Two Days in Kuala Lumpur: Exploring the Vibrant Heart of Malaysia

Two Days in Kuala Lumpur Exploring the Vibrant Heart of Malaysia

Last updated on July 29th, 2024 at 08:13 pm

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Do you have two days in Kuala Lumpur and are looking for the perfect itinerary? Look no further. This two-day Kuala Lumpur itinerary has everything you need to plan the perfect trip to this impressive city!

This summer Luke and I got the opportunity to spend a week in Kuala Lumpur. We visited Kuala Lumpur during our around-the-world trip as digital nomads when we took a break from spending two months in Bali and renewed our visas. 

Where is Kuala Lumpur?

Kuala Lumpur, or KL as people call it, is the capital of Malaysia, located in Southeast Asia. Kuala Lumpur is an impressive city, with plenty of modern influences and remnants from the past. The food is great and the culture is very interesting. If you want to get to know Kuala Lumpur in two days, this is the guide for you. 

How much time to spend in Kuala Lumpur?

Two days in Kuala Lumpur is enough to get an idea of the capital city. We had about a week but much of that time was spent working remotely or lounging by the pool. You can spend more time here if you are able, but two days in Kuala Lumpur is enough to get a general idea of the city. I wouldn’t recommend much less than two days because the city center is about 45 minutes from the airport and it can take longer to reach with traffic. 

 

Why should you visit Kuala Lumpur? 

Kuala Lumpur is an impressive city where new, modern areas can be found next to historic neighborhoods. The skyline is beautiful and easily recognizable with the Petronas Twin Towers and the KL Tower standing tall. The modern areas have popped up right next to historic centers like Kampung Baru, an old Muslim neighborhood, and it is interesting to see the contrast. 

In Kuala Lumpur, different cultures and religions have lived as neighbors for a long time. There are Muslim and Hindu influences throughout the city. The Chinese, Indian, and Malay cultures have inhabited Kuala Lumpur in peace and created a unique blend that is interesting to experience. This can be seen in the many types of amazing food that you can get in this city. From street food to upscale restaurants and bars, there is no shortage of incredible food to try with influences from these cultures. 

Kuala Lumpur is a great addition to any Southeast Asia itinerary and is a good option for making visa runs from Bali. 

Exploring Jalan Alor is a must for two days in Kuala Lumpur
Exploring Jalan Alor during the day.

Where to stay in Kuala Lumpur? 

One of the reasons that KL initially appeared on my radar is because of the epic infinity rooftop pool views that you might have seen on social media. Some day, I thought, I am going to get some cool photos of me in a rooftop pool with the city skyline stretching endlessly in front of me. Dreams do come true! I would recommend staying at a hotel with a rooftop pool while you are in Kuala Lumpur so you can experience this for yourself. This is one of the iconic things to do in Kuala Lumpur and most of the high-rise hotels have rooftop pools. The dollar is strong in Malaysia, so this experience is more affordable than it might be in other places. 

Rooftop pool in Kuala Lumpur
I finally got my rooftop pool picture in Kuala Lumpur!

Bukit Bintang

One of the best areas to stay in Kuala Lumpur is Bukit Bintang. It is near restaurants, bars, malls, and nightlife. Jalan Alor, one of the most popular places to get street food in Kuala Lumpur, is in Bukit Bintang as well as many more upscale restaurants and bars featuring varied cuisine. This is where we chose to base ourselves and it was very central to everything. 

We enjoyed our stay at Ceylonz Suite Five Senses in Bukit Bintang. The location was great as we were only a few minutes walk from excellent street food, which is a priority for us. We were also close to an expat area with a wide variety of restaurants and bars available. The room had a small kitchenette with a water filtration system, great for not having to rely on bottled water, and a microwave. It also had a workspace and an excellent view.

Ceylonz Suite Five Senses Kuala Lumpur
Our room at Ceylonz Suite Five Senses.

