2024-01-09 08:41:57
Kuala Lumpur is not a megacity that visitors need at least a week to get to know at least a little. But it’s also easy to get lost on the streets of Malaysia’s capital, which has around three million inhabitants. To prevent this from happening, here are tips for a short city trip of 48 hours:
On the first day, we recommend driving up to one of the striking skyscrapers on the skyline to get an overview of the city a few degrees north of the equator.
The Petronas Towers are probably the most obvious choice for this – because the twin towers, connected to the highest double-decker bridge in the world, are located in the middle of the city. The only problem: You can’t see them if you stand on the observation deck on the 83rd floor, which can be reached via three elevators.
Source: Infographic WELT
Therefore, the KL Tower is a good alternative to see the busy city center including the Petronas Towers from a bird’s eye view. For both towers, it is advisable to purchase tickets online in advance, as visitors will be assigned a time slot.
Exotic food from India in the Brickfields district
To avoid the heat and the often heavy short rains in the afternoon, you can stay on the site of the twin towers – here is the multi-story, air-conditioned Mall Suria, which offers everything from the world’s luxury brands to shops native to Australia and Japan. offers everything. Also interesting for anyone who doesn’t feel like shopping for clothes: There are several supermarkets and a food court, i.e. an eating area where there is a lot of Asian fast food.
Right next to the Kuala Lumpur Sentral train station, just under five kilometers from the twin towers, you are in the Brickfields district, also known as Little India.
The Brickfields district is also called Little India
Source: dpa-tmn
The district is a real challenge for the Central European senses – because there are numerous stalls with never-before-seen fruits such as rambutan, mangosteen, durian or cempedak, and alleys where flower wreaths made of intensely fragrant jasmine are made with roses, begonias and orchids.
Brickfields is home to many restaurants where locals eat for a few Malaysian ringgit. A central component: the sink, because Indians traditionally eat with their fingers. Spicy dal, tomato chutney, hot curries from metal plates – the cuisine doesn’t get more authentic than this.
Visit the temples in Kuala Lumpur
The second day begins with a trip to the north of the city, to the Batu Caves. The complex can be reached by subway – the gates to this most visited Hindu temple outside of India open at six in the morning. You are rarely alone on the 272 steps up to the caves. Hordes of pigeons and long-tailed macaques are skilled at luring tourists to eat.
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Once a year, the Malaysian Tamil community celebrates the Thaipusam festival here, during which believers climb the steps into the limestone caves as if in a trance. Some with metal rods that they stuck through their tongues or cheeks, and some with hooks in their backs. They offer sacrifices to their god Murugan. His 43 meter high gold-plated statue stands at the entrance to the caves.
Colorful steps lead to the entrance of the Batu Caves
Source: dpa-tmn
We continue to the Thean Hou Temple on Robson Heights. It is dedicated to the Chinese sea goddess Mazu and combines elements of Taoism, Buddhism and Confucianism. The temple was only inaugurated around 30 years ago – and the steep street up it serves as a pilgrimage route for many believers on which they apologize for their sins.
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Right next to the six-story temple built by immigrants from southern China’s Hainan Province are colorful sculptures representing the Chinese zodiac signs.
From Central Market to Chinatown
For lunch there is a large selection of different offerings from all parts of the world at the Central Market. You can pick up more or less authentic souvenirs at the former wholesale market in the city, and there are bubble tea, fruit stands, fresh juices and lots of restaurants in the surrounding streets.
There are also temples to visit nearby – such as the Taoist Guan Yu Temple or the Sri Mahamariamman Temple, whose facade is decorated with carved Hindu deities.
The Thean Hou Temple is dedicated to the Chinese sea goddess Mazu
Source: dpa-tmn
Not far from the Central Market is Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown, which, like Brickfields, boasts bustling vendors and exotic goods. If you find someone who speaks English in one of the Chinese medicine shops, you will learn a lot about the healing powers of herbs and dried animal and seafood parts, which are generally cooked as soups and eaten warm.
Here, too, strolling through the alleys and shops is the best way to get to know the district – and stay for dinner in the evening.
Tips and information for Malaysia:
Holiday destination: Kuala Lumpur, founded in 1857 by Chinese tin workers, is located at the confluence of the Gombak and Klang rivers. The name means “muddy confluence”. The capital of Malaysia has three million inhabitants, and around eight million people live in the metropolitan region.
Getting there: Several airlines fly from Germany with a stopover to Kuala Lumpur International Airport.
Entry: Holidaymakers do not need a visa for tourist stays of up to three months – unless they are traveling to one of the East Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak on Borneo. Since December 1st, it has generally been necessary to register digitally within 72 hours before entry via the so-called Malaysia Digital Arrival Card. Important: The passport must be valid for at least six months.
Travel time: Malaysia is warm and humid all year round. It rains particularly frequently in the months of March and April and from October to December.
Tipp: You can get around the city without any problems using the subway. Alternatively, you can use the “Grab” driving service, which requires you to have the app on your smartphone. It is also widespread in other countries in Asia. Walking can be difficult because sometimes you have to cross a highway or you can’t get anywhere on the sidewalk because it suddenly stops.
Cultural diversity: The numerous Indian and Chinese immigrants have their own neighborhoods with temples for various deities. The predominantly Muslim Malaysians are called to prayer by the muezzin in the mosques five times a day.
Information: malaysia.travel
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