Putrajaya - Government Administrative Centre
You can pay 300RM to a tour company to go to this modern city 25km south of KL or you can easily do it privately at a fraction of the cost. Get yourself to Sentral Stesen and purchase your ticket to Putrajaya (9.90RM single fare) from the first ticket counter on the right after you enter. This is the KLIA Transit Link. (Do not confuse this with the KLIA Expres which goes to the International Airport without stopping.) Your train stops only once before you alight at Putrajaya. The train is brilliantly modern, speedy and as smooth as silk. When you arrive, follow the signs to the taxi rank which is below the train line and on the other side. There you will find a counter where cashiers quote you for the deal you want. You pay and are led to a waiting taxi which takes you around Putrajaya with some commentary and all questions answered. It is difficult to convey the absolute luxury of this city, a leader in design and architecture throughout the world. It opened in 1995. You can see the mosque, Prime Minister's Office, Residence and of couse the offices of many other Ministers. There are outstanding parks, gardens and bridges. The taxis cost 30RM per hour and an hour while the minimum is probably just about right. Obviously, you could have your taxi return you after an hour or two to the train station for the ride back to KL. A good idea, though, is to add on a visit to Mines Shopping Centre. This added 23RM to the hourly cost giving a total of 53RM. The centre is built on a disused mine which has filled with water creating an enormous lake. It is somewhat reminiscent of Venice. After you have walked around the shops and enjoyed the airconditioning, you board a boat on the ground floor and for 2RM, you are taken to the first stop which is beside the Serdang railway station. From here a single ticket to KL costs 1.60RM. So all up, two people can do the trip for approximately 80RM.
A visit to Putrajaya is a must if you are in Kuala Lumpur and so easy to do by yourself.
Sunway Shopping Centre
You can get yourself quite easily to this Egyptian themed shopping centre by taking the KTM train from Central to Subang Jaya (1.60RM). At Subang Jaya station, there is a shuttle bus which takes you to the shopping centre for 80 sens in about ten minutes. It's a good idea to note the route number of the bus for the return trip. The drop off and pick up point is right outside the centre's main entrance. Inside, there is a great variety of shops and eating outlets. On the ground floor, there is an ice skating rink and from McDonalds you have a panoramic view of the wave pools etc of the theme park. Well worth a morning or afternoon!
Batu Caves Temples in Kuala Lumpur
Batu Caves Temples are both in and slightly out of Kuala Lumpur as it is connected to the main mountain range of the Peninsular which runs from Thailand to the borders of Johore the state nearest to Singapore. Why are the temples both in and almost out of Kuala Lumpur is the uniquite feature of the Lord Subramaniam temple which has its base in Jalan Bandar in the heart of Kuala Lumpur with a host of low cost hotels in Petaling Street or China Town as shown on tourisism brochures; the uniqueness of the temple is the golden chariot of Lord Subramaniam which is taken out once a year for a procession to Batu Caves dragged by the devotees who are often in a state of trance and are undergoing flaggelation or some other kind of self sacrifice to purify their bodies and in appreciation for favours granted by invoking the name of Lord Subramaniam as Minister of Works Samy Veloo could testify; after a slow procession through the streets of Kuala Lumpur the golden chariot finally reaches the Vicinity of Batu Caves where the Golden Statue of Lord Subramaniam stands prominently and the devotees pay their respect to the image and visit the caves by climbing 321 steps to the enterance and do their homage; it is legendary that the cave is linked to Thailand by secret passageways which has so far not been explored by the scientific community because the Lord Subramaniam Temple committee does not approve any attempts to allow explorers to verify this fact.
So enjoy your stay in Kuala Lumpur but don't forget Batu Caves .
Kuala Selangor Fireflies
Kuala Selangor is a sleepy town about 100km from Kuala Lumpur. In the small hamlet of Kampung Kuantan there, you find one of the largest firefly colonies in the world.
