Kuala Lumpur isn’t just a skyscraper city — experience a whole new side of Malaysia’s capital with this itinerary!
Kuala Lumpur is known for its towering skyscrapers and bustling street markets. But this time, we wanted to venture off the beaten path to discover hidden gems and less touristy experiences that showcase a new side to this vibrant city. From quirky cafes to repurposed historic buildings, hunt down the best-kept secrets in Kuala Lumpur with this itinerary!
Day 1: Explore hidden gems in KL City
The Zhongshan Building
Don’t be fooled by this unassuming building — formerly housing the Selangor Zhongshan Association, The Zhongshan Building is now a cosy spot filled with wonderful shops just waiting to be discovered.
We spent a good couple of hours sifting through the levels from sustainable skincare at Remedy, to adorable stationary and customisable journals at ana tomy, to the beautiful handmade batik pieces at INKAA! There’s also a record store on level three and a local bakery serving fresh goods daily right in the courtyard.
Opening hours: Varies depending on each shop
How to get there: 10min taxi ride from KL Sentral (Google Maps)
REXKL
REXKL is a restored building transformed into a thriving arts hub. Once a movie theatre, this space now houses a collection of Instagram-worthy spots, cafes, and thrift shops — offering unique experiences for art enthusiasts and culture seekers.
If you love the Starfield Library in Seoul, you’ll love stepping into the enchanting world of BookXcess. It boasts floor-to-ceiling bookshelves and cosy nooks to explore.
This literary haven invites book lovers to lose themselves in its vast collection of titles. If you’re overwhelmed by the options, go on a “blind date” with a book (RM19.90) instead — pick the description that appeals to you most and enjoy a surprise read!
One standout feature of REXKL is Piying Dream (~S$23/pax), an immersive projection show presented by REXPERIENCE. This innovative showcase draws inspiration from traditional shadow play, featuring over 3,000 digitised shadow puppet artefacts inspired by the society in Chinese legends like Journey To The West. Cosy up in a beanbag and enjoy the beautiful projections which traverse across the entire room!
A single screening also includes two other shows — The Matter of Painting and Annihilation. On weekends, the shows are accompanied by live dancers.
Opening hours: 8:30AM – 10PM, closes at midnight on Fri and weekends
How to get there: 15min taxi ride from The Zhongshan Building (Google Maps)
KL Secrets food tour
After all that shopping, seek out restaurants, street eats and speakeasy bars through the eyes of a local!
We explored Kuala Lumpur’s vibrant street food scene with a guided tour led by the knowledgeable and friendly Pauline, a local expert passionate about her city’s culinary treasures. As we strolled through the city’s bustling streets, she introduced us to a world of flavours, aromas, and sights showcasing Kuala Lumpur’s street food culture.
Our food journey was filled with an array of delicious treats like curry puffs at the local bakery Happy Meal, chocolates from Beryl, famous chicken rendang at a speakeasy restaurant and then cocktails with a view at a rooftop bar at Four Points by Sheraton!
We also visited Kwai Chai Hong, a beautifully restored alleyway that has become a popular photo spot lined with murals, alongside local cafes and restaurants. As we wandered through the picturesque alley, Pauline shared stories of its history and how it has evolved into a thriving foodie destination.
For some lesser-known local eats, we hit up Petaling Street Night Market. Pauline expertly navigated us through the market’s many stalls and pointed out specialities like assam laksa and moonlight hor fun. The must-try is Hong Kee’s famous clay pot chicken rice — many locals frequent this spot so that’s how you know it’s special! Besides food, people can also come here to find dupes of their favourite luxury bags 😜
Throughout our food tour, Pauline not only introduced us to some of Kuala Lumpur’s most delicious street food offerings but also shared fascinating stories about the city’s history, culture, and people. By the end of the night, we left with our hearts and bellies full!
