Kuala Lumpur for women
KL is a fashion shopping paradise
It bodes well for female travellers arriving in Kuala Lumpur that the Malaysians are completely and utterly obsessed with shopping. In fact, a large number of the most popular attractions in the city double as shopping malls, meaning there is no excuse for not trying on some of the latest designer fashions and new-season threads.
What’s more, women travellers in Kuala Lumpur are not subjected to the same seedy vice underbelly that is so blatantly flaunted in other Southeast Asian cities such as Bangkok or Manila. But the flip side to this is that female travellers in KL are expected to behave and dress conservatively, as to avoid offending the local Muslim population. For more on Malay culture.
Kuala Lumpur for women – dress and etiquette
Although the city is fairly liberal by Muslim standards, female travellers in Kuala Lumpur should try not to wear short skirts or hot pants during the day and especially if visiting any religious site. It is also wise to wear tops that cover the shoulders and are not too low-cut. High heels and platform shoes are problematic also but only due to the sometimes uneven pavements that can cause the unsuspecting to tumble ungraciously and injure knees and ankles.
However, these rules tend to go out of the window at night when throngs of locals can be seen prancing about in trendy nightspots in a range of revealing clothing. If embarking on a night out then it is wise, as with anywhere, not to get totally hammered and take a taxi home alone, as assaults have been reported. And if you take a taxi always sit in the back seat. More on safety in KL.
Although it is very rare for Muslim women to be found drinking, it is not a great problem for foreigners in restaurants to have a beer or cocktail. Obvious signs of drunkenness are fairly taboo, however, and may provoke disapproving comments from passing locals. Likewise, public displays of affection are not encouraged for men and women travellers in Kuala Lumpur. More on etiquette.
Kuala Lumpur for women – shopping
Kuala Lumpur really is a retail mecca of staggering proportions with everything from silk, handcrafts, fashion and jewellery on offer at extremely reasonable prices. And it is far from just dusty market stalls with a few obscure wares on offer, the city has countless shopping malls that compare favourably with anywhere else in the world decked out in marble, glass and stainless steel.
Try something new and go to a fish spa, your feet will love you for it.
There are many special shopping ‘festivals’ put on throughout the year which are designed to attract more customers. And foreign nationals get special discounts at many shopping locations with some goods available to purchase duty free if collected at the airport upon departing the country.
Almost every high street name and haute couture fashion house is represented in the KLCC Shopping Centre directly beneath the Petronas Twin Towers, and it can take days to thoroughly explore all the boutiques, restaurants and stores accommodated there. Plus there are fabulous arrays of jewellery and batik handicrafts available at Central Market which make perfect gifts from family back home. More on shopping in Kuala Lumpur.
Kuala Lumpur for women – spas
A soothing warm jacuzzi or massage is just what is needed after a long day hitting the shops and sights, and female travellers in Kuala Lumpur have no end of pampering possibilities.
There are a fantastic variety of facial treatments, aromatherapy, water therapies, scrubs and wraps to rejuvenate visitors, and treatments come with that special Malaysian welcome and at a fraction of the price back home.
Ingenious combinations such as coffee and exotic herbs are utilised in traditional remedies that have been passed down for hundreds of years. Most large hotels have their own spas that cater for women in Kuala Lumpur but there are also specialist centres outside the tourist zones that cater for local people in the city and offer better value for money. More on spas in Kuala Lumpur.
Kuala Lumpur for women – courses
There are a number of things that women visiting Kuala Lumpur can study to take home new skills. Yoga is one of the more popular courses with a great many centres providing tuition of different standards and lengths. Manasa Yoga is popular amongst expats in the Petaling Jaya area although classes tend to be quite large (70A, Jalan SS2/60, Petaling Jaya 47300, tel: +603 7806 4630). While Lightworks Studio in the Bukit Bintang area of the Golden Triangle has a small book shop it its relaxing space (19 Jalan Mesui, off Jalan Nagasari, 50200, tel: +603 2143 2966).
Of course, Malaysian food is becoming more and more popular worldwide due to its delicious blend of Malay, Indian, Chinese and Baba influences. So it is easy to see why so many female travellers in KL indulge in a cookery course whilst in town. LaZat Cookery School is highly regarded and has a range of different menus on offer (section 17, Petaling Jaya, tel: +60 (0)19 238 1198, enquiries@malaysia-klcookingclass.com).
Kuala Lumpur for women – children
Half the battle of having an relaxing family holiday is managing to keep youngsters happy and entertained, and luckily this is no problem for female tourists in Kuala Lumpur. There are a great number of amusement parks to chose from plus walk-in bird aviaries, impressive skyscrapers and go-kart tracks to tire the little ones before bedtime. More on amusement parks.
KL Zoo is brilliant for little ones who love our furry animal friends and the fascinating KLCC Aquarium is both fun and educational and teeming with all manner of sealife. Plus many of the luxury hotels of the city have nurseries to allow parents a little peace and quiet while they have some fun of their own. More on Kuala Lumpur for children.
