Kuala Lumpur Destination Guide: Everything You Need to Know (2024)

One of the world’s most recognisable cities, Kuala Lumpur is the ideal stopover in Asia. Kuala Lumpur, or KL for short, is a bustling metropolis which is home to the iconic Petronas twin towers. It is a popular international travel hub offering delicious and varied cuisine, plenty of tourist attractions, great value shopping as well as a transport system that makes getting around a breeze. As the capital of Malaysia it is also the perfect gateway to exploring the rest of Malaysia. Find out more in this Kuala Lumpur destination guide.

What is Kuala Lumpur Malaysia famous for?

Undoubtedly what Kuala Lumpur is most famous for are the Petronas Twin Towers. From 1998 to 2003 they were the tallest buildings in the world. This iconic Malaysian landmark is still the world’s tallest twin skyscrapers. KL is also famous as the capital of Malaysia and one of the most visited cities in the world. A popular shopping destination, it is also home to some of the largest shopping malls in the world.

Why you should visit Kuala Lumpur Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur is a great stop-over when travelling through Asia. This iconic city is the capital of Malaysia and is also home to one of the busiest airports in Asia. The city has some amazing landmarks such as the Petronas Towers as well as Batu Caves. This multicultural melting pot offers great food, interesting museums as well as vibrant nightlife. Shopping is another popular activity in Kuala Lumpur with a wide range of shopping centres to choose from. Another reason to visit KL is its world class public transport infrastructure, which makes travelling around the city as well as onwards to other parts of Malaysia a breeze.

Kuala Lumpur Destination Guide: Know before you go

Basic info about Kuala Lumpur Malaysia

• City name in other scripts – ولايه ڤرسکوتوان کوالا لومڤور (Jawi), 吉隆坡联邦直辖区吉隆坡聯邦直轄區 (Chinese), கோலாலம்பூர் கூட்டரசு பிரதேசம் (Tamil)
• Language – Malay. There are 10 dialects of Malay used throughout thought the country, with Standard Malay being the unifying language. English is becoming more widely spoken in the country. However not everyone you meet will be able to speak English. Mandarin Chinese, Malaysian Chinese, Tamil, other Indian languages as well as Creole are spoken by the various ethnic groups that live in Malaysia.
• Currency – Malaysian ringgit (MYR). This has been the official currency of Malaysia since 1967. Currency exchanges can be found in most cities and ATMs are also available widely throughout the country.
• Population – 2.0 million (2020)
• Area – 243 km² (94 sq mi)
• State – Kuala Lumpur is a federal territory enclaved within the state of Selangor
• Emergency number – 999
• Police number – 999

Utilities in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia

• Electricity – Malaysia uses Type G power plugs. The country operates on a 240v supply voltage at 50Hz. Power outages are reasonably common in Malaysia.
• Water – the tap water in Malaysia is not generally safe to drink. Tap water is usually treated, but pipes may be old. Therefor most locals boil their water or use a water filter just to be safe.
• Toilets – sit-down flushing toilets as well as Asian style squat toilets are common in Malaysia. Toilets generally come equipped with a spray hose (sometimes referred to as a Muslim shower). The spray hose is like a European bidet and is used for cleaning personal areas as an alternative to toilet paper. All of the accommodation we stayed in throughout the country was equipped with the western style sit-down flushing toilets with spray hoses. Toilet paper is also usually provided. Don’t flush your toilet paper – use the bins provided. The use of bathroom slippers is customary and is provided in accommodation and sometimes also in public bathrooms. Public bathrooms often offer both sit-down and squat style toilets. Public toilets are common in Malaysia. The charge is usually around 30-50 sens.
• Telephone country code: +60

Where is Kuala Lumpur Malaysia?

Kuala Lumpur is a federal territory of Malaysia, which is enclaved by the state of Selangor. This town is at the confluence of the Klang River and also the Gombak River. The city’s name actually means “muddy confluence”, in reference to these two rivers. Furthermore, Kuala Lumpur’s main airport, KL International Airport (KLIA) is the 12^th busiest airport in Asia (as at 2023), which makes it an important hub connecting Asia to the rest of the world. Within Malaysia, KL is connected to other parts of the country via both air as well as rail, bus and other land transport. KL is an inland city, with its closest port being around 1 hour drive away. The city is on the western side of Peninsular Malaysia, about halfway up the coast.

