Why go?

Petaling Street is packed with locals day and night

In Kuala Lumpur , skyscrapers stand alongside golden temples and mosques, and market vendors fill the streets with piles of fresh fruit and flip flops, while the smell of spicy broth simmers out of food halls. As the capital of Malaysia, this city is a magnet for shopping and nightlife but also is a fusion of ancient cultures. Malay, Chinese, Indian, Tamil and Thai people have lived here for generations, a history best appreciated through the local cuisine.

In Chinatown, people haggle and hustle under the swinging red lanterns of Petaling Street. Souvenirs and handbags are sold next to cafeterias cooking up dishes like hokkien mee, a noodle stir-fry of pork, prawns and squid served with lime and sambal. Then there’s Brickfields – known as ‘Little India’ – where you’ll find the best fish head curry, dosa pancakes and banana fritters.

The massive Lord Murugun Statue sits at the base of the Batu Caves

In between feasting, there’s much to see, including the Islamic Arts Museum, the Botanical Gardens and the futuristic Petronas Towers that define the skyline. Don’t miss a trip to the Batu Caves, a limestone hill with Hindu temples just outside the city.

When to go?

KL's modern skyline is defined by the Petronas Towers

Kuala Lumpur, or KL as it’s often called, is hot and humid year round, with a lot of rain often hitting in the afternoon. There are so many covered walkways and indoor entertainment complexes that the rain won’t affect your trip much but for the highest chance of dry weather, plan a trip between May and July.

Where to stay?

Cozy White @ Vortex KLCC – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Cozy White @ Vortex KLCC

These large apartments sleep up to six people and are on the top floors of a skyscraper, so you’ll get great skyline panoramas. Some rooms face Petronas or KL Tower, and you can opt for the Penthouse room, which has a sky deck with a barbecue and a hot tub.