Exploring Kuala Lumpur is a delight, but all too often residents miss out on some of the joys of discovery that tourists experience. Sharuna Segaren enlightens you on some of the best tours you can take to get a guided feel of what the city has to offer, from a tourist’s point of view.

Kuala Lumpur is bustling with things to do and see, but one can often forget that if they reside here. Due to traffic jams, parking difficulties, and constant construction, going out and doing touristy things on the weekends can be a pain. However, if you can get past those issues, there are a number of fun and interesting things you can do, and learn a couple of new things along the way, about the fascinating city of Kuala Lumpur. Since driving in Kuala Lumpur can be bothersome, why not put on some good shoes, don some comfortable clothing, arm yourself with a big bottle of water, and take a tour? Here are some enjoyable tours you can take by yourself, or with your family or friends, to see some of the hidden spots, local eateries, and cultural attractions of the diverse city of KL.

1. National Heritage Tour

Photo credit: phalinn / Foter / CC BY

Explore Kuala Lumpur in a different light with The Heritage Walk Kuala Lumpur. Despite this city being relatively young, it has gone through several changes over the course of history. Learn more about this rich heritage, which is the highlight of the tour, organized by Kuala Lumpur City Hall. Offered three times a week, it showcases the history and architecture of the landmark Dataran Merdeka (Independence Square), as well as the 10 buildings surrounding it. Most of these buildings were built in the late 1800s and early 1900s with various cultural and architectural styles.

2. Little India Tour

*Update 29 June, 2015*

DBKL has informed us that the Little India tour has stopped for the time being.

There’s nowhere quite as vibrant and colourful than Brickfields, known as Little India to tourists, with the variety of Indian shops and restaurants. You can find traditional Indian clothes, jewellery, souvenirs, and makeup, as well as all kinds of Indian delicacies here. You’ll know you’ve arrived when you see the colourful arches carved by Indian artisans. A guided walking tour that begins at 9am on Saturdays is now available for you to explore this cultural town, bringing you along temples, churches and historical buildings as well. Some highlights include the Sri Kandaswamy Temple, built in 1902 and The Holy Rosary Church, built in 1903.

3. Chinatown Tour

Photo credit: trugiaz / Foter / CC BY-NC-ND

One of the wonderful things about Kuala Lumpur is its rich diversity. Chinatown, which used to be known as Old Kuala Lumpur, with its busy streets and narrow alleys is one of the liveliest and most engaging places to explore. The tour takes around five hours, so make sure you bring some water and sunblock with you. It begins at the vibrant Guan Yin Temple, built in 1880. Along the way, you will pass the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple. Guan Di Temple, Petaling Street, and the Central Market.

4. Kampung Baru Tour

Get a sense of old Malay heritage, with this tour that starts around 10 minutes away from Chow Kit Market. Kampung Baru was founded in 1899, and authentic traditional Malay wooden houses still stand there today. On Saturday evenings, you can experience the Sunday Market, which starts at 6pm on Saturday evening until the wee hours of Sunday morning. All kinds of Malay jewellery, clothes, fabric, souvenirs, and authentic Malay food can be found here.

5. Kuala Lumpur Street Food Tour: “Off the Eaten Track”

Photo Credit: DBKL

If you haven’t got enough of Malaysia’s gastronomic delights yet, and chances are you haven’t, this is one tour not to be missed. A three-and-a-half hour trip that takes you to some of the hidden food stalls around Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya demands you show up with your stomach empty! Led by a group of passionate food adventurers, you’ll be able to try the food that true locals eat. The guides will also enlighten you with interesting snippets about Malaysian politics, culture, food and history. It’s mainly a driving tour, so you won’t be doing that much walking on this one.

6. Horse and Carriage Ride

Photo Credit: DBKL

Now, this is one way to see Kuala Lumpur from a new perspective! A 20-minute carriage ride, a new initiative under the City Hall, will take its passengers past 12 historical buildings around KL. The ride begins at the Kuala Lumpur City Gallery, and takes passengers along a scenic tour along Jalan Mahkamah Persekutuan, past the Sultan Abdul Samad building, Masjid Jamek and Panggung Bandaraya, St Mary’s Cathedral, and the Royal Selangor Club.

7. Eat, Pray, Love Tour

Discover some quaint backstreets of Kuala Lumpur and enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at the true essence of the city. The ‘Eat’ experience of the tour takes you to some specialty food shops and ethnic eateries that are popular among the local. Then, the ‘Pray’ aspect will give you a glimpse into the early settlements by bringing you to old religious spots. ‘Love’ will enlighten you on insight stories and allow you to experience the hidden gems of the city, discovering its history, architecture and cultures.

To learn more about these tours and how to reserve your spot, please visit:
National Heritage Tour, Little India Tour, Chinatown Tour, Kampung Baru Tour, Horse & Carriage Ride www.visitkl.gov.my

Kuala Lumpur Street Food Tour “Off The Eaten Track” www.getyourguide.com/food-tourmalaysia-s3533

Eat, Pray, Love Tour
www.malaysiaheritage.net