The closest cities to Kuala Lumpur are Petaling Jaya, Cyberjaya, Putrajaya as well as Klang. Kuala Lumpur is between half an hour and 40 minutes drive from these cities.

How to get to Kuala Lumpur Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur destination guide: Arriving by land

Kuala Lumpur Malaysia intercity land transport

The main transport options for travelling overland to Kuala Lumpur Malaysia are:

• Private vehicle
• Private transport operator
• Train
• Bus
• Bike

Driving to Kuala Lumpur from within Malaysia

If you are driving to Kuala Lumpur from within Malaysia, here are the travel times and distances:

• Petaling Jaya, Selangor – 30 minutes (22km, 14miles) without tolls
• Cyberjaya, Selangor – 33 minutes (35km, 22miles) with tolls, 48 minutes (41km, 25miles) without tolls
• Putrajaya – 38 minutes (40km, 25miles) with tolls, 44 minutes (35km, 22miles) without tolls
• Klang, Selangor – 40 minutes (40km, 25miles) without tolls
• Malacca, Malacca – 2 hours 17 minutes (148km, 92miles) with tolls or 3 hours 39 minutes (151km, 94miles) without tolls
• Kuala Lipis, Pahang – 2 hours 20 minutes (167km, 104miles) with tolls or 3 hours 4 minutes (172km, 107miles) without tolls
• Kuantan, Pahang – 2 hours 38 minutes (245km, 152miles) with tolls or 4 hours 40 minutes (267km, 166miles) without tolls
• Johor Bahru, Johor – 3 hours 33 minutes (331km, 206miles) with tolls or 7 hours 3 minutes (386km, 240miles) without tolls
• George Town, Penang – 4 hours 15 minutes (366km, 227miles) with tolls or 6 hours 38 minutes (397km, 247miles) without tolls
• Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu – 4 hours 35 minutes (449km, 279miles) with tolls or 7 hours 18 minutes (458km, 285miles) without tolls
• Kota Bharu, Kelatan – 6 hours 27 minutes (440km, 273miles) with tolls or 7 hours 12 minutes (441km, 274miles) without tolls

Intercity trains to Kuala Lumpur Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur is connected to other parts of Peninsular Malaysia by train. It is on the West Coast Line, which runs from Pedang Besar to Johor Bharu and also intersects with the Jungle Railway at Gemas.

Intercity buses to Kuala Lumpur Malaysia

A common way to get around Malaysia is by using intercity buses. These are budget friendly and additionally the network is extensive. Intercity bus companies in Malaysia include KKKL Express as well as S&S International.

Popular bus destinations from Kuala Lumpur include:

• Cameron Highlands Malaysia – travel time 3 hours 30 minutes. Tickets start from 22 ringgit one way.
• Johor Bahru Malaysia – travel time 5 hours 15 minutes. Tickets start from 29 ringgit one way.
• Kota Bharu Malaysia – travel time 9 hours 15 minutes. Tickets start from 29 ringgit one way.
• Kuantan Malaysia – travel time 3 hours 30 minutes. Tickets start from 19 ringgit one way.
• Malacca Malaysia – travel time 2 hours 15 minutes. Tickets start from 10 ringgit one way.

Kuala Lumpur destination guide: Arriving by air

The closest airport to Kuala Lumpur is Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport, also called Subung Airport (Airport code SZB). This airport is 15km (10 miles) away. However the main airport servicing Kuala Lumpur is Kuala Lumpur International Airport (Airport code KUL). This airport is 44km (27 miles) away.

Other nearby airports include:

• Sultan Azlan Shah Airport (IPH). This airport is 172km (107 miles) away.
• Pinang Kampai Airport (Airport code DUM). This airport is 173km (107 miles) away.

The national airline of Malaysia is Malaysia Airlines.

Kuala Lumpur destination guide: Arriving by boat

Port Klang services Kuala Lumpur. This port is also known as Kuala Lumpur Cruise Port and was previously called Port Swettenham. Located 38km (24 miles) from Kuala Lumpur, Klang Port is the major port of Malaysia. In 2012 it was the 11^th busiest container port in the world. Buses as well as trains link Port Klang to Kuala Lumpur.

