Kuala Lumpur is not a city built for pedestrians. The vast assortment of public transport options are a tourists best bet when planning on sightseeing. However, deciphering the system may push your relationship to limit, particularly if you are travelling as a couple. After spending over an hour trying to find the few sights, which claimed to be 5 minutes away from our hotel, we decided it was not worth the effort of walking. The rail/tram/monorail/bus system may be confusing at first glance but once mastered it’s a clean, cheap and cool way to get around.
There is certainly plenty to see. We started by visiting Merdeka Square which was once the centre of British colonial rule.
We also visited the Kuala Lumpur gallery where a 3d model allows you to see this impressive city from a different perspective. There has been an astonishing amount of construction work to build this modern city and it hasn’t stopped yet, with many more new developments planned.
In the evening we headed to the atmospheric China Town and sampled some local foods, including chicken satay and an unusual street eat which involved piling your plate with sticks of meat and veg and then either have a guy grill them for you, or cook them yourself in a pot of boiling water at your table.
The next day we headed to the commercial centre, known as the Golden Triangle, where the iconic Petronas Towers are located. Instead of spending the day in a museum or shopping centre we decided to visit the Aquarium. We are not usually inclined to visit these potential tourist traps but found it to be a fun way to spend a few hours. It has a 90m underwater tunnel, and you can’t fail to be impressed as the sharks swim past your head.
To get a good view of the towers we decided to head up to the nearby Skybar. The view was excellent but the service was shocking, so after sitting there for 20 minutes we decided not to waste £20 on two beers, and left, happy enough that we had got the photograph without having to pay the ridiculous prices.
Another popular area for street food is Jalan Alor. We were famished after a day of sightseeing and ordered plenty to feast on.
The street is full of people, performers and music, and the air is filled with amazing smells which drift from the bubbling pots and flaming grills. It’s the perfect place for people watching with a cool beer and a plate of noodles.
The next day we took the train to the Batu Caves, the cave complex is guarded by a giant statue of the Hindu deity Murugan.
The steps to the top were not difficult but the attacking monkeys made for an interesting climb.
We left Kuala Lumpur feeling awestruck; this city really does feel like the beating heart of South East Asia.
