KUALA LUMPUR + PENANG in 4 days

Last time, I outlined how you can maximize a 4D/3N stay in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia with a day tour to Melaka which is two hours South of the capital. Now, I am showing you a travel guide for Kuala Lumpur + Penang which you can also do for the same number of days.

The last post includes my itinerary when I went there with other bloggers. This one is when I returned two months later, this time with my wife. Since I have been to some key attraction in Kuala Lumpur, I had to make my wife agree on a deal that we are going to skip some of the places I have already been to so that we can both try new ones. Still, the key attractions in Kuala Lumpur like Petronas Towers, Jalan Alor and Batu Caves couldn't be avoided. They are a must for first-timers like my wife.

The highlight of course was taking the 6-hour bus ride to Penang North of the capital.

3D/4N Kuala Lumpur + Penang

ITINERARY

DAY 1: Thursday

7:40pm --ETD Manila-KL

11:55pm --ETA --Kuala Lumpur

DAY 2: Friday

3:00am --arrival/ check in at Hotel (Bukit Bintang area)

3:30am-8:00am ---lights off

8:00 am --breakfast at the hotel

9:00am --leave for Batu Caves 

10:00am-12 noon --Batu Caves 

1:00pm- Leave for Shah Alam
3:00pm -ETA Shah Alam

4:00pm - Go Back to Kuala Lumpur

5:00pm --Chinatown + Central Market

7:00pm --Petronas Tower 

9:00pm --Stroll at Bukit Bintang + Dinner at Jalan Alor

12:00pm --back at the hotel
OPTION: Leave for Penang

DAY 3: Saturday

7:00 am -- breakfast 

8:00 am -- leave for Penang

2:00am --ETA Penang

3:00am -- late lunch at Red Garden

4:00 -start walking tour of Georgetown

7:00pm --meetup with Doc Gelo in Gurney Drive
+ dinner at Seoul Garden

11:00pm --back at the hotel

12:00 MN-lights off

DAY 4: Sunday

8:00am --breakfast

9:00 am --Start Walking Tour of Gerogetown

12:00noon --Back at the Hotel

1:00pm --leave for Kuala Lumpur

7:00pm -ETA Kuala Lumpur + dinner in Chinatown
8:00pm -leave for the airport

11:55pm --flight back to Manila

DAY 5: Monday

4:00am ( Monday) --ETA Manila

How To Get to Kuala Lumpur from KLCC by Bus

read the my past article below for 

bus schedule, fare, and other tips

BUS/Shuttle schedule from LCCT-KLIA to Kuala Lumpur vice versa


WHERE TO STAY
SERI PACIFIC HOTEL

Seri Pacific is strategically located between two Train Stations --PWTC and Putra.PWTC stands for Putra World Trade Center,coz yes,it's next to the World Trade Center in Putra,and the other line (Putra) is the one which leads you directly to Batu Caves, which one of the most famous attractions in KL.The Putra line is also the line leading to Shah Alam where the Blue Mosque is and if you want to go as far Southwest,Port Klang.Seri Pacific is also walking distance away from Putra Bus Station.

Read: http://www.pusangkalye.net/2012/09/my-malaysia20-series-starts-at-seri.html

Breakfast buffet at ZENDE RESTAURANT Seri Pacific Hotel.

Back to Batu Caves

One of the places my wife was excited to see so I took her here even if I have been here on my last visit.

It's only 5 stations away from Putra Station where we boarded for only RM2.Very convenient and cheap. 

HOW TO GET TO BATU CAVES

(went there twice,both by train.)

1. KELANA JAYA Line to Gombak Station

taxi to Batu Caves -RM10

2. SENTUL-PORT KLANG Line (KTM Commuter) to Batu Caves Station

and that's it.

(This is the easiest way to get to Batu Caves if your accommodation in KL 

is near any of the station in this line) 

SHAH ALAM
Shah Alam is the state capital of Selangor Malaysia. It is located in Petaling  District about 25 kilometres (16 mi) west of Kuala Lumpur. One of the mahor attractions here is the Blue Mosque, the 2nd largest mosque in Southeast Asia.