Kuala Lumpur destination guide: How to get around Kuala Lumpur Malaysia

Walking in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur has some great walking areas, particularly around KLCC. Additionally, many attractions in Kuala Lumpur are within walking distance of each other. However KL is a big city, so we recommend a combination of walking and taking public transport to get around.

Local buses in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia

Local buses service Kuala Lumpur. The traffic in KL is very busy, therefore buses are a slow option. However the upside is there are a number of free services operating in the city centre. The Kuala Lumpur free bus service is called GoKL City Bus. These buses are air conditioned and also have free wifi. They operate from 6am-11pm, with buses every 5-15 minutes for city routes and every 30 minutes for feeder routes. There are a number of different Go KL City Bus routes which are identified by colour. These include:

• Green Route – stops include KLCC, Bukit Bintang MRT/Monorail, Raja Chulan.
• Purple Route – stops include Pasar Seni, Bukit Bintang MRT/Monorail, Raja Chulan.
• Red Route – stops include Titiwangsa, Chow Kit, Kuala Lumpur, Muzium Negra and KL Sentral.
• Blue Route – stops include Titiwangsa, Chow Kit, Dang Wangi, Bukit Nanas, Raja Chulan and Bukit Bintang MRT/Monorail.
• Orange Route – stops include Titiwangsa, Chow Kit.

Additionally, the Greater Kuala Lumpur area has one bus rapid transport service (BRT). This is the BRT Sunway Line, which services Petaling Jaya, Malaysia. This is an all-electric Bus Rapid Transport system – the world’s first of its kind.

KTM Komuter – commuter trains in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia

Greater Kuala Lumpur’s commuter lines are called the KTM Komuter. This is a local rail service that operates in Kuala Lumpur as well as the Klang Valley. There are 3 KTM lines that service Kuala Lumpur:

• Seremban Line (blue line, number 1 line) – this runs from the Northern terminus Batu Caves to the Southern terminus Pulau Sebang/Tampin.
• Port Klang Line (red line, number 2 line) – this runs from the Northern terminus Tanjung Malim to the Southern terminus Putra Heights.
• Skypark Link (brown line, number 10 line) – this is an airport link that connects Kuala Lumpur Sentral to Subang Airport. It runs from the Northern terminus Kuala Lumpur Sentral to the Western terminus Terminal Skypark.

Kuala Lumpur Light Rail Transit (LRT) – trams in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia

The KL Light Rail Transit (LRT) system consists of 3 lines:

• Ampang Line (orange line, number 3 line) – this runs from the Northern terminus Sentul Timur to the Eastern terminus Ampang.
• Sri Petaling Line (maroon line, number 4 line) – this runs from the Northern terminus Sentul Timur to the Southern terminus Putra Heights.
• Kelana Jaya Line (ruby line, number 5 line)– this runs from the Northern terminus Gombak Timur to the Southern terminus Putra Heights.

Airport rail links in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur has 3 rail links connecting the city to its two airports – Subang Airport and Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). These lines are:

• ERL KLIA Ekspress (purple line, number 6 line) – this runs from the Northern terminus KL Sentral to the Southern terminus KLIA2.
• ERL KLIA Transit (teal line, number 7 line) – this runs from the Northern terminus KL Sentral to the Southern terminus KLIA2.
• Skypark Link (brown line, number 10 line) – this is an airport link that connects Kuala Lumpur Sentral to Subang Airport. It is also part of the KTM Komuter network. It runs from the Northern terminus Kuala Lumpur Sentral to the Western terminus Terminal Skypark.

KL Monorail – monorail in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur has one monorail line:

• KL Monorail Line (light green line, number 8 line) – this runs from the Southern terminus KL Sentral to the Northern terminus Titiwangsa.

Klang Valley Mass Rapid Transport (MRT) – mass rapid transport in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia

Greater Kuala Lumpur’s Mass Rapid Transport system is called the Klang Valley Mass Rapid Transport system (KVMRT). It currently consists of 2 lines, with a third line due for completion in 2028. When completed, the MRT will consist of the following lines:

• Kajang Line (green line, number 9 line) – this runs from the Northern terminus Kwasa Damansara to the Southern terminus Kajang.
• Putrajaya Line (yellow line, number 12 line) – this currently runs from the Northern terminus Kwasa Damansara to the Connecting Station Kampung Batu. The second phase of this line will run to the Southern terminus Putrajaya Sentral and is due to open in March 2023.
• Circle Line (planning stage, number 13 line)– this line is due for completion in 2028.

