(SPOT.ph) If the "Malaysia, Truly Asia" jingle still runs in your head after all these years—nay, decades!—then we can’t think of a more effective tourism campaign. Our fellow Southeast Asian country, along with its iconic slogan, has reopened its borders to all international travelers starting April 1, which means you can head on out once more to see what that jingle is all about.
Vaccinated Filipinos can travel to Malaysia visa-free for up to 30 days without the need for quarantine or a swab test. Unvaccinated and partially vaccinated travelers need to comply with a longer list of guidelines.
If you’ve never been to Malaysia and are booking your first trip there, the best place to start is Kuala Lumpur. The capital and federal territory is the country’s largest urban area with Malay, Chinese, and Indian influences. With its impressive skyscrapers, state-of-the-art shopping malls, temples and mosques, culturally diverse kampungs (villages), and artsy shophouses, KL has plenty to offer first-time travelers.
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We round up exciting things for you to do in and around Kuala Lumpur:
Get lost at REXKL's bookstore
The bookstore of your eerie dreams, BookXcess is basically a labyrinth of shelves upon shelves. Your adventure starts as you enter REXKL, a creative and cultural hub that used to be an old-school cinema. Head up to the second floor to find a maze-like arrangement of books. Keep exploring the shelves, nooks, crannies, and uneven staircases that lead you to—you guessed it—more books. When this bookstore opened to the public in November 2021, it instantly became social-media famous, and it’s easy to see why. Keep your eyes peeled for unique titles with an affordable price tag.
BookXcess is at 2/F REXKL, Jalan Sultan, Downtown Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It is open from Tuesday to Thursday, and Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and from Friday to Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 12 a.m. For more information, visit REXKL's website.
Go on a "restoran" food trip
If you think you know Malay cuisine because you’ve sampled them in Manila's and Singapore’s top Malaysian restaurants, then you’re in for a spicy awakening when you get to the authentic "restorans" in Malaysia.
Do as locals do and head over to the 24-hour hawker, Nasi Kandar Pelita in Jalan Ampang. Follow your nose to the cafeteria-style service, starting with the Indian-Muslim nasi kandar, rice served with your choice of curry toppings, such as chicken, fish, or egg. Also try the murtabak ayam, chicken stuffed pancake or pan-fried bread, and variations of roti with different curry dips. Wash it down with teh tarik (pulled tea), hot or iced. Save room for dessert—the roti tissue, not to be confused with the Hogwart's Sorting Hat, also known as roti tisu or tisu prata, a towering milky-sweet flatbread that’s great for sharing and, not to mention, posting on Reels.
Nasi Kandar Pelita is at 149 Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It is open 24 hours.
On a rainy day, head to Restoran Sun Fong Bak Kut Teh. This famous eatery serves a variety of Chinese dishes, but the star of the show is bak kut teh, which translates from the Hokkien dialect as "meat bone tea." This piping hot bowl of dark soup gives you peppery pork ribs that were simmered in a broth of herbs and spices for hours.
Sun Fong Bak Kut Teh is at 35a Jalan Medan Imbi, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It is open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
If you want to taste the best of Malay dishes in one sitting, skip the hotel breakfast for an eat-all-you-can lunch at Restoran Rebung, a homey restaurant run by Datuk Chef Ismail Ahmad. Using home-grown ingredients, he and his kitchen staff prepare a spread of around 50 local heritage cuisines—from appetizers to desserts—that change in variety daily. For only RM50 per adult, reintroduce your tastebuds to Malay classics such as laksa Penang (sour fish-based soup), nasi lemak (rice cooked in coconut milk and pandan leaves with a variety of sides), and gulai ayam kampung (chicken curry). If you’re lucky, you’ll catch the gregarious celebrity chef entertaining guests. Also, check out his collection of heirloom furniture.
Restororan Rebung is at 5-2 Cascada Parking Bukit Aman, Jalan Tanglin, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It is open on weekdays, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.; and on weekends from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m., from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Go skyscraper watching
If you didn’t take a photo in front of the Petronas Tower, did you really go to Kuala Lumpur? The world’s tallest twin building complex makes for a great postcard and can be spotted from almost any angle and location in the city. For starters, look up “KLCC Twin Tower best spot for photography” on Google maps (Yes, that exact phrase!) at night. From there, walk to the Saloma Link Bridge, a 69-meter combined pedestrian and bicyclist bridge across the Klang River. There you’ll see another spectacular view of the twin towers.
But the Petronas isn’t the only tall order in KL. The Merdeka 118, which is set to be completed in mid-2023, overtook the twins as the tallest building in Malaysia and the second tallest in the world. As you stroll around the city, just look up to spot other skyscrapers, such as The Exchange 106, Malaysia’s third tallest. You’ll even catch free light shows from other towering infrastructures, such as the Menara Kuala Lumpur, the tallest telecommunications tower in Southeast Asia.