HOW TO GET TO THE BLUE MOSQUE

By Bus
Take RapidKL bus number 63 or 338 from Kuala Lumpur and stop at the bus station near Maybank building in Shah Alam city centre. From here, take a taxi to the mosque area.

By Train
Take KTM Commuter until Shah Alam Station.From there, take the taxi (no other option) to the Blue Mosque which is approximately 5 minutes away.Taxi';s are metered so if you are good at haggling,you can win against the taxi drivers who would ask for a fixed rate of either RM10 or RM15. 10 is reasonable,15 is too much.

Another nearby alternative is Putrajaya, the administrative capital of Malaysia, should I have known that going to Shah Alam would take us 1.5 hours, we should have gone to Putrajaya instead. We should have seen more. On the lighter note, going to Shah Alam was convenient because we only had to take the same train (KTM) to the central terminal in Kuala Lumpur. From there, we transferred to another line to get to Chinatown and the Central Market.

CENTRAL MARKET

Central Market is just a few meters away from the station.
We bought a few small items here for pasalubong.

We also walked towards Chinatown where my wife and I enjoyed eating street food. Jalan Petaling is only a few blocks away from the Central Market.

WHAT TO EAT

Fat One BBQ Steamboat and Apam Balik.

Apam Balik is a crispy pancake with a delicious filling of crushed peanuts,sugar,sweet corn and butter.Typically sold by vendors by the road sides,this all day snack is very popular throughout Malaysia.

A pancake with a twist.I like the buttery,sweet taste.It definitely counts as one of my favorites now.I wonder though if this qualify for a rice cake.Apam Balik costs RM1 a piece.

If you want something more heavy on the stomach, try Mee Goreng and Spicy Pan Mee.

Mee Goreng

Also known as Mee Goreng Mamak,this dish is unique because of its thick spicy tomato gravy which the yellow noodles are fried in.Unlike other fried noodles,this version does not contain prawns or fish balls.Instead,it has spicy stewed squid,diced boiled garnish of finely sliced lettuce,crunchy fried shallots and a slice of lime.

Pan Mee

Pan Mee is a Hokkein-style noodle, originating from Malaysia.It literally translates to "flat flour noodle". Minced meat,shitake mushroom,minced onions and some dilis (or is it dilis?).If you have tried dry Pan Mee,it's basically the same, except that Spicy Pan Mee (also called Chilli Pan Mee) is soup with added with spicy chilli paste.You can request additional chilli paste in case you want it more spicy.Delicious!

READ: http://www.pusangkalye.net/2012/10/last-ditch-attempt-to-try-malaysian.html

PETRONAS TOWER At Night

I know you can't wait to see Petronas Towers the moment you step in KL. It couldn't be missed actually as it is visible from any point of the city. But going here at night is another option you should consider. The towers light up with pride. You can just sit at the park in front of it and marvel at its beauty.

BUKIT BINTANG +

Jalan Alor

Before calling it a day, be sure to drop by Bintang Walk in Bukit Jalil. This is the happening street of Kuala Lumpur. Pus, restaurants, shopping malls, flea market, massage shops, they are all here. One of the interior streets along Bukit Bintang is the famous Jalan Alor which is no doubt the most famous hawker street in all of Malaysia.

READ: http://www.pusangkalye.net/2012/09/petronas-towers-at-night-klcc-bintang.html

Also try prawn mee or sweet and sour chicken in Jalan Alor. 

Our hotel was so nice we were tempted to go back and spend the night there. We decided to take the early bus to Penang instead when we were fully rested. If there is one part of the trip that I would change though, it would have been that we took the night bus to Penang instead. We should have explored the new city more.

HOW TO GET TO PENANG BY BUS

1.Take the train to PLAZA RAKYAT,next to it is Puduraya Bus Station
where buses bound to Penang are.
2.You can either take the bus straight to Penang Island or as we did,
3. to Butterworth, then take the ferry to Georgetown Penang Island.

Read: Bus to Butterworth from Kuala Lumpur +ferry to GEORGETOWN Penang Island

WHERE TO STAY

OLD PENANG GUESTHOUSE along Love Lane

Old Penang Guesthouse is a restored pre-war building located strategically in the historic city of Georgetown.It combines comfort and heritage while staying on a budget.The design integrates the old with the new,modern with historic to ensure an authentic experience.It retains its original mosaic-tiled floors and inner courtyard where guest could lazy around or have a meal.Every aspect echoes the history of the region---even its wooden shuttered window.It's picture perfect and right on the budget.