Vehicle hire in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia

A wide variety of vehicles can be rented in Malaysia. This includes:

• Electric scooters
• Bicycles
• Motorcycles
• Cars
• SUVs
• Boats

In Malaysia they drive on the left side of the road.

Taxis in Malaysia

Taxis are common in Malaysia. Fares are regulated and are usually metered. However taxi drivers in Malaysia do not have the best reputation, which is why alternative services like Grab are very popular.

In general your fare will include the following costs:

• The pickup fee or minimum fee – this is charged as soon as you get into the vehicle.
• Airport surcharge – this is an additional fixed fee for travelling to an airport.
• Price per kilometre – the rate is double between midnight and 6am.
• Price per hour – this is a price that gets charged when the taxi is stuck in heavy traffic.
• Surcharge for more than 2 adult passengers – this is an additional fixed fee.
• Surcharge for using the luggage compartment – this is an additional fixed fee.
• Surcharge for booking by phone – this is an additional fixed fee.
• Road toll charges

Check that the meter gets switched on at the start of your journey at the right rate. We also recommend bringing enough change in cash as drivers generally only accept cash and may not have change.

Alternatively, if booking in advance the fare may be a fixed price that is agreed on before the trip. Some taxis also operate on a pre-paid coupon system where the coupon is purchased from a counter at the airport.

It is not necessary or expected to tip taxi drivers in Malaysia.

Ride-share services in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia

Grab is the main app based ride-hailing service in Malaysia. Other ride-share services in Malaysia include MyCar, MULA, DACSEE, EzCar, inDriver as well as the women only service Riding Pink. Uber no longers operates in Malaysia after Grab acquired all of its Southeast Asia assets. Lyft services only Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia via its Grab partnership.

Kuala Lumpur destination guide: Is Kuala Lumpur Malaysia worth visiting?

Kuala Lumpur is one of the must visit destinations in Malaysia. You really haven’t visited Malaysia if you haven’t seen the iconic Petronas Twin Towers! The city is modern and fast paced with plenty of shopping and dining options. Additionally there are many attractions to visit throughout the city including the impressive Batu Caves as well as plenty of museums and parks. Furthermore, KL’s proximity to one of the world’s busiest airports (KLIA) makes it Kuala Lumpour a great choice as part of your Asia itinerary.

Kuala Lumpur destination guide: How long to spend in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur is Malaysia’s largest city and is also one of the fastest growing cities in Malaysia. There’s always something to do in this vibrant city, whether it be shopping, sightseeing or eating delicious food. It is perfect for a quick stopover. However if you have more time to spare, this is a great value destination that could easily keep you entertained for much longer. We spent a week in Kuala Lumpur and particularly enjoyed admiring the skyline from rooftop pool, exploring the shopping districts and visiting the museums.

Kuala Lumpur destination guide: What to do in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur is a vibrant Malaysian city brimming with interesting activities. It has a range of great free activities as well as paid activities.

Kuala Lumpur destination guide: Free things to do in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia

There are enough free activities in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia to keep you entertained for a few days:

• Petronas Twin Towers
• KLCC Park
• Pavilion Kuala Lumpur
• KLCC – Bukit Bintang Pedestrian Walkway
• Royal Selangor Visitor Centre – free shuttle service also available.
• Jalan Alor
• Suria KLCC Mall
• Thean Hou Temple
• National Mosque of Malaysia
• Perdana Botanical Gardens
• Central Market (Pasar Seni)
• Chinatown Kuala Lumpur
• BB Park, Bukit Bintang Street
• Mid Valley Megamall
• Sri Maha Mariamman Temple
• Sultan Abdul Samad Building
• Merdeka Square
• Lake Symphony
• Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre
• Jamek Mosque
• Bank Negara Malaysia Museum and Art Gallery
• Bintang Walk
• Jalan Masjid India
• Masjid Wilayah Persekutuan
• Little India Brickfields

Kuala Lumpur destination guide: Paid activities in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia

A number of attractions in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia charge an entry fee:

• Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia – entry fee 14 ringgit for adults (as at 2023).
• Kuala Lumpur Bird Park – entry fee 75 ringgit for foreign adults (as at 2023).
• Menara Kuala Lumpur – observation deck 49 ringgit, sky deck 99 ringgit for foreign adults (as at 2023). Combo tickets with other attractions are also available.
• MinNature Malaysia – entry fee 25 ringgit for adults (as at 2023).
• Aquaria KLCC – entry fee 63 ringgit for foreign adults (as at 2023).
• Petrosains, The Discovery Centre – entry fee 28 ringgit for foreign adults (as at 2023).
• Berjaya Times Square Theme Park – entry fee 70 ringgit for foreign adults (as at 2023).
• Kuala Lumpur City Gallery – entry fee 10 ringgit for adults (as at 2023).
• MyBatik – workships from 47.70 ringgit (as at 2023).
• Muzium Negara (National Museum) – entry fee 5 ringgit for foreign adults (as at 2023).

Weather in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia

The climate for Kuala Lumpur is classified as tropical, with relatively uniform hot temperatures and also high humidity throughout the year. The hottest month is May with an average temperature range of 24°C to 33°C (76°F to 92°F) and coldest month December with an average temperature between 23°C to 31°C (74°F to 88°F). There are two monsoon seasons in Malaysia, November to early March, which is typically the most rainy, and June to September. The period of March through to June between the two monsoons is the hottest and also the most uncomfortable weather of the year.

Internet and mobile phones in Malaysia

Major internet and phone companies in Malaysia – Celcom, Digi, Hotlink (Maxis), U Mobile, UniFi Mobile, Tune Talk, Yes, XOX Mobile / ONEXOX, redONE, Yoodo, Telekom Malaysia and Time dotCom.

5G has been in Malaysia since December 2021. 2G will not be be switched off in Malaysia. 3G is was switched off in March 2022.

Malaysia is ranked 61^st fastest in the world for mobile internet speeds and 38^th fastest for fixed broadband. For Fixed Broadband the average download speed is 90mbps and upload is 51mbps (as at October 2022).

Cell phone SIM cards can be bought in a numbers of places throughout Malaysia. These include phone stores, in shopping malls, at bus stations as well as at airports. Some form of ID, such as a passport, is required in order to purchase a SIM card in Malaysia.

How much to budget for Kuala Lumpur Malaysia?

Kuala Lumpur destination guide: Daily spend for a couple travelling in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia

As a rough guide, we recommend the following budgets for a couple:

• Low-budget daily spend – 150 ringgit per day for a couple will get you hostel accommodation, meals from bakeries and markets, local transport and free or cheap activities such as visiting shopping centres and markets
• Mid-range daily spend – 300 ringgit per day for a couple will get you mid-range accommodation, local transport, restaurant meals and a few paid activities
• Luxury spend – 4000 ringgit per day for a couple will get you a premium experience in Malaysia, staying at luxury hotels, travelling by private transport, doing a range of paid activities and eating at high end restaurants

Kuala Lumpur destination guide: Accommodation in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia

There is a good range of accommodation to suit most budgets in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia. Airbnb operates in Malaysia, and there good selection of Airbnb properties in Kuala Lumpur. Wifi is not always provided for Airbnb properties in Malaysia, so we recommend checking if it is included in the listing. One thing to keep in mind with hotels in Malaysia is that smoking in hotel rooms is often permitted.

Where to stay in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia

We recommend the following accommodation in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia:

• Best hostel in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia – Sunshine Bedz KL is the best hostel in Kuala Lumpur. The hostel is conveniently located right in the heart of the city. It’s a great place to meet fellow travellers as there are social events organised most evenings. The staff are also really helpful.
• Best guesthouse in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia – OA The Factory at Bukit Bintang offers great value budget accommodation in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia. It is clean and also conveniently located. Additionally, the owner is very friendly and helpful.
• Best 4-star hotel in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia – citizenM Kuala Lumpur Bukit Bintang hotel is the best mid-range hotel Kuala Lumpur Malaysia. This hotel is ultra modern with great use of technology. The rooms are small but make great use of the space. The staff are really friendly and helpful. Additionally, the hotel is conveniently located close to the food street.
• Best luxury resort in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia – Villa Samadhi Kuala Lumpur is the best luxury resort in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia. It’s a relaxing oasis with Bali vibes close to the city centre. The rooms are spacious and comfortable and the pool area is beautiful.
• Best luxury hotel in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia – Banyan Tree Kuala Lumpur is the best 5 star hotel in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia. This world class hotel offers breathtaking views of the city. The rooms are luxuriously appointed, the staff are attentive and the breakfasts are delicious.

