Kuala Lumpur, fondly called KL by locals and travelers alike, is undoubtedly one of the top tourist destinations in Southeast Asia. The Malaysian capital is a fascinating melting pot of cultures, with a seamless blend of modernity and tradition. Each neighborhood in the city has a distinct personality, adding further to Kuala Lumpur’s mixed bag of charms.
If you’re planning on visiting Kuala Lumpur for your vacation, you can get Kuala Lumpur tour packages from Traveloka. It’s easy and convenient, not to mention budget-friendly since you’ll save on flight tickets and hotel costs. Speaking of hotels, if you still haven’t decided on where to stay, here are some of the best neighborhoods to book your accommodations.
Bukit Bintang
If you’re the kind of tourist who wants to be in the center of everything, then Bukit Bintang is the perfect place to stay. This neighborhood brings you within minutes of restaurants, shopping malls, bars, and tourist attractions. What’s great about Bukit Bintang is that it has a good balance of upscale and more affordable options. Another plus for this neighborhood is that it’s easy to get around. There’s both a Monorail and an MRT station, and there are also plenty of taxis and as well as cars that you can hail using ride-sharing apps.
Chinatown
Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown in Petaling Street is one of the most historic districts in the city, with its old-fashioned shops and markets. As with other Chinatowns all over the world, the one in Kuala Lumpur is a great place for bargain shopping and for sampling authentic Chinese food. The temples here are quite simple and smaller in scale, but are beautifully preserved. Like Bukit Bintang, it’s easy to get around in Chinatown, especially with the Pasar Seni LRT Station nearby. Another bonus is that, if you prefer quiet nights, there aren’t many that bars and pubs in and around Chinatown.
KL Sentral
KL Sentral is one of the most convenient neighborhoods you can stay in when visiting Kuala Lumpur. You won’t have any trouble getting to other parts of the city, as you can easily hop on the KL Monorail to get to Bukit Bintang or the LRT to the Kuala Lumpur City Center. You can also find MRT stations, the KTM Komuter Train, and the Klia Express in KL Sentral. In terms of entertainment and attractions, there’s NU Sentral Shopping Mall, the Lake Garden, KL Bird Park, and the National Mosque. You may also want to drop by Little India, which is about 10 to 15 minutes away from KL Sentral Station on foot. Here, you can find some of the best Indian food in Kuala Lumpur, as well as shops that sell colorful saris and other merchandise.
KLCC
Kuala Lumpur City Center or KLCC is where you can find the world-famous Petronas Twin Towers. Staying in this neighborhood is like staying in Bukit Bintang, kicked up to eleven. You’re in the center of everything, with hundreds of dining and shopping options along with a pumping nightlife. However, you’ll find that most of them are a little more expensive. Still, there are plenty of things to do in KLCC. You can visit the KLCC park, one of the few green spaces in Kuala Lumpur and where you can catch the KLCC Lake Symphony Water Show at 8, 9, and 10 in the evening. There’s also Aquaria KLCC, Petronas Art Gallery, and Suria KLCC Mall.
South Bangsar
The hustle and bustle of Kuala Lumpur isn’t for everyone. If you belong to this group, you may want to stay in South Bangsar in the outskirts of downtown KL. South Bangsar is an upscale neighborhood, primarily a residential area that’s slowly growing into a trendy tourist destination. Because it’s farther away from the city center, many of the hotels here have cheaper rates. In addition, since it’s a residential area, there are plenty of apartment hotels designed for longer stays. Don’t worry too much about the lack of tourist attractions in South Bangsar, as it’s easily accessible via LRT.
Millions of international tourists visit Kuala Lumpur each year, and it’s not at all surprising why. The city is a friendly, welcoming place that just oozes a delightful charm. No matter what kind of traveler you are, you’re surely going to find something that will endear you to it!