I’m back in Malaysia! My second most visited country in Southeast Asia (next to Singapore… and excluding the Philippines, of course).

How to spend 3 days in Kuala Lumpur? Well, my Kuala Lumpur Travel Guide is a great read to start. After my latest trip to Malaysia, however, I’m set on updating it with new places to discover and activities to enjoy.

Last October, I was invited by Cebu Pacific Air in partnership with Tourism Malaysia to go on a 3-day trip to Kuala Lumpur. I was overjoyed when they shared the itinerary because it included attractions I had not experienced before. It truly became a #MakeFirstMomentsHappen kind of trip for me, and what’s more, I got to spend it with inspiring fellow Pinoy Travel Bloggers.

If you find yourself in Kuala Lumpur, here are 12 travel goals you can experience during your trip. Keep reading to see extra tips on how to go, where to stay and a sample 3-day itinerary.

1. Spend a fun day at Sunway Lagoon Theme Park

The biggest reason why I was excited to visit Sunway Lagoon Theme Park was because of Spongebob — my favorite cartoon character growing up ?. This popular theme park, just 25-minutes drive away from Kuala Lumpur City Center, is home to the Nickelodeon Lost Lagoon, the first Nickelodeon-themed land in Asia, and 5 other signature parks including Water Park, Extreme Park, Amusement Park, Wildlife Park, and Scream.

Address — 3, Jalan PJS 11/11, Bandar Sunway, 47500 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia.
Entrance fee — A standard single-entry admission ticket costs MYR 190 per adult.

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As we only had half-a-day to spend in Sunway Lagoon, we split up into teams depending on what we wanted to enjoy the most. #TeamTubig went to the Water Park, which featured Sunway Surf Beach (the world’s largest man-made beach), The Vuvuzela (the world’s highest and largest water ride), and the FlowRider (Malaysia’s first surf simulator). I joined #TeamExtremeAdventure and experienced the thrill rides, while the rest of the group who wanted to have a relaxing staycation were #TeamHotel.

2. Take a stroll in Ipoh Old Town

On our second day, we went on a day trip outside Kuala Lumpur. Our destination was Ipoh, located some two hours drive north of Kuala Lumpur. This city is known for its grand British colonial-era architecture, built during Ipoh’s heyday as a tin mining boom town. Today, it is often regarded as the Hipster Capital of Malaysia. Don’t miss the many wall art scattered throughout the Old Town and interesting side streets such as Concubine Lane.

Top Ipoh tours & discounts

Ipoh Private Day Tour from Kuala Lumpu

Private City Transfers for Ipoh

Train tickets for Ipoh

3. Coffee & food trip in Ipoh

Another famous attraction of Ipoh is Ipoh White Coffee. We had our caffeine fix in a quaint little shop called Panglima Cafe (25 Concubine Lane), which served traditionally brewed and roasted local coffee. Well recommended for coffee lovers!

For lunch, we enjoyed Ipoh’s signature dishes at Restoran Onn Kee (Jalan Yau Tet Shin). The Tauge Ayam (Bean Sprout Chicken Rice) was delicious, as expected, but what really won me over were the Char Siew (Caramelized BBQ Pork) and the heaping plate of bean sprouts.

4. Explore MAPS Theme Park

Opened in 2017, Movie Animation Park Studios (MAPS) is Asia’s first animation theme park. This 52-acred theme park has 23 interactive attractions in 6 themed zones (Animation Square, Blast Off Zone, Fantasy Forest Zone, and Live Action Zone) including BoBoiBoy-themed attractions, a Smurfs theater, thrill rides & more.

Address — Bandar Meru Raya, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.
Entrance fee — A standard single-entry admission ticket costs MYR 72 per adult.

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#CEBfliesKualaLumpur squad with BoBoiBoy faves Ying & Yaya Yah, at MAPS Theme Park

5. Climb the colorful steps to Batu Caves

The Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur is one of the most popular Tamil shrines outside India. My last visit here was 8 years ago during my first trip to Kuala Lumpur. This time, I was welcomed with a new addition — the 272 steps leading to the caves were painted in a festive hombre coat. The new look was striking and positively reflected the colorful Hindu culture of South India.

Address — Gombak, 68100 Batu Caves, Selangor, Malaysia.
Entrance fee — Free admission.