The rooftop infinity pool at Ceylonz Suite has a beautiful view of the KL Tower and Kuala Lumpur skyline. I spent many hours soaking up the sun by the pool while working or reading. Boudoir is a restaurant and bar next to the pool, where you can get a drink in the evening. The only complaint was that there were only five lounge chairs near the pool, so you weren’t always guaranteed a chair. Ceylonz Suite also has a fitness center spanning two floors with cardio equipment, a weight room, and an open studio with floor-to-ceiling windows. Perfect for a morning yoga session with unbeatable views. Overall it was a great stay at an affordable price.

View from our room at Ceylonz Suite Five Senses at night
The view from our room at night.

Kuala Lumpur City Center

Another great area of town to stay is the Kuala Lumpur City Center (KLCC). This is the place to be if you want to be right near the iconic Petronas Twin Towers. KLCC Park is also in this area and can provide a nice reprieve from the city congestion. There are plenty of restaurants, bars, and stores for shopping in this area too. KLCC tends to be a little more expensive, but you’ll be very close to many attractions, perfect for spending two days in Kuala Lumpur.

One of the highlights of staying in KLCC is staying in a hotel with an excellent view of the Petronas Towers. Ascott Star KLCC provides apartment-style rooms with a kitchenette and washing machine. The property has two pools, one rooftop infinity pool with an incredible view of the Petronas Towers, and one garden pool for children. There is also a fitness center, two restaurants, and a bar.

Two Days in Kuala Lumpur: A Kuala Lumpur Itinerary

Day 1: Kuala Lumpur Highlights

Spend the first day in Kuala Lumpur doing the biggest bucket list items, like the Batu Caves and seeing the Petronas Towers. If you only have one day in Kuala Lumpur, these are the things you should do first.

Breakfast at Dough by Meg

Grab a bite to eat at Dough by Meg, a donut shop that also serves a variety of toasts, eggs, and espresso drinks. The filled donuts, or bombolonis, are available in many creative flavors like sesame cream cheese, Earl Grey, and Thai tea. The sesame cream cheese was fun to try because it was savory, but our favorite was the Thai tea. The donuts are made from scratch and they have a light, fluffy consistency that pairs well with the creamy fillings. 

Donuts at Dough by Meg in KL.
Dough by Meg has beautiful donuts.

Visit Batu Caves

The Batu Caves are a must-do while you are in Kuala Lumpur. You might be familiar with the mountain of rainbow steps next to a giant golden statue of Murugan, the Hindu god of War, but this complex is much more impressive in person. This is one of the most popular Hindu sites outside of India and is comprised of a series of caves and cave temples in limestone hills accessed by the colorful staircase. The word ‘batu’ is the Malay word for rock. 

The limestone in the caves is approximately 400 million years old. This has been a religious site since 1890, but it has changed much throughout the years. In 1920, wooden stairs were added to access the cave temple. They were painted in 2018.

Luke and I at Batu Caves
Luke and I visiting Batu Caves.
Tips for Visiting the Batu Caves

I recommend visiting the Batu Caves early to avoid the crowds and heat. 

It is easy to take a Grab from the city to the Batu Caves. It is only about 15 minutes driving. Alternatively, you can visit the Batu caves with a tour guide to learn more about this fascinating cultural site. 

This is a religious site so once you reach the area with the stairs or any of the external temples, your shoulders and legs must be covered if you are a woman. Men are generally accepted in shorts, but their shoulders must be covered too. They are strict about this and several people at the front will prevent you from going up if you are not dressed appropriately. I brought a sarong to cover up my legs and a t-shirt to pull on over my dress and that was acceptable. I thought since my dress hits just below my knees it would be sufficient, but they wanted my calves covered as well. To enter the temples you must remove your shoes, but there are signs instructing that is necessary. 

The stairs up to the Batu Caves are steep and could be slippery when wet. There is no elevator. There are also quite a few monkeys living in this area and they will try to take food from you if you have any. They also may try to take your belongings. The monkeys are cute but they can be aggressive and some of them are rather large. 

It can get hot in the caves, especially after climbing all the stairs, so make sure you bring water. If you forget, there are limited refreshments available at the top. 

The site is free to visit but you may leave a donation if you so choose. 

