Visiting Kuala Lumpur from Port Klang Cruise Terminal (PKCT) and 6 Things to do in Klang

Too many times I have seen the disappointment on cruise guests face when they reach the exit of the Port Klang Terminal. Although Port Klang Cruise Terminal (PKCT) is a fully equipped port to handle the most international cruise liners, the port is in an industrial setting which means it is far from the sights of shopping streets and recreational vendors. Just when you thought you have the Grab e-hailing app can come to the rescue, engaging one from the PCKT can be quite unconvincing. 

Kuala Lumpur is approximately 60km from PKCT and usually takes an hour's drive.

The nearest mall, Aeon Mall Bukit Tinggi is approximately 16km and usually takes a 30-min drive.

For guests who did not book a tour from the cruise, you can:

1. Take the PKCT Taxi to KL attractions.

Find for a taxi stand which also offers packages to Kuala Lumpur's attractions. 

2. Take the shuttle bus to Aeon Mall Bukit Tinggi and hire and e-hailing from there.

It would be easier to hire an e-hailing transport from commercial area. 

What to do in Klang

For those who wants the same cultural and food experience without going to KL, welcome to Klang! Infact, Klang is one of the older settlement in the region compared to Klang and rich in history.

You can explore this on your own or have a guide to take care of the visit for you with stories and photo assistance provided. Whatsapp Klang Guide

1. Have a Hainanese breakfast/ meal

When in Klang, dive into the local food scene with a Hainanese cuisine. Try the local coffee and the kaya (coconut jam) which will definitely pump up the energy for the rest of your visits. While you are at it, try the national dish, nasi lemak (coconut milk rice dish).

One of the Hainanese coffee shops in Klang that locals frequent

The perfect Hainanese breakfast set. Do you know the stories behind these food?

2. Cultural Story House- Rumah Papan Pandamaran

After breakfast, visit the Ruman Papan Pandamaran (Wooden House of Pandamaran)

A cultural storyboard

Experience the local vibe of Klang

Five stones- a traditional Malay game all Malaysians caught on

Local products available there too

Nutritious but rare gac fruit

3. Kuan Tien Keng Temple, Klang

Just across Rumah Papan Pandamaran is a Taoist temple which functions as both spiritual and social institution. 

Taoist temple Kuan Tien Keng

Admire the depth of the temple's interior

4. Chinese Muslim Jamek Mosque

Wake a walk into its peaceful courtyard and whisk yourself away to China in Malaysian weather. Instead of Arab domes and pillars that we usually see in Malaysia, this mosque is not shy to be Chinese. Marvel at the tranquility and beauty of this Xi'an inspired grey structure.

Be reminded to be modestly clothes which means having a headscarf and covering your neck, arms and legs. The mosque will gladly lend you a robe and headscarf if you are not dressed accordingly.

Beautiful Chinese muslim mosque

Interior inspired by Chinese design

The moon tower

Admirable caligraphy

5. Little India, Jalan Tengku Kelana

After China, immerse yourself in the colourful world of India! Deemed the most authentic version of South Indian culture in Malaysia, awe at the fabrics, food and shinny intricates as you walk through the historical corridors of Indian traders who became settlers in Malaysia. 

The bustling Tengku Kelana street is the go-to area of anything of the Indian tradition and culture

Masjid India Muslim Tengku Kelana Indian Mosque

Tengku Kelana flower lane is fragrant with all sorts of blooms

Indian snacks

Indian accessories

Do you know the function of the 'bindi'

Indian steelware

6. Banana Leaf Rice and Indian Sweets

While we are at it, why not have a go at the lip smacking, literally finger licking good banana leaf rice! Remember to sweeten up with some Indian candies!

Finger licking banana leaf rice

Do you know every dish of the banana leaf rice?

Indian sweets

Remember to try the Malaysian teh tarik (pulled tea)

ENJOY KLANG!

Discover the Nature and Heritage of Kuala Lumpur with Cosmo Hotel

The streets of Kuala Lumpur are trodden more than anywhere else in the country and her roads are congested day in, day out. Kuala Lumpur has been synonymous with the land of opportunities where people come for better career, education and wealth. Throngs of people swarm into Kuala Lumpur for a piece of that cheese but only a few stop to appreciate its rich heritage and beauty. The capital of Malaysia is definitely more than a cold and dusty place people like to complain about.

How did most of the cities in the world started? Capitals like Seoul, Melbourne and London all started with the presence of the most necessary element of life, water. Just like those cities, the Kuala Lumpur was also spurred by a river we all know as Klang River.

Malaysians themselves always joke about Klang River being just a murky, cemented drain. Well, this is because the Klang River has been exhausted of all its resources and beauty to give way for growth of the river's earliest settlement until it has become the metropolitan city it is today. The Klang River used to be utmost important to the livelihood of people during KL's mining heydays providing food and means of transport.

By learning its origin and its importance once upon a time, we and the future generation shall not turn our backs on the river that first gave life to Kuala Lumpur. 

The River that gave life to Kuala Lumpur. DBKL has decided to preserve the junction where the Klang and Gombak Rivers converge to remind how KL all started.

The bridge that we thought was built because of the trains has actually existed since 

Other than provide comfortable stay, hotels play a vital part in bringing the best out of the city and surfacing appreciation of the place it is home to among its guests. Recognizing this, Cosmo Hotel has engaged professional tour guides who knows the city like the back of their hand and the place's history as if they have lived through those times to introduce beautiful Kuala Lumpur to foreign and local tourists.