Top Batu caves tours & discounts

Kuala Lumpur Suburbs and Batu Caves join-in tour

Petronas Twin Towers and Batu Caves Full Day Tour

6. See Royal Selangor’s pewter collection

Next up is the Royal Selangor Visitor Centre, a popular stopover for tourists. Here, you can witness real-time pewter crafting, learn about the history of tin mining and pewter manufacturing, and appreciate the extensive collection of pewter crafts. Even if you’re not a history buff, the beautiful Instagram-able building, interiors, and collections are good reasons to go. Don’t miss the massive Pewter replica of the Petronas Towers made completely out of 7,062 tankards, the impressive Limited edition Marvel multiverse heroes collection and the giant tankard certified as the world’s largest by the Guinness World Records.

Address — 4, Jalan Usahawan 6, Setapak Jaya, 53300 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Entrance fee — Free admission and guided tours

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In case you’re currently pondering “What in the world is a pewter?” It’s a metal alloy composed mostly of tin mixed with other metals. Founded in 1885, Royal Selangor is one of Malaysia’s iconic brands specializing in pewter metal crafts. This company is the largest of its type in the world.

7. Enjoy the art of Batik painting

Batik (a technique of wax-resist dyeing) is a well-celebrated textile art in Malaysia. If you’re on the hunt for traditional Malaysian crafts, make sure to visit one of the city’s many Batik centers where you can witness how hand-drawn Batik is done, join a workshop and try your hand at Malaysian batik, or simply shop for Batik souvenirs.

8. Experience the Illusion 3D Art Museum at KL Central Market

The Central Market is one of KL’s most familiar landmarks and a popular tourist attraction. I’ve visited this place many times before. It’s a great place to shop for souvenirs and try local food. This time, I was able to experience something new — The Illusion 3D Art Museum, which houses gigantic 3D paintings made by local artists and an Augmented Reality show. It’s a place that the family or Barkada can enjoy.

Illusion 3D Art Museum address — Lot 4.01-4.03, Second Floor, Central Market Annex Jalan Hang Kasturi 50050 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Entrance fee — A standard single-entry admission ticket costs MYR 50 per adult for foreigners or MYR 34 per adult for Malaysians.

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9. Get high at KL Tower

KL Tower is a must-visit for first-time visitors to Kuala Lumpur. Standing at a dizzying height of 421 meters, it’s the tallest structure in Malaysia and 7th tallest freestanding tower in the world. We enjoyed the view from the indoor Observation Deck only. If you’re going, I recommend that you also visit the Sky Deck, which is an open-air viewing deck offering breathtaking views of KL in all directions. You’ll be able to take the best pictures because the Sky Deck is an outdoor space (no glass wall!).

Address — 2, Jalan Puncak, Kuala Lumpur, 50250 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Entrance fee — The discount price online for the Skydeck admission ticket costs MYR 40 per adult. The Observation Deck + Sky Deck + Sky Box package costs MYR 88 per adult.

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10. Dine at WOW KL!

During our first night, we ate dinner WOW KL!, located beside the historical Malaysia Tourism Centre building. This restaurant runs a nightly buffet featuring Malaysian and international dishes plus a cultural show highlighting traditional dance and music from the different regions of the country. It’s a great way to explore the local cuisine and cultures in one sitting!

Address — 139, Pusat Pelancongan Malaysia (MaTiC, Jalan Ampang, City Centre, 50450 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Entrance fee — The buffet dinner & cultural show costs MYR 130 per adult.

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11. Discover Bukit Bintang

I visit Bukit Bintang often when I visit Kuala Lumpur. It’s one of the most vibrant districts of the city! I used to just go here to binge on local Malaysian food at Jalan Alor’s weekend night market, and go mall hopping. If you’re set on a shopping spree, Bukit Bintang is among Southeast Asia’s largest shopping districts. You can find the massive upscale malls in Upper Bukit Bintang while Lower Bukit Bintang is a good place to hunt for bargains & gadgets.

During this trip, it was my first time ever to wander to the west end of Changkat Street. I was in shock to have discovered a very lively party scene since I’ve always considered KL as one of the “tamer” capitals in Southeast Asia when it comes to nightlife.

12. Shop at Mitsui Outlet Park

I love going to outlet shops when I travel. You can just imagine my excitement when I found out that Mitsui Outlet Park was part of our itinerary. This outlet mall houses a huge list of awesome brands and can be reached in less than 10 minutes drive from Kuala Lumpur International Airport… a perfect stopover before flying out of Malaysia. Mitsui Outlet Park is better than most outlets malls I’ve visited in Singapore. The Malaysian ringgit has depreciated quite a bit over the past decades. So, prices in Malaysia offer great value for foreigners. I’m sure I will be coming back here again next time I’m in Kuala Lumpur.

Here are some of the top brands in Mitsui Outlet Park: Adidas, Converse, Nike, New Balance, Samsonite, Super Dry, The North Face, Columbia, American Tourister, Versace, Delsey, Swarovski (see full list of stores here).

