Kuala Lumpur is the capital city in Malaysia, serving as the melting pot of most countries. With various cultures, Kuala Lumpur is also a classic stop to all traveler itineraries across Southeast Asia.
As the biggest city in Malaysia, it is important to learn some tips before you visit it. Apart from packing all the essentials and arranging your visas, you may also consider the following tips:
- See Different Parts of the City
Kuala Lumpur is not the capital city of Malaysia for nothing. It reflects the diversity of the country. While it can be tempting to head straight to the Petronas Towers and feel like you have explored every sight, there are other parts of the city you can visit.
Apart from the city’s center and business/financial district nature of Bukit Bintang, there are several wild corners of Kuala Lumpur. Besides, part of the city’s appeal is how things change when you explore different parts of the city.
- Buy Wisely
From the interesting and affordable oddities in Sungei Wang to high-end goods in Pavilion, there is a shopping buildup, which you may not avoid. The Golden Triangle of the city is full of many things, which the world has never seen.
Once you are done checking through several pairs of designer shoes, you may go to older spots of the city to see other sides of the spectrum. You can also get lost in trinkets and antiques in every cranny and nook. Though remember only to buy what your buck is worth.
- Choose the Best Time to Travel
Normally, Malaysia experiences high humidity and heat all year long. Plus, the distinction between the seasons is not a lot.
A notable difference is that the monsoon period usually comes in November and December and brings the rainy season with it until February. During that period, it is not advisable to travel on the East coast of the peninsula.
However, an important difference is that when the East coast experiences very wet weather during that period, the West coast has a different timeline. The rainy season on the West coast starts from April to October. The best thing about this distinction is that you may visit the city any time of the year and even have a great time at the beach.
- Be Familiar with the Food
Like most Southeast Asia countries, street foodstuffs are very popular because they’re delicious and cheap. In fact, you can find it almost everywhere in the city.
All foodie’s delights are filled with hungry travelers every hour of the day. Because of this, you can find inflated prices that the locals will never stomach.
Though if you’re touring during the monsoon period, the merchants in the city implement friendlier costs and can even spoon you bigger portions of food. Some of the common street foodstuff you can sample include apom balik, koay chiap, and Rojak.
If you also crave Japanese, Italian, and French cooking, Kuala Lumpur has international restaurants that can easily satisfy you. These restaurants may include:
- Fierce Curry House Bangsar
- Frangipani
- Toril
- Book a Flight
You have probably noticed some ads displayed on your browsing sites indicating the exact services and items you searched for recently. Usually, sites are required to notify you of their ‘cookie tracking.’
Looking for an airfare works the same way. According to experts at Cathay Pacific, the more times you repeat a search or return to a site, the more you’re likely to purchase that service or item.
However, not every flight search engine works the same way. What is indicated as the best cost is not always the case. Even worse, most of the booking sites are owned by a similar parent company.
To avoid this, research the right booking sites. Websites such as Skyscanner, Google Flights, and Momondo are flight aggregators, which pull flight data from a wide range of websites.
- Get Vaccinations
Although you may not always prevent yourself from getting sick, there are several things you do to reduce the risks of becoming sick. One of these things is to ensure you have the necessary shots.
Depending on where you come from, you might need vaccinations to travel to Kuala Lumpur. It is advisable to visit your travel clinic or GP at least three months before your trip to the city.
Your GP has the knowledge and can advise you about your upcoming trip. Plus, based on how long you want to enjoy your vacation, your GP may even offer you vaccinations and prescribe some malaria pills to keep you safe.
- Know the Etiquette and Customs
There is more tolerance for foreign etiquette and rules in Kuala Lumpur. One of the important things to avoid is public affection that is frowned on among couples, whether married or dating.
Apart from removing shoes before going to a private residence or temple, alcohol is also prohibited in Muslim society. Though alcohol is still available as the Malaysian culture welcomes individuals from different walks of life.
- Be Wary of the Surroundings
Like other cities worldwide, Kuala Lumpur has its shares of crime, including card fraud and pickpocketing. It is simple to spot places where such incidents might happen, such as dark areas and crowded spots. So you might want to avoid such surroundings by following safety instructions, which you may as well adhere to in other countries.
For instance, if you want to withdraw money, avoid doing so at night or any busy place. The best option is to visit the bank rather than withdrawing money from ATMs situated outside.
Bag grabbing is also one of the common crimes in the city, either by motorcyclists or on foot. Hence, if you want to stroll around Kuala Lumpur, avoid carrying expensive or big bags.
Final Remarks!
Kuala Lumpur remains one of the melting pots for most travelers. Although the city is more costly than other Malaysian areas, Kuala Lumpur is a mixture of Western, Indian, Malay, and Chinese, creating a blend of nightlife, food, culture, and shopping.