On the last week of July 2025, most of Luzon area had almost a week-long break from work and school due to strong monsoon rains and low-pressure areas. Since it was the rainy season in the Philippines, I thought, why not escape the gloomy weather and travel abroad? So I spontaneously booked a trip to Malaysia—yes, my next international adventure.
I scored a roundtrip AirAsia flight for only ₱6,673 (Aug 25–29), which was quite a steal considering I booked just a month before. My brother also joined me since he had been wanting to experience international travel this year, and luckily, his schedule worked out.
I was thrilled after securing the tickets, though, as usual, I only packed the day before because of my hectic work schedule. Thankfully, I had already booked our accommodation in advance through Agoda to avoid last-minute stress. After searching for budget-friendly and accessible hotels in Kuala Lumpur, I found Starus Hotel in Bukit Bintang—perfectly located, affordable, and it even included buffet breakfast. Our 4-night, 5-day stay cost ₱12,766.89.
✈️ Arrival in Malaysia
The day before our flight, I prepared my things, completed the eGov departure form (you can fill-up via the eGov app), and filled out Malaysia’s arrival card online(https://malaysiadac.visasyst.com/application/26c40918-8bb7-11f0-9430-0672887887b9.16f2eea) —both required for immigration. Fortunately, everything went smoothly, and we even managed to exchange pesos to Malaysian ringgit at a rate of ₱14.40 = RM1.
We landed at Kuala Lumpur International Airport around 3 AM. Since I didn’t book any tours, this trip was going to be 100% DIY. The airport had free WiFi, but once outside, it was gone. So here’s a tip: buy a Malaysian SIM card at the airport or rent a pocket WiFi (though it’s more expensive). Since both my brother and I had locked postpaid phones, I opted for Globe roaming, which cost me ₱800 for 5GB of data.
KLIA impressed me—spacious, clean, and uniquely designed. Even the restroom mirrors looked like airplane windows!
🚗 Getting to Our Hotel
With no shuttle waiting for us, we had three options to get to our hotel: train, bus, or Grab/taxi. To keep things simple (and avoid dragging luggage around), we booked a Grab straight to Starus Hotel. The ride, including toll fees, cost RM83 and took about an hour.
Since check-in was at 3 PM and it was only 4 AM, we decided to pay an additional RM250 for an early check-in so we could rest. After catching some sleep, we woke up around 9 AM, energized and ready for our first adventure.
🛕 First Stop: Batu Caves
We booked a Grab for RM18, and after a 30-minute ride, we arrived at the famous Batu Caves around 10:30 AM. It was already hot and crowded, but the sight was absolutely worth it.
The highlight is the towering golden statue of Lord Murugan—one of the tallest in the world. Taking photos was a bit challenging because of the crowd, but we managed. We then climbed the vibrant 272 rainbow-colored steps, accompanied by cheeky monkeys roaming around. (Tip: keep an eye on your belongings, as these monkeys love to snatch food and shiny items!)
Inside, you’ll find caves with temples and shrines where visitors are required to remove their shoes before entering. The view from above made the climb worthwhile. We also spotted plenty of pigeons around the temple grounds, adding to the atmosphere.
Hungry from all the walking, we grabbed a quick breakfast of Mee Goreng (RM7) at a nearby restaurant before heading to our next stop.
🏯 Second Stop: Thean Hou Temple
A short RM9 Grab ride (13 minutes) brought us to the Thean Hou Temple, a beautiful six-tiered temple dedicated to the Chinese sea goddess Mazu.
Unlike Batu Caves, this temple was much less crowded, which made it more peaceful and ideal for taking photos. The temple grounds were spacious, with multiple levels and plenty of picture-perfect corners. The intricate architecture, lanterns, and vibrant details made the visit truly special.
We stayed for less than an hour before moving on to our next cultural destination.
🕌 Third Stop: Islamic Arts Museum
From Thean Hou Temple, another RM9 Grab ride (15 minutes) took us to the Islamic Arts Museum, one of Kuala Lumpur’s finest museums.
The entrance fee was RM20 for tourists, and the moment we stepped in, the cool air conditioning was a welcome break from the sweltering heat outside. Inside, we were fascinated by the rich collection of Islamic art—from ancient swords and textiles to architectural models and manuscripts.
From the second floor, we even got a glimpse of Merdeka 118, one of the tallest skyscrapers in Malaysia. We spent about an hour appreciating the exhibits before moving on to Chinatown.
🏮 Fourth Stop: Petaling Street (Chinatown)
A 12-minute Grab ride (RM18) brought us to Petaling Street, Kuala Lumpur’s lively Chinatown. The vibe reminded me of Binondo in the Philippines—buzzing with food stalls, souvenir shops, and vendors selling everything from clothes to trinkets.
We wandered around before heading to RexKL, a hidden gem just a short walk away. At first, it was tricky to find since it’s located on the second floor of an old building with cafes and eateries downstairs. Inside, the library’s maze-like design amazed us. Books were stacked in creative arrangements, forming pathways perfect for exploration and photos. The only downside? It was hot and crowded, but still worth the visit.
Just a 5–10 minute walk from RexKL, we reached Central Market and Kasturi Walk, another vibrant area filled with shops, food stalls, and tourists. We strolled around, soaking in the lively atmosphere, before finally heading back to our hotel to rest and prepare for our evening plans.
✨ That’s the end of Part 1 of my Malaysia adventure—a journey filled with temples, culture, food, and vibrant city vibes. Every stop had its own charm, and it was just the beginning of discovering Kuala Lumpur.
👉 Read my Part 2, where we’ll head to the world-famous Petronas Twin Towers 🌆✨—Malaysia’s crown jewel and a must-see for every traveler. Click this link for part 2: https://mjtravels.blog/kl-malaysia-part-2/
