Malaysia Travelogue: A 3-Day Family Trip to Malaysia, a Cost-Effective Summer Destination!

I. Why Choose Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia?

Excellent Cost-Performance Ratio:

As a popular destination in Southeast Asia, Kuala Lumpur offers more advantages in terms of accommodation, dining, attraction tickets, and local transportation (such as Grab rides) compared to neighboring countries (like Singapore, popular Thai islands, etc.) during the peak summer season, making it a budget-friendly choice.

This mainly refers to the fact that when departing from Beijing or Shanghai, you can find flights to Kuala Lumpur or other parts of Malaysia at consistently ultra-low prices. For example, for our trip this time, round-trip tickets for three people cost just over 4,000 yuan.

Unhindered Chinese Communication:

In my family, our child has the best English proficiency, while my wife and I are basically at a beginner level. Therefore, we chose Kuala Lumpur partly because of language considerations. Kuala Lumpur has a high proportion of Chinese people, and you can find Chinese-speaking staff at airports, hotels, shopping malls, major attractions, and many restaurants (especially those run by Chinese people). Ordering food, asking for directions, and communicating with taxi drivers is stress-free.

Relatively Safe:

Although you can see various guides mentioning issues like corrupt police, especially those unscrupulous bloggers whose cover titles scream ‘Don’t go to such-and-such place,’ that’s just the state of the internet nowadays, and there’s nothing we can do about it. Based on our experience in Kuala Lumpur these past few days, Kuala Lumpur is genuinely much more reliable than many places in Thailand now. As the capital, Kuala Lumpur has good security management and is currently recognized as one of the destinations with a higher sense of travel safety in Southeast Asia, especially suitable for family trips with children.

II. Overview of Itinerary and Expenses

Time: Three days and two nights (Compact and efficient!)

Flight Reference:

Outbound: Beijing (2:30 AM) – Kuala Lumpur (08:30 AM) Early morning flight, making full use of time. You can even go home after work, shower, pack your luggage, and then head out. This is especially friendly for people who have limited annual leave.

Return: Kuala Lumpur (18:30+) – Beijing early morning of the next day.

Advantages: Only need to take one day off (Friday or Monday), combined with the weekend to easily achieve it, a blessing for short vacations!

Core Expenses:

Flights: Pay attention to promotions from AirAsia, Malaysia Airlines, etc. in advance. I bought mine on Ctrip, round trip for three people was 4200 yuan.

Accommodation: Highly recommend Holiday Inn Express Kuala Lumpur City Centre. I redeemed it with points, but booking on Ctrip now would only cost three to four hundred yuan. Highly recommended, the location is excellent, many places are within walking distance.

Local transportation: Mainly using Grab for rides, costs are much lower than Didi in China (cheap oil prices are the key factor).

Dining: From down-to-earth hawker centers to specialty restaurants, you can spend as much or as little as you want. But to be honest, if you don’t enjoy the food in places like Singapore, Thailand, or Cambodia, don’t expect miracles here either, as someone with a northern Chinese palate, I’ve never found Southeast Asian food to be delicious.

Tickets: Entrance fees for major attractions are relatively reasonable (we found the Bird Park to be great value for money, but wouldn’t recommend it for couples).

Our three-day trip cost over 8,000 yuan. During summer vacation, this price from Beijing is cheaper than three-day trips to many cities – for example, our previous three-day trip to Xiamen cost 12,000 yuan. So during summer vacation, when flight prices are controllable, traveling abroad is the most affordable option.

III. Day 1 History and Colors Collide – Ancient Malacca & Dreamy Putrajaya

All photos taken with a mobile phone, no editing, no processing, no deliberate angle finding, may easily shatter your illusions, view with caution.

3.1 Daxing Airport

Departing from Beijing Daxing Airport, because traveling with children, online check-in is not possible, so it’s safest to arrive three hours in advance.

Also, for Air Asia, there are luggage limits. None of the several young ladies in front of me met the requirements.

I live in the north, so every time I go to Daxing Airport, I park my car in the P3 long-term parking lot. It costs 100 yuan per day, so 300 yuan for three days is cheaper than taking a taxi.

The flight is about six hours. Since we arranged for a one-day tour driver to pick us up at the airport after landing, I recommend getting as much rest as possible on the plane, as the following day won’t be easy.