Cost: S$90.70/pax
Tour timing: 4PM – 8PM
Meeting point: Pasar Seni MRT Gate A (Google Maps)
Day 2: Play at Genting SkyWorlds
With our love for themed parks, we had to include a day at Resorts World Genting’s latest outdoor theme park — SkyWorlds (opened in 2022) 🎢
We were excited for our day here as it featured our favourite Dreamworks movies like Ice Age, Rio and Epic! The rides here were a good mix of experiential and exhilarating — I had my fill of adrenaline-pumping coasters while Krissten recovered on the kiddy rides in between 😆
SkyWorlds is roughly the same size as Universal Studios Singapore and we managed to clear most of the rides within the day. We saved most of our time queuing by booking time slots for the express line via the SkyWorlds app.
This ensured we got to ride the more popular rides like Ice Age: Expedition Thin Ice, Independence Day and Samba Gliders with minimal waiting time 👀 The best part is it’s free to reserve (on a first come first serve basis)!
I enjoy collecting theme park ride photos, so I got the Photo+ package* for RM68. It included soft copy downloads for all rides and photo-taking ops around the park with their dedicated photographers 📸 The photos are available for download via the app and the package is valid for 90 days — you can collect more photos if you visit the park again!
*Note: The Photo+ unlimited package is only available during certain times of the year, like the school holiday season.
*Pro-tip: Book a private charter to Genting SkyWorlds via Klook for convenience — it includes hotel pick-up and drop-off, entrance tickets, cable car roundtrip tickets and even a stopover at Batu Caves.
Cost: S$97.60/pax for private transfer
Opening hours: 10AM – 6PM, closed on Tue (except Malaysia public holidays and school holidays)
How to get there: 1hr drive from KL Sentral (Google Maps)
Day 3: Go Thrift Shopping at Petaling Jaya
Yut Kee Restaurant
Start the morning right with some traditional Hainanese breakfast! Yut Kee is a popular coffee shop amongst locals and has been running every day since 1928. They are best known for their roast pork that’s only available on Fridays and weekends. Roast pork for breakfast might sound heavy, but the slices were lean and succulent — served with a side of apple sauce, gravy and potato wedges.
Opening hours: 7:30AM – 4PM, closed on Tue
How to get there: 10min taxi ride from KL Tower (Google Maps)
Shimokita Space
I’m not sure if Shimokitazawa, Tokyo’s hipster neighbourhood, inspired the shop’s concept but it definitely gave me similar vibes. Shimokita Space is a cafe-cum-thrift store with such a fun space — half of it is classroom-themed while the other is adorned with vintage decor pieces. And if you’re here to dine, the smash burgers and butter beer are a must-try!
The thrift store itself was small but packed with lots of curated pre-loved picks with everything from vintage dresses to trendy outerwear and lots of fun accessories.
Opening hours: 3PM – 11PM, closed on Mon
How to get there: 30min taxi ride from Yut Kee Restaurant (Google Maps)
FIFTH Thrift Store
FIFTH has a wide range of clothes from vintage pieces to pop-ups of local independent designers. There’s a branded section at the back too where you can find curated luxury items like bags from Prada and Marimekko for a fraction of the cost. The options here are unisex with a wide collection of band tees and well-preserved vintage leather jackets.
This thrift shop sits along a buzzing stretch of shophouses — check out other thrift shops nearby like UDOU and DEL’CS, and take a break in between at one of the many cafes here!
Opening hours: 1PM – 9PM (Weekdays), 12PM – 9PM (Weekends), closed on Mon
How to get there: 20min taxi ride from Shimokita Space (Google Maps)
Again Thrift Store
Again Thrift Store offers a more vibey experience with an adorable interior adorned with pink lights. It showcases a variety of vintage finds including hoodies, pullovers, tees, and ladies’ clothes. The prices here are pretty low too — I got a skirt for RM30!
