Originally Posted by
A380 Flyer
I used to think the same as you. But when you look deeper, KL actually has more relevant and varied tourist attractions than Bangkok - and everyone thinks Bangkok is like the centre of SE Asian tourism!
Kuala Lumpur is a good starting point to explore Malaysia. From here, you can check out the local food and pasar malams at Jalan Alor, luxury shopping at Bukit Bintang, a cultural shopping experience at Central Market, and then for religious buffs you've got the splendid National Mosque. Most of that you can also do in Bangkok (and other cities) but Malaysia does it better than most! Of course, you also have in KL the PETRONAS Towers, which are the icons of the city - and getting observation from the skydeck is not as hard as it once was.
Day trips from KL include the Batu Caves, Sunway Lagoon, and further afield there's Taman Negara, Melaka, and the Cameron Highlands.
I'm afraid still not tempted here. I did greatly enjoy Georgetown but wasn't grpped with the rest of Penang. Cameron highland is enjoyable for a day if you've not experienced the faux Scotland's we loved to stick up hills in the days of empire, rather a long way for a day trip IMHO , I,d overnight. Melaka was a huge disappointment after all the hype, in reality a small colonial core surrounded by massive development including land reclamation such that once waterside colonial búldings are by highways and apartments. Taman negara haven't done yet but I agree the reports are good and that's in my nature box.
I would suggest to anyone flying through KLIA hopping on the
airport train and staying at one of the two hotels at the town terminal for a nights stopover rather than staying at the airport.it would give you a chance to briefly explore 'muddy pool" as I believe KL means in Malay. You can grab a decent meal and realise you've no need to plan a longer trip....