3.2 Immigration

You can fill out the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) online three days before departing for Malaysia. If you forget, you can actually fill it out after landing but before going through immigration. However, I still recommend preparing this in advance. There are tutorials online, and it’s very simple.

08:30 Arrival & Smooth Immigration: Arrive at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in the early morning, follow the signs to the immigration hall. Have your Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) filled out online in advance and bring a printed copy. With fingerprint verification, you can go through self-service immigration in Kuala Lumpur, and the process is usually completed within 30 minutes. The airport is connected to a large shopping mall where you can exchange a small amount of Malaysian currency, buy a SIM card, and enjoy an authentic Malaysian breakfast (such as nasi lemak or roti canai) at the mall’s food court.

There are many ATMs here. I exchanged a total of 1100 Malaysian Ringgit, which was more than enough for our itinerary because we could basically use Alipay everywhere. I feel like I exchanged too much Malaysian currency.

The food in this mall, I personally think it’s all quite unappetizing, but there was no other option. United Airlines didn’t provide meals in the morning, and it takes nearly two hours to get from here to Malacca, so eating was definitely necessary.

9:30 Departure to Malacca: The pre-booked private car driver/guide picked us up on time and drove for about 1.5 hours to the World Heritage ancient city of Malacca. If you choose the airport pickup service, they usually meet at pillar 11 near exit gate 3.

11:00 Exploring Historical Sites: Dutch Square (Stadthuys): A landmark of Malacca, the distinctive brick-red buildings are the oldest Dutch architecture in Southeast Asia. The square is filled with decorated trishaws and street performers, creating a vibrant atmosphere. Family-friendly highlight: This is the best living classroom for the history of “Zheng He’s voyages” and the “Malacca Sultanate” that children learn about in their textbooks!

Cheng Ho Cultural Museum: Within walking distance. Gain a deeper understanding of Zheng He’s seven remarkable voyages and his profound connection with Malacca. The rich historical materials and models in the museum are highly educational for children. I strongly recommend taking children to visit this museum, which is quite large and contains numerous collections.

The main attractions in Malacca are all centered around the Dutch Red House Square. The guide took us on a complete tour, from the Maritime Museum to the ancient Porta de Santiago, to the square, and the route was quite well arranged.

13:40 Exploring Nyonya Cuisine on Jonker Street: Taste the most famous Nyonya cuisine at the heart of Malacca’s Jonker Street. Nyonya cuisine is a unique cultural creation of the Malay Peninsula, combining Chinese cooking techniques with Malay spices (such as blue ginger, lemongrass, laksa leaves, coconut milk, and belacan), featuring rich, spicy flavors and complex layers. Recommended dishes: Laksa, Ayam Buah Keluak, Pai Tee, Cendol. Recommended restaurants: Chung Wah Restaurant, Nancy’s Kitchen.

To be honest, it was really awful. My northern Chinese stomach really isn’t accustomed to Southeast Asian food, whether in Singapore, Thailand, Cambodia, or here. While I could eat it, I definitely wouldn’t call it delicious.

Those with an adventurous palate should definitely try petai beans. This food looks like fava beans, but it’s extremely bitter, and it even makes your urine smell.

15:00 The Serenity of the Floating Mosque: Visit the Malacca Strait Mosque (Masjid Selat Melaka). This mosque, built on a man-made island, appears to float on the sea during high tide, creating a stunning view. Entry requires following Islamic rules (removing shoes, women need to wear the provided free robes and head coverings). Note: Islam is the national religion of Malaysia, and mosques are centers for Muslim worship and community activities. Maintaining silence and respect is very important.

On one hand, because of the queue, and on the other hand, the ladies had to change into those robes, so we just took some photos and didn’t go inside.

15:30 Malacca’s Coconut Surprise: At a small stall near the mosque entrance, have a chilled coconut! The coconut water is refreshingly sweet and thirst-quenching, while the flesh is semi-translucent and jelly-like, with a smooth, tender texture similar to pudding. It’s rarely seen elsewhere and highly recommended. It’s the first stall on the far left after exiting the gate.

15:40 Heading to Pink Romance – Putrajaya: The drive takes about 1 hour or more. Putrajaya is the federal administrative center of Malaysia, with modern planning and a beautiful environment.

17:00 Encounter with the Pink Mosque: Visit the Putra Mosque (Masjid Putra), which appears in a dreamy pink color due to its extensive use of rose marble. The driver-guide will take us to the best photo spots: there are three in total – one at the square, one down the side of the square, and another in a park quite far away. Most of the photos seen online are taken from the park.

