Although living in KL can be exhilarating, there are times when you just need to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city centre. Many people may feel that in order to experience a totally fresh adventure they need to travel long hours and distances down Malaysian highways or even leave the country. The reality is, many of the locations on the must-see checklist are at most a mere two hours away from home and some are even located in the city centre itself!

1. Batu Caves

If you have yet to hear about the Batu Caves, you may be living in a cave yourself! The Batu Caves are considered a highlight respected and important temple for the Hindu community. Numerous statues, including a 50 feet statue of the god Murugan carved in gold, can be appreciated even from beneath the 272 steps. If you’re looking for a demanding workout and a day immersed in Hindu culture, head to these mystical caves. They are only a short trip out of KL and can easily be reached from KL Sentral by monorail.

2. National Elephant Conservation Centre

Located in the nearby town of Kuala Gandah, the Elephant Sanctuary is an excellent place to have the unique experience of getting up close and personal with these gentle giants. The conservation centre has more than 20 resident elephants, ranging from infants to 38-year-old adults. A day at the reserve starts with feeding the elephants, observing the older group taking a plunge in the river, meeting and learning the elephants names, and finally letting you get down and dirty in the river in order to bathe a baby elephant. Needless to say, it provides visitors with an experience that will be cherished for life. At just an hour and a half from KLCC, it is perfect for a quick day trip.

See Also: Elephant Sanctuary in Kuala Gandah to Introduce New Attractions

3. Chinatown

This is an excellent choice for the expats who want to immerse themselves in old architecture and historical culture. Filled with innumerable street kiosks offering cheap treasures and tasty food, this cultural hub features a variety of activities. Another big attraction are the wet markets that display all types of fresh product and even live animals that can be eaten. Gruesome to some and fascinating to others, the wet markets should definitely be experienced. Chinatown, or Petaling Street as it is more popularly known as, is only a short LRT ride away from KL Sentral.

See Also:

• A Walk Through Little India & Chinatown
• Kuala Lumpur’s Infamous Petaling Street

4. Thean Hou Buddhist Temple

This vibrant and exotic temple is a short ten minute drive from downtown Kuala Lumpur, yet its hilly location and peaceful atmosphere transports you to a tranquil place. In addition, any expat visiting will get to learn about Buddhist traditions and customs, as well as meeting with monks and observing their lifestyle. The temple is also beautifully decorated in bright reds and filled with interesting paintings for you to feast your eyes on.

So if you’re an expat looking for a quick escape from the spectacular but chaotic city charm, there’s no need to drive all the way to another country – everything wished upon is a short trip away.

See Also: New Hindu Temple to Become Tourist Attraction in Putrajaya

Source: The Expat September 2013

Homepage highlight photo credit: cornstaruk, Flickr

Read more:

• Malaysia’s Top 10 Tourist Attractions
• Top 8 Tourist Attractions in Penang
• Top Places to Stay at Lake Kenyir

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