Be Right Back, Singapore! (48 Hours in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)

What attracted me the most to intern and study in Singapore was its proximity to other Southeast Asian countries. Although I grew up in Hong Kong, I haven’t taken the time to explore much of Southeast Asia. Hence, this past weekend, my friends and I have decided to go outside of Singapore and travel to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to expand our horizons. Here’s what we did in Kuala Lumpur in less than 48 hours.

10:00 AM: 

Feeling slightly exhausted from the 7 hour bus ride from Singapore to KL, we decided to sleep in and start the day off later than usual. We walked to a nearby mall from our AirBnb to enjoy a Malaysian brunch. We were impressed by the wide variety of foods, from the classic “Chao Kwai Teo” to Kaya Toasts and to Thai Green Curry. They were all very delectable and it was overall a very satisfying brunch. Fueled, we took a cab to one of the must-see spots in KL, the Batu Caves. We were fascinated by how massive the golden buddha is, how sacred the inside of the temple is, and how vibrant the staircase is. Needless to say, we spent quite a while taking photos. However, what surprised us the most were the wild monkeys skittering around the staircase. They may just easily photobomb your photos! I’m not quite sure if tourists come for the monkeys or the temple! 

2:00 PM: 

Like the tourists that we were, of course we had to visit the Twin Towers. Twin Towers are the iconic skyscrapers of Malaysia, and they were the tallest buildings in the world from 1998 to 2004. We strolled along the park right opposite of the Twin Towers and had a lot of fun enjoying the sun and taking instagram photos. We then went inside the mall and devoured some delectable matcha shave ice - what a way to cool off from the heat! 

4:00 PM

4:00 PM: prime time to nap. Just kidding! We decided to go back to our AirBnb not for the nap, but to enjoy the infinity pool at the roof top of the apartment/hotel complex. When we went up to the pool, all of us were mesmerized by the Kuala Lumpur skyline against the sunset. It was hands down one of the most beautiful skylines I have ever seen. I’d highly recommend finding an AirBnb that includes an infinity pool if you want to check out KL! Taking a dip at an infinity pool: checked.

6:00 PM

After a recovering and relaxing swim, it’s time for adventure again! We checked out one of the most famous night markets in KL: Jalan Alor. It was certainly very bustling and lively around 7pm, with many waiters standing outside their restaurants persuading tourists to come in. Having heard a lot about chilly crabs, we decided to try it out. They were so delectable that we ordered two chilly crabs! It was a bit difficult to eat it, some wrestling with the crab, but it was definitely worth the time! A must try in South East Asia. The night market also sold many unique snacks, such as fried durian, fried bananas, and all sorts of barbeque satay! Most importantly, they were all very very cheap! Oh, the perks of going to a night market.

10:00 AM 

Before it was time to board the 7 hour bus back to Singapore, we took advantage of the time we have left in KL. We discovered this hidden cafe “Merchant’s Lane” near Chinatown and we brunched there. Even though it was “hidden” literally, there was still a long line of people! The interior design was absolutely fascinating, with murals and different unique styles of chairs and tables across the outdoor and indoor parts of the cafe. The food was also very filling and creative: the bread of my burger was black (charcoal!). I would rate this hidden gem a 10/10. 

12:00 PM

Malaysia is well known for its rich Muslim culture and temples. We walked across a bridge near Chinatown that overlooked two beautiful temples. Although we couldn’t go inside, I could still sense the serenity and tranquility that the temples bring to the bustling city from afar. When in Chinatown, you got to check out Petaling Street - where you can look like a hypebeast on a budget. Gucci, LV, Supreme, CDG... You name it. They have all the knock-offs you will ever find, but remember to bargain for the lowest price possible! A heaven for hypebeasts wannabes. 

2:00 PM

Some last minute shopping before heading back to Singapore. We went into the Central Market where they sell all the classic touristy gifts, from key chains, to post cards, to clothing items and electronics - they have everything! What’s nice about this market is that it’s indoor and air conditioned, which is quite uncommon for markets. 

3:00 PM

After a very packed and eventful two days in KL, it’s time to go back to work in Singapore. We boarded the bus reminiscing all the memories we have left behind in KL. What a perfect getaway trip.