A must-do list is what I make before I travel to a new place. Often done mentally, this serves as a reminder of things to do to achieve that fun-packed vacation experience. Aside from the usual iconic sights to see, interesting people to meet, exciting activities to do, exotic food to eat, 45,785 selfies to take and 15 hassles to avoid (hopefully), add 241 keychains to buy and my list is complete.
I was in Malaysia recently to participate (more like indulge) in Tourism Malaysia’s Mega Familiarization Program. It was a four-day trip that highlighted Malaysia’s vibrant and bustling capital city, Kuala Lumpur. Being my first time in the country, I was looking forward to completing my list as I went on from one place to another. For someone like me who doesn’t have any idea of things to do in the city, allow me to give you an idea.
First, wander the streets of the city. Word of advice before starting on your adventure: Make sure you’re wearing your comfiest shoes and clothes because Kuala Lampur, just like Manila, can be really hot.
With its three major races—Malays, Chinese and Indians—Malaysia’s unique blend of multilingual locals and varied cultures and traditions is an attraction in itself. Just walk around and you’ll be amazed at how diverse the population is. Talk to them in English, and you wouldn’t have a problem; maybe you’ll even be surprised when they answer in Filipino, because, apparently, the city is full of them. I myself cannot identify a Malay from a Filipino. A newfound friend, Fafa, even swore that I could easily pass as a local.
There are so many places to see in Kuala Lampur. Lucky for me, I was able to visit some of its most famous landmarks.
On top of the list is the tall and proud Petronas Twin Towers. One can’t miss this engineering wonder, as it stands 451.9 meters above ground. The Skybridge on the 41st floor that connects the two buildings is an excellent viewing platform of the city’s skyline. It holds the record as the tallest twin towers in the world. It’s so big that it took me close to 20 tries to finally capture the whole of it into a selfie.
Next stop was the Kuala Lumpur City Gallery, which offers a background of the country’s rich history. Located inside a 115-year-old former government printing office, the gallery is owned and developed by Arch, a Malaysian company that makes and sells 3D wooden pictures and models of famous landmarks for gifts and collectibles. These intricately designed products are handcrafted, which makes every piece unique.
For tourists who have little time and want a faster view of the whole city, try the KL Hop-On Hop-Off bus tour. A colorful bus with English commentary onboard, the tour will let you see more than 40 attractions in the city.
Another must-visit that is just short drive from Kuala Lampur is the Putrajaya. This federal administrative capital is nicknamed as the country’s “Intelligent Capital City.” It is a combination of nature and eye-catching architectures, like the Putra Mosque, a striking landmark characterized by its pink domes; and the Seri Perdana, the official residence of the country’s prime minister. I tried the Cruise Tasik Putrajaya (Putrajaya Lake Cruise), a tour around the man-made lake, which is considered as the best way to see the whole of Putrajaya.
If you are feeling hungry and tired from all the walking and picture-taking, and decide to look for something to eat, you’ll learn soon enough that Malaysian food reflects its multiethnic population—and there’s too many to choose from. Highly recommended are the Asam Laksa, a Chinese-Malay spicy rice noodle dish with fish gravy, shredded pineapple and cucumber with prawn paste; Teh Tarik, a milk-tea beverage which can be served hot or cold; Rojak, a popular fruit dish with a combination of sweet-and-sour sauce; and Cendol, a refreshing sweet treat made of shaved ice, green rice jelly and beans.
If you are on a budget, you can try eating in a mamak, an Indian, Muslim-managed restaurant that gives an authentic Indian dining experience. Or you could opt for a more expensive dining fare at the Atmosphere 360. This revolving restaurant atop the Kuala Lumpur Tower, the seventh-tallest tower in the world at 335 meters, not only offers deliciously prepared international and local cuisine, but also gives diners a majestic view of Kuala Lumpur and its surrounding regions.
Apart from the daytime attractions, Kuala Lampur’s nightlife is also something to look forward to. Bukit Bintang is crawling with pubs and bars that tourists and local partygoers frequent. If you are into a more intimate ambiance, try the Sky Bar of Trader’s Hotel, a rooftop bar with the twin towers as your backdrop.
Finally, any trip offshore wouldn’t be complete without shopping. And that isn’t a problem in Kuala Lampur, as it is fast-becoming the next top shopping destination in Asia. Kuala Lumpur was ranked No. 4 on CNN’s World’s Best Shopping Cities in 2012 and 2013, next to New York, Tokyo and London; and also the Second Best Shopping Destination in Asia Pacific by Globe Shopper Index. Three of the top 10 largest malls in the world are in Malaysia: 1 Utama Shopping Centre, Mid Valley Megamall and Sunway Pyramid, all in Klang Valley, considered as the place to experience the best shopping in Malaysia.
A popular destination among tourists, Suria KLCC is a shopping complex nestled at the foot of the twin towers. It houses vast options of fancy brands, like Channel, Tiffany Co., Prada and so on. You could either indulge or torture yourself by just window shopping, and I had no choice but to opt for the latter.
One of the unique things about the country’s shopping landscape is that these commercial complexes now cater to not only shopping but other varied interests, as well. An example is Kidzania, a theme park within The Curve complex. It is a product of a unique concept wherein children aged 4 to 12 can “role play” different adult jobs (doctor, dentist, firefighter, photographer, journalist, photographer and so on).
Indeed, one can never run out of things to do in Malaysia as it celebrates this year the Malaysia Year of Festivals (MyFest), with the theme “Endless Celebrations.” Continuing the success of last year’s campaign, Visit Malaysia Year 2014, MyFest showcases a yearlong schedule of more than 200 activities/events featuring the country’s multiracial cultures and traditions.
Perhaps, another must-do list is in order.
Special to the BusinessMirror