Nestled in the heart of Kuala Lumpur this area is a must for people exploring the culinary flavors of Kuala Lumpur City as well as shopping in world-class shopping centers. The recent spate of Arab travelers has attracted a large number of Middle Eastern restaurants, cafes, and shopping stores. Bukit Bintang is surely the tourist hub of Kuala Lumpur.
Why is Bukit Bintang a great place to stay in Kuala Lumpur for the Holidays?
Bukit Bintang is the tourist hub because of the concentration of all tourist activities in one location. This area is quite popular with Middle Eastern families because it offers very easy access to world-class shopping malls, public transport, money-changers, and a wide range of restaurants and other services.
I have stayed in this neighborhood over 20 times in different hotels and enjoyed the hustle and bustle and active nightlife. Here are some of the great reasons to stay in Bukit Bintang Kuala Lumpur:
Easy access by public transport
The concentration of tourist-related services including money-changers, banks, hotels, food outlets
The best shopping Malls in the town are located in Bukit Bintang including The Pavilion, Fahrenheit, Sephora, and Starhill Shopping Malls
A large number of Middle Eastern, Iranian, and European food outlets are located in Bukit Bintang
Food Street in Jalan Alor is located in Bukit Bintang
Changkat Walk has the best nightclubs and bars
Massage Parlours are located on Changkat Bukit Bintang
Budget and cheap hotels are available in Bukit Bintang
Top-end 5-star Hotels are located in the heart of Bukit Bintang
Jalan Alor, The Food Street in Bukit Bintang
Jalan Alor and Jalam Ramalee have several Western food outlets, bars, restaurants, and nightclubs. The weekend brings throngs of young merry-makers to this part of the town. Jalan Alor is the night food street of Kuala Lumpur. Several restaurants serve a good mix of Thai, Chinese, and Malay seafood dishes. The food is reasonably priced and there are plenty of choices.
Generally, the food is priced reasonably. I recommend trying grilled chicken wings and staying at a stall at the beginning of Jala Alor Street. Try some steamed seafood and tropical fruit including durian, jackfruit, star fruit, and mangosteen.
Jalan Alor Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur
Berjaya Times Sqaure Shopping Mall, Low Yat Plaza in Bukit Bintang
Bukit Bintang touches the border of KLCC and on the outer end, you have popular shopping Malls like Berjaya Times Square and Low Yat Plaza. These shopping Malls are located next to Imbi LRT Stations.
Berjaya Times Square Shopping Mall
Berjaya Times Square Shopping Mall is one of the largest shopping malls with 13 floors of local and international brands, travel equipment, toys, and a wide range of locally manufactured products. The shopping is generally mid-range and there is a large choice in all price ranges.
If you get tired during your shopping, visit one of the massage parlours on the 5th floor to get a one-hour foot massage.
Berjaya Shopping Center has an indoor Kids' Theme Park with a Roller Coaster and a Gaming Arcade. There are 13 floors of shops ranging from fashionwear to all sorts of products and services. Make sure you are wearing comfortable shoes to explore all these floors in one day.
Low Yat Plaza is one of the biggest electronics markets in Kuala Lumpur located across the road from Berjaya Shopping Mall. The market is home to all consumer electronic products.
Low Yat Plaza is a popular Electronics and Lifestyle Shopping Mall
The nearest quality hotel I have stayed in is the Furama Hotel (a 4-star hotel). Booking on Agoda can fetch you very low prices for such a nice establishment.
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Tip: If you are looking for cheaper options, there are a couple of budget hotels in the street (Lorong 1) behind Berjaya Shopping Mall.
At walking distance from these streets lies Jalan Ramlee, a street popular for modern restaurants and bars. Jalan Ramlee is home to many Western restaurants including Italian and Japanese.
You can reach Bukit Bintang by monorail from KL Sentral. The Bukit Bintang monorail station is located right next to LOT 10 and Sungei Wang Shopping Malls.
Sungei Wang is great for mid-range shopping, especially for children. There are all sorts of tourist-related services available including stitching, alteration for clothing, and hair salons. An overhead walkway connects Sungei Wang with Lot 10 as well as the LRT Station.
Most of this locality can be explored on foot and there is plenty of pedestrians as well as traffic. Stick to the pedestrian walkways when visiting these shopping malls.
Please note that several organized gangs target vulnerable tourists. Watch your belongings and do not leave your personal belongings unattended in the shopping malls. Some people will approach you and try to get into the conversation trying to exchange currency at a very good rate. These people can hand you fake currency for your real currency. Therefore, avoid exchanging currency notes with random people on the street.
