This summer, I was fortunate enough to visit Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia. Although I only had a little over a day to explore, my impression of this city was far more positive than that of other famous tourist destinations I've visited.
| A statue of the god Murugan, painted in glittering gold, stands in Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia. (Photo: Minh Hanh) |
Sipping on durian coffee at a street corner, I couldn't help but marvel at the unique flavor that locals often praise. It's a delicate symphony of the rich, creamy sweetness of the rough, unripe fruit and the "poetic" bitterness of the coffee, leaving a subtle, characteristic sour aftertaste of Arabica beans. Enjoying this drink on a leisurely, drizzly morning is truly a surprisingly fitting and harmonious experience.
Our tour guide today is Mr. A Ping, a Chinese man living in Malaysia. My first impression of A Ping was that of a small, incredibly witty man. Despite being over 60 – an age rarely seen among tour guides – A Ping speaks Vietnamese very well. He urged the whole group to quickly board the bus, beginning our day in Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia.
Our first destination was the Thien Hau Temple, located on Robson Hill. Built between 1981 and 1987, the temple is dedicated to the goddess Thien Hau, the patron deity of fishermen, seafarers, and those living near the coast.
Visitors to the temple should avoid entering through the main entrance and instead use a side entrance. Entering through the side entrance is a way to show respect and protect the deity, and also demonstrates humility and respect for the local culture.
The Thien Hau Temple boasts a harmonious blend of traditional Chinese and modern architecture, deeply rooted in Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism. With its dominant yellow and red color scheme, the temple appears radiant and majestic, yet also possesses a profound and ancient charm.
Batu Caves - a place steeped in Indian culture.
Our next destination was the Batu Caves complex. This sacred site is a massive architectural marvel deeply rooted in Indian culture.
While Thean Hou Temple captivates visitors with its serene and solemn beauty, Batu Caves is a vibrant and bustling tapestry created by people, culture, and nature. It is dedicated to Murugan, the most powerful deity in Hinduism. Upon arrival, visitors will immediately notice the majestic statue of Murugan, approximately 43 meters tall, painted in glittering gold, standing out against a multicolored backdrop of contrasting hues.
Leaving Batu Caves, the group returned to downtown Kuala Lumpur. It was already 6 PM local time, the start of rush hour. The bus crawled slowly along with the traffic, giving me more time to take a closer look at this multicultural city.
The roads were almost entirely filled with cars, with very few motorbikes. I asked A Ping about this, and he explained that owning a car is very easy in Malaysia. Malaysia also has a developed automotive industry, offering a wide variety of models from budget to luxury. Furthermore, gasoline prices in Malaysia are even "cheaper than bottled water," which is why booking a ride through the Grab app in Kuala Lumpur is always a cost-effective option for tourists.
Continuing my journey with the elderly tour guide, I learned more about the life and people of this country. Malaysians don't place too much emphasis on material possessions or appearances; they're not fussy. What matters is a balanced, comfortable life with time for oneself.
| A street corner in Malaysia. (Photo: Minh Hanh) |
The impressive Petronas Twin Towers
For dinner, our group dined at a Chinese restaurant. Since Islam is the largest religion in the country, the menu today did not include any dishes made from pork. A Ping also added that at most hotels, restaurants, and eateries in Malaysia, diners are not allowed to bring durian, mangosteen, or pork products.
A traditional Chinese daily meal is beautifully presented, abundant, and meticulously prepared. The dishes are seasoned and seasoned appropriately to satisfy diners from various regions, making them easy to eat and palatable. However, the dish that impressed me most was the steaming hot herbal soup served at the beginning of the meal. The simple sweetness of the herbs, the freshness of the vegetables, and the sizzling heat of the freshly cooked broth not only awakened the palate but also dispelled fatigue after a long day's journey. With each sip, it felt as if the soup instantly refreshed the diner's mind.
As usual, after dinner, tourists will have time to relax at the hotel or freely explore the city at night. On today's itinerary, our group still has one more sightseeing stop – the Petronas Twin Towers.
With a total height of 452 meters and 88 floors on each side, these twin towers are currently the tallest twin towers in the world . Tower 1 is used as office space by the oil and gas company Petronas, while Tower 2 is occupied by several companies such as Boeing, Exact Software, IBM, and Microsoft.
The reason the Petronas Twin Towers are a must-see destination at the end of the day is their dazzling beauty. While the two previous wonders represent the essence of culture and religious beauty, the image of the towering spires with their shimmering lights in the night sky embodies a modern and magnificent Kuala Lumpur.
Kuala Lumpur is the capital of Malaysia and one of the largest cities in Southeast Asia. With a population of over 1.8 million and an area of nearly 244 km², Kuala Lumpur is the financial, commercial, and cultural center of Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur boasts many popular tourist destinations such as the Petronas Twin Towers, Thean Hou Temple, Sentral Market, the National Museum, and many others. The city also has numerous large and luxurious shopping malls such as Suria KLCC, Pavilion KL, Lot 10, and Sunway Pyramid. Furthermore, Kuala Lumpur is known for its diverse culture, with many ethnic groups and religions, including Malaysians, Chinese, Indians, Muslims, Sikhs, and many others. Therefore, visitors to Kuala Lumpur can learn about and explore many unique cultural aspects of Southeast Asia. |
Source







Comment (0)