Reasons to Visit Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Kuala Lumpur is one of the most popular travel destinations in Asia. It is a city with a great mix of modern and old world style and culture, offering more variety of attractions and raw energy than most cities in Asia.
It has historical monuments and buildings and futuristic modern skyscrapers, both. And whether you want green parks and natural beauty, or shopping centers and busy markets and lively nightlife, there are many reasons to visit Kuala Lumpur.
Kuala Lumpur Shopping is Amazing
Malaysia’s capital city is a shopper’s paradise, with a wide selection of malls, shopping centers, and boutique stores, as well as having some great shopping streets and neighborhoods.
Kuala Lumpur shopping malls are very modern, clean and well-stocked with reasonable prices. They house all sorts of local and international chains and boutiques. One of the most popular is Bukit Bintang.
But there are also many street markets in Kuala Lumpur that you can shop at. If you are shopping for traditional items, you can try the weekend markets at Chinatown and the traditional markets in Medan Pasar. If you like to haggle for a bargain, check out these street markets in places like Little India, ChinaTown and Central Market.
Dining and Eating in Kuala Lumpur
KL is a food paradise. Visitors should really try to eat as many varieties and at as many restaurants as possible. Kuala Lumpur dining offers everything from cheap roadside food stalls to gourmet restaurants, and delicious food can be found at most of them.
One of the most famous Malaysian dishes is Sambal, with its spicy prawn and lime flavor. But there are many other irresistible dishes like satay, which you can get in most street markets, spicy and coconuty rendang, and classic nasi lemak (which is great here but will always be best in my home Indonesia!). There is also great Chinese, Indian and many other cuisines to enjoy when eating in Kuala Lumpur.
Nightlife in Kuala Lumpur
Nightlife in Kuala Lumpur is vibrant and goes beyond just drinks and dancing. As the capital city of Malaysia, it is no wonder that there are many nightspots and clubs which you can visit. But nightlife in Kuala Lumpur is more than just the bars and clubs. The night markets and great street food makes KL a fun and enjoyable place for foodies and people watchers too.
There are a number of areas in KL that really come alive at night. These places have plenty of bistros, nightclubs, and pubs as well as late night food merchants and restaurants. Bangsar is one such popular area, as well as the area around Jalan Bukit Bintang. And Petaling Street (in Chinatown) has the best night market with lots of late night food options. Even if you don’t drink, it’s still fun to people-watch the nightlife in Kuala Lumpur.
Kuala Lumpur Landmarks and Architecture
Kuala Lumpur architecture is as varied as the history and culture of the country. Of course, visiting will give you a chance to view Kuala Lumpur landmarks like the world-famous Petronas Twin Towers. But the Petronas Twin Towers is just the beginning. There are many other notable buildings in KL, including Istana Negara, the National Palace, which is the official residence of the king of Malaysia.
Another one is the National Mosque of Malaysia. There are many religious landmarks in the city, including other colourful mosques, shrines, and temples. Both old and new come together in Kuala Lumpur architecture, offering truly unique places to visit in KL, and it’s all worth seeing.
Malaysian History and Culture (and Museums)
There are way too many Malaysian museums and galleries to list, but here are a few great ones.
The National Museum of Malaysia is the main, go-to museum, covering prehistory through to modern art movements. All aspects of Malaysian culture can be explored here and it would take hours or even days to go through it all. The National Visual Arts Gallery showcases artworks from a variety of eras, cultures and styles, and highlights local and international artisans from traditional crafts to modern paintings and sculptures.
The Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia is the biggest Islamic arts and artifacts museum in Southeast Asia. The Orang Asli Crafts Museum provides exhibits on Malaysian history and the art of the indigenous and aborigine peoples of the Malaysia peninsula.
Outdoor Activities in KL
There are many green spaces in Kuala Lumpur making it one of the greenest urban centers in Asia. Natural beauty can be found throughout the city, making it easy to unwind and enjoy the beautiful landscape and relaxed atmosphere.
Some of these places include the KL Lake Gardens, Deer Park, KL Butterfly Park, KLCC Park. Enjoy a walk in the Botanical Garden or Bukit Kiara Eco Park. KL is famous for its great bird watching spots, with over 20,000 different species of birds. Nature lovers can actually find other wildlife right in the city, at Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve. And for the hard core nature lovers there is the Taman Negara National Park, which is the largest national park in Malaysia.
These are just a few reasons to visit Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. There are many more than this, from great cultural and natural features, to historical and modern attractions. The best way to know is to visit yourself!