READ: http://www.pusangkalye.net/2012/09/fall-in-love-w-old-penang-guesthouse.html

Old Penang Guesthouse

HOW TO STAY CONNECTED

Globe's International Roaming

The deeper we got in Malaysia, the more I felt a little uneasy. What if something goes wrong? A sense of security comes when I know that I am connected to my loved ones back home in the Philippines.

Many hotels these days (even the cheap ones) provide free wifi service, but you don't want to stay stuck in your room so as to stay connected. You want to go out, have fun and explore. International roaming is the best option to stay connected, be less worried and still maximize your time in another country with greater flexibility.

I am not worried about my postpaid service with Globe since they have introduced Zonal Rates.

With Zonal Rates, Globe has simplified the experience for its postpaid subscribers traveling abroad. Fixed-service rates are implemented and countries are categorized between Zone 1 (Asia & America) and Zone 2 (Europe & Africa). This means that there will now be one rate per service, and the rates will depend on which zone your country is designated to.

LOCATION / OUTGOING CALLS / INCOMING CALLS / SMS /DATA
Zone 1: Asia & America Php120 / minute Php60 / minute Php20 / 160 characters Php3 / 10KB
Zone 2: Europe & Africa Php150 / minute Php75 / minute Php25 / 160 characters Php5 / 10KB

Call and text as much as you wish, without worrying about your budget!

Roam Unli Call & Text allows a Globe Postpaid subscriber to enjoy a bundle of unlimited calls and texts while roaming in Australia, India, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, and UAE. Plus, you can also avail of FREE travel insurance with Globe TravelCare.

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P1,9993 days

P3,2995 days

To register, text ROAM UCT ON to 2884. 

You can also dial *143# on your mobile phone and select the promo under Roaming Services.

Promo duration is from October 25, 2013 to April 30, 2014.

Learn more about Globe's INTERNATIONAL ROAMING
http://www.globe.com.ph/international/roaming

Or call Globe Roaming Hotline at +6327301212 toll-free even while abroad.

WHAT TO SEE IN PENANG

Penang's old district, Georgetown, is a UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE which means there are so many historical landmarks, old buildings and houses, temples and other places of interests. Afusion of Malay, Indian and Chinese culture and heritage. It is also considered as one of Asia's (and probably the world) Food Capital with a lot of delicacies to feast on. What I also like about Georgetown is that it is walkable. You will enjoy walking around because it is compact and can find something to wonder at at every turn. Sightseeing, cultural and historic immersion, food trip, you will experience it all here.

Read the rest of my blog entries on Penang
here: http://www.pusangkalye.net/search/label/Penang

1. CHEONG FATT TZE “Blue” MANSION

One of the 10 Greatest mansions in the World.

Other than being named One of the 10 Greatest mansions in the World by Lonely Planet in 2011
CHEONG FATT TZE “Blue” MANSION was also recognized for the following:

- 2000 UNESCO 'Most Excellent' Heritage Conservation Award
- 1995 Malaysian National Architectural Award For Conservation
- ASEANTA 2004 Excellence Award; Best ASEAN Cultural Preservation Effort
- 'Best Tourist Attraction 2003' Merit Award - Malaysian Ministry of Culture, Arts &
Tourism.

READ: http://www.pusangkalye.net/2012/09/one-of-10-greatest-mansions-in-world.html#more

2. KAPITAN KELING MOSQUE

"The Kapitan Kling Mosque at Lebuh Pitt is considered the oldest mosque in Penang.It was build by the East India Company's troops when they arrived in Penang towards the end of the 18th Century.

As the population of Indian Muslim settlers grew,a larger and more prominent mosque was necessary.Cauder Mohuddeen,their headman (Kling Kapitan) at that time,applied for a land grant for the new mosque.Eighteen acres was obtained in 1801 and construction began immediately."