Putrajaya has some other attractions, but I can’t remember them all because it was getting late in the afternoon and I was really sleepy.

18:00 Return to Kuala Lumpur & Durian Feast: About a 45-minute drive back to Kuala Lumpur city area. Headed straight to the authentic Chinese market/durian stall gathering area recommended by the driver-guide (such as SS2, Durian BB Park). Taste Malaysia’s “King of Fruits”!

Horlor: The King of Value for Money! The flesh is light yellow, with a dense and delicate texture, a light sweet taste with a creamy aroma, and very slight bitterness. Beginner-friendly, the biggest surprise of this trip!

Red Prawn: The flesh is orange-red, with a stickier and glutinous texture, sweet with a hint of bitterness, and rich in flavor. Still not satisfied after finishing one Horlor? Then open another Horlor!

19:30 Check-in to Core Hotel: Checked into Holiday Inn Express Kuala Lumpur City Centre. Strongly recommended for the following reasons:

Unbeatable Location: Only 10-15 minutes walk to core areas such as Petronas Twin Towers, Bukit Bintang, Pavilion, etc.

Chinese Service: Barrier-free communication at the front desk.

Points Good News: IHG points redemption requires only 10,000 points/night, offering excellent value for money! (Cash prices are also often reasonable).

20:30 First visit to the Twin Towers & Rest: Walk to the Petronas Twin Towers (KLCC) to take classic night view photos. Experience the bustling city life. On the way back to the hotel, buy a simple meal for the child at the McDonald’s downstairs, return to the room to wash away fatigue, and recharge for the next day.

IV. Day 2 Cultural Exploration and Local Life

08:00 Hotel Breakfast: The hotel’s included buffet breakfast offers rich choices, including local specialties (such as Malay soup rice noodles/noodles, Indian curry puffs), Western bread, salads, fruits, etc. The coffee quality is good.

09:00 Grab to Batu Caves: Use the Grab App to book a ride (download and register in advance in your home country, link Alipay for payment, full Chinese interface, operation similar to Didi). Head to Batu Caves, about 30 minutes by car. Brief introduction: A Hindu sacred site, famous for its giant gold-plated Murugan statue and climbing 272 colorful steps to enter the main cave temple. The cave is home to many monkeys (be careful with food and personal belongings). There are also several limestone caves worth exploring at the foot of the hill.

For all ride-hailing prices, refer to the topmost image for details of each stop. Ride-hailing in Kuala Lumpur is much cheaper than in China.

11:30 Grab to the National Museum: Take a ride to the National Museum of Malaysia (Muzium Negara). The main museum is divided into four exhibition halls: A, B, C, and D:

Hall A: Prehistoric and Early Kingdoms Hall B: Colonial Era Hall C: Malay Culture Hall D: Independence and Modern Development

Systematically learn about Malaysia’s history, culture, and ethnic composition – a knowledge refueling point during the trip.

13:00 Food hunting at Petaling Street: Take a ride to Petaling Street – the core of Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown. This place is indeed more like a small commodity market with not many local characteristics. Walking down the street, because the weather was too hot, bought two bowls of herbal jelly, highly recommended, then tried Ho Kow Hainam Kopitiam, which offers great value for money.

Hainan Tea: The specialty is a mixture of coffee and milk tea. The taste is very authentic but might be a bit rich/sweet depending on personal preference. Great value for money, but I didn’t find the food tasty, mainly because I’m not used to it. I haven’t had a comfortable meal in Southeast Asia.

14:00 Kwai Chai Hong Quick Look: Next to Ho Kow Heng is Kwai Chai Hong. It’s a very short alley decorated with elaborate murals! Mainly suitable for taking photos, if you’re not interested in murals or old buildings, you can skip it.

14:30 Encounter with Heavy Rain at National Mosque: Walked to the National Mosque (Masjid Negara). Just as I arrived, encountered a tropical downpour with thunder and lightning. For safety reasons, decisively took a Grab car back to the hotel to rest. A small episode during the trip, safety first!

18:30 Dinner: Highly-Rated Bak Kut Teh: After the rain stopped, walked to Ong Kee Bak Kut Teh, which ranks high on review sites. The soup base is not as rich as Singapore’s Bak Kut Teh, and has less pepper flavor. The pork ribs were tender and flavorful. This meal was quite good, at least it suited my taste.

