Joanna James
While Malaysia’s most cutting-edge cosmopolis is a scintillating potpourri of tourist-savvy diversions, its scattering of hidden gems is even more enticing. There are some of KL’s best-kept secrets you can’t miss!
From the Colonial-era elegance and traditional Indian vibrance of Brickfields and repurposed vintage artisan emporiums like Zhongshan Building to irresistibly authentic street-food and handicrafts hubs like Petaling Street and Jalan Alor, avant-garde KL has no shortage of atmospheric heritage enclaves. However, if you want to explore a true-blue heritage microcosm right at the heart of this skyscraper forest, venture into postcard-perfect Kampong Baru, with its quaint traditional shops and wooden houses on stilts wreathed in frangipani and bougainvillea; with banana and coconut trees forming an idyllic backdrop for sipping teh tarik or a dragon fruit smoothie and chatting with the friendly locals. You can also stock up on beautiful souvenirs from the colours artisan stalls that spring up weekly.
While dazzling KL is studded with an exhilarating assortment of shoppable enclaves, from heart-stopping designer havens like Bukit Bintang to the atmospheric open-air Plaza Mont Kiara with its homemade retro-chic finds, the sky-blue 1980s vintage mecca that is Central Market has a uniquely infectious charm that will effortlessly reel you in! Here you can purchase beautiful gold-threaded Songket fabrics, beguiling batik designs, and innovative handcrafted pieces, often with a nod to culture, that are enticingly limited edition, while also feasting on authentic dishes like sesame chicken rice and assam laksa.
If books are the only things you want to fill your suitcase with, KL has just the place to fulfil the niche tastes of die-hard bookworms! BooksXcess is filled with daringly discounted paperbacks and hardcovers from floor to ceiling, whether you’re into classics, contemporary, fiction, or non-fiction, and it's also got a great coffee shop for much-needed caffeinated and sugary indulgence. If you’re looking for sophisticated serviced apartments in KL offering prime access to its most-coveted urban fantasies, venture no further than Somerset Kuala Lumpur.
KL and its surroundings are amply endowed with stunning nature escapes, from the serene yet adrenaline-inducing Canopy Walk at the iconic KL Forest Eco Park and the picturesque woodsy playground at Saga Hill to the lyrical gardens, quaint farmer’s markets, and sweeping mountain vistas of Cameron Highlands. However, if you’re looking for a verdant oasis close to the city’s pulsating heart, combining avant-garde glamour with rustic poetry, Perdana Botanic Gardens is the place to be, and its multi-dimensional storybook bamboo lake house is an unmissable highlight.
Step into old-world Morocco within the blossoming confines of Putrajaya Botanical Gardens, a short drive away from KL. This exquisitely designed pavilion is a genuine ode to the art and architecture of the intriguing North African nation, and its intricate wood engravings, arabesque motifs, geometric patterns, and vibrant mosaics combined with the lushly blooming greenery will delightfully grace your Instagram feed.
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.
