Kuala Lumpur - short stay ideas
 

was looking at this site http://www.kualalumpur.gov.my/

If one has 1/2 day in KUL, what should one try to experience/see?

Im of course stating the obvious, but.... a visit to the Petronas Towers seems like an absolute must. I have to say that apart from that, I didnt do much with my last visit to KL since I was too busy having a good time at the Sheraton Imperial (some lovely Suites)... :D ^

I think as always it comes down to what interests you most. The Petronas Towers are worth a view, and going up KL Tower is worthwhile as well to give you an overview of the city. The place that I've enjoyed most close to the city is Batu Caves, about 15km from the city centre, easy enough to take a bus out there or you can try getting a cab out there (but I wish you luck in getting them to use the meter!). Apart from that, the Lake Gardens are nice with an OK museum in them, and there's a bit to see in the way of colonial buildings in the Chinatown-Little India areas, though I wouldn't say they're must sees personally. If you're looking for something different a trip to Kajang, about 45 minutes from KL Sentral, is fun if you like your satay - they have plentiful places that specialise in serving it up there, and it was good enough for me to get through 40 sticks! :eek: . Putrajaya is impressive in a sterile, planned city kind of way, but might be of interest if you're into that kind of thing :). Hopefully that gives you some options anyway, and there's always shopping, eating and nightlife to fill in any gaps as well :D .

For a half a day, I would highly recommend the following:

(1) Definitely visit the Petronas Twin Towers. They are architecturally stunning. At the base of the Towers is a shopping mall called Suria KLCC. There's a great food court and some good restaurants in the mall. Next door is the Mandarin Oriental where there is also good food to be had. You can spend an entire half-day here for sure.

(2a) For the best view in the city, go up the KL Tower / Menara KL. The panoramic view is far better than the limited view you get from ascending to the Petronas Twin Towers' Skybridge.

(2b) For souvenir shopping, go to Central Market. Lots of Malaysian handicrafts for moderate prices.

Enjoy your short layover! :)

When I am in a new place for a short time: I try to get a history of the place, absorb the culture (as much as is possible) and in particular see the architectural highlights.

I would do an architectural tour (move around in taxis to zip around). KL has an abundance of its physical examples of its Colonial past that are thankfully not over-preserved like those in its neighbour to the south (everytime I see the Raffles Hotel I want to roll my eyes).

1) Sultan Abdul Samad building - this where the High Court is located. Great Moorish archiceture.

2) Then look at the big field across (Dataran Merdeka) and the resplendent Royal Selangor Club.

3) Dayabumi Complex. Islamic-influenced monolith that used to house Petronas' offices. Looking at it makes you wonder how they clean the building.

4) The nearby Central Market (as suggested by previous posters)

5) The nearby Old Railway Station. Amazing Moorish architecture again

6) Grab a taxi and head off to the Petronas Towers but I'd skip the shopping mall inside because it's fairly generic.

7) Last, grab a cab and head off to the National Museum so you can understand the history. The musuem is not great and has a small collection (its maybe 2-3 floors and small as musems go) but in this case, it's perfect for someone in a rush: it'll give you a quick summary of the history of Malaysia from the Malacca sultanate, to the 3 colonial periods: Portuguese, Dutch and the English and the Independence, Emergency, The Split with Singapore and modern Malaysia.

trip is this weekend, thanks for the suggestions.

If you decide to go to the Petronas Towers go early in the morning. It is free, but they only issue a set number of tickets each day and they can go quickly. Also check to make sure the towers are open. I don't think they are open to go up every day.

From Savuer Magazine Jan/Feb 2005:

Malaysia is the birthplace of several regional varieties of Laksa, a vibrant SE Asian noodle soup. Our favorite? The spice-rich version from Kuala Lumpur known as curry laksa or curry mee. The city's best is at Restoran Mee Kai Kee, a street stall that slings hundreds of bowls nightly of chef-owner Tony Wai's laksa. With its silken chicken and coconut milk curry, it's pure noodle nirvana.

I am rather "shocked" to read that my favourite "curry mee" stall in Kuala Lumpur which is not even known to most locals, got a mention here.

Eventhough most patrons at this obscure stall go for the chicken rice, I found the "curry mee" to be most "heavenly" since I first discovered it 20 years ago; and have been a loyal patron since then.

And my first meal in KUL after arriving back from LHR last night was...... the "curry mee" with "soya chicken" at "Restoran Mee Kai Kee" :D

that is so cool, thanks for the affirmation ^

I'm intrigued! If you don't mind me asking, where is this restaurant? I'm familiar with the KL/PJ area. Thanks!

Its located along "Jalan Maharajarela" at the row of shops between "Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka" and "Hotel Miramar". Behind this row of shops is the notorious "Choo Cheng Khay" district.

You probably wont notice this "restaurant" during the day when its closed; but when night falls, cars will double park in front and tables overflow along the shopfronts. Its closed on Sunday nights.

Chicken rice is the main fare at "Restoran Mee Kai Kee" but I found the "curry mee" to be more spectacular ^

I know exactly where that is. My dad used to work in one of those buildings (way before the flyover/underpass was built).

Awesome! Thanks for the info ;)

I've got a short trip to KUL in about a month and have always wanted to visit Putrajaya. I've already seen the tourist attractions within KUL (i.e. Petronas, Chinatown, Batu Caves, Masjid Jamek, Dataran Merdeka, Sultan Abdul Samad Building, Jalan Petaling, Muzium Negara, etc.)

Does anyone know if I should take some organized sightseeing tour of Putrajaya from K.L. or can I just take some public transport there and do it on my own? I will only have about 4-5 hours (morning to mid-day) to do this?
The sightseeing tour sounds more convenient, but from my limited research the Putrajaya tour usually includes Taman Botani and I'm just interested in Putrajaya.

I haven't done this in awhile (4 yrs?) but most of the "sights" (i.e. government buildings, Putra mosque, bridges, PM's house) are pretty spread out and far apart. The PM's house is particularly impressive, I thought, and should not be missed. Last time I went you could walk through the insides and everything. The house is in a fairly remote location compared to the "center" of Putrajaya (the PM's office and the Putra mosque - not to be missed either!).

I would probably take the tour if I did not have access to a car. Otherwise, a vehicle would be better - far more flexibility and traffic is almost non-existent in nobody-lives-here Putrajaya ;)