From the same group of tour guides who collaborates with Tourism Selangor, Cosmo Hotel is engaging these very learned and professional tour guides to lead their city tours.

The fountain dances with music at night

The bridge that reminds me of Yarra River.
Malaysia is as beautiful as other countries if not even more if only we know how to appreciate her.

Kuala Lumpur's culture is not just the office kind. If you look carefully, it is more colourful and diverse than you can imagine thanks to British colonialism. While other countries also home multi-ethnicity, Malaysia still accommodates cultures in their most authentic form, making them a sample of the country of origin

I must admit, as a KL-ite myself, I am guilty of taking the everyday encounters in the city for granted. Which is why a qualified tour guide is very much necessary to pull participants to the pockets of the city that we either did not have the courage explore on our own or to ignorant to know.

The parts of the city become more meaningful when our experienced tour guide, Jane Rai, painted the town with anthologies of history. I never looked at that part of the city which I thought was rowdy and notorious the same way again. Each place is how it is because of its inheritance from its first settlers. 

It is also a profound reflection that I felt after realizing the human race is very resilient. Although after generations and centuries, there are certain strains of ethnicity that will never be dissolve by migration or modernity. 

Jai Hind is the earliest punjabi sweet maker in Malaya

The myriad and colourful punjabi sweets. The carrot khalwa is my favourite

The owner of Jai Hind packing sweets for customers with a smile

Masjid India remains a huge iconic building built in 1863 catering to the religious needs of the Indian Muslim community

The Malayan and Selangor Mansion catered for the miners in Kuala Lumpur once upon a time

The bazaar at Jalan Melayu provides essential needs to the large community living around Masjid India

Nasi lemak at RM1.50

The traditional costume tailor making songkok and songket

Barbers giving their customers the shave they need

At the surviving cinema, Teater Coliseum

The original Coliseum Cafe and Grill Room since the British heydays

At the famous Coliseum Restaurant where they served the British western food and gave them a place to drink and unwind

Henna art by Indian girls

Gold is still a very highly sought adornment

People comfortably having chai at the five-footway

Colonial buildings that sports great architecture and 

At the Saravanaa Bhavan Restaurant for some authentic Southern Indian food

Location is always a good investment when picking accommodation during my travels. With hardly enough energy for the discovery itself, why waste more on traveling far away to sleep? Choosing a hotel smack in the middle of the city goes a long way in making my adventure a pleasurable one. 

After our last stop at Saravanaa Bhavan, I returned to Cosmo Hotel in 3 minutes. Because the River of Life is also only a 3 minute walk away, I tucked in my room key and headed to the river for an evening stroll. I used to envy the people in Melbourne for having the romantic Yarra River to walk along. Thanks to DBKL, we have our own river to appreciate!

After the relaxing walk, I had a hot shower and hit the pillows to recharge for another exciting day tomorrow!

Cosmo Hotel is just a 3 minute walk from the Masjid Jamek Station

Cosmo Hotel is a 4-star hotel which boasts great location. Perfect for those who want to immerse themselves in the city of Kuala Lumpur and explore the historical land.

At the reception of Cosmo Hotel

My roomie for the day

The Deluxe room

Although smack in the middle of the city, it is hidden from the main road of Jalan Tun Perak.
You can still catch a glimpse of the glowing city from your room after sunset.

The room is equipped with a safety box and ironing board

Rise and shine to nature's call! KL is not all metal and bricks. In the midst of the concrete jungle, hides a gem that I half-heartedly recommend lest it becomes infested with irresponsible litterbugs. But I owe it to nature-lovers whom I believe will help protect it.

Just 10 minutes away from Cosmo Hotel by foot, nestles Kuala Lumpur Eco Forest. Its thick organic vegetation restores the worn out soul. Mother-nature cures with her oxygen-rich environment. It is how she rewards the people who preserves her flora and fauna. Giants like jelutong and keruin can be found here. Ever seen how a wild banana looks like? This is truely one of the remaining bits of natural rain forest that we can savour. Immerse yourself in the cool and fresh air emitted by plants all around.

 A little warm up at the gym at Level 15

Breakfast at the Cosmo Hotel lounge

Some coffee at the lounge before setting out the forest

The Taman Eco Forest below the towering KL Tower

A herb garden at the entrance of the forest

The entrance of the canopy walk

All ready to explore the lush vegetation in the middle of Kuala Lumpur

See how many herbs you can identify

The suspension bridge is the best way to experience the arboreal life

The trail is relaxing and non-strenuous. Even my mom enjoys it

Wild bananas grow upwards!

Imperfections are beautiful

Racoons that are native to the forest protected from illegal poachers

Roots that developed over hundreds of years

When exiting the forest, the sight of  the historical St John Institution, one of the oldest schools in Kuala Lumpur established in 1904, will be there as a congratulatory note for finishing the forest trail.

After the morning walk, it was time to restore those shed energy although the walk was not very exerting. Back at Cosmo Hotel, set lunch awaited. Guests were given 3 choices of steak, chicken chop and fish and chips with free flow of appetizers, soup, dessert and drinks. 

The Mint Cafe

Steak at medium

Chicken chop

Fish and chips

Thank you Cosmo Hotel! What a beautiful discovery of Kuala Lumpur

The City Discovery