WA N D E R L U S T
The Magical Kuala Lumpur
O
ne of the most buzzing capitals of Asia
is Kuala Lumpur. This melting pot has
influences from throughout Asia, but
specifically China and India. Bursting with cultures
and colours, the city has so much to offer that
you could keep going back to it and still not have
enough.
I recently went on a tour of Malaysia and it was
only upon returning did I realise that it was
probably one of the most budget-friendly holidays
of mine.
Not only did I shop till I dropped and saw beautiful
places, I also saved quite a lot.
Looking back at my trip, I jotted down some key
points that may save you from burning a hole in
your pocket if Kuala Lumpur is on your holiday
travel plan in the near future.
TOURING THE CITY
Walk Tours
Kuala Lumpur is a big city and one day may not be
sufficient to see it all. However, if you are short on
time, you can make the most of it by joining walk
tours. What is the best part of some walk tours?
They are free!
Usually conducted by the Malaysian government,
you can join a tour from the Kuala Lumpur
City Gallery. You will discover 11 historical sites
within 2 to 3 hours. The tour starts at 9 a.m. and
ends around 11:30 a.m. Just remember to wear
comfortable shoes and keep yourself hydrated. Also,
do not forget to tip the guide.
The weather is usually pleasant in Malaysia all year
long, except summers which could be too warm for
walk tours.
KL Hop-On Hop-Off
This tour bus service is probably the most used by
tourists in Kuala Lumpur. You can buy a ticket for
as low as MYR 40, which will be valid for 24 hours,
or a ticket for MYR 75 for 48 hours.
They also run family discount packages and
promotions, so go through their website to know
more about their ongoing deals.
The bus takes you around 23 sights and attractions
which cover pretty much everything within the city.
You will be given a map which shows the designated
stops. The onboard commentary in English will
give you insights about all the places. You can hop
off at any sights you want and hop back on the bus
whenever you want from the tour stops which are
made prominent by their multicoloured branding
and visible signage.
The only catch is that you might have to wait a little
for the next bus to arrive at your stop as there is no
fixed schedule. Also, I recommend starting your
tour at the earliest, the buses operate from 9 a.m. to
8 p.m.
Tour Guides
I was fortunate enough to find a freelance local
tour guide near the hotel I stayed at. You can ask
your hotel desk for one or search for a guide online
before travelling.
A little pricey than other tour options, the guides
usual ly charge anywhere between MYR 300 to
MYR 400. Whether you are a solo traveller or
travelling with a family of 4 to 5 persons, the fee
remains same. Bigger cars can be arranged for bigger
groups at an additional cost.
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