I spent only one day in Kuala Lumpur, actually only 8 hours, before catching my evening flight back to Bangkok. It was Sunday. I woke up at 7:30 am before checking out of the hotel located near KL Sentral Station. KL Sentral Station has a locker service on the second floor where small luggage can be stored for just 10 MYR per day (2.25 USD). I deposited my luggage there before starting my adventure day in the capital of Malaysia.
The first place I decided to visit was Batu Caves, located in the suburb of Kuala Lumpur. Fortunately, it is easy to reach there as there is a direct train from KL Sentral (KTM Komuter). Tickets can be purchased at the counter in the station, and for a round-trip, it costs only 12 MYR (approximately 2.80 USD). However, the train schedule is not very frequent, so it is better to check the schedule beforehand on the website (https://www.ktmb.com.my/traintime.html)
The ticket counter of KTM Komuter
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At KL Sentral, there is a huge shopping mall and many restaurants where you can have breakfast. My go-to breakfast was Nasi Lemak, a local dish made with coconut rice, paste, and boiled egg, paired with iced coffee and toast. After my meal, I caught the train from KL Sentral at 10:24 AM. The journey to the terminal station, Batu Cave, took only 30 minutes.
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Batu Cave
Batu Caves is a Hindu limestone cave temple that was built in 1920 to dedicate to Lord Murugan, the Hindu god of war. “Batu” means “rock” in Malay language. It is one of the most famous and popular Hindu shrines outside of India. At Batu Caves, visitors can see a magnificent 43-meter-high statue of the Hindu deity Lord Murugan in front of the entrance. Next to the statue, visitors can climb 272 steps to reach the cave entrance and explore the inside of the cave. Inside the cave, which is located 100 meters above sea level, there is a temple and shrine, as well as religious rituals practiced by hundreds of Hindus. Batu Caves is open daily from 7 am to 9 pm, and admission is free.
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🐒🐒🐒 Hello !…..My Friend 🐒🐒🐒
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Central market – Kuala Lumpur
The Central Market is located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, with the nearest metro station being Pasar Seni, which is only one stop away from KL Sentral. The market was built since in 1888 as wet market and then it was modernized in 1937 as the Art Deco style and has become a landmark for Malaysian culture and heritage.
At this market, you can find a variety of art and craft shops, as well as souvenir shops. It is a great place to buy something for your friends and loved ones as a reminder of your visit to Malaysia.
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Petaling Street and Chinatown
Petaling Street and Chinatown are located just a 5-minute walk away from Central Market, making them one of the most popular tourist destinations in Kuala Lumpur. Visitors can experience the traditional atmosphere of Chinese culture in this area, which is filled with numerous vendors selling souvenirs, bags, shoes, and more, especially along Petaling Street. This makes it one of the most famous walking streets in Malaysia. Moreover, there are dozens of Chinese food stalls and restaurants in the area where visitors can try a variety of delicious Chinese dishes.
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Kwai Chai Hong
Located not far from Petaling Street, there is a small alley called “Lorong Panggung”. This alley features Chinese-style painted street art, known as Kwai Chai Hong. As I strolled through this alley, I couldn’t help but feel the nostalgia of the golden age of Chinese culture during my childhood. I noticed many tourists with cameras, capturing themselves with the chic art on the walls.
In addition to the street art, Kwai Chai Hong offers coffee shops, dessert stalls, and traditional Chinese restaurants along the alley. If you are looking to experience the authentic feeling of traditional culture, Kwai Chai Hong is the perfect destination for you.
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KLCC park and Petronas twin tower
After immersing myself in Chinese culture in Kuala Lumpur, I visited another must-see destination – the Petronas Twin Towers. To get there from Petaling Street, I took the metro to KLCC station. These skyscrapers are the iconic landmark of Malaysia and were the tallest structures in the country from 1998 to 2021 (when they were surpassed by the Merdeka Tower). The area surrounding the Petronas Towers has a modern look, as it is the financial district of the country. Additionally, the KLCC Park is a beautiful green area located next to the towers.
One of the most popular activities in this area is capturing photos with the sky-high towers in the background. There are also great shopping options, including Avenue K and Suria KLCC shopping malls. So, if you are looking for a great shopping experience, this is the place to be.
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It was 4 PM when I finished exploring Kuala Lumpur for the day. I realized it was time to bid farewell to this vibrant capital city, so I headed to KL Sentral to retrieve my baggage deposit and catch the train to KLIA-2 airport for my 9 PM flight back to Bangkok.
Overall, even with just 8 hours to explore Kuala Lumpur, I was able to visit all the “must-see” places. Before my trip, I had always thought of Malaysia as an Islamic country where I would only find Malay and Muslim people. However, my visit opened up a new world of cultural diversity that I had not expected to find. The smooth blending of these diverse cultures is what makes Malaysia unique and colorful.
I discovered that Malaysia has so much to offer that you can’t experience just by reading about it. It’s a country that still has many hidden gems that are waiting to be discovered by travelers. Visiting Malaysia will make you feel wonderful and give you a sense of sensational touch that you’ll never forget. So, if you’re looking for an adventure that will take your breath away, Malaysia should definitely be on your travel bucket list.
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Written By : Shipy Siwarit Tiasuwattiseth
Shipy-Ship 