{"id":18245,"date":"2014-11-10T10:05:05","date_gmt":"2014-11-10T00:05:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/theguamguide.com\/?p=18245"},"modified":"2025-09-12T09:45:49","modified_gmt":"2025-09-11T23:45:49","slug":"a-malaysian-homecoming-10-things-to-do-in-kuala-lumpur-malaysia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/archives.theguamguide.com\/ja\/a-malaysian-homecoming-10-things-to-do-in-kuala-lumpur-malaysia\/","title":{"rendered":"A Malaysian Homecoming: 10 Things to Do in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

By Arlo Hansen<\/em><\/p>\n

Most of you will probably understand when I say that there are certain things in the world that give you a sense of nostalgia.\u00a0It might be\u00a0a place you lived while growing up, a certain dish that reminds you of simpler times, even a group of friends that, even if\u00a0you lose touch over the years, you can always go back to where things left off the moment you see them. For me, that perfectly sums up Kuala Lumpur.<\/p>\n

I first moved to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in the summer of 2004. I was 13 years old at the time and not even through middle school. My family and I moved there straight from our previous home in Copenhagen, Denmark. Obviously the change in climate and culture was dramatic, but like everywhere else I’ve been, I was able to gradually adapt to my new home. It really helped that I was able to make quick friends at the international school. The four years I\u00a0lived in Kuala Lumpur certainly affected my outlook on the world and shaped me into the person I am today. While four years does not seem like a long time to most people, to me it felt like a lifetime. That is why when it came time to move, I was pretty heartbroken about it. Despite that, I vowed to return someday and reclaim a bit of those old feelings I had from when I lived there. Fortunately I got my wish this past summer!<\/p>\n

While visiting my family who are currently living in Vientiane, Laos<\/a> we had some old friends from Malaysia stay with us for a weekend. It was the first time I’ve seen them in five or so\u00a0years. Almost non-stop for the entire time they were there, my friends and I caught up, making up for lost time. I decided to\u00a0take a weeklong excursion to Kuala Lumpur to spend more time with them, see the city, and reunite with other old friends. It was the opportunity I have been wanting for so long!<\/p>\n

Kuala Lumpur (hereon, affectionately referred to as KL) is a city that caters to a wide range of people whether you’re used to the big city life or the more humble, down-to-earth family- and friend-oriented lifestyle. It is a definite melting pot of different cultures. such as Indian and Chinese, and has a gentle blend of the past and future.<\/p>\n

Aside from sharing my own personal experiences back in Kuala Lumpur, I also want to share some ideal places to visit if you ever pay the city a visit.<\/p>\n

Shopping<\/h1>\n

One thing that is obvious when walking around the streets of KL is that there are many shopping malls. Shopping is big in the city. During my trip back, I was able to visit a variety of\u00a0shopping centers, whether it was to walk around, dine or to buy\u00a0gifts and tchotchkes. Each one offers something different. With traffic being rather heavy in Kuala Lumpur, my friends and I did most of our exploring by walking through the underground tunnels, overhead passageways, and shopping centers checkered across the city.<\/p>\n

KLCC<\/h3>\n

\"Suria<\/a><\/p>\n

Perhaps the central place for shopping and hanging out in the city is indeed the Kuala Lumpur City Center\u00a0(KLCC<\/a>). It’s located in the heart of the city at the base of the famous Petronas Twin Towers, the tallest twin buildings in the world. Much of the mall is underground. Since I moved away six years ago, KLCC has been expanded and partially renovated. However, it is still largely recognizable and I was able to navigate through it as if I had never left. Many\u00a0shops focus on fashion, electronics, and beauty. There are\u00a0a supermarket called Cold Storage in the bottommost level, numerous restaurants,\u00a0food stalls, food court, and a movie theater. KLCC is easy to get to no matter where you are in the city. You can take either the subway or a taxi. If you’re up for it, a brisk walk through the city to get there from your hotel is definitely an adventure in itself.<\/p>\n

