HOW TO SPEND 48 HOURS IN KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA.

Friday 1 May 2020

During my two month trip at the beginning of the year, Kuala Lumpur was the only place I actually ended up travelling to by myself. I knew I was going to have some time to do solo travelling, and KL seemed like a relatively safe place to do this (more on that later). When I arrived at the end of January, there wasn't really much talk on the coronavirus, and there was 1 case in Malaysia. I still run to 5 different stores before I was finally able to get my hands on a face mask.

tea with gi kuala lumpur


Where to stay in Kuala Lumpur 


Reggae Mansion Hostel (budget) 


If you're looking to get a peaceful night sleep then this probably won't be the hostel for you, as they have a rooftop bar that goes off every weekend. Their shard hostel rooms still give you a sense of privacy as you get a curtain in your bunk, although getting to the (very high) top bunk whilst also trying to carry my laptop, water and book up the ladder wasn't the easiest. The rooms come with lockers and you also get complimentary basic breakfast in the morning. Rooms were priced at £5 per night.

Upper View Regalia Hotel (best views)


At £25 a night it's slightly more pricey for Asia, but still pretty cheap in comparison to other places. I was going to spend a night here to get one of those iconic photos in their rooftop pool with the KL skyline but alas, it was going to be too much effort to change accommodation for 1 night and well, I didn't have anyone travelling with me to take photos for me. 

Where to eat in Kuala Lumpur 



One of my favourite things about travelling in Asia is the amount of good food I can get for less than £10. The first thing I googled when I got to my hotel room is what dishes I needed to try, and where to try them. I had wandered to the KLCC Mall and stopped by the food court for lunch. I went to the Malaysian stall and didn't know what anything on the menu was, so I googled Nasi Lemak and though that was a safe option. It's a dish cooked in coconut milk and it usually comes with a bunch of extras like fried anchovies, a boiled egg etc. There was something on the plate that was a bit spicy, so the cucumber was useful! 

Jalan Alor Night Market 


This night market was a 15 minute walk from the Reggae Mansion hostel so I actually ended up here twice. Here you can find stalls serving snacks and treats that range between £2 - £5 or a range of Chinese, Malaysian and Indian restaurants where plates are around £10. I saw a very aesthetically pleasing wheel of dumplings when I was walking through the market, and the lady working there said she'd pick a selection of 10 for me for £4. Half the time I didn't know what I was biting into but it was a range of chicken, pork and fish.

jalon alor night market

Dining in the Dark KL


If you're looking for a unique experience then definitely make time for this! Like the name suggests you're immersed in a dining experience in complete darkness. I went with some people I met at my hostel and it's interesting to see how people communicate when you can't see each other, and eating without seeing what's in front of you also heightens your senses. 

Tapak Urban Street Dining 


Another food market that has a more international focus and various food trucks. Just make sure you come here with an appetite because I was lying like a potato in bed for hours after I left because I was so full. I bought the mac & cheese burger from 8th Street Cafe and wow, for £2.50! I also saw stalls selling Mexican food, churros and some Malaysian dishes. 

Arch Cafe 


I was actually looking for a different restaurant that turned out to be closed, and I spotted a lot of people in this one next door so stopped here for lunch. It seemed to be popular with the locals and I decided to have another plate of nasi lemak. I also spotted a durian tart at the counter and decided to try that too, although I must say that wasn't really for me and you've probably heard about the potent taste and smell of the fruit.

arch cafe kl



What to do in Kuala Lumpur 



It's relatively to get around KL with their metro system, but because I was only there for a weekend I hopped from place to place using Gojek (Asia's version of Uber) as it was cheap and would get me there quicker, and less chance of me getting lost. 

Batu Caves


Probably the most popular thing to in KL. I'd seen many colourful pictures of what the Batu Caves looked like from the outside, but I was intrigued to see what it would look like inside. The caves are a 30 minute drive from the city centre, and a grab there cost me around £6.

 I wanted to get there by 9am to avoid the crowds but travelling alone also means it can be harder to get out of bed when you're running on your own schedule. I got there around 11am and it was packed. Make sure you don't skip breakfast as to get to the temple you'll have to climb up 272 colourful steps, and in hot humid weather. 

TIP: You'll have to have your legs and shoulders covered to enter the temple, there are sarongs to rent at the entrance for £1. 


batu caves

Petronas Towers


If you're into checking out impressive buildings then you'll love this one. The towers stand at 1,483 feet and they're pretty easy to spot, so you won't have to rely much on google maps when making your way there. Luckily when I was trying to figure out how to get a picture with them, a woman asked if I wanted my picture taken, as she understood the struggle! I recommend visiting at night too as it looks beautiful when it's lit up. 


KLCC Mall 


If you're not looking to shop on your trip, you might just want to pop in for the air con or a bite to eat. You'll find this mall at the foot of the Petronas Towers and it features a range of luxury and high street international brands,  a cinema, an art gallery and a concert hall. 

KL Forest Eco Park


This is also in walking distance from the towers so you can get a lot done in a day! It's free to do and you'll get some great photos as you walk along the suspension bridges between the trees, with the contrast of skyscrapers in the background. 

Bukit Bintang 


This is Kuala Lumpur's fashion and entertainment district and it's pretty easy to spend an afternoon here, especially if you're travelling with friends as there are quite a few popular bars and restaurants along Changkat so it's a great place to start your night. Some of the recommended ones are Havana, The Rabbit Hole and Pisco Bar

Some other places of interest to check out are Berjaya Times Square, where you will find Asia's largest indoor theme park. Central Market where you'll find a range of boutiques, handmade crafts and souvenir stalls. Sri Mahamariamman Temple and the Chan See Shu Yuen Temple can also be found here. 

Helipad Lounge Bar 


If you're after some great views of the city at night, whilst enjoying a few cocktails then head to Heli Lounge Bar. It costs £10 to get to the top of the 38 floor building, which also includes a drink with the ticket. Drinks there also cost £10 so will be slightly pricier than in other bars, but in the end you are paying for the view and the experience. 


helipad kuala lumpur



G






© TEA WITH GI. Design by FCD.