Have you already visited all the mega malls within the city of Kuala Lumpur, or made your third round of the Golden Triangle? While Kuala Lumpur is renowned as a destination for shopping and food enthusiasts, there’s a lot more to Malaysia’s capital than that. Take a breather from the hustle of city life and experience some of these more unique Kuala Lumpur activities.
Take a Morning Stroll in Perdana Botanical Garden
Affectionately dubbed Lake Gardens by the locals, Perdana Botanical Garden is a stunning green sanctuary nestled in the middle of Kuala Lumpur’s hustle and concrete. Established in 1888 during the colonial era and spanning across the southwest expanse of Chinatown, the garden is a sprawling 220 acres in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. It is home to colourful flower gardens, a thoroughly shaded park, a deer park and even a mini replica of the acclaimed Stonehenge. With the fresh morning air and cool greenery, a round of the Perdana Botanical Garden will be sure to cleanse your mind and lungs; Alternatively, it’s also the perfect spot to unpack a picnic lunch and read a book. Take a seat on one of the benches and listen to the rustle of leaves in the slight breeze — it could be quite the fairy-tale encounter.
Cross the Hanging Bridges of KL Forest Eco Park
Formerly known as Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve, the KL Forest Eco Park is a completely natural tropical rainforest flourishing right in the heart of Kuala Lumpur — reminiscent of the lowland dipterocarp forest that used to dominate this part of Klang Valley. The park is well-equipped with signs and walking trails for visitors looking to hike. Although the constructed paths take away some of the authenticity of hiking within a forested setting, it’s a necessary measure to reduce wear on the trails — the area is a protected forest reserve, after all. Most revered in this park would be the newly constructed Canopy Walk: Featuring 200 metres of hanging bridges, the canopy walk offers visitors a stunning bird’s-eye view of the forest landscape, treetops and the surrounding city. It’s quiet, serene and rejuvenating; In the distance, the top of Kuala Lumpur Tower grazes the skyline.
Go Back in Time at the KL Railway Station Museum
One of Kuala Lumpur’s lesser known wonders is ironically tucked away within one of the city’s grandest structures. Designed by renowned British colonial architect Arthur Benison Hubback, the Kuala Lumpur Railway Station was completed and first opened to the public in 1910. While the newer KL Sentral Station has since taken over most rail activity in the city, the Kuala Lumpur Railway Station still services some KTM Komuter trains. Housing a rather peculiar collection of memorabilia, the exhibits include old posters, tickets and most interesting of all: The thigh bone of an elephant who was killed while charging at and derailing a train in 1894 — she was taking revenge for her daughter who was hit by another train a week earlier. Though small, the exhibits are both fascinating and bizarre, and exude an old world charm that’ll be sure to take you back in time.
Embark on a Food Marathon at Taman Connaught Market
Every Wednesday, once dusk settles over the city, over 700 stalls set up their booths along a stretch of road. Yellow tents run on for nearly two kilometres, offering a curation of the city’s best street food. Though it officially opens at 5:30 pm, Taman Connaught Market sees its usual crowd from 7 pm onwards, once everyone has clocked out from the office and started making their way to the food cornucopia. This night market may be a familiar haunt for locals, but it’s not as frequently visited by tourists, since it’s located a little out of the way as compared to the likes of Jalan Alor and Petaling Street. Despite that, jostling with locals at this market will be the experience of a lifetime — Sampling endless options of freshly cooked street food, splurging on souvenirs and basking in the chaos; Could anything be more authentic?
Hunt for a Speakeasy Bar
Back in the days of prohibition in America, small watering holes, eventually dubbed speakeasies, were born. Banking on the fact that they were illegal, measures were implemented to ensure that they remained off the records: No defining signage, decoys at the entrance and password-only access. Modern day speakeasies follow the same concept, and in recent years, Kuala Lumpur has seen a surge in the number of speakeasy bars popping up all over the city. Often defined by — ironically — inconspicuous entrances, many of these establishments are hidden behind doors disguised as vending machines, refrigerators or are hidden in wall panels. Popular haunts include PS150, a bar hidden behind the backdoor of a vintage toy shop, The Deceased, a horror-themed bar revolving around Chinese folklore and superstition, and Omakase & Appreciate, highly exalted as the pioneering speakeasy in Kuala Lumpur, whose door is marked with a standard “No Access” sign and located in the basement of an office building. Spend an evening scouring for a speakeasy bar; A note of advice to beginners: Petaling Street is a good place to start.
It's good to venture further from the beacon of modern attractions sometimes; While Kuala Lumpur is undoubtedly world-class in shopping and entertainment, dig deeper and you’ll find unique little slices that make Kuala Lumpur the charming city it is today.