Pavilion<\/h3>\n

\"Pavilion<\/a><\/p>\n

Pavilion<\/a> was still pretty new by the time I moved away from Kuala Lumpur in the early summer of 2008, however, it is one of the more upscale\u00a0shopping centers in the city. It is a mix of indoor and outdoor malls, with a much more modern atmosphere. Even when there are\u00a0a lot of people, it is easy to navigate. Pavilion has more apparel shops than\u00a0KLCC. The mall also has bars where people can hang out and share a brew or a shisha pipe (also known as hookahs<\/em>) with a group of friends. There is a massive food court in the basement level that offers a wide range of dishes spanning all around the globe. In the uppermost level is Tokyo Town where people can buy items imported straight from Japan. I certainly enjoyed that part of the mall!<\/p>\n

Berjaya Times Square<\/h3>\n

By far, Berjaya Times Square<\/a>\u00a0is my absolute favorite place to hang out. It was a 30-minute\u00a0walk away from where I was staying \u2013 perhaps much shorter if you take the monorail or taxi. For me, Berjaya Times Square is the ultimate shopping hub in the city. It offers almost everything you could possibly want\u00a0—\u00a0clothes, food, electronics, souvenirs, movies, games, toys, and more.<\/p>\n

\"Berjaya<\/a><\/p>\n

Like Pavilion with Tokyo Town, there is a Tiny Taipei in Berjaya Times Square.<\/p>\n

\"Times<\/a><\/p>\n

There is also an amusement park with rides, including\u00a0a decent sized roller coaster.<\/p>\n

\"EscapeRoom<\/a><\/p>\n

There are a few internet cafes throughout the mall for those who love playing computer games in groups, and a situation simulator called ESCAPE ROOM <\/a>where you and a group of friends must solve a series of puzzles or obstacles to free yourself from a room, or free your friends from a wide range of predicaments whether it be a bank heist, kidnapping, or a night at the museum. It’s a great team-building exercise! Be prepared to think on your feet since it is a timed activity. And yes, there is a Wall of Fame for those who successfully complete it, and a Wall of Shame for those who fail to complete. Unfortunately, my\u00a0friends and I ended up on the latter.<\/p>\n

\"Tamashii<\/a><\/p>\n

Berjaya Times Square is a favorite because\u00a0they cater those who Japanese pop culture buffs, from film to anime. Stores throughout Times Square specialize in selling action figures and model kits of beloved\u00a0characters, giant robots and monsters, manga and DVDs, and much more. If\u00a0you’re an\u00a0\u201cotaku,\u201d pay Times Square a visit.<\/p>\n

China Town<\/h3>\n

\"Chinatown<\/a><\/p>\n

To get to China Town quickly from Kuala Lumpur, you have to\u00a0take the subway. From the station, it’s\u00a0a five-minute walk. China Town is a pedestrian\u00a0streets lined with shops. It’s sensory overload.\u00a0\u00a0Because prices fluctuate, I recommend haggling for the right price.\u00a0Don’t be afraid to get tough with the even tougher store owners!<\/p>\n

Central Market<\/h3>\n

\"Central<\/a><\/p>\n

Directly across from the entrance to China Town is Central Market. Pick up\u00a0local wares, traditional clothing, local food and coffee. It’s slightly easier to haggle at Central Market\u00a0than it is in China Town.<\/p>\n

\"Central<\/h1>\n

SIGHTSEEING<\/h1>\n

As much as shopping is an unescapable activity in downtown Kuala Lumpur, don’t neglect to experience the natural\u00a0beauty of Malaysia beyond the city limits of KL.<\/p>\n

Batu Caves<\/h3>\n

\"Batu<\/a><\/p>\n

Batu Caves is an impressive system of caves that are home to Hindu temples, located no more than eight miles outside Kuala Lumpur. Climbing the steps to reach the caves is a workout, but the payoff is totally worth it.<\/p>\n

\"Batu<\/a><\/p>\n

While\u00a0visitors are\u00a0climbing the 200-plus steps to get to the caves, klepto\u00a0macaques are alert to exploit opportunities to steal your stuff. Keep everything sealed away. These monkeys, though cute and adorable to look at, will grab anything loose!<\/p>\n

I City<\/h3>\n

\"I<\/a><\/p>\n

I City is definitely one of the more distant attractions around KL. It takes about an hour to get there from the city depending on traffic. I City is best experienced after dark where its light shows attract lots of\u00a0locals and tourists. There is also an amusement park filled with rides, activities, and games. Check out\u00a0Snowalk, an indoor arctic environment where you\u00a0can enjoy winter without leaving Malaysia.<\/p>\n

