I have seen quite a bit of SE Asia in my short time here but there are always more places to see! Malaysia is a top choice on my "places I want to travel before I go" list and even more so now after reading about all the interesting cultural experiences in this article written by Asia Rooms community manager
Milda Ratkelyte.
Asia Rooms is launching a new online travel community soon and I am very excited to be a part of it, check back for more information soon. In the meantime, enjoy this informative article to find out where to see the real Malaysia in KL.
Kuala Lumpur's top five cultural experiences
Kuala Lumpur is widely seen as one of
Asia's hottest tourist cities - and rightly so. Once you've visited the
Malaysian capital, you'll be hard-pressed to find another location that offers
the same blend of ultra-high-tech luxury and authentic cultural experiences.
In recent years, the Petronas Twin Towers -
the tallest twin buildings in the world - have arguably become the enduring
image of KL. But while this mammoth glass-and-steel structure is undeniably
impressive, for me it's the city's more down-to-earth attractions that are the
real draw.
So next time you find yourself in Kuala
Lumpur, take the time to explore the city like a local. After all, wouldn't you
rather spend an evening tasting the best hawker fare Malaysia more to offer than
chomping down a McBland burger at some generic fast-food chain?
For a taste of the real KL, look no further
than our list of the city's five best cultural experiences…
Islamic Arts Museum
Built in 1998, this museum offers
everything you could possibly want to know about the blossoming Islamic arts
scene. Set in KL's beautiful and serene Perdana Botanical Gardens, it's a world
away from some of the sickeningly trendy, try-hard galleries that are
two-a-penny in cities like London, New York and Paris.
Pay a visit and you'll be treated to a
dizzying selection of art objects, ranging from tiny pieces of jewellery to one
of the world's largest scale models of the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca.
Jamek Mosque
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Known to locals as the Masjid Jamek, this
mosque was built back in 1909, making it the oldest in the city. You don't have
to be Muslim - or even religious - to appreciate the cultural importance and
beauty of this building, which can be found at the meeting point of the Gombak
and Klang rivers.
Its location is just moments away from
skyscrapers like the Petronas Twin Towers, but if you take a minute to wander
around its serene interior, the hustle and bustle of the city centre will seem
a million miles away.
Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman
Forget about the Suria KLCC, the Pavilion
KL and the string of other ultra-modern malls dotted across the Kuala Lumpur
metropolitan area - the Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman is the city's original
shopping hub and is still the best.
Here, shopping really is an experience to
be savoured, rather than a constant battle to avoid being trampled by thousands
of single-minded bargain-hunters carrying bags full of all the latest consumer
tat.
Often simply referred to as the Jalan TAR,
the street is flanked by stylish pre-war buildings that have been beautifully
preserved and adapted to meet the needs of the many and varied businesses that
occupy them today.
Walk through the stores' archways and
you'll get a glimpse at what shopping used to be like in the days before the
same brands could be found on every high street from Cardiff to Cape Town.
It's well worth visiting on any day, but
for the best - and most authentic - experience, head down to Jalan TAR between
17:00 and 22:00 local time on Saturdays, when the street is shut off to traffic
and transformed into a vibrant night market.
National Textiles Museum
We can assure you this is a lot more
interesting than it sounds. Split into four galleries, the institution is one
of the most fascinating in Kuala Lumpur, offering visitors a unique glimpse back
to pre-historic times as it traces the origins of textiles.
Of particular interest is the Ratna Sari
Gallery, which boasts a huge collection of intricate jewellery, from earrings
and hairpins to anklets and bracelets. If you know your Harry Winston from your
Tiffany & Co, then this exhibit is a must-visit.
Petaling Street
OK, so it may not be a little-known
attraction, but no guide to KL's top cultural experiences would be complete
without mentioning Petaling Street.
The centre of the city's original Chinatown
still retains much of its traditional vibrant atmosphere. If you think it's
bustling in the daytime, you should try visiting at night, when hundreds of
small vendors spread their bewildering range of merchandise across the street.
Before you head to Petaling Street, make
sure you work up an appetite, because you'll find the huge choice of hawker
food on offer hard to resist. Some of the eateries here have been based on the
street for generations and once you taste some of their authentic Malay
cuisine, you'll soon find out why they're still in business.
About the
author:
Community Manager @
Asiarooms.com
. Born in Lithuania (love it!), studied in the
UK, travelled around Asia and USA, taught in Africa and now residing in
Singapore where, equipped with a strong cup of coffee and surrounded by an
amazing team I’m blogging about travels, cultures, events and hotels in Asia
Actually.. I hail from Malaysia... you should check out the beautiful KLCC Twin Towers park, Pavillion mall's Tokyo Street... Batu Caves, and Petaling Street. The other places above are a bore.
ReplyThanks hun, will be sure to add these recommendations to my list for when I visit there in the future, hopefully soon!
ReplyAWESOME! I'm going to Malaysia this winter --thanks for the tips! ^-^
Replyaw cool, very jealous! have a great trip!
Reply