Joanna James
Today, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia has evolved to become one of the world's most popular holiday destinations, with a lot to offer in terms of culture, history, food, and shopping. Planning a trip to KL? Then here is a list of the five best excursions you cannot afford to miss when visiting.
Kuala Lumpur's heritage trail consists of visiting magnificent pre-war temples and historical streets that are still standing today. This excursion is great for experiencing KL's multiracial community as well. The tour will include stops at the beautiful Sri Maha Mariamman Temple dedicated to Goddess Parvati and the Chan See Shu Yuen Association – an ancestral Chinese temple. After which you can make your way to the bustling Chinatown Market to shop and indulge in authentic Chinese cuisine.
Leave the hustle and bustle of the city, and opt to take a half-day adventure to the spiritual Batu Caves, located to the north of the city. Over 400 million years old, the Batu Caves feature over 272 steps carved out of giant limestone cliffs, which you have to climb to reach the Hindu Temple located at the top. After taking in the caves, you can make your way to the Batik Center to take a look at the traditional Malaysian cloth dying technique.
No trip to Kuala Lumpur is complete without taking an immersive tour of Chinatown. Located in the very heart of KL, the hub has been iconized by local markets such as the Petaling Street, medicine shops, Bintang Walk, and numerous restaurants to check out. End your stroll through Chinatown, with a meal at a Chinese or Malaysian restaurant accompanied by dance performances and live music. Chinatown can easily be reached from many a hotel in Bukit Bintang Kuala Lumpur including properties such as The Kuala Lumpur Journal Hotel.
If you're a city person and love immersing yourself in the rich cosmopolitan aura of KL, consider zipping around iconic landmarks including the National Mosque, Independence Square, and the famed Petronas Twin Towers. Other points of interest include the Central Market, the National Museum, and the Istana Negara, the royal residence of the Malaysian King.
Kuala Lumpur has more to offer than shimmering city lights. To take a refreshing break from the incessant bustle of a city that never sleeps, plan a visit to the Forest Research Institute Malaysia, located just a mere 40 minutes from the city. Here you can breathe in the fresh air, go trekking in the lush forest which is home to over 354 species of flora and fauna. The tour will also include a stop at the historic Orang Asli Museum, where you can take in displays of weapons, clothing, and musical instruments belonging to the indigenous people of Malaysia, and learn about their rich culture and heritage. Here you will also be able to take in the silicified Mersawa trees, which were once buried in a Javanese volcanic eruption a million years ago. Today, you can take in the wood tissue which has slowly seeped through volcanic ash.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