Spend a day or two at Genting Highlands
A hill station on Mount Ulu Kali in the Titiwangsa Mountains, Genting Highlands is a Las Vegas-style destination. After years of civil suits, rebranding, and postponement, the Genting Skyworlds outdoor theme park finally opened to the public in March 2022.
For your casino needs, Resorts World Genting is the only legal gambling venue in Malaysia. Shoppers can run amok in the First World Plaza, Premium Outlets, and SkyAvenue. The Awana Skyway, a gondola lift service, connects you from one Genting attraction to another with a sprawling view of the rainforest valley. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. With so many attractions to see at Genting Highlands, you may want to book a night or two at one of their family-friendly hotels or resorts to give you ample time to explore.
Genting Highlands is in Pahang, Malaysia.
Get the perfect IG shot by the Batu Caves
You’ve probably seen Instagrammers aplenty posing on the rainbow staircases of this must-see spot in Malaysia. The Batu Caves, located 15 kilometers north of Kuala Lumpur, are majestic Hindu Shrines set in limestone caves. There are four main caves to explore—Cave Villa, Ramayana Cave, Dark Cave, and Temple Cave (or Cathedral Cave), with the latter as the most visited and most photographed. But do more than just take a photo with the backdrop of the rainbow stairs. Work out your hamstrings by climbing 272 steps (400 feet) into the 400-million-year-old limestone caverns. Keep an eye out for monkeys. They will beg, steal, and fight.
Batu Caves is in Gombak District, Selangor, Malaysia.
Go outlet shopping like it’s the '90s
KL’s outlet malls are reminiscent of the ones in the United States—from the way the shops are arranged to the price drops of up to 75% off. Malaysia’s most famous outlets are Mitsui Outlet Park, an eight-minute drive from the airport, and Genting Highlands Premium Outlets, which is 45 minutes away from the city.
For shopaholics, one hour won’t enough to browse through all the designer goods and apparel brands. Go ahead and splurge like a ’90s tita hoarding all the Nikes and Godivas as pasalubong for every member of her clan.
Mitsui Outlet Park KLIA SEPANG is along Persiaran Komersial, Sepang District, Selangor, Malaysia.
Genting Highlands Premium Outlets is at Genting Highlands, Pahang, Malaysia.
Book a day tour in Kuala Lumpur
If your goal is to tick as many sights on your bucket list as you can, get it done by joining an organized day tour, or if you’re pressed for time, a half-day tour. A bus with a driver and English-speaking tour guide will take you and your group to the top sights around the city, such as the Thean How Temple, National Monument, King’s Palace, and Independence Square. Book through the likes of Viator and Klook, or ask your hotel to recommend a reputable travel operator.
Green Leisure (tour group) is at 23-1-1 Block G1, Cheras Business Center, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Go from dry to wet in Sunway Lagoon
Try as you may, you couldn't possibly fully explore all six adventure zones of Sunway Lagoon, Malaysia’s famous theme park, in just one day—but you can try. With your all-access wristband (from 173 to 208 Malaysian ringgit per international traveler), start with the dry zones—the classic amusement park, the horror-themed scream park, the interactive wildlife park, and X park for your extreme sports needs. Then dress down to your swimsuits, secure your bags in the locker, and head over to the wet zones—the waterpark and Nickelodeon Lost Lagoon. With over 90 attractions spread across 88 acres, you may need to up your game plan by staying the night at the Sunway Resort Hotel and Spa next door.
Sunway Lagoon is at 3 Jalan PJS 11/11, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia. It is open from Wednesday to Monday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, visit Sunway Lagoon's website.
Shop for batik and handicrafts at Central Market
For Malaysian batik, local souvenirs, collectibles, and handicrafts, Central Market has you covered. Browse through over 300 shops that showcase Malaysian culture and heritage. The building also pays tribute to its humble wet market beginnings in 1888. The only downside is that you can’t haggle here the way you would in Manila’s Divisoria or Bangkok’s Chatuchak. Most prices are fixed.
Central Market is in Jalan Hang Kasturi, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, Malaysia. It is open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more information, visit Central Market's website.
Go mural hunting in the streets of Kuala Lumpur
Even if you’re not consciously looking for street art in KL, you’re bound to run into them—from subtle paintings on garbage bins to more in-your-face murals that bring shophouses, alleys, and walls to life. KL’s street artists have been busy paying tribute to their multicultural history with murals.
Whether you’re out and about in famous spots like the River of Life or suburbs like Chow Kit, look around to admire the growing street art. Some are interactive! You’re highly encouraged to strike a pose and be part of the art for the ‘gram.
How to get to Kuala Lumpur
Cebu Pacific Air, a partner of Tourism Malaysia, flies daily between Manila and Kuala Lumpur. Travel time is two and a half hours.