City Guide – 24 Hours In Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur, a city where everything is crazy in the most structured way you can imagine. It’s hard to put a finger on what this city really is simply because it’s such a big mixture of everything. The city is similar to much of their food style – inspired from all countries in Asia thrown into one pot.

Kuala Lumpur has really focused on two big pleasures of life – Shopping and Food.

You could probably spend a whole week in KL never stepping your foot outside the malls (it often feels like as soon as you step out of the tram you step into another mall).

But if you only have 24 hours and want to get a good overlook of the city, then this is how I suggest you to spend it:

08.30 am – The Twin Towers

Start the morning by visiting the Petronas Twin Towers, the second largest building in the world. It’s a beautiful building even on the outside, as is the shopping mall inside, Suria KLCC. If you want you can even take a walk on the sky bridge which is the highest bridge between any towers in the world.

TravelKnowIt: You can get free tickets if you get there first thing in the morning, the counter opens at 8am so be there then or at least 8.30 – on your ticket it says what time you should be able to come back and allowed to walk on the tower, but you won’t be allowed to go up right after getting the ticket – there are normally massive crowds there on a daily basis!

10 am – Shopoholic Time

The shopping mall in the twin towers was just a preview for what is coming up. Kuala Lumpur has 66 shopping malls to spend your cash. Some of them are really beautiful inside and there are often happenings going on in the malls, all from fat-loss beauty competitions to the new exclusive watch shows.

There is not a chance you will be able to visit all the shopping malls, but take a visit to Lot 10 (beautiful architecture inside), Sungei Wang Plaza, Bukit Bintang Plaza, Star Hill Gallery, KL Plaza, Pavilion and Berjaya times Square (HUGE). Shopping in the Golden triangle is easy as the shopping malls are so close to each other, you can walk out of a mall and into another in a matter of seconds.

1 pm – Grab a bite to eat at Jalan Alor

After some shopping you might want to sit down and rest your feet while having a nice lunch. Food is the most important thing for Malaysians, and thanks to the variety of cultures here, you will find the food choices are many. Jalan Alor, a street in the middle of the Golden Triangle has countless of food stalls and restaurants where you can choose whatever you like to eat.

3.30 pm - Independence Square

Visit the Independence square (Dataran Merdeka) where Malaysia’s independence was declared in 1957.

Right in front of the impressive Sultan Abdul Samad building, and other historical buildings such as the old railway station and the St. Mary Cathedral which is over a hundred years old. It’s quite nice with the fountain and the flag poles lined up along the square.

5 pm – Authentic Feel in Kampung Baru

Have an authentic Malay dinner in Kampung Baru. This area has a very authentic Malay feel to it, and since the area is trying to stand against the modern developments in the city they have preserved the traditional Malay style, and among traditional houses and clothing there is also a lot of typical Malay food to find here. Here you will get a good insight in the traditional Malay culture.

7 pm - Bargain in China Town

Walk through China Town and bargain some fake copies or try the street food. Do some shopping along the night market in Jalan Petaling.

Here the shopping is completely different from what you experienced in the fancy shopping mall earlier this morning.

What’s amazing isn’t the stuff they sell, but the contradiction and the sudden changes in the city, which you can also find while walking through Indian Town.

9 pm - Party hard in Bukit Bintang

Unless your feet are tired from the busy day, you can go and enjoy the busy night life in Jalan Bukit Bintang, a street full of pubs, clubs, open air cafes, street performances etc. Everything you need for a good night out!

Enjoy your time in KL!