Opening hours: 12PM – 7PM, closed on Mon
How to get there: 15min taxi ride from FIFTH (Google Maps)
Ok Go Store
This turned out to be one of our favourite thrift stores. At first glance, Ok Go Store seemed limited with only two neat rows of clothing and a lovely reading nook. But we were surprised to find more pieces that suited our styles like oversized pullovers and dress shirts. Plus, their pieces were affordable too — Krissten snagged a leather jacket for RM90!
Opening hours: 12PM – 7PM (Weekdays), 11AM – 7PM (Weekends), closed on Tue
How to get there: 1min walk from Again Thrift Store (Google Maps)
FANGS by Dekõri Premium Cafe
Take a break from thrifting and hang out at KL’s first reptile cafe! Fangs by Dekõri houses a range of reptiles from snakes to spiders and even giant lizards 🦎 As an animal lover, I was more than thrilled to spend some time here — my friend of choice was their adorable leopard gecko.
Unlike other pet cafes, there is no entrance fee but you’ll need to order some food and drinks. We had the fish fingers (RM18.80) and a refreshing grapefruit tea (RM12.90)!
We also didn’t manage to handle any snakes but I got to sit right by them and marvel from behind the glass. To ensure the animals have sufficient downtime in the day, the staff will advise which ones are available during your visit.
Opening hours: 12PM – 12AM
How to get there: 10min taxi ride from Ok Go Store (Google Maps)
Day 4: See KL from a new height
Gua Damai Rock Climbing at Batu Caves
It’s not a TTI trip without an adventurous activity — even in a city like KL! We kicked off our morning by rock climbing at Gua Damai (behind Batu Caves). Natural rock climbing can feel daunting at first, but I find it a lot more fun than indoor gyms! With no set route, you’re free to pick whatever handholds and steps suit you best as you ascend to the top.
We were led by our guide Teng who was very patient and encouraging throughout the session. There were a total of five routes of varying difficulties for us to tackle but nothing too crazy. And whenever we got stuck, Teng would guide us on the next few steps to get us back on track!
Cost: S$72/pax
How to get there: 11min taxi ride from Batu Caves (Google Maps)
KL Tower Walk 100
The KL Tower Walk 100 offers a 360° view of Kuala Lumpur’s cityscape but you’d need to walk on a glass platform suspended 100ft (~30m) above ground level. Although that’s small compared to Macau Tower’s SkyWalk, it still made our heart jump being so close to the edge.
What really got me was hearing the glass crack under my feet towards the end of the walk 😱 Thankfully, it was all just special effects and a sound trick!
Cost: S$4.20/pax
Opening hours: 9AM – 10PM (last admission at 9:30PM)
How to get there: 30min taxi ride from Gua Damai Extreme Park (Google Maps)
ARAS Revolving Restaurant KL Tower
After that thrilling experience, we watched the sun go down and the city light up from the top of KL Tower! ARAS Restaurant offers not just a revolving 360° panoramic view of the city skyline but also an impressive buffet spread serving everything from local delicacies to fresh seafood 🦪
We opted for a seat by the window, which was an additional RM50, but it’s worth the unobstructed views!
Cost: From S$25.60/pax
Opening hours: 11:30AM – 2:30PM (lunch buffet), 3PM – 5:30PM (high tea buffet), 6:30PM – 10PM (dinner buffet)
Day 5: Shop Local Art
Kanteen Tropicana
Fuel up for the day with brunch at Kanteen. Their extensive menu left us spoilt for choice, we couldn’t help but have a feast here! We ordered their seafood pasta, banana pandan pancakes, fried oyster mushrooms and their popular bunny milk pudding — and enjoyed everything.
We got two 50RM cash vouchers for S$11.50 each via Klook and it covered our entire meal. Our total only came up to S$23, what a steal 😱
Opening hours: 8AM – 10:30PM
How to get there: 30min taxi ride from KL Tower (Google Maps)
Kedai KL
Kedai KL is an artisanal marketplace with a diverse range of homegrown businesses and artists — offering a unique and immersive retail and lifestyle experience.
