Cultural tours

Led by passionate and knowledgeable guides, Malaysia Heritage’s informative tours bring KL alive with anecdotes and insights as they visit the city’s best temples, markets, street stalls and historic enclaves. For a chauffeur-driven view of the sights, try Kuala Lumpur Tours who also offer evening tours to the city’s night markets and lit-up landmarks and finishing with a cultural show and buffet dinner.

Malaysia Heritage

Telephone

+60 3 203 21031.

Website

www.malaysiaheritage.net

Kuala Lumpur Tours

Telephone

+60 1 3208 4862.

Website

www.kualalumpurtours.com.my

Food Tours

For anyone wanting a real taste of city life, Food Tour Malaysia runs a popular culinary expedition for groups to taste-test a whole range of eclectic cuisines, from hidden-gem restaurants and speciality shops to backstreet cafes. Another option is Simply Enak, who organises heritage food trails through Chinatown's Petaling Street as well as a trip to the city's famous wet market, Chow Kit.

Food Tour Malaysia

Telephone

+60 1 3227 1505

Website

www.foodtourmalaysia.com

Simply Enak Food Experiences

Telephone

+60 1 7287 8929

Website

www.simplyenak.com

Melaka

Less than two hours south of Kuala Lumpur lies the coastal city of Melaka (or Malacca) recognised by UNESCO for its historic riches. The city's unique architecture bears the mark of Dutch, Portuguese and British empires while the characterful Chinatown district, on north bank of Melaka River, is a good starting point to explore the atmospheric backstreets.

Batu Caves

Take the train 13km north of the centre to the Batu Caves, a vast labyrinth of limestone chambers that are home to a spattering of Hindu shrines. A 43m-high statue of Lord Murugan guards the entrance to the main Temple Cave and 272 steps lead to the top. Time a visit during the annual Thaipusam Festival, when thousands of worshippers gather at the holy site.