below are some screencaps.)
It’s so common 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 once they swap trays, which I believe is nice. It’s additionally a superb time for the employees to relaxation a bit as a result of I may think about how exhausting it might be doing it numerous occasions. And as a deal with to those that are patiently ready, additionally they handed out complimentary servings of balah el sham, a candy deep-fried finger fritters made with sugar, vanilla, and flour. Consider it as Center Japanese churros.
But it surely’s not all type. It serves fairly tasty desserts! Its most important product is the kunafa — a pastry constructed from baked kataifi or shredded phyllo dough, doused with syrup and topped with bits of pistachios — which comes with one in every of two stuffings — cheese and cream (in all probability ashta). Whereas we didn’t care a lot concerning 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 a number of cafes that not too long ago opened throughout the Malay enclave however we didn’t get to attempt. In case you’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 resort, a part of the Ormond Resort group. Probably 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 adjustments however it places its trendy tackle conventional Malaysian fare at its heart together with rendang and laksa. You don’t must be a resort visitor to dine right here.
If for no matter cause you don’t need to eat out, meals supply apps are additionally thriving within the metropolis, the latest of which is AirAsia Meals. Yep, Malaysia’s greatest low-cost provider now has its personal meals supply service by way of its unified AirAsia SUPER APP!
AirAsia Meals provides a large spectrum of gastronomic delights, good for once you had an extended day and wished to only keep in your resort (or hostel) for dinner. You’ll be able to select from completely different meals classes — halal, vegetarian, Asian, Western, wholesome, desserts, and so forth. You would possibly even get a reduction by means of its many promos.
You’re in all probability questioning why Batu Caves is on this checklist. However hear us out.
In case you final visited earlier than August 2018, you then’ll be stunned that quite a bit has modified since — not less than visually. That 12 months, the location was given a colourful — albeit a bit controversial — makeover. The 272-step staircase resulting in the Cave Temple was painted in vibrant rainbow colours, utterly altering its appear and feel, so that you would possibly need to test it out once more!
Batu Caves is a crucial and sacred place for the Hindu individuals. It’s a community of caves and chambers carved right into a 4-million-year-old karst hill. There are three large caves however the largest is the Cathedral Cave or Temple Cave, so referred to as for its excessive ceiling and various 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 technique to get round! Other than meals supply, AirAsia has additionally launched a ride-hailing service — AirAsia Ride — out there by means of the AirAsia SUPER APP. You should utilize it not simply to get out of the airport to town heart, 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 related apps providing this, however we like it when manufacturers get some competitors as a result of as a rule, it comes with aggressive costs! And true sufficient, once we tried AirAsia RIDE, we discovered that it prices lower than normal, 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 points of interest.
It provides several types of rides — LadiesONLY, Compact (extra inexpensive), and Anyride (closest to your neighborhood).
AirAsia Experience and AirAsia Meals can be found on the airasia Tremendous App! You might obtain it right here: iOS customers, Android customers.
Article and pictures by: Yosh Dimen
Further phrases by: Asta Alvarez
Our latest Kuala Lumpur journey was made potential by AirAsia. Opinions are our personal.
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