Monkeys at Batu Caves
Can you spot the monkeys?
The Hindu Temples and Caves at Batu Caves

Once you ascend the steps to the Batu Caves, you can see pretty good views of the city in the distance. You also will be right next to the giant golden statue of Murugan. 

At the top of the stairs, you will find the Temple Cave, which contains several Hindu shrines and buildings carved into the cave. It is really impressive. There is another set of stairs that leads to the Sri Valli Deivanai temple, which is dedicated to Murugan’s wife. 

The Dark Cave, a cave that was used primarily for guided adventure activities, has been closed indefinitely for the last couple of years. It is about halfway down the colorful staircase.

To the left of the stairs at the base of the mountain, there are two more Hindu temples, Art Gallery Temple and Museum Temple, that you can visit as long as you remove your shoes. These temples are decorated with beautiful Hindu sculptures and paintings. 

A few minutes walking to the left of the main entrance to the Batu Caves is Ramayana Cave, which has a large statue of the Hindu god Hanuman standing outside. It is RM5 to enter the Ramayana Cave, but inside you will be met with many colorful statues and shrines that are worth seeing.

Inside Batu Caves

Lunch at Suria KLCC Mall 

I recommend grabbing a small lunch if you are doing the food tour that I suggest in this itinerary (and you don’t want to miss it!). Suria KLCC Mall is a great place to grab lunch as there are plenty of international and Malaysian options and it is very close to the next item on this itinerary. From restaurants, cafes, and fast food, there will be plenty of lunch options available to you. 

Observation Deck of Petronas Towers 

Next, head to the observation deck of the Petronas Towers to get a breathtaking view of the city. You can purchase tickets here. I recommend purchasing tickets in advance. An adult entry is RM 98 (about $21 USD) for foreigners. The Petronas Towers Skybridge and Observation Deck is open from 9 AM – 9 PM Tuesday through Sunday. It is closed on Mondays. You must arrive 15 minutes before your time slot. 

KLCC Park

KLCC Park offers great views of the Petronas Towers from the ground. The towers look so striking and modern next to the greenery of the park so it makes for unique photos. There are plenty of fountains and nice places to sit in the shade and enjoy the park too. They also have free public bathrooms here. 

Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur
The Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur.

Sambal Streets Kuala Lumpur Food Tour

I highly recommend the Sambal Streets Food Tour while visiting Kuala Lumpur. We had so much fun on this food tour. We got to try street food that we probably wouldn’t be brave enough to try on our own. The tour is put together by a Chef and a local of KL. You will try at least 14 different dishes of Malay cuisine. I think we tried 15 dishes and we were so full by the end of it. We got to make roti, try tons of delicious dishes unique to Malaysia, and meet people from all over the world. This was easily our favorite part of our trip and is one of the best activities for foodies in Kuala Lumpur. We enjoyed it so much that we ended up doing two more food tours by the same company, A Chef’s Tour, in Bangkok. 

This tour starts in Chow Kit, goes through Kampung Baru, and ends near the Petronas Towers. Our tour guide also weaved in plenty of history and cultural information about Kuala Lumpur, which made it even more interesting. The tour starts at either 5 or 5:30 PM and is four hours long. Make sure you leave plenty of time to get to the meeting point because traffic can be unpredictable in KL. 

Chow Kit Market in Kuala Lumpur
The food tour will take you around Chow Kit to try Malaysian street food.

Day 2: Exploring the Cultural Heritage

Breakfast at Lokl Coffee

Start your second day in Kuala Lumpur with breakfast at LOKL Coffee. This is a really cute coffee shop with excellent breakfast dishes and coffee located within the historic center of KL. For breakfast, we tried the truffle croque madam and the Thai omelet, which is a rice bowl topped with an omelet and minced chicken. Both were awesome. You can tell they use high-quality beans for the espresso drinks they craft as well. 