Address — Persiaran Komersial, 64000 Klia, Selangor, Malaysia

How to Get to Kuala Lumpur

Manila to Kuala Lumpur on Cebu Pacific

Cebu Pacific offers daily flights from Manila to Kuala Lumpur, with lowest base fares starting at PHP 2,088. This direct flight takes around 4 hours. Click below to check today’s best airfares:

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Cebu Pacific’s Manila-KL flight schedules are perfect for weekend travelers. The flight to KL departs from Manila at 8:50 PM, so you can still catch it after work (if you work regular hours). The return flight departs from KL at 1:35 AM and arrives in Manila at 5:40 AM. If you depart Friday evening, for example, you can enjoy two full days in Malaysia before coming back for the work week… or easily extend your trip to 3 or 4 days during long weekend holidays (see my list of the best places to visit in Malaysia.).

If like me, you are coming from outside Manila, Cebu Pacific operates daily flights to Manila from all major airports in the Philippines. I had an easy time choosing one of the multiple afternoon flights from Iloilo and arrive in Manila in time for the evening flight to KL. The return journey back home was also conveniently scheduled because of the airline’s frequent morning flights to Iloilo.

Pro tip: Pre-book your add-ons online, ahead of your flight to enjoy discount prices on baggage allowance, in-flight meals, etc.

Where to Stay in Kuala Lumpur

Dorsett Hotel

We stayed at Dorsett Hotel Kuala Lumpur during our arrival night and first full day. To start, I loved its convenient location, in Bukit Bintang — an easy walk to the district’s major shopping malls, food/nightlife areas, and KLCC/Petronas Towers. This hotel offers excellent value for money considering its luxury 4-star rating. It was my first time to stay in a Dorsett Hotel (the chain operates a rapidly growing collection of accommodations around the world). The rooms were well-appointed, spacious, clean, and most importantly had very comfy beds. The subtle details of the Dorsett brand made my stay very memorable. For example, you can find a quirky tiny bird sitting on a branch outside every room. I also enjoyed the Sampaguita (jasmine) scented bath products.

Address — 172, Jalan Imbi, Pudu, 55100 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Dorsett Kuala Lumpur rooms & rates

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Dorsett Residences rooftop infinity pool

If you’re seeking a hotel in Kuala Lumpur with a rooftop pool, book a suite at the hotel’s neighboring property, Dorsett Residences. The 30th-floor infinity pool offers gorgeous views of the Petronas Towers and Kuala Lumpur City Center.

Dorsett Residences rooms & rates

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Sunway Pyramid Hotel

Maximize your trip to Sunway Lagoon theme park by staying within the Sunway complex. There are three options for accommodations here: The Sunway Pyramid Hotel, where we stayed during our second night, is seamlessly integrated with the Sunway Pyramid Mall — top choice for travelers keen on shopping. Apart from King & twin-bed room options, this hotel also offers spacious family rooms/suites that can comfortably fit up to 6 adults/kids.

Sunway Pyramid Hotel rooms & rates

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Sunway Clio Hotel located beside the mall has the more chic and modern vibe. Meanwhile, Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa is the ideal choice for leisure and business travelers offering a wide range of luxury suites including exclusive villas.

Sunway Clio Hotel rooms & rates

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Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa rooms & rates

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3 Days in Kuala Lumpur & Ipoh Itinerary

Day/Time Activity
Day 0 Manila to Kuala Lumpur
05:50 PM Arrive at Manila-NAIA International Airport
08:50 PM Manila to Kuala Lumpur flight
Day 1 Kuala Lumpur City Tour
12:50 AM Arrive at Kuala Lumpur International Airport
KLIA to KL City Center
Rest at Dorsett Hotel Kuala Lumpur
Morning Breakfast at Dorsett Hotel
Royal Selangor Visitor Centre
Batik Center
Batu Caves
Afternoon KL Tower
Illusion 3D Art Museum
Wow KL
Rest at Dorsett Hotel
Day 2 Ipoh Day Tour from KL
Morning Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh
Movie Animation Park Studios (MAPS)
Afternoon Ipoh Old Town & food tour
Ipoh to Sunway
Rest at Sunway Pyramid Hotel
Day 3 Sunway Theme Park
Morning Breakfast at Sunway
Whole day Sunway Lagoon
Evening Sunway to Mitsui Outlet Park
Mitsui Outlet Park
10:00 PM Mitsui Outlet Park to airport
10:10 PM Arrive at Kuala Lumpur International Airport
01:35 AM Kuala Lumpur to Manila flight
05:40 AM Arrive in Manila

This trip was made possible thanks to Cebu Pacific Air in partnership with Tourism Malaysia.