Their Musang King cendol tasted pretty good, with a rich durian flavor.

20:00 Bustling Atmosphere at Jalan Alor: Walked to Jalan Alor Night Market. Kuala Lumpur’s most famous food street, brightly lit at night, bustling with people and full of lively atmosphere! Various seafood barbecues, satay, snacks, and fruits are abundant. You can walk through to experience the atmosphere, not necessarily needing to spend money on the main street.

20:30 Continuing the Durian Affair: Walk out of the main street of Jalan Alor, looking for a durian stall with good reviews (we chose this one). Pick a favorite variety (we chose Sultan) as a sweet ending to the day, then walk back to the hotel to rest. At the end of Jalan Alor, special warning here: it’s full of people handing out flyers. You’ll know what they’re distributing when you get there – it’s the same as what’s handed out at Osaka Castle in Japan. Don’t take it, don’t touch it, don’t engage with them, otherwise you might not be able to come back!!!

5. Day 3: Souvenirs and Bird Wonders

08:30 Leisurely Breakfast & Check-out: Enjoy the last breakfast at the hotel, don’t pack your luggage yet because we need to go out to buy souvenirs.

09:00 Shopping for Souvenirs at Bukit Bintang: Walk to the Bukit Bintang shopping district. There are numerous shopping malls here (Pavilion, Starhill,

The magical McDonald’s intersection – that busy and impressive corner where Bukit Bintang Road meets Sultan Ismail Road.

I find it strange because I kept passing by this spot these past few days, and I don’t know what these people were filming.

11:00 Pack our luggage. We always travel light with just backpacks and no suitcases. This time we have one 28L Arc’teryx backpack, one regular backpack, and my wife just brought a small bag.

12:00 Grab to the Bird Park: Take a Grab to Kuala Lumpur Bird Park (KL Bird Park), about a 30-minute ride. Highlights:

Known as the “world’s largest covered bird park.”

Many free-flying birds in a natural environment.

Can observe and feed birds up close (in designated areas).

The ticket is both educational and entertaining, definitely worth the price for bird lovers of all ages! Allow 1.5-2 hours.

If you’re bringing children, I think the few hundred yuan is well spent. Personally, I think it’s better than the one in Singapore, though some people prefer Singapore’s. I strongly recommend bringing a telephoto lens. I took all my shots with a 24mm prime lens, which will give you an idea of how unafraid of humans these birds are.

14:00 Special lunch in the park: Dine at Hornbill Restaurant inside the bird park. The restaurant is surrounded by greenery and birds, creating a unique environment. The food is mainly Western and Malaysian simple meals, which adds to the experience. Although this meal was similar to eating at Pizza Hut, it was actually the most comfortable meal we had during these few days.

If you’re interested, you can check out their menu

It’s kind of an Easter egg, didn’t expect that this logo is actually the bird of this shop

15:00 Depart for the airport: Take a Grab to the airport (KLIA/KLIA2), the journey takes about 1 hour, please allow plenty of time (it’s recommended to arrive at the airport 3 hours in advance).

16:00+ Airport procedures & return journey:

Check in for your flight and check in your luggage.

Important: After passing through customs, before heading to the boarding gate, you need to go through a second security check! Be sure to allow enough time to avoid delaying your boarding.

You can do some last-minute shopping at the airport duty-free shops. This 28L backpack has accompanied me through many countries and cities, highly recommended.

Because airlines generally don’t bother to check backpacks, it’s hard to tell even if it’s overweight.

VII. Practical Travel Tips for Kuala Lumpur (Must-read!)

Arrival Card (MDAC): Must be filled out online before departure! Visit the official website of the Malaysian Immigration Department to fill out the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC). After submission, print the confirmation page and present it together with your passport, visa (if required), and flight and hotel reservation confirmations. It is recommended to fill it out within 3 days before departure. Failure to fill it out may result in denial of entry or fines!

Visa: Chinese citizens holding ordinary passports can usually visit Malaysia for tourism without a visa for a stay of 30 days (subject to conditions such as having a return ticket and sufficient cash). Be sure to confirm the latest visa policy before traveling.