Bukit Bintang is an excellent place for shopping as the best shopping Malls including Pavilion, Sephora, and Farenheit88 are located within walking distance of each other.
Most Middle Eastern families prefer to stay near Bukit Bintang as the most popular Middle Eastern and Iranian locations are located in the region.
What is the nightlife like in Bukit Bintang?
My last visit to Changkat Bukit Bintang is in July 2022. The city of Kuala Lumpur has sprung back to life post covid and the crowds have picked in the popular hangouts in Changkat and Jalan Alor. I went for dinner at one of the most popular restaurants at the end of Changkat Walk called Bijan. The experience brought back amazing memories of pre-covid Kuala Lumpur.
Photos from my trip to Bukit Bintang in July 2022
I highly recommend keeping this location in Kuala Lumpur on your list for this year's holidays.
As night picks up the neighborhood is filled with throngs of shoppers and party-goers. A large number of restaurants and bars adds to the noise and commotion on the streets. The area also has a large number of massage parlors and you are sure to be approached by charming girls offering massage services.
An Irish Pub in Changkat Bukit Bintang
If you need to unwind and relax you will have to visit these massage services. A one-hour foot massage session costs around RM 60. The services are family-friendly store-fronts and with some relaxing sofas places adjacent to each other. The venues are quite popular with tourists and must be enjoyed after a long day of walking in the streets of Kuala Lumpur.
Massage Parlour in Bukit Bintang
Lately, Bukit Bintang has become popular with Middle Eastern tourists, particularly young couples on their honeymoon. You will find a variety of restaurants located across the main road and shops playing pop Arab music.
Massage Parlours in Bukit Bintang
Massage parlors have mushroomed across the whole neighborhood and in the evening you will be approached by several people carrying posters for various massage parlors. These parlors are quite popular with Arab men and women alike.
Pimps do not hesitate to approach single men and high-class escorts and prostitutes operate through these pimps on the side street. This is one of the many attractions that bring tourists to this neighborhood in Kuala Lumpur.
Hotels in Bukit Bintang - Kuala Lumpur - Malaysia
In recent years the area has undergone a lot of development and received a facelift. With easy access to public transport and tourist activities, it has recaptured the attention of tourists and boasts about late-night activities over the weekend. Some of my favorite hotels I have stayed at in Bukit Bintang Include:
Benefits: Located within walking distance of Berjaya Shopping Center and Jalan Ramlee
Places of Interest in Bukit Bintang - Kuala Lumpur
Most Popular Shopping Malls include:
Berjaya Square; indoor theme park- 5 floors of shopping
Starhill Gallery: expensive - High-end Shopping
The Pavilion; Restaurants, High-end Shopping
Fahrenheit 88 - Clothing and Kids' outlets
Lot 10: Specialty Stores and clothing outlets
Low Yat Plaza - Electronics Market
BB Plaza
Imbi Plaza
I have always enjoyed visiting the Pavilion shopping mall for plenty of nice shopping options and western-style bars and food outlets. Moneychangers at the Pavilion Mall give the best exchange rates. Try to access the Mall from the Chulan Entrance to approach cafes and moneychangers.
Johnny Rocket & Dolly's Dim Sum are some of my regular hangouts. Try out some nice venues on the ground floor.
A cafe in Pavilion Mall Bukit Bintan
Area for food:Hutong on Lot 10, BB Park, Changkat Bukit Bintang, Jalan Alor
Annual Events: STYLO Fashion Week, Malaysia International Fashion Week
Planning a trip to Kuala Lumpur and not sure where to go? If you have a short stay in Kuala Lumpur and want to explore the best tourist destinations without the hassle of catching public transport, I suggest booking the 21 Attractions Tour in Kuala Lumpurwhich will take you to the top 21 destinations in a day and provide you with all necessary information along the way. This tour comes highly recommended by many people I personally recommended. Book with Klook online and save the hassle of last-minute arrangements.
I have been exploring South-East Asia for over twenty years and have visited some of the best destinations in the region. Through my blog, I want to share some interesting travel tips, my experience of driving across Asian destinations and some of the best places to explore in this region. I have undertaken hundreds of road trips, across Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Australia. Most of the information in this blog comes through my own road trips and adventures in the exotic locations I have visited.
I have, in the past followed in Anthony Bourdain's footsteps and visited most of the restaurants his team explored in their shows. Join in on my adventures and follow my trails on Instagram & Facebook Page.
