KLis one of my all time favourite cities. I love absolutely everything about the place- the vibe, the food, the people, the architecture, the markets! The city is big enough to feel buzzy but compact enough to get around easily. Public transport is excellent too and taxis are cheap- if you know how to haggle.

It’s a popular stop off route for Europe/Middle East-Asia flights or vice versa so why not book a long layover? Just 36 hours is enough to experience the very best of KL!

I had a quick trip en route to Bali but I managed to fit in a lot! Here’s my top tips:

Travelling Solo? Stay Here

Back Home is everything a hostel should be these days. Cool, welcoming, functional and stylish. It’s a bit hipster with industrial chic styling but it’s got a great location, helpful staff and an excellent cafe, Lokl Coffee Co. attached. The free breakfast is a bit miserable but I loved having the pancakes from Lokl in the beautiful courtyard!

 

Must See?

Thean Hou Temple. It’s a beautiful, four story Chinese temple built in 1894 and home to a modern, functional Buddhist temple. Set high on a hill overlooking downtown area, the easiest way of getting here is to negotiate a price with a taxi who will wait and bring you back.

Make sure you stop at. . .

Peter Hoe Evolution. A treasure trove of locally designed jewellery, accessories and homeware. Hidden in a warehouse -esque office building on the fringes of Chinatown, its cafe is a favoured spot for stylish locals and expats.

 

Obviously, you must visit. . .

The Batu Caves. They’re a cliche for a reason and really worth the easy train trip. Be smart and don’t bring food; the monkey’s really are vicious.

I wish I’d. . .

visited the Petronas Towers at night instead of during the day. #rookiemistake

 

Souvenir Shopping?

Hit the Central Market and, as always, haggle. Visit Chinatown for the atmosphere, not the good on offer as most of it is junk.

Any Other Tips?

Graze! The food scene in KL is excellent but most restaurants specialise in certain dishes so to try the very best, make four or five stops during the day for food. It sounds like a lot but trust me, it’s very much worth it.

Looking for more on travel to Asia?

Check out my Foodie Flashpacker: Top 5 SouthEast Asia , #Retreat Life: Yoga in Bali & Cambodia or these shots of my trip to Vietnam. If you are planning a trip to Vietnam and struggling to decide between Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh, then this post is for you!