Bukit Bintang is notorious for its reputation as Kuala Lumpur’s hippest and coolest shopping and entertainment district. But is Bukit Bintang really all that?

The only way to know is to learn more about the place. Here are some basic facts about Bukit Bintang to help you plan ahead of the many things you can do and visit when you are in this part of town.

Shopping malls galore

Bukit Bintang is a haven for shopaholics in search of the ultimate retail therapy. Rows and rows of shopping malls are located at just every nook and cranny of Bukit Bintang and you can pretty much spend days at stretch on these malls. Whether you are looking for upscale shopping featuring luxury labels such as Coach, Versace, Dolce & Gabbana or Yves Saint Laurent, or opting for inexpensive lesser-known brands, Bukit Bintang has everything to offer.

Popular shopping malls include Pavilion KL, Fahrenheit 88, Lot 10, Starhill Gallery, Sungei Wang Plaza and Berjaya Times Square. Tech and gadgets enthusiasts can head on over to Low Yat Plaza to check on the latest product offerings at unbeatable prices while beauty experts can purchase their makeup at Sephora Kuala Lumpur - a one-stop beauty emporium boasting more than 250 brands of cosmetic products, including Bare Minerals, Amazing Cosmetics, Urban Decay, Earth Organics, and Ole Henriksen.

The best thing about these malls are they are located near to each other, so the next mall is almost always just minutes away. Extremely convenient and you can practically walk to the next mall.

Vast food options

Get your taste buds tingling as there is a vast array of delicious food options available in Bukit Bintang. In fact, the entire area is sprawling with all sorts of specialty cafes, delis and restaurants that offer unique dining experiences - be it Japanese, Middle Eastern, Italian, right back to the local fare.

Thinking of having an open-air dinner by the roadside? Head on to the famous Jalan Alor, where there is a stretch of Chinese seafood restaurants and hawker stalls waiting for you to savour their mouth-watering delicacies. Sit on the plastic chairs and order what the locals do. Recommended dishes include grilled fish, barbecued chicken wings, fried chili chicken and chicken fish. Quick note though, most of the time alcohol is readily available and the food sold are non-halal.

If you ever feel hungry at odd hours of the night, you can always visit the nearest 24-hour mamak restaurant for a plate of piping hot roti canai and teh tarik.

Fascinating attractions

People hardly talk about this but Bukit Bintang has some pretty amazing attractions. The most recognizable attraction has to be the iconic KL Tower. Standing at 421 metres, the tower has an impressive viewing deck and a revolving restaurant, giving you a spectacular view of the Kuala Lumpur skyline.

Located within walking distance to the tower is the KL Forest Eco Park. Formerly known as the Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve, it is one of the oldest permanent forest reserves in Malaysia, at about 100 years old. The place makes an excellent retreat away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Go on the nature trails or venture on the 200 metres forest canopy walk.

Did we mention there is a theme park at Bukit Bintang? The Berjaya Times Square Theme Park is the largest indoor entertainment hub in Malaysia with loads to offer, for both the young and old. The park even comes with an indoor roller coaster for those looking for a quick adrenaline rush. Perfect for those rainy days.

Bukit Bintang is also home to budding homegrown artists, including buskers, breakdancers and mime artists. Watch their live performances on the streets, particularly at the intersection of Jalan Bukit Bintang and Jalan Sultan Ismail.

Enjoy the nightlife

To say the nightlife in Bukit Bintang is legendary, is an understatement. The streets of Changkat Bukit Bintang are laden with pubs, nightclubs, restaurants and bars, enough to keep you and your mates occupied and partying all night long.

The clubbing scene there is incredibly insane as there are plenty of international DJs and live band performances cranking up the volume to bring out the excitement of fun-loving partygoers.

Ring up a couple of your friends for cocktails, catch a stand-up comedy, watch an open-mic night or dance your way all through the night. There will never be a dull moment at Changkat Bukit Bintang.

Of course these are just the tips of the iceberg. Bukit Bintang definitely has so much more to offer and the only way to really know the place is to go there and discover it for yourself. There will always be something new to explore, but one thing is for sure, in Bukit Bintang, there will always be something for you.