Top things to do in KL ?

[HighFlyer]

Many of you here have been to KL (as part of the SIN-KUL run too), so i was hoping you could help me ...

What would you advise as the top 'must see' things in KL for a newbie with 4/5 nights to spend there?

I have heard plusses and minuses in regards to the Petronas Towers, any tips? Is it worth it?

Does anyone have experience of the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre in Sandakan, Borneo? If so, is it worth the journey from KL?

Any advice from people familiar with KL and Malaya in general, please feel free to respond

Can't add anything for suggestions right now, but Will be able to in a couple of weeks

Cheers

Michael

HighFlyer,

I had friends who visited the Orangutan centre in Borneo whilst on hls and where so awe struck by the work that want on became volunteers working there for 2 months. Pictures where fabulous. Only one small problem is that you will want to bring one home with you:)

[HighFlyer]

Thanks iforres!

We were mainly concerned that we wouldnt see any Orangutans! Im aware that the centre isnt like a zoo, so i thought that it may be possible to spend the whole day there without a sighting!

Mcuth - look forward to reading your trip report and any other tips you have on your return!

I have family in east malaysia (ie borneo), and its a lovely place. WRT sepilok, seeing the orangutans is impressive, and you're almost guaranteed to see them, however there's not much else to do there. A small exhibit and an hour on the platforms watching them being fed (need to time your trip to coincide with this) before they disappear off into the jungle. You can do various other stuff around Sandakan (boat trip to longhouse, jungle walk etc.) but its pretty rural, and a decent flight from KL (via KK I guess unless anyone goes direct).

You can get VERY cheap flights to KK (or anywhere in the region) from air asia - I think £15 including tax, so its not expensive to get to e.malaysia. There's a lot to do in KK - the islands to go and see, lots of watersports, 27 hole golf course, nice hotels, Mount Kinabalu 2hrs away to climb, cultural in town stuff etc., and you could fit in a half day flight & tour combined to sandakan to see the orangutans. Just don't take the bus from KK to Sandakan if you want to live. Done it once and never again - horrendous road and lots of accidents.

Other stuff to think about from KL - for a few days on a tropical beach fly to Langkawi (W coast island) or Tioman (an east coast island) depending on time of year for the best weather. Langkawi has quite a lot to do - kept us occupied for a week & we're not really beach people.

A cool KL thing to visit is the Petaling St night market. Lots of very good copies of gucci etc., and DVDs for £2. 'special Chinese version sir, completely legal' Try and get a local to show you around (if you have friends out there).

[HighFlyer]

Thanks Dave!

If we did go to to Sepilok i was thinking of catching an afternoon flight to Sandakan (i believe you go to Kota Kinnibalu for a stop-over) spend the night in Sandakan, spend the next day at Sepilok and then back to KL in the late afternoon (i think it closes at 3.30pm anyway). Im not sure what other carriers operate other than Air Malaysia so i was going on their flight times.

My partner wasnt too sure whether the rushed trip would be worth it as he thought we wouldnt see any Orangutans but i would enjoy it! I think we would get a great sense of tropical Mayasia too.

We were also thinking of going to Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary, ever heard of that? We would (hopefully) get to feed and bathe the orphan elephants which has got to be a 'once in a lifetime' thing.

Thanks for you tips, feel free to add any more. We had thought about the night market, just for the cultural experience really, and if you recommend it then i think we will definately give it a go.

Thanks for your help!

I just had a look on airasia.com - there's a direct flight from KL to SDK leaving 2.15pm, arriving about 5pm, and the return leaves SDK c. 5.15 back about 8pm. This would cut out the KK connection and save a bit of time, as well as probably being half the price.

Highflyer,
are you booked to go or just thinking about it?

I'm out there next week:)

Dave thanks for the advice..I'm not sure what I'll be doing there yet!

quote:Originally posted by Jonathan
I'm out there next week:)

Really? Wow, so am I
Know what I'll be doing though [8D]

Cheers

Michael

[HighFlyer]

Thanks for all the information! I did not know about Air Asia, and the direct flight they offer to SDK is most useful. Hopefully you get a good view of KK on the way!

Jonathan, im in the process of booking a Great Escapade (thanks to this forum - helping me to spend my cash LOL) and KUL is one of the destinations in the itenary. Ive always wanted to visit KL as my Nanna was born and bred there, but i wasnt sure hat the main attractions were, other than the Petronas Towers. I just wanted a few 'must see' things for our stay to convince the other half that we really should go.

Thanks for your help, im not convinced he will want to go to Sepilok (even though id love to) but i guess you have to leave something for next time

HighFlyer

I just bought the Rough Guide to Singapore & Malaysia - haven't finished it yet (well, barely started to be honest! ) - the typeface is a bit small, but it seems packed with info & things to do

Cheers

Michael

Thats the one I bought as i'm going next Jan/Feb. Wish I could spend longer in the country but this trip is for my TP's and a taster to make we want to come back and see more.

I was thinking of doing the Petronas, the other big radio tower (i like big towers !), the markets, Batu Caves and maybe a trip to Melaka, and lots of hawker stalls and bars.

Don't think i'll have the time to do either langkwai or penang.

dean

Do the Menara KL (telecoms tower) instead of the Petronas skybridge. It is higher and has 360 degree views. You'll need to get a taxi up then walk down.
Obviously visit the towers - go out the back and people watch, beside the fountains (they are lovely). Have a drink and a pie !!
Batu caves are fun - but watch out for monkeys. They stole my wife's water bottle.
KL is famous for Selangor Pewter so a factory visit can kill a couple of hours.
There is also the big blue mosque. I am not muslim but it was worth visiting this mammoth place. That was pre 9/11 but I find Malaysians very friendly.
Go to the market and buy all "original" gear. Would steer away form dvd's unless you get a preview. Can be hit or miss on quality front.
Not too many great bars - irish one predictably ok. There is one around the corner fron Shanrgi-La hotel (went by the name of Beach Club or someting similar) - it was the best. Packed every night. My last visit was 2yrs ago.
Electronic equipment and cd-roms are cheaper.