Currency: Malaysian Ringgit (MYR / RM). You can exchange currency at domestic banks by appointment or at exchange shops at Kuala Lumpur Airport or in the city (compare exchange rates). Most shopping malls, supermarkets, and chain restaurants accept credit cards (Visa/Mastercard), while cash is needed for food stalls, night markets, and taxis (Grab can be linked to a card). It is recommended to carry an appropriate amount of cash. Based on our experience, 1000 Malaysian Ringgit was more than enough for three people for three days.

Payment: Alipay is increasingly accepted in major shopping malls, chain stores, and some restaurants in Kuala Lumpur. It’s very convenient to link Alipay for payment when using Grab ride-hailing service.

Language: The national language is Malay. English is widely spoken. In Kuala Lumpur, Chinese (Mandarin/Cantonese/Hokkien) is very convenient for communication in Chinese areas and major tourist spots. Based on our experience these past few days, whether you speak English or not doesn’t matter, as places that can take your money will find every possible way to learn Chinese themselves.

Grab: A must-have app! Similar to Didi, it supports Chinese, has accurate location services, allows linking of credit cards or Alipay for payment, and offers transparent and affordable pricing. It’s the main mode of transportation within the city.

Communication: Purchase local SIM cards (such as Hotlink, Celcom, Digi) at the airport arrival hall or convenience stores in the city. They typically include large data allowances at affordable prices. Make sure your phone is unlocked. However, I now directly use my China Unicom plan because I need to receive calls, while my wife uses her China Mobile plan. Neither requires special application – roaming is automatically activated upon arrival.

Power: Malaysia uses British standard plugs (Type G) with a voltage of 230V. Be sure to bring a British standard travel adapter.

However, if your hotel is like the one I stayed at, you don’t need to worry, as domestic plugs can be used directly.

Safety: After all, it’s the capital, and we rarely go to remote places late at night, so the overall feeling is quite good. As for things like corrupt police, they might be rare in Kuala Lumpur. Also regarding smoking, as long as you follow the rules, there won’t be any issues. Hotels, restaurants, etc., have designated smoking areas. For example, Malacca is the same, with exclusive smoking areas. As long as you don’t walk around with a cigarette, no one will bother you.

Dress Code: At religious places such as the Floating Mosque, National Mosque, including Hindu temples, pay attention to your attire (free robes are usually provided), remain quiet, and respect religious etiquette.

Climate: Tropical rainforest climate, hot and humid throughout the year. June to August is relatively drier but sudden heavy rainstorms may still occur (like in the afternoon of the second day). Essentials: high SPF sunscreen, sunglasses, sun hat, umbrella for sun and rain, lightweight breathable clothing, mosquito repellent.

Special reminder: You must use an umbrella for sun protection in Malacca, otherwise you will definitely get sunburned in one day.

Secondary Airport Security Check: Important! At Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA/KLIA2), after passing through immigration, checked baggage security, and customs, there will be a second carry-on baggage security check at the entrance to the boarding gate area on the way to the gates. Please be sure to allow sufficient time (it is recommended to arrive at the boarding gate area 1 hour before departure).

Durian Restrictions: Durians cannot be brought into enclosed public places such as hotels, subways, and airplanes. Please finish consuming them at stalls or designated areas.

8. Conclusion

Although three days is short, this highlights itinerary of Kuala Lumpur and its surroundings perfectly combines historical sites (Malacca), modern landmarks (Petronas Towers), cultural experiences (mosques, museums), natural wonders (Bird Park) and delicious cuisine (bak kut teh, Nyonya cuisine, durian). With its high cost-effectiveness, Chinese-friendly environment, and high safety factor, it has become an ideal choice for a family trip to Southeast Asia during the summer vacation. Take this guide and start a relaxing and worry-free wonderful short trip to Malaysia!

• High-Capacity Power Bank

Shared power banks are relatively scarce in Malaysia and not easy to find, so get a large-sized one. Take advantage of the current mandatory 3C certification and replace yours soon.

Multi-Port USB Charger

Power banks, mobile phones, cameras, action cameras, watches, etc., all need to be charged. I now use this when I go out, it’s very convenient, especially good for use in hotels. For a family of three, bringing one is enough.

UK standard plug

Although many hotels don’t actually need adapters now, it’s best to prepare one just in case, because you still need to use an adapter when charging at the airport.

After-sun repair

When it comes to sun protection and sunburn repair, you can completely trust an avid fisherman.

Ultra-portable slippers

Trust me, for flights over three hours, having slippers versus not having them makes a real difference.