Kuala Lumpur & Tioman Island: 7 days in Malaysia

For my August vacation, I returned home, not before making a short stop in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. I had never set foot in a mostly Muslim country before, so I was very curious to see the cultural differences. 

At that time, I was living in China, in Kunming. I bought a flight ticket from Kunming to Kuala Lumpur. I would stay 7 days in Malaysia and then fly from Kuala Lumpur to Barcelona, stopping in Abu Dhabi and Rome.

Just the week before I left I found out that a cousin of mine was living in Kuala Lumpur (KL, as they call it there). He told me that he was away on vacation, but that I could stay in his flat without any problem and advised me to visit Tioman Island, on the east coast of Malaysia.

Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur is the capital of Malaysia, the largest city in the country and has a population of almost 2 million people. Walking through the center of KL is like walking through four different worlds. Malay, Indian, Chinese and Western are mixed and in each street it seems that you are in a different country or that you are at all at once.

During this three days in Kuala Lumpur I stayed there as a resident. Avoiding the tourist places, walking around the Chinese neighborhood, going around the center in search of Indian restaurants and above all spending time in the pool. I didn’t need to move much. I was sure I wouldn’t find a better place than that in all of KL.

What to see in Kuala Lumpur?

Even so, Kuala Lumpur is a vibrant city with many interesting places to explore. In addition to the Petronas Towers, an iconic symbol of the city, I recommend visiting:

• Batu Caves Temple, an impressive Hindu sanctuary nestled in the hills, is famous for its massive golden statue of Murugan and its caves filled with colorful altars. Climbing its 272 steps is quite a ritual and offers a unique view of the city.
• The Royal Palace, the official residence of the King of Malaysia, is an architectural gem surrounded by meticulously manicured gardens. Although entry is not allowed, it’s worth stopping to admire the grandeur of the building and witness the changing of the guard.
• Perdana Botanical Gardens, also known as Lake Gardens, is a peaceful haven right in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. Here, you can enjoy a stroll among lakes, exotic flowers, tropical birds, and green spaces perfect for relaxing or having a picnic.
• The vibrant Central Market is the perfect place to immerse yourself in local culture. You’ll find a lively mix of Malay handicrafts, delicious street food, art, and performances that reflect the city’s diversity.

Staying near the Petronas Towers

I couldn’t refuse the invitation so I ended up staying in my cousin apartment which was right next to the Petronas Towers. When I say the attic, I immediately realized that I might never be able to return the favor.

On one side of the pool the famous Petronas Towers rose in all their splendor and you couldn’t help but be stunned by contemplating them without paying attention to anything else. If you looked over the other side, the skyscrapers of the city covered the horizon and magically vanished, but also with the help of a little pollution. 

Visiting Tioman Island

Trip from Kuala Lumpur to Tioman Island

The day came to visit Tioman Island. To go from Kuala Lumpur to Tioman Island you must first go to the TBS bus terminal (Terminal Bersepadu Selatan). From there take a five-hour bus. Once you arrive in the coastal town of Mersing a ferry leaves you on the island in just over an hour.

The island is quite big. There are different areas to stay so tourism is not only concentrated in one place as it happens in Koh Phi Phi. So if you are lucky, you may find yourself with empty beaches.

Enjoying Tioman Island

Just arriving, I quickly rented a small bungalow and went to see the surrounding beaches. What is most surprising is its peaceful atmosphere, far from the hustle and bustle of the big cities, where you can relax and simply enjoy nature.

My part of the island was almost deserted. The crystalline beaches were all just for me. From time to time I would spot a tourist in the distance. I also came across one-meter lizards. They are very similar to Komodo dragons, but in theory, harmless.

I only stayed two days. Although I was very sorry to leave so quickly, it was worth the trip to disconnect a little from the over-urbanization in the center of KL. Here’s a link to a nice video about Tioman Island.

Return home from Kuala Lumpur

The day after I returned to Kuala Lumpur I took the flight back home. It had been two years since I had settled in Kunming. Two years of unforgettable experiences, especially traveling and discovering Yunnan province. But now, it was time to return home.

Once I was on the plane, two years of memories haunted my head. Inevitably,  my mind was also thinking about the Malaysian plane that had been missing for a month. There were 24 hours left to arrive home, as long as everything went well.

Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.

– John Lennon –