They have many shops spread across two levels, so there’s something for everybody here! Join a creative workshop, shop local brands like Redbean Closet and Shoe Mafia, or catch the ongoing exhibition at the digital art gallery. There’s also a vintage camera store, a tattoo studio, and a staffless thrift store — just be honest and pay for your items via QR code!
They also host bazaars at different times throughout the year — great for finding more local crafts in one space!
Opening hours: 10AM – 6PM, closed on Mon
How to get there: 20min taxi ride from Kanteen Tropicana (Google Maps)
Mewmovement
I’ve had my fair share of speakeasy bars and restaurants, but a speakeasy art shop? Let’s just say I fell in love with Mewmovement even before I stepped into the shop. As we approached the entrance, we were confused to see an elevator, but a push on the right wall led us into the most adorable art store we’ve ever visited.
Everything here was adorable from the decor to the stickers, drawings and unique postcards. They also had a live photobooth where you pose for 10 minutes (with breaks in between, of course) for a live illustration! The whole experience works exactly like a regular photo booth, except there’s an actual human behind the mirror drawing you 🖌
Besides the photobooth, what caught my eye was their dedicated postcard area. I was never one to send postcards from my travels but the space got me in the mood! I ended up penning down messages by their window like I was in a coming-of-age indie movie.
They also had mailboxes for each month so you can choose to mail in advance (for a birthday or Christmas). Or, drop it in the bigger postage box for immediate delivery 💌
Opening hours: 1PM – 9PM, closed on Tue
How to get there: 10min taxi ride from Kedai KL (Google Maps)
Thai Odyssey at Farenheit88
Finally, we ended the trip with a relaxing massage at Thai Odyssey 💆🏻♀️ They have 12 outlets all over KL offering Thai massages and aromatherapy, anything you need to soothe your aches. We opted for the 30-minute half-body massage — they served us hot tea before we laid down on these super comfy lounge chairs. Our masseuse was very skilled and time passed a lot slower than we expected!
*Pro-tip: Book your massage on Klook to enjoy lower prices! Secure your slot by making an online reservation with your preferred location — the Klook voucher is only valid for appointments between Monday and Thursday.
Cost: From S$21.20/pax
Opening hours: Varies
How to get there: 10min walk from KLoé Hotel
Where to Stay in Kuala Lumpur
We stayed at KLoé Hotel, a boutique hotel right at Bukit Bintang. It’s central enough to get around easily — the Bukit Bintang shopping district is less than a 10-minute walk away, and a short grab ride to all the places we wanted to visit.
The room has a mid-century modern aesthetic with pops of blue throughout. And I loved how spacious and bright it was, with lots of natural light!
Cost: From S$118/night (for 2 pax)
How to get there: 20min taxi ride from KL Sentral (Google Maps)
Pre-trip Essentials
The last time I was in Kuala Lumpur was with my family, over a decade ago. Our itinerary was filled with the usual tourist sights and I was left with the impression that KL was just another skyscraper city. Visiting KL again, I was pleasantly surprised to discover its rich food and arts culture, plus lots of unique activities in and around the city!
So on top of checking out this itinerary to experience the best of KL for your next trip, here are some pre-trip essentials to take note of:
Travel insurance: Be sure to get travel insurance that covers adventurous activities, overseas medical, and Covid-related expenses!
Connectivity: Pre-book your eSIM (1GB daily for 7 days) — QR code delivered via email. Check if your device is compatible with an eSIM beforehand.
Activities: Spare any worry about the availability of activities by pre-booking them before your trip! We booked most of ours via Klook which made our trip hassle-free as we secured our slots beforehand and avoided long queues — all we had to do was show up with our booking voucher!
Getting around: We mainly got around via Grab for our day-to-day, but took the KLIA Ekspres to and from the airport. The train platform was easy to navigate and the ride is only 30 minutes each way in and out of the city!
What other hidden gems should we add to our Kuala Lumpur itinerary? Drop a comment below!
This post was brought to you by Klook.