How much is accommodation in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia?

For short-term accommodation, a general price per night is as follows:

• Budget accommodation – 21-124 ringgit for a bed in a dorm.
• Mid-range accommodation – 60-215 ringgit for a private room.
• Luxury accommodation – 215-1215 ringgit a night for a luxury hotel.
• Rental property – 260-1100 ringgit a night for a fully furnished 3-4 bedroom home.

Tourist tax on accommodation in Malaysia

From 1 January 2023 there is a tourist tax of 10 ringgit per accommodation per night in Malaysia. This tax is collected by the property. Permanent residents and Malaysian nationals are exempt from the tax. Furthermore the tourist tax does not apply to homestays and kampung stays registered with the Ministry of Tourism.

Kuala Lumpur destination guide: Food in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia

How much does food cost in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia?

Our price guide for your food budget in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia is as follows (prices as at 2022):

• Restaurant meal – 30-60 ringgit for a main dish
• Night market or hawker market food – 5-15 ringgit for a dish
• Ais kachang – 4-6 ringgit
• Coffee – 1.50-2.50 ringgit

Must eat food in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia

• Roti Canai
• Nasi Lemak
• Cendol
• Beef Rendang
• Nyonya Chicken Curry
• Hokkien Mee
• Banana Leaf Rice
• Assam Laksa
• Curry Mee Laksa
• Murtabak
• Char Kuay Teow
• Teh Tarik
• Satay
• Bak Kut Teh
• Rojak
• Nasi Kandar
• Prawn Mee
• Wantan Mee
• Pork Noodle
• Chili Pan Mee

Cheap Eats in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia

• Bakeries are a great place to get cheap and delicious food.
• Hawker centres in Malaysia are ubiquitous and have excellent budget friendly food. The variety of stalls available means that you have a good range of options to choose from.
• Night markets in Malaysia are another of our go to places for affordable and tasty food. There’s also usually stalls selling items like clothes, toys and shoes in addition to the food stalls.
• Street food is also a very common cheap eat option in Malaysia. You can often find street food around transport hubs as well as scattered in various places around the city.

Kuala Lumpur Malaysia culture

Weekends in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia

Which days are weekdays and weekend days vary in Malaysia depending on the state or territory you’re in. In Kuala Lumpur weekdays are Monday to Friday and weekends are Saturday and Sunday. Keep this in mind as weekends can affect prices and availability (particularly for accommodation). Additionally weekends may impact opening hours as well as how crowded attractions are.

Kuala Lumpur public holidays

Malaysia has one of the highest number of public holidays in the world. In total, there are between 18 and 20 public holidays observed in each state. This includes national holidays as well as state based holidays. Public holidays for Kuala Lumpur are as follows:

• New Year’s Day – 1^st January
• Thaipusam – full moon in the month of Thai, in January or February
• Chinese New Year’s Day – 1^st day of 1^st lunar month, in January or February
• Chinese New Year Holiday – 2^nd day of 1^st lunar month, in January or February
• Federal Territory Day – 1^st February
• Labour Day – 1 May
• Wesak Day (Buddha’s birthday) – May or June, date varies
• Hari Nuzul Al-Quran – 17^th day of Ramadan, date varies
• Hari Raya Aidilfitri or Hari Raya Puasa – the last day of Ramadan, date varies
• Hari Raya Aidilfitri Holiday or Hari Raya Puasa Holiday – day after the last day of Ramadan, date varies
• Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s Birthday (King’s Birthday) – 1^st Monday in June
• Hari Raya Qurban (Aidiladha) (Feast of the Sacrifice) – date varies
• Awal Muharram (Islamic New Year) – date varies
• Merdeka Day (National Day, Independence Day) – 31 August
• Malaysia Day – 16 September
• Maulidur Rasul (Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday) – 12^th day of the 3^rd month of the Islamic calendar
• Deepavali – date varies, October or November
• Christmas Day – 25 December