LOKL Coffee in Kuala Lumpur

Sultan Abdul Samad Jamek Mosque

Next, visit the Sultan Abdul Samad Jamek Mosque. This historic mosque is located where the Gombak and Klang rivers meet. It is one of the oldest mosques in Kuala Lumpur, built in 1909. From the Klang River Bridge, you can see the mosque sandwiched between these two rivers. If you wish to go inside the mosque, you must dress appropriately with your legs and shoulders covered. It is open every day from 5:30 – 9:30 PM except Friday. It is free to visit. 

Read more: 30 Restaurants You Need to Try in Canggu

Sultan Abdul Samad Mosque

Stroll around Merdeka Square

The next stop is Merdeka Square. Merdeka means independence in Malay. This square is where the Union flag of the United Kingdom was lowered and the Malaysian flag was raised for the first time on August 31, 1957, when Malaysia was released from British colonial rule.

Exploring Merdeka Square in Kuala Lumpur
Exploring Merdeka Square

The square is in front of the impressive Sultan Abdul Samad building and contains a 95-meter-tall flag pole, one of the tallest flag poles in the world. 

There is also an I Heart KL sign in the square, which makes for a great photo opportunity. 

I heart KL Sign

Central Market

After you visit Merdeka Square, head to the Central Market. This is a huge market that primarily sells goods. It is a great place to pick up a souvenir as many of the vendors offer handmaid products. The Central Market was established in 1888 as a “wet” market, meaning it primarily sold fresh foods such as meat. fish, and produce. It is considered a Heritage Site by the Malaysian Heritage Society. 

Central Market in KL

Sri Mahamariamman Temple

Sri Mahamariamman Temple is a Hindu temple that is incredibly colorful and intricate. It was founded in 1873, making it the oldest functioning Hindu temple in Kuala Lumpur, by K. Thamboosamy Pillai who also founded the Batu Caves. When we were visiting in June of 2023 they were working on renovations, sadly, but based on reviews the temple is open again. You can visit between 6 AM and 8 PM most days, although it varies so be sure to confirm opening hours. It is free to visit. 

Sri Mahamariamman Temple

Lunch in Chinatown

Head over to Chinatown for lunch. We recommend Da Bao, where you can get hamburger-sized bao buns. One is plenty big enough for one person, but of course, we didn’t know this when we ordered so we tried the fish tempura, pork, and spicy fried chicken bao buns. The spicy fried chicken was the clear winner but the pork was good as well. They serve cocktails from Kapitan Haus, the bar upstairs, and they are very good. Note that Kapitan Haus doesn’t open until 4 PM, however, so you might not be able to get cocktails before that time (bars in Kuala Lumpur tend to open in the evening). 

Da Bao in Kuala Lumpur Chinatown
The pork bao bun at Da Bao in Chinatown.

Islamic Arts Museum or the Malaysian National Museum

Spend a few hours exploring the history and culture of Malaysia at one of the great museums in Kuala Lumpur. The Islamic Museum of Art is an interesting museum to visit. They have two floors covering the Islamic world with an emphasis on Chinese, Indian, and Malay, which are the main cultures that have influenced Malaysia. The first floor has many small-scale models of mosques from all over the world, including the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem, the oldest mosque, and a mosque in New Mexico, USA. This museum also houses many copies of the Koran throughout the ages, which are beautifully ornate. At the Islamic Museum of Art, you can also see other Islamic writings and art through the 19th century, Islamic tiles, and artifacts from China, India, and Malaysia. The museum is open Monday through Sunday from 9:30 AM to 6 PM. The entry fee for an adult is RM20 (about $4.28 USD).

Model of a mosque at the Islamic Arts Museum

The National Museum of Malaysia is another good choice to learn more about the history of Malaysia. The National Museum displays Malaysian culture and artifacts from prehistoric times to the present. The museum covers the formation of the Malay Kingdoms and the era of colonization of Malaysia by the Portuguese, Dutch, British, and Japanese. The National Museum is open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM. It costs RM5 (about $1 USD) for a non-Malaysian adult. 

National Mosque of Malaysia

The National Mosque of Malaysia is not very far from the Islamic Museum of Arts, so if you are interested in visiting another mosque and you are dressed appropriately, you should stop in for a visit. The National Mosque is very modern compared to the Sultan Abdul Samad Mosque but it is still beautiful. It is open weekdays only from 9 AM – 1 PM and then from 2 – 5 PM and is free to enter. 

