We know how sweltering the heat can sometimes get in sunny ol’ Kuala Lumpur (KL). While it can be enjoyable, especially when trying to get a beach tan, not everyone is perpetually in the mood to burn their skin.
Besides ensuring you’re hydrated and putting on sunscreen whenever you’re outdoors, there are other ways to make being in tropical KL a little more pleasant.
1. Escape to a chilly destination
Now, this may seem escapist, but we’d say it’s more of an opportunist idea. Malaysia has an abundance of mountain escapes that are nice and chilly. Travelling there supports our local tourism industry and keeps the economy in the surrounding towns running.
Some chilly escapes that are closest to KL are Fraser’s Hill, Cameron Highlands, Berjaya Hills, or Janda Baik — all located in KL’s neighbouring state, Pahang. If you’re an adventurer who prefers to venture further, there’s Penang Hill in Penang, Kundasang, Tambunan, and Kelabit Highlands in Sabah, Gunung Ledang in Johor, and Bukit Larut in Taiping.
2. Be the Belle of an indoor ice-skating rink
If you’ve never tried indoor ice skating, this is the sign you’ve been waiting for! We’ll never have ice lakes in KL, so this is our best bet when it comes to skating on ice. Of course, there’s the classic and popular choice of Sunway Pyramid Ice, but did you know there are other spots in the Klang Valley too? For a full list of ice rinks and each of their perks, we’ve compiled a list for you here.
3. Chill at hip ice cream spots
If you’re in need of a sit down before the heat gets to your head, try these ice cream spots. Instead of buying packaged ice cream from a convenience store, #sapotlokal and enjoy the cool (literal and metaphorical) atmosphere at a local ice cream parlour. Take some Insta-worthy OOTDs while you’re there and feel the cold sweet dessert slide down your throat.
4. Feel an adrenaline rush, the cool way
You might be wondering — how will an adrenaline rush help cool me down? We’re talking about indoor theme parks, Genting Skyworlds, and water theme parks, of course! The recently opened Genting Skyworlds Theme Park doesn’t need much introduction; enjoy the chilly air of Genting Highlands while riding thrilling new rides.
There’s also the Skytropolis Indoor Theme Park at SkyAvenue Genting Highlands and Berjaya Times Square Theme Park for those who prefer to stay indoors. For the aquaphiles, Sunway Lagoon’s water park or ESCAPE Penang’s water park will cool you down in a splash.
Full disclosure: Besides Berjaya Times Square Theme Park, none of the other locations are in KL, though relatively nearby (except for Penang).
5. Shop till you drop (but not from heat)
Our city offers many indoor shopping opportunities for shopaholics. We Malaysians love our shopping so much, we’re pretty sure there’s at least one shopping mall near where you live. For the die-hard shoppers, your best bet is KL’s Bukit Bintang shopping strip. There are many malls within walking distance of each other and tons of food to discover as well.
6. Surround yourself with nature
Nature provides us plenty of shade from the burning sun, but this is rare when living in the city. If you’d like to fully embrace all things flora in its true glory, visit any of Malaysia’s National Parks to take in the cool fresh air.
Of course, this may not be everyone’s forte. We have plenty of biophilic cafes and botanical gardens for quick day escapes for you to discover. If you’d like to make a holiday out of it, reset and recharge at one of these peaceful stays surrounded by mother nature.
7. Book a staycation, take a dip
In the midst of the heat and city hustle, maybe all you need is a little soak me up. Soaking in a tub doesn’t have to be boring, even in the concrete jungle. There are many hotel rooms with bathtubs that offer magnificent views of KL. Remember to ask for a tub with a view to avoid disappointment!
Hotel pools are the way to go for those who prefer something a little more outdoorsy. We’re talking about pools like the hip and trendy KL Journal Hotel pool, where you can sip on cocktails from the poolside bar, or the Bali-like Villa Samadhi pool surrounded by nature. Whichever you choose, you can bliss out in any of them.