National symbols of Malaysia

• Malaysia flag – 14 alternating red and white stripes with a blue canton with a yellow crescent and 14 pointed star. The Malaysian flag is called the Stripes of Glory.
• Malaysia coat of arms – two tigers supporting a shield with a yellow crescent and a 14 pointed star on top and a yellow banner with words that translate to “Unity is strength” written in both romanised Malay and Jawi at the bottom.
• National flower – hibiscus
• National bird – rhinoceros hornbill
• Malaysia national animal – the Malayan tiger

Malaysia pastimes

• National dish – nasi lemak
• Popular drinks – teh tarik, Ipoh white coffee, milo ais, sirup bandang
• National sport – sepak takraw
• Religion – 64% Islam, 19% Buddhist, 9% Christian, 6% Hindu (as at 2020)

Famous people from Kuala Lumpur Malaysia

• Famous people born in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia – comedian Nigel Ng (Uncle Roger), singer Kamahl, actor Michael Gough, actress Claudia Wells, entrepreneur Tony Fernandes, celebrity chef Poh Long Yeow, astronaut Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, politician Nurul Izzah Anwar, singer Awie (Ahmad Azhar bin Othman), investor Azman Hashim, gangster Botak Chin, mentalist and illusionist Chris Cheong, actress Sazzy Falak, writer and feminist activist Jac sm Kee, singer Liyana Fizi, business magnate Loke Wan Tho, engineer Yueh-Lin Loo, film director Low Ngai Yuen, entrepreneur Joel Neoh Eu-Jin, actor Ravichandran, biologist Una Ryan, singer Sheila Majid, singer Shila Amzah, model Ling Tan, actress Tiz Zaqyah, singer Jaclyn Victor.
• Sports stars from Kuala Lumpur Malaysia – para-badminton player Cheah Liek Hou, equestrian athlete Ellesse Gundersen, taekwondo athlete Hairul Azreen.

Is Kuala Lumpur Malaysia Safe?

Malaysia travel guide: Safety in Malaysia

We have spent around 4 months travelling extensively through Malaysia over two separate trips. In our experience the country is extremely safe. Malaysia ranks 18^th safest country on the Global Peace Index (as at 2022). As with any country, there are good areas and bad areas. Watch out for pickpockets and bag snatching particularly at crowded tourist attractions. In particular, when eating out don’t leave your bag, phone or wallet on the table or next to you where someone can quickly grab it and run away. Instead keep your belongings physically attached to you at all times. Make sure no-one is watching whenever you are entering pin codes and never lose sight of your credit card when making a purchase.

General safety considerations in Malaysia

Other general safety considerations for travel in Malaysia:

• Drinking water – tap water in Malaysia is not generally safe to drink. Tap water is usually treated, but pipes may be old. Therefor most locals boil their water or use a water filter.
• Mosquitoes – mosquito borne illnesses are a significant risk in Malaysia, particularly dengue, Zika and chikungunya. Malaysia is in the pre-elimination phase of malaria. While malaria is a greater risk in Malaysian Borneo, there have also been cases on the Malaysian peninsula. Take precautions to avoid mosquito bites.
• Altitude sickness – Malaysia has areas of high altitude and therefore altitude sickness risk. If you visit high altitude areas in Malaysia, allow sufficient time to acclimatise. If you experience signs of altitude sickness, including headache, nausea or vomiting, dizziness, tiredness, loss of appetite or shortness of breath, get help immediately.
• Road safety – Road accidents are a significant risk in Malaysia. While road conditions in Malaysia are generally very good, traffic is often very heavy. Furthermore drivers in Malaysia tend to speed up rather than slowing down for amber lights. We also found that roads in Malaysia are not typically built with pedestrians in mind, and footpaths often stop unexpectedly in busy areas.
• Water safety – take care when swimming as currents and waves may be stronger than you expect.
• Earthquakes – Malaysia experiences both regional and local earthquake activity. In an earthquake, stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls and anything that could fall. If inside, get under a table, desk or solid furniture and hang onto it. Cover your head and torso to protect from falling objects. If outside, stay outside and go to an open area away from buildings.
• Sun safety – Exposure to the sun can have adverse short-term and long-term effects on the skin, eyes and immune system. Sun protection such as sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses is very important to ensure you don’t get burnt.
• Dogs – rabies from rabid dog bites is a risk in Malaysia. For more on dog safety while travelling, check out this video.

As with any destination, take all of your normal safety precautions.

Malaysia Blogs

You can find our Malaysia travel blogs below.

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