National Mosque of Malaysia
The National Mosque of Malaysia.

Explore Bukit Bintang

If you have time, head over to Bukit Bintang. This is a great place to shop for souvenirs and designer brands. A couple of places to check out include Berjaya Times Square, Sungei Wang Plaza, and Lot 10. There is no shortage of shopping malls to explore in Bukit Bintang.  

Dinner at Jalan Alor

Jalan Alor is a paradise for foodies and a great place to experience more of Kuala Lumpur’s street food scene. It has a reputation of being a bit touristy, but Luke and I enjoyed it and returned multiple times. Jalan Alor doesn’t have a huge barrier to entry for anyone because many of the menus have pictures that make it easy to order and plenty of seating on the street.

We enjoyed Restaurant Meng Kee Grill Fish on Jalan Alor, where we devoured some dry chili chicken diced, fried rice, and garlic siew pak choy (bok choy). We also ordered two huge Tigers, a Malaysian beer that is pretty good. The meal cost us 104 RM (about $22).

Dried chili chicken, fried rice, and pak choy
Dried chili chicken, fried rice, and pak choy on Jalan Alor.

There are other decadent treats to try on Jalan Alor like coconut ice cream that comes in a coconut shell or the coconut dessert called putu piring with rice, coconut, and palm sugar. You can also get savory street foods like gyoza. 

There is nothing like sitting in a bustling night market in the middle of the street while enjoying a delicious and affordable plate of food, a beer that is warming instantly in the heat, and the sweet serenade of musicians playing “Country Roads”. It is a must-have experience in Kuala Lumpur. 

Coconut ice cream on Jalan Alor
Enjoying coconut ice cream on Jalan Alor.

Drinks at a Rooftop Bar

If you have time, I suggest spending some time enjoying the panoramic views of Kuala Lumpur at one of the many rooftop bars and restaurants. Of course, the drinks at a rooftop bar are always more expensive than you can find on the ground and KL is no exception. Save yourself some money by just going for drinks after you enjoy the wonderfully cheap street food. If you are staying at a hotel that has a rooftop pool or bar (which I highly recommend) you can just check out the view there. Otherwise, I recommend checking out Blue at EQ or Alva KL to enjoy the view of the sparkling Petronas Towers on the KL skyline. This is the perfect way to conclude your two days in Kuala Lumpur. Reservations are recommended. 

Read more: How We Moved Abroad to Travel Full-time as Digital Nomads

Tips for Visiting Kuala Lumpur

Best Time to Visit Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur is near the equator so the climate is almost always hot and humid with a chance of rain. This makes Kuala Lumpur okay to visit any time of year. December to February and May to August are drier months but since this is peak time to visit things may be more expensive and crowded. November is the rainiest month. The high temperature in Kuala Lumpur is usually around 90 ̊ F (32 ̊ C) and the low is usually around 75 ̊ F (23 ̊ C). We visited in June and the weather was hot and humid with a little bit of rain. 

How to get from the Kuala Lumpur International Airport to the KL city center? 

Two rail options can be used to get to the KLCC from the airport. KLIA Ekspres is the fastest option and takes about 28 minutes. Trains leave every 20 minutes between 5 AM and midnight. This is the option I recommend. The other option via KLIA Transit takes about 40 minutes. Trains run every 30 minutes starting at 5:30 AM until midnight. Both train options are about $11 (RM55) one-way for adults and go to KL Sentral Station. From there you will have to transfer to your hotel. KLIA Ekspres can be purchased online or through the app. Tickets can also be purchased on the first floor of the airport or at the KL Sentral Station. 

Another option is to use a ride-sharing app, like Grab, to get to and from the airport. It takes about an hour to get from the airport to KL, but it could be more with traffic. A Grab from the airport is about $13-16 USD. There also may be tolls that you will have to pay if you take a car, so keep that in mind when considering the price.  