The visit usually starts in the afternoon, where you depart KL and take about 90 minutes to travel to Kuala Selangor. On arrival at Kuala Selangor, visit “Kota Melawati” formerly known as “Fort Altingsburg” , the execution block, royal mausoleum and colonial buildings. A bird sanctuary park at the foot of Bukit Melawati is an ideal place for bird watchers to watch migratory birds. Also found are silvered – leaf monkeys, butterflies etc. (you can get a driver for this, or join a tour).
This is usually followed by dinner at the river side. There are many seafood resturants along the river, where shipping boats come in with their day's catch. Watch the sunset having fresh and cheap seafood.
More about the seafood here - Seafood in Kuala Selangor
When it's dark, proceed to Kampung Kuantan.. A boatman will row upstream in a small unmotorised boat (tongkang) in the quiet darkness to witness the blinking trees. This scintillating display of fireflies portrays an image of a flashing Christmas tree. The synchronized, rhythmic flashing is produced by the thousands of fireflies found in the mangrove swamp of Kampung Kuantan. The skilled local oarsmen make this experience a memorable and unforgettable one.
The Kuala Gandah Elephant Orphanage Sanctuary
The Elephant Santuary is located within the bio diversified-rich protected Krau Game Reserve, about 90 minutes drive from KL. It is best done as a day trip that takes you to visit Batu Caves, Berjaya Hill Resorts, Genting Highlands. The Elephant Sactuary is the last of these stops.
This is not a commercial concern, so there are no entrence fees, donations are gladly accepted. There are a number of elephants being nursed here, and visitors can get up close and personel with these elephants. The most happening times start at 1pm, which opens with a documentary, then feeding time 2pm where visitors can help feed them. 230pm elephant rides followed by playing with elephants in the water.
For more information visit this site - Kuala Gandah Info
Sungai Klah Hot Springs
Located about 2 hours North from KL, the Sungai Klah Hot Springs Park is nestled in the serene and lush forest patches, surrounded by hills and clear cold mountain streams and rivers. All 6.5 hectares enjoy the scenic view of well-tended oil palm plantation and durian orchard amidst a haven of tranquility.
The park has a number of pools where visitors can enjoy various activities, including swimming, treatments, egg boiling..etc. Many visitors come to this park so its best to go early.
More information can be found here : Sungai Klah Hot Springs
You can combine this trip with a visit to Gua Tempurung (caving adventure)
Gua Tempurung Cave
Gua Tempurung is a very large cave about 2 hours north of KL, just before the mining town of Ipoh. It is recommended this visit be done together with the Sungei Klah Hot Springs, or done with a overnight stay in Fraser's Hill.
One of the most majestic white marble and limestone towers in Malaysia is the Gunung Tempurung. Concealed within this limestone massif is an intricate system of caves of various dimensions honeycombed inside the limestone hills. These caves are actually a breathtaking gallery of stalagmites and stalactites and other amazing rock formations which are superb speleogical wonders found only in this part of the world.
Depending on your sense of adventure, various guided packages can be arranged. Starting from the 40 mins easy sightseeing tour, suitable for all ages, to the 3 hour caving adventure only for the fit and adventurous, where a guide will lead you deep into the cave, exploring underground streams, rock formations in the dark only lighted by your own touch light. Worh a visit.
More information here - Gua Tempurung Link
Malacca Historical Town
Located about 2 hours south of KL is the city of Malacca. Founded around 1400, the historical port has been occupied by the Siamese, Portugese and Dutch. It was also an important outpost for the Chinese Admiral Zheng He. The town bustles with its rich history. Vistors can visit its many historical sites, and tastes its interesting cuisine that has developed due to its many foreign influences.
The town square has many historical buildings.
Its historical street - Jonker Walk boasts of many antique shops and cafes
Malacca is also famous for its food. Must try are the following -
Chicken Rice balls - Chicken rice rolled into golf balls and also the Chendol at Jonker Walk.
To get to Malacca, one needs to catch a bus. There are a number of bus companies servicing this route. Check with your hotel concerige for more information.
