{"id":212,"date":"2014-07-27T17:20:20","date_gmt":"2014-07-27T09:20:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/gautamkhattak.wordpress.com\/?page_id=212"},"modified":"2015-08-07T12:06:02","modified_gmt":"2015-08-07T04:06:02","slug":"asia-malaysia-kl","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.gautamkhattak.com\/wordpress\/asia-general-synopsis\/asia-malaysia-kl\/","title":{"rendered":"Malaysia – Kuala Lumpur"},"content":{"rendered":"

Kuala Lumpur<\/strong>, Malaysia<\/strong> by Gautam Khattak<\/p>\n

Last updated:<\/strong> July 30, 2015<\/p>\n

Disclaimer:<\/strong> These are notes I\u2019ve written or gathered from various sources. I have not experienced all things in this document nor is it intended to be a definitive guide.<\/p>\n

General Tips<\/strong><\/p>\n

Kuala Lumpur – http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Kuala_Lumpur<\/a><\/p>\n

So KL was fun but to be honest there isn’t much to see\/do there other than shop. I hit up most places on the map I had but it was more\u00a0seeing the architecture rather than going to do something. It is very cheap to be a tourist there\u00a0(if you aren’t shopping or drinking) because most everything is free to get into or costs 38 MYR (~$10). I took the train a lot but I also took the bus a few times and it was always between 2 – 8 MYR (8 for a 2 hour trip)<\/p>\n

It was definitely the most unbearably humid place I’ve ever been to. So pack for 3 sets of clothing for every day you are there! I’m sure there are better months to go but WOW it was hazy & humid..<\/p>\n

Currency:<\/strong> Malaysian Ringgits (MYR)<\/p>\n

Conversion Tool:<\/strong> http:\/\/www.google.com\/search?hl=en&q=100+USD+to+MYR&aq=f&oq=&aqi=<\/p>\n

(Update for current rates)<\/p>\n

100 USD = 353.15 MYR<\/p>\n

1 USD = 3.53 MYR<\/p>\n

100 MYR = 28.32 USD<\/p>\n

1 MYR = .2832 USD<\/p>\n

Tipping is not expected but if you want to leave a tip, 10% is generally a good rule of thumb. Tips are preferred in cash to the waiter\/waitress because most receipts won\u2019t even have a tipping line.<\/p>\n

Transportation<\/strong><\/p>\n

Unlike most other Asian cities, driving is the main mode of commuting in Kuala Lumpur. Hence, every part of the city is well connected by highways.<\/p>\n

There is a great subway system there and the buses to go out side the city are very cheap<\/p>\n

Tourist Destinations<\/strong><\/p>\n

Aquaria KLCC<\/strong> (http:\/\/www.klaquaria.com\/<\/a>) – 38 RMB entrance fee, You can watch Sharks get fed on some days and I heard you can go diving with the sharks if you have a valid diving license<\/p>\n

Menara Tower (KL Tower)<\/strong> (http:\/\/www.malaysiasite.nl\/kltowereng.htm<\/a>) – The KL Tower is a 381ft (421m) high telecommunications and broadcasting tower which actually appears to be taller than the Petronas Towers, because it is built on a hill. Amidst the city of Kuala Lumpur stands the Menara Kuala Lumpur at 670ft (515m) above sea level. \u00a0This tower has an observation deck (38RMB), where you get a 360\u00ba view of the city. There are two times you can go, daytime \u2013 until 6:30pm and 6:30m \u2013 9:30pm for a night view of the city. The view from KL Tower is better than Petronas because you can actually see the Pertronas Towers with the city skyline.<\/p>\n

The Batu Caves (<\/strong>http:\/\/www.malaysiasite.nl\/batucaveseng.htm<\/a>) <\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 30 minutes outside the city and only 2 RMB to go there by Bus. Bus (#11) leaves every 30 minutes from the station near Central Market<\/p>\n

Kuala<\/strong> Selangor Nature Park<\/strong> (<\/strong>http:\/\/hydec.com\/ksnp\/<\/a>) – 1\u00bd hours from KL buy Bus (7.60RMB) to get there, 4 RMB to get into the park. Its relaxing and all but we didn\u2019t see anything really. 2 monkey\u2019s in the trees and some extremely tiny crabs.<\/p>\n

Lonely Planet Top Picks – http:\/\/www.lonelyplanet.com\/malaysia\/kuala-lumpur<\/a><\/p>\n

70 Sites of Kuala Lumpur – http:\/\/www.lonelyplanet.com\/malaysia\/kuala-lumpur\/sights<\/a><\/p>\n

Colonial district and Chinatown<\/strong> – Discovering the historic colonial district and vibrant Chinatown on a walking tour<\/p>\n

Petronas Towers<\/a> and Kampung Baru<\/strong> – Shooting up the jaw-dropping Petronas Towers<\/a>, then taking them in from the perspective of charming Kampung Baru<\/p>\n

The highest visitors can go is the 41st-floor Skybridge, which connects the two towers at a modest 170m above street level. To get hold of one of the 1700 free tickets issued daily<\/strong>, you’ll need to join the line at the ticket counter in the basement by at least 07:30<\/strong> ; tickets (only one per person) are usually gone by 8:30 each morning. Weekdays tend to be less hectic than weekends and public holidays.<\/p>\n

http:\/\/www.petronastwintowers.com.my\/<\/a><\/p>\n

Address:<\/strong> cnr Jln Ampang & Jln P Ramlee, KLCC<\/p>\n

Lake<\/strong> Gardens and Bird Park<\/strong> – Exploring the relaxing Lake Gardens, and visiting its showpiece Bird Park<\/p>\n

Islamic Arts Museum<\/a><\/strong> – Admiring the beauty of Islamic art at the Islamic Arts Museum<\/a><\/p>\n

Dataran Merdeka (the Independence Square),<\/p>\n

The House of Parliament,<\/p>\n

The Istana Budaya,<\/p>\n

The Istana Negara (National Palace)<\/p>\n

The Muzium Negara (National Museum)<\/p>\n

The Putra World Trade Centre<\/p>\n

The Tugu Negara (National Monument) and<\/p>\n

mosques such as the Masjid Jamek, the Masjid Negara (National Mosque) and the Federal Territory Mosque.<\/p>\n

Other tourist attractions include the<\/p>\n

The Makam Pahlawan (National Mausoleum),<\/p>\n

The National Science Centre,<\/p>\n

The Royal Selangor Pewter Visitor Centre,<\/p>\n

The Zoo Negara (National Zoo), and events such as Malay cultural centres,<\/p>\n

The Chinese cultural festivals at the Thean Hou Temple and the Thaipusam procession at the SriMahamariamman Temple.<\/p>\n

The Golden Triangle<\/p>\n

Dining & Nightlife<\/strong><\/p>\n

The commercial hub of the city, contains the Petronas Twin Towers and has a distinctive nightlife.<\/p>\n

Helipad @ Heli Lounge<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0–\u00a0You guessed it, you basically get to drink and listen to live music on a helipad. It’s very cool and you get a great 360 degree view of the city. I believe there’s a cover but it’s worth it.<\/p>\n

Here are some places to check out (check if they’re still around!)<\/p>\n