Walking in Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur has decent infrastructure compared to other Asian cities that we’ve visited and most of the sidewalks are in good condition. The city is sprawling though, so walking is often not the most convenient way to get around. Motorists sometimes ignore the walk signal, so make sure you still look before you cross the street. In Malaysian motorists drive on the left side of the road. 

Public Transportation in Kuala Lumpur

Single Journey Transportation

Kuala Lumpur has trains and buses that can be used to navigate the city. Single journey tickets can be purchased at RapidKL LRT, Monorail, MRT, and BRT (bus rapid transit) stations at the Token Vending Machines. The cost depends on how many stations, or zones for the bus, you are traveling, but it is very affordable. You must provide the exact fare by selecting the line and the final destination when purchasing a single journey ticket. A single journey ticket is subject to a slightly higher cash fare rate. To enter the station, touch the token at the entry gate and then insert the token into the exit gate when leaving the station. The token system is being phased out so there may be only one turnstile that accepts tokens. 

Travel Cards for Public Transportation

If you plan to use public transit more during your trip to Kuala Lumpur, it may make more sense to purchase one of the travel cards. MyRapid TouchandGo is a reloadable card that can be purchased for RM5.00. You must put at least RM10.00 on the card. The ticket rate will be the lower cashless fare rate. This card can be purchased at any LRT, MRT, or Monorail stations or from select gas stations throughout Kuala Lumpur with Touch and Go Hubs. 

Another option is the KL TravelPass which includes two-day unlimited travel on LRT, MRT, and Monorail lines and either a one-way or round-trip ride to the airport on the KLIA trains. Money can also be loaded onto this card for the rapidKL bus service. The KL TravelPass can be purchased at KLIA Platform Level 1, KLIA and KLIA2 International Baggage Reclaim Hall, Gateway KLIA2 Level 2, or Departure Hall Level 1 KL Sentral station. 

There is also a MyCity Pass that allows for one or three days of unlimited rail travel without the airport option, but this is only available to Malaysians. This can be purchased at any RapidKL railway station. 

Ride-sharing Services in Kuala Lumpur

The Grab app can be used for ride-sharing in Kuala Lumpur and is generally not too expensive. We found that there weren’t always a ton of drivers so in high demand times you can end up waiting a long time for a driver. If you need to get somewhere at a specific time this could be problematic, so I recommend leaving an additional 30 or 45 minutes ahead of time. Additionally, traffic in Kuala Lumpur can be unpredictable so taking the train is sometimes the best option. However, we used Grab to get around Kuala Lumpur and didn’t have too much difficulty with it for the most part. 

Luke enjoying the rooftop pool in Kuala Lumpur
Luke enjoying the rooftop pool.

Packing Essentials for Two Days in Kuala Lumpur

There are a few things that you don’t want to forget when packing for Kuala Lumpur. The most important considerations are the climate, which is hot, humid, and occasionally rainy, and the religious aspects of Kuala Lumpur. If you are interested in visiting temples or mosques, you should pack pants, long skirts/dresses, or consider bringing a sarong to put over shorts. You can get sarongs many places that you travel to, but if you don’t have one this ombre sarong cover-up (paid link) is cute. For mosques, women must also cover their arms. 

Due to the hot climate in Kuala Lumpur, I recommend bringing a packable sun hat, sunglasses, and a reusable water bottle that clips (or maybe this one with a life straw filter). A rain poncho is better than a rain jacket in a hot and humid climate. Everyone used them in Southeast Asia. It is always good to bring a travel umbrella too. Of course, don’t forget your swimsuit so you can enjoy the rooftop pools (paid links). Go for something bright pink or red so you pop against the blue-grey skyline for the rooftop pool pictures!

I also never travel without my portable charger, so I always have power for pictures and emergencies. Don’t forget your outlet converter because Malaysia uses plug type G. I like this universal travel adapter so you never have to worry about having the wrong type of adapter (paid links). 

Internet Connectivity in Malaysia

Make sure you always have an internet connection while you are in Malaysia with an eSim from Airalo. Having internet access makes it so much easier to figure out transportation and update your social media on the go. An eSim card from Airalo can be activated easily upon arrival so you are instantly connected. They also offer regional eSims that work in multiple countries.