READ: http://www.pusangkalye.net/2012/09/kapitan-keling-mosque-georgetown-penang.html

3. SRI RAMBAI CANNON at Fort Cornwallis
This is what every major port that has been under a colonial power have something in common---- A military fortress.If Melaka has Fort Santiago and Manila has Intramuros,PENANG has Fort Cornwallis.To be accurate though, Fort Cornwallis served more as an administrative fortress rather than one for defense.

"A fort of 'Nipa Palm' was built by Captain Francis Light in 1786 and named it after the then Governor-General of India.It was rebuild in 1810 with a moat,this star shaped fort was used for administration rather than defense."

READ: http://www.pusangkalye.net/2012/09/the-legend-of-sri-rambai-cannon-at-fort.html

4. GEORGETOWN Core Zone
Walk around this zone and you will discover something interesting at every turn.

Queen Victoria Memorial Clock Tower
The 60-feet clock tower was commissioned by the wealthy Cheah Chen Eok.It was built in 1897 to commemorate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee.Each foot height represents a year in the Queen's reign.

Hainan Temple
The temple was founded in 1866 and is dedicated to the patron saint of seafarers,the goddess Mar Chor.The present building was built in 1895,restored in 1995.

Penang State Museum
Almost destroyed in World War 2 bombing,the building houses a vast collection of Penang historic artifacts.

St.George Church
Built between 1817 and 1818,it is considered as the oldest Anglican church in Southeast Asia.

Cathedral Of The Assumption
The history of the Church is as old as the Church itself.It was set up not long after the landing of Francis Light and the arrival of the Eurasians from Kedah on the eve of the Feast of the Assumption.It was awarded the status of a Cathedral in 1955.

Penang High Court Building
The Penang High Court premises were originally erected in 1903 as the Penang Supreme Court standing on the same grounds as the original courthouse dating back to 1809.Designated as National Heritage un 2005,the court buildings underwent major restoration work in 2007 during which an adjacent three-storey annex was added.

YOU CAN FIND THEM ALL HERE + more!  

READ: http://www.pusangkalye.net/2012/09/walking-tour-con-trishaw-ride-of.html

5. PENANG CITY HALL + Penang Town Hall

Built in 1903.It is the headquarters of the Penang Island Municipal Council.A World War 1 monument for fallen soldiers is also located here.Beside it is the Penang Town Hall. These are the seat of power of Penang Malaysia.

Penang Town Hall

Penang City Hall

6. PINANG PERANAKAN MANSION

This is one of the places you should not miss in Georgetown Penang.It's so famous that even most guidebooks and tourists brochures have it on the cover.

The Peranakans are a community of Chinese unique Penang and sorrounding region,They are locally called Babas and Nyonyas and are also called Straits Chinese,having settled along the British Settlements of Penang,Malacca and Singapore.The Peranakans adopted local Malay ways and British colonial lifestyle.These influenced its rich culture,customs,cuisine,language and lifestyle that are still evident in Penang today.
READ: http://www.pusangkalye.net/2012/10/pinang-peranakan-mansion-overwhelming.html
The PINANG PERANAKAN MANSION which is a typical home of a rich Baba a century ago is re-created to allow visitors a glimpse into the opulent lifestyle,customs and traditions in those days.

7. THE GODDESS OF MERCY TEMPLE

This was our last stop in our short trishaw tour of Georgetown's Core Zone.Yeah,we paid RM30 for three destinations, Queen Victoria Tower,Penang Peranakan Mansion and THE GODDESS OF MERCY TEMPLE.

The temple is dedicated to Kuan Yin,the goddess of mercy.The first foundation was laid in 1728 by Chinese settlers and completed in 1800.

WHERE TO EAT

"The ever fragrant,garlicky and rich Penang Char koay Teow holds a revered place in the hearts of foodies all over Malaysia.Around the world,you can find Char Koay Teow eateries bearing the title "Penang Char Koay Teow" in hoped of trying to woo in customers based on the promise of a morsel of Penang's street food.

Read the rest of the story >>>here

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DISCLOSURE: 

This is an advertorial paid for by Globe Telecom. I am a globe telecom postpaid user for three years running and I believe the service. I used roaming when we were in Malaysia. I do accept paid posts as long as they don't go against my content and on what I personally believe in. Except for the international roaming information, all the views and opinions are that of the author.