\"I<\/p>\n

Petronas Twin Towers<\/h3>\n

\"KLCC<\/a><\/p>\n

The Petronas Twin Towers are what define the Kuala Lumpur skyline to the rest of the world. They were the world’s tallest buildings until Taipei 101 was completed. However, they remain the world’s tallest twin<\/em> towers. While a trip to the top is possible, it’s\u00a0expensive\u00a0so\u00a0most tourists and locals opt for\u00a0the skybridge that connects the two towers, 170 meters (558 ft) above the ground.<\/p>\n

Putrajaya<\/h3>\n

\"Putra<\/a><\/p>\n

There was once a time when Malaysia’s capital was to be moved\u00a0from Kuala Lumpur to the up-and-coming city of Putrajaya. However, while the nation’s political capital has officially moved there, the economic capital remains Kuala Lumpur. What does this mean for Putrajaya? Other than the government offices, much of the city remains essentially empty. Driving through the seemingly empty streets of Putrajaya is a surreal experience. A whole city without people, imagine that! It was\u00a0a stark\u00a0contrast to the bustling streets of KL. However, Putrajaya still thrives on tourism in certain parts of the city such as Putra Mosque located right next to the Prime Minister’s Office and Putrajaya Lake.<\/p>\n

Other than the four\u00a0sites that I have mentioned, there still much to experience around Kuala Lumpur that I did not\u00a0have time for on this\u00a0trip:\u00a0Sunway Lagoon<\/a>, Kuala Lumpur Tower<\/a>, National Museum<\/a>, Merdeka Square<\/a>, and the Kuala Lumpur Bird Park<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Food<\/h1>\n

Food is a huge aspect in Malaysia’s highly diverse culture, and even moreso\u00a0within Kuala Lumpur. With people hailing from\u00a0Indian, Chinese, and Middle Eastern backgrounds, it comes as\u00a0no surprise that a lot of their dishes made their way into the homes and stomachs of all kinds of people. It’s truly food that brings people and entirely different cultures together in Malaysia.<\/p>\n

Naan and Curry<\/h3>\n

\"Cheese<\/a><\/p>\n

It doesn’t matter how its made or what curry its served with, Naan is a staple in Indian as well as Malaysian cuisine. You can go just about anywhere in the city and there will be a stall or hole-in-the-wall eatery that serves it day or night. Naan can come in different flavors such as butter, garlic, or cheese. All of them are best eaten fresh and with a good vegetable curry on the side to dip it in.<\/p>\n

Char Koay Teow<\/h3>\n

\"Char<\/a><\/p>\n

Char Koay Teow<\/a> (also spelled Char Kway Teow) is a dish that is certain to start a fire in the tummy, depending on how hot you like it. It is a popular dish amongst Malaysians, and there are multiple variations on the recipe throughout South East Asia. At its core, however, it consists of flat rice noodles, chilli, whole prawns, bean sprouts, egg, belachan and soy sauce. I’m certain that this dish can be found right in downtown Kuala Lumpur, however I was taken a little ways outside the city to a place\u00a0called Mali’s Corner<\/a> where I was introduced to it. Despite its messy appearance, it is undeniably delicious and a treat to anyone who is willing to try the local food.<\/p>\n

Fat Boy’s Burger Bar<\/h3>\n

\"Fat<\/a><\/p>\n

Some people who have never been to Malaysia are often surprised when I tell them that there are fast food joints like McDonald’s and Burger King. While it’s a nice convenience to have, for a true burger fix in Kuala Lumpur one should look no further than\u00a0Fat Boy’s Burger Bar<\/a>. This is a place that is relatively new. They have a massive range of different types of burgers, subs, hotdogs, and more. You can even construct your own burger. Their pride and joy is the largest burger on their menu, the Fat Basterd Burger, and it is a beast to wrangle with. While eating local food in Malaysia is part of the experience, it is by no means a bad idea to sometimes take a step back and enjoy something a little closer to what you’re used to.<\/p>\n

Even after being away for so many years, returning to KL felt somewhat right. It felt like home, as it always had, even though it was not where I was born and raised.\u00a0The familiar sites, sounds, tastes, smells, and people made it home. When I took my first bite of freshly made naan with vegetable curry during\u00a0the first night I was back, all those nostalgic feelings from years ago came rushing back. For those who wish the visit Kuala Lumpur, it is an experience not to be missed. It’s a place that everyone can enjoy. You can bet I’ll be back there soon.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

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