Safety tips and precautions

Kuala Lumpur is considered a safe place for tourists. Like any big city, it is always necessary to be aware of your surroundings, travel in groups at night, and avoid getting extremely drunk. Pick-pocketing, theft, and scams are the most common crimes in Kuala Lumpur but you can avoid these by locking your doors and windows and being aware of your stuff. 

We felt very safe in Kuala Lumpur. I even went out exploring a few times by myself and felt safe as a woman traveling alone in Kuala Lumpur. It is a conservative country, so you may get strange looks if you are showing skin. I felt a little uncomfortable when wearing shorts or dresses, but no one said anything. 

Malaysia is anti-LGBTQ+ and homosexuality and gender expression of trans people is illegal. Hopefully, this will change in the future. 

A skyscraper towering over Chinatown
A skyscraper towering over Chinatown.

Is Kuala Lumpur Expensive? 

Kuala Lumpur can be a fairly budget-friendly destination. We paid $51.94 per night to stay at Ceylonz Suites, a nice hotel with a rooftop pool. Food in Kuala Lumpur can be cheap, especially if you focus on local or street food. On one meal at Restaurant Meng Kee Grill Fish, we spent RM104 (about $22.10 USD). Another meal at the same restaurant was MR98 or about $20.82 USD.

Of course, being a big city, you can spend much more in Kuala Lumpur. At Pinchos Tapas Bar, a Spanish restaurant in Bukit Bintang, we spent $63.29 USD for dinner, which included a pitcher of sangria and five tapas plates. Many upscale restaurants and bars have higher prices. If you eat or drink at rooftop restaurants, these tend to be very expensive. Visiting the temples and mosques in Kuala Lumpur is typically free. Some activities, like the observation deck at the Petronas Towers, will be more expensive. 

What to wear as a female in Kuala Lumpur? 

Malaysia is a Muslim country, therefore many local women will dress fairly conservatively. However, I frequently wore shorts and dresses in Malaysia. I didn’t have a bad experience doing so and saw some other people dressed similarly. I felt a little uncomfortable at times but I think that was more in my head than anything else. 

It is very hot and humid in Malaysia, so many women wear loose, linen pants or longer dresses. 

To visit a Hindu temple, women must cover their shoulders and knees. Men must cover their shoulders but typically will be able to visit a Hindu temple in shorts. Luke and I always carried sarongs with us so we could easily cover our legs. To visit a mosque, women must wear pants or a full-length skirt or dress with long sleeves. Men must also wear pants to visit a mosque. 

What language is spoken in Malaysia? 

Malay is the official language in Malaysia. The second official language is English. Many people in Kuala Lumpur speak English. 

What currency is used in Kuala Lumpur? 

In Malaysia, the Malaysian Ringgit is the currency. Currently, RM4.71 is equivalent to about $1 USD. 

Are credit cards accepted in Kuala Lumpur?

Credit and debit cards are accepted in most places in Kuala Lumpur, but it is not accepted everywhere, particularly street food vendors. It is a good idea to carry some Malaysian Ringgit just in case. 

Reflection on two days in Kuala Lumpur

We enjoyed exploring Kuala Lumpur, from the street food markets in historic areas to the impressive skyline, Kuala Lumpur is not a city that should be missed. It has a little something for everyone. Have you ever visited Kuala Lumpur? Is there anything that you would add to this two-day Kuala Lumpur itinerary? I would love to hear from you in the comments. 

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Two Days in Kuala Lumpur: Exploring the Vibrant Heart of Malaysia

4 thoughts on “Two Days in Kuala Lumpur: Exploring the Vibrant Heart of Malaysia

  1. JAMES (JIM) LESLIE FULENWIDER says:

    Shelby,

    Thank you for an overview of Kuala Lumpur Shelby. The memories you are downloading are priceless. The pictures do a great job of capturing the scene. Say hi to Luke. Take care and stay safe.

    Jimmy

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