5 Best Neighbourhoods To Explore In Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur is a melting pot of different cultures and a city of contrast. From modern skyscrapers side by side with ancient temples to international cuisine versus traditional recipes. It is also home to a variety of different neighborhoods. Every district is special in their own way with a unique atmosphere, lifestyle and character. Each neighborhood comes with its own pros and cons, and tons of things to do and see.
Here is a list of the best neighborhoods to explore in Kuala Lumpur:
Chinatown
If you would like to know where Kuala Lumpur was born, then Chinatown is a place to be. A colorful and lively district with plenty of things to do and see is among the best neighborhoods to explore in Kuala Lumpur.
The heart of the area is Jalan Petaling, a hectic street where all life is happening. During the day, this place is a bargain hunter’s paradise where you can find all sorts of things from imitation goods and souvenirs to delicious food and Chinese herbs. Moreover, when the night comes, the whole Petaling Street transforms into a bustling and vibrant night market with ridiculously cheap prices. So sharpen up your bargaining skills and feel the real market vibe!
If you are more of a fan of cultural and historical heritage, Chinatown will not leave you disappointed. Indulge yourself into discovering beautiful temples or admire the stunning architecture of historic Chinese buildings. Let your wanderlust guide you around narrow alleyways while exploring old café bars and street food restaurants. The whole neighborhood is like the old world meets the new world. While you are there, don’t forget to visit Merdeka Square. With its stunning colonial-style buildings, this area is one of the most visited and photographed parts of the city.
Changkat
Also known as the ‘it’ venue and the mecca of the international party scene, Changkat is an unavoidable area if you want to experience the best nightlife in Kuala Lumpur. Due to lively pubs and whiskey bars, stylish clubs and cocktail lounges, Changkat is one of the city’s most vibrant and vivid districts.
Each pub, bar or club has its own character and specialty. Put your shoes on and explore local bars with live band performances or dance the night away in one of the international clubs with a great collection of beverages. Besides the standard clubbing scene, this part of the city is also popular for the unique theme nights. So, choose between stand-up comedy, open mic nights, foreign film screenings and gay-friendly parties for a really fun experience! Party people will find something for themselves and that’s the real charm of Changkat!
After exploring the nightlife scene, head to Jalan Alor, a famous tourist food spot full of Southeast Asian traditional meals and treats. A perfect way to end those ‘living la vida loca’ nights!
Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC)
One of the best neighborhoods to explore in Kuala Lumpur is definitely KLCC. The core of the city is perfect for discovering famous iconic landmarks and an amazing cultural and art scene. There are also several fine-dining options and hot shopping spots, so don’t be surprised by the crowd you’ll meet.
KLCC is also an area where you will find Petronas Towers, a famous skyscraper and the world’s tallest twin towers. After admiring the panoramic view, head to the park to escape the city jungle. A unique 200 meters canopy walk worth photographing will lead you right to nature’s paradise. Let yourself be captivated by the magic of a lake while watching a spectacular light show called Lake Symphony. Don’t forget to visit the fabulous aquarium with a 90-meter underwater tunnel for an interesting experience of the ocean’s world.
Due to the variety of interesting content that the city offers, being in the middle of the center was never such a good option! Best of all, KLCC houses the underground LRT train station which will take you anywhere you want.
Bangsar
A trendy district with the largest number of hipster café bars and an amazing local vibe is definitely worth exploring when it comes to the best neighborhoods in Kuala Lumpur. It is a great mix of modern and traditional, so one part of Bangsar is a real cosmopolitan area full of urban art galleries, boutiques and cultural places. The other part of the city exudes the local charm that you will find in traditional eateries, bakeries, unique café bars and small markets. If you want to experience the real Malaysia, this is the place to be. Above all, the nightlife you’ll find here during the weekends isn’t bad at all. The streets are littered with younger populations exploring different bars and clubs that become crowded when the night falls and the first tunes appear. However, the best thing about Bangsar is definitely the fact that the area is customized to all types of budgets. There are tons of things ready to explore for backpackers as well as the high-class ones.
Bukit Bintang
Welcome to Malaysia’s Times Square! There are no travelers that haven’t heard of or even googled Bukit Bintang. This hectic and loud neighborhood is among the most popular ones in Kuala Lumpur. The first thing you will notice is a vibrant atmosphere and the streets full of glittering content. Huge cinemas, world-class shopping malls, rooftop bars and indoor amusement parks will enchant you with their appearance. Colonial architecture and stunning temples will take you to another world where culture and art are the most important thing. And when you get tired of all that bustling lifestyle, allow yourself to find a local vibe in one of the numerous flea markets or shop ‘till you drop in luxurious boutiques. This area is also a paradise for all food lovers due to its various restaurants with different cuisines and fusion meals. A mix and match of different colors, tastes and smells is surely worth visiting.
