Touristy stuff in Kuala Lumpur

[Tandum (Robin)]

We're thinking about flying up to KL in early November for a break. I've nailed cheap plane tickets at $835 return for 2 via the Gold Coast. We've done this before and have moved on to Thailand or Langkawi but the boss wants to see KL and the borneo monkeys this time. Is there anything in KL to see? I'm keen to revisit Singapore as I used to live there and maybe malacca for a day trip but what else is there in KL apart from the usual cityscape? Anyone know?

[gary]

Hi Robin,

IIS member Shah (aka Shahgazer)
who I have had the pleasure to meet when he visited Australia in 2009 might
be able to pass on some tips.

It has been many New Moons since I was in KL and it will be a vastly different place
today compared to the low-key place I visited.

The Batu Caves I dare say would still be a major attraction for countless generations
to come. However, I would guess that the thriving pulse of the city itself would
now be its primary experience. Even decades ago, KL was never the most compelling
of Malaysian city destinations. As a city in transition but with none of the
high-rise of today, glimpses of the past, such as the railway station and markets,
were even then few and far between. KL lacked the character and old world charm
of destinations such as Penang. Today, with the Petronas Towers and all
the trappings of a modern metropolis, I would dare say that signs of the past have
become even more difficult to find but that this transition would have given the
city a new vibrant dynamic. What probably remained of the past has undoubtedly
been replaced by theme parks and shopping malls. Like many other modern
Asian cities, the biggest tourist experience is probably witnessing the changing
lifestyles of the people themselves.

Enjoy the trip.

[Tandum (Robin)]

Cheers Gary, I found a personal tour guides web site and got the guts from that but the boss has been emailing me quotes on airfare prices to Paris so it looks like the cheap KL option is off the table. Nothing says joy like 24hours in a flying tube

[pmrid (Peter)]

Robin, I get to KL four or five times a year and know it pretty well. I suggest you get accommodation at a strateigically central location such as Le meridien or Hilton Hotel at Sentral. These hotels sit next to the junction of the main surface and sub-surface train systems including the express train to and from the airport. If you are flying Air Asia you won't actually fly into KLIA though. They use another, older, airport a bit further out but I believe there is a good bus that taken you direct to the Sentral Station anyway - just not as fast. Sentral is the name of their main rail hub in downtown KL.
From there you can do the surface monorails to various shopping / touristy things. For you I suggest you get yourself up to the Imbi Station and then on foot to Low Yat Plaza, the home of all things gizmo - specially on the top floor where there is a major "all under one roof" shop.
KLCC (i.e. Petronas Towers etc ) has to be done if only once.
Fir foodies, there are some terrific options. For steaks, you MUST get to the Colliseum Hotel/Cafe on Janan Tunku Abdul Rahman (take a taxi though and make sure the driver knows where to go). And ONLY eat the steaks. Best steaks I have eaten anywhere and cold, cold beer.
There are some really good and cheap indian restaurants in the streets behind the monoral station across the road from Sentral Station and Chinatown (Petaling Street district) is good for Chinese and Indian. There is also a really good hawkers market. Malaysian street food is darn good.
There is a very good botanical garden-aviary in downtown KL plus their National Museum is worth a look.
Peter