Ewe Paik Leong takes a look at a simple and cheap way to see what Kuala Lumpur has to offer – just by following the KL Monorail service from KL Sentral to Titiwangsa.
In traffic-choked Kuala Lumpur, an easier alternative to driving or travelling by taxi to explore the city is to take the monorail. A trip from Stesen Sentral, better known as KL Sentral, to Titiwangsa passes through several stations where you can hop off to go sightseeing, shop, eat and even have a picnic. So, slap on your sun cream, sit back and off we go…
1. KL Sentral
Starting at the KL Sentral (MR1) monorail station located across the road from the KL Sentral main building, head south-west, down Jalan Tun Sambanthan to get to Little India. Stroll along the arch-lined pavement to see stores selling saris, spices, Bollywood CDs, Indian sweets and garlands. Savour a meal of banana leaf rice, delectable fish head curry or sweets such as laddu, jelebi and burfi if you so fancy.
2. Maharajalela
Continue your journey to Maharajalela station (MR3) where a spurting fountain greets you as you traipse towards Chinatown. To your left stands Chan She Shu Yun Temple, built in 1901.
Its façade features pottery figurines from Chinese mythology, and the roof’s green glazed tiles are set in a wave-like pattern. In 2006, the Government declared the temple a heritage building. Proceed ahead to Chinatown, bursting with colours and clamour of trading, if your wanderlust beckons you.
3. Hang Tuah
The next station is Hang Tuah (MR4).
From the train, you can see a construction site on your right, where Pudu Prison once stood.
At Imbi Station (MR5), the train deposits you outside Berjaya Times Square, which boasts of the largest indoor theme park in the country and 500 stores.
4. Bukit Bintang
Further ahead, at Bukit Bintang station (MR6), overhead bridges lead to you Lot 10 and Sungei Wang Plaza. Turn right at the intersection of Jalan Bukit Bintang/Jalan Sultan Ismail to go to Pavilion KL, Starhill Gallery and Fahrenheit 88, three trendy malls.
5. Bukit Nanas
Onward to the Bukit Nanas station (MR8) after passing Raja Chulan (MR7). From the station, walk westward down Jalan Raja Chulan to get to Bukit Nenas Forest Reserve, KL Tower and eventually, Telekom Museum which chronicles the history of telecommunications in the country. Built in 1924, the building itself is an attraction in itself as it sports fluted pillars that end in volutes, representative of the Ionic Order architectural style.
In the forest reserve, your senses are soothed by lush greenery, spice plants, tropical trees as birds twitter above you along hiking trails. Continue walking and on your right you’ll see St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church and as you continue walking straight, there is Forestry Department Peninsular Malaysia to your left.
Keep on walking until you reach a traffic light junction, then turn left and continue for a few metres until you see Jalan Punchak off Jalan P.Ramlee. Walk up the hill until you see a Guard House with Menara Kuala Lumpur free shuttle service waiting to take up to the tower!
6. Chow Kit
Next stop, Chow Kit station (MR10), after passing Medan Tuanku (MR9). A cast-iron stomach is needed to enter Chow Kit Wet Market where fish wriggle on concrete slabs and where spicy aromas tickle your nostrils. But lighter moments can be found at the colourful fruit stalls and souvenir stores.
7. Titiwangsa
Finally, the monorail ends its journey at Titiwangsa (MR11). From here, it’s an 800-metre walk eastward to Tititwangsa Lake Garden. Soak in the fresh air, row a kayak, ride a pedal-boat or simply stroll amidst verdant greenery. On weekends, there are pony and horse-carriage rides for children.
A travel itinerary such as this can take up a full day, depending on how long you spend at each spot. So, enjoy your outing using the monorail – and enjoy KL!
"ExpatGo welcomes and encourages comments, input, and divergent opinions. However, we kindly request that you use suitable language in your comments, and refrain from any sort of personal attack, hate speech, or disparaging rhetoric. Comments not in line with this are subject to removal from the site. "
Useless country with no human rights? Citizens fear to express their feelings becoz bad humiliating government.I can’t wait to catch 1 Malaysian in Nigeria.
nice place I like….
tempat little india
The KL Monorail is not exactly the cheapest line, just so you know.
Makes you wonder how this article was written, did the writer really went on a trip aboard the KL Monorail and did as they say in the article.
Two issues:
1. The arch-lined pavements are not nearer if you alight at the Tun Sambanthan station, you’re actually moving away from it. Before you even get into the KL Monorail Line and if you’re already at KL Sentral a 500 meter walk to the corner of Jalan Rakyat (prev. Jalan Travers) and Jalan Tun Sambanthan should take you to the arch-lined pavements you are referencing in the article.
2. The 800-meter walk to Titiwangsa Lake Garden is something I would not actually recommend to tourists as the route at the moment is blocked by construction of the DUKE Extension Expressway (I have at times crossed the construction area itself with the heavy machinery to make my way to the Titiwangsa Lake Garden) and also if they don’t know that there are footpaths under the roundabout they might try and cross the busy roads which could be dangerous. It would be better to take a taxi from the Monorail or take a bus (Bus no. 402 going to Maluri).
So yeah, to anyone thinking of using this article as guide please do a bit more research to augment the information outlined above.
Thanks for reaching out, Estelito. We agree that the monorail is not necessarily the cheapest transit line, but it is still a very cheap way to see many of KL’s sights. We’ll check with our team about the rest 🙂