TOP Things to Do in Kuala Lumpur

Things to Do in Kuala Lumpur in 3 Days

Did you know that Kuala Lumpur is known as KL, and its residents are known as KLites? In this article, I’ll share some off-the-beaten-track activities in KL to make your stay unforgettable.

 KL is a big city that has a lot to offer. While most people will point you to the Petronas Towers or bird watching in the park, there are many more interesting things to do. Kuala Lumpur is a dazzling capital with plenty of sightseeing and things to do. 

How to Get to Kuala Lumpur Malaysia

The Kuala Lumpur airport is about an hour away from the city, but getting there by bus, taxi, or train is easy and affordable. 

Option 1: Bus 

Take the STAR SHUTTLE BUS to Puduraya bus Station (which should only cost 12 RM from KLIA1 & KLIA2). You can find the schedule here. You will be dropped off at the Pudu Sentral Bus Stop. From there you can take public transit to virtually anywhere in the city. There is a metro station close by as well.

Option 2: Taxi

Take a taxi from the prepaid taxi stand (maximum 100RM). It should take about 1 hour.

Option 3: Train

Take the KLIA Express fast train to KL Sentral (about 55RM). It should take about 30 minutes. The first and last train leaving KLIA is 5:00 AM and 1:00 AM and leaving KLIA2 is 4:55 AM and 12:55 AM.

Bonus Tip: Be sure of what terminal your flight departs from because KLIA1 and KLIA2 are about 15 minutes driving from one another.

Free Things to Do in Kuala Lumpur

1. Explore KL Eco Park

KL Forest Eco Park is a really cool ‘city forest.’ I love how diametrically opposed those two words are, and as strange as it may seem it works to create a natural ambiance away from the city.

There’s a canopy skywalk that is multi-leveled as you go higher in the park. There were only a few other tourists and at one point I even saw monkeys on one of the trails! As of November 2019, it was free but these days it might cost 40 MR or $10 for a ticket.

It takes about an hour to talk through the park, and there’s also a lot of downhills and steep uphills. I most of all loved the strange feeling of “coming back” to the city after walking through this magical little forest.

2. Grab a bite at KLOW City Boardwalk

KLOW city boardwalk is a neat little area where there’s a lot of modern shops selling coffee and food. I found it a lot cheaper than the restaurants just outside on Main Street close to the Petronas Towers. It’s a peaceful eatery with little fountains, fans, flags, and ribbons hanging from the ceiling.

I went to a restaurant called Central Kitchen @ KLOW which had a mix of western and Malaysian options. This is a great place if you want to try street food but also want to feel comfortable. There is also a place with local food, Serai Kayu, which looked really good and the people were so friendly. They have all kinds of food in this area – even churros!

3. Shop at Central Market

I stumbled across this market while venturing out around my hostel, Step Inn Guesthouse. It’s near Chinatown and I didn’t know where to go so I just followed the other tourists and came upon it. Everything was around 30 MR or $10, so it’s perfect for finding a new sari or t-shirt. 

Some shops sell art and other little trinkets besides clothes. There are also different ‘streets’ within the market like little India for example. It’s indoor, so it provides a welcome break from the heat. There are also outdoor markets nearby if you feel like haggling.

4. Eat Street Food at Jalan Alor

Malaysia has the best food, end of the story! I mean it’s so so good, it’s what I dream of when I think of street food in Southeast Asia. You can find all types of cuisine: Chinese, Indian, Malaysian, Vietnamese, Thai, you name it.

Some of my favorites are the meat on skewers and the mango sticky rice. It’s also fun to watch tourists trying durian for the first time, a terrible smelling fruit that’s even banned from some places and can get you fined if you bring it inside! Visit Jalan Alor if you want to feast on a variety of Asian cuisine for just a few ringgit.

Harassment Warning for Solo Female Travelers 

Unfortunately, catcalling and street harassment is a common occurrence in KL. When I arrived, the bus driver from the airport to the city started talking to me, and after a few minutes, he was outright staring at my chest. Feeling uncomfortable, I picked up my backpack from the floor and put it on my lap so that he wouldn’t be able to stare anymore.

It wasn’t a one-off thing. The whole trip I received a lot of stares from mostly South Asian (Indian). A lot of them were cat-calling me and saying strange things like “what a beautiful lady” in a loud whisper. 

Final Thoughts

 If you’re a female solo traveler I’d suggest exploring in the daytime and wearing loose, baggy clothing that doesn’t show your shape. And if you’re a man, be friendly to other female solo travelers you meet. Try to avoid staying in the Pudu Raya area (near Jalan Alor) and stay more towards the nicer, main shopping area, Bukit Bintang.

I hope you found this article helpful and enjoy if you go. I always look forward to hearing what you think so please leave a comment and share this post!