RaufWith bustling crowds, blinding city lights and a seemingly never-ending assortment of activities, Bukit Bintang has established itself in the heart of Kuala Lumpur as a wild, exciting, colourful and creative part of the city.
This large and extensive hot-spot stands firmly as a prominent part of the city’s pulse and the epitome of consumerism, filled to the brim with rows of foot-reflexology parlours, trendy bars, numerous cafes, shopping plazas and street vendors hawking their wares. The bustling streets that never sleep, combined with diverse droves of pedestrians from all walks of life, gritty side stalls, Lebanese kebabs, multi-purposed venues, upscale marble halls, five-star hotels and the lapping fountains of the Pavilion all blend into one chaotic yet spectacular showcase that is a sight to behold.
Locals and tourists that haven’t yet become familiar with the ins and outs of the fascinating labyrinth that is Bukit Bintang can easily be overwhelmed by the many things to do, see, eat and experience.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the best things to look out for while strolling around this vast metropolitan landmark.
Jalan Alor
Image credit: [email protected]
Just north of Jalan Bukit Bintang lies one of KL’s largest collection of roadside restaurants which can be found scattered along Jalan Alor. The streets turn into a colossal assortment of open-air eateries beginning from around 5pm till late every evening. Here, you can enjoy a selection of food and beverages while taking in the sights and sounds of the city.
The sheer quantity of outlets here results in a large menu selection which includes Malay, Chinese and Thai dishes ranging from grilled fish and satay to kai-lan (Chinese greens) in oyster sauce and fried noodles. Muslim visitors may want to take note that alcohol can be found in most of these stalls.
Pavilion KL
Image credit: Pavillion KL
This glowing beacon in the shopping plaza area of Bukit Bintang is one of the more fairly recent developments here and features a place for shoppers to immerse themselves in the many international brands as well as local options.
At Pavilion KL, you can find spots such as British India which focuses on well-made linen, silk and cotton clothing for men and women, as well as the more affordable Padini Concept Store. The sixth floor hosts a grand display of various Japanese brands at the Tokyo Street of stalls while delectable dishes can be found at the Pavilion food court in the basement.
No Black Tie
Image credit: No Black Tie
No Black Tie has gradually built a cult following after beginning as a small live-music venue, bar and bistro that offers exuberance, style, class and unique performances from budding talents. It is owned by Malaysian concert pianist Evelyn Hii, who has a knack for finding exceptional singer-songwriters, jazz bands and classical-music ensembles, No Black Tie hosts enjoyable performances that begin from around 9pm.
Glutton Street
This hawker-stall alley near Pudu Market may be a little off the radar and hard to find for those who aren’t well informed. Among the many delights to be found in this vicinity are scrumptious meals such as addictive fried chicken, chai tow kway (radish cake stir-fried with soy sauce, bean sprouts and egg), prawn fritters and barbecued dried squid, all at affordable prices.
Petronas Towers
Once known as the tallest skyscraper in the world and a source of pride and joy for Malaysians, the Petronas Towers need no introduction.
Its twin silver pinnacles are an icon of development and the Skybridge connection on the 41st floor as well as the observation deck on the 86th floor at 370m boast a stunning view of Kuala Lumpur, with a majority of the tickets for the 45-minute-tours being sold online. As an alternative, turning up early to purchase a ticket may be possible.
Nearly 452m in total height, with a floor plan that is based on an eight-sided star that echoes arabesque patterns, Argentinian architect César Pelli designed this magnificent wonder with Islamic influences evident in each tower’s five tiers which represent the five pillars of Islam. At night, the twins illuminate the dark sky with an impressive, trademark glow.
KLCC Park
Image credit: Eirien
Locals and tourists alike congregate at the KLCC Park for pictures with the tall twin towers in the background. This spot is the best vantage point for admiring the awesome landmark and each night, at roughly 8pm, 9pm and 10pm, the Lake Symphony fountains can be witnessed in front of the Suria KLCC. Additionally, the park offers visitors lush greenery and a soft-surface jogging track. There’s also a large children’s playground, a paddling pool and the nearby Masjid Asy-Syakirin.
ILHAM
Image credit: ILHAM Tower
Looking for an in-depth medium for art and cultural appreciation? The glossy, 60-storey ILHAM Tower features a long list of thought-provoking contemporary pieces in its extensive art gallery. The tower’s rotating exhibitions show selected artwork spanning various mediums.
Aside from the gallery, performances and talks, film screenings and workshops can also be found throughout the centre that often tie in with the theme of whichever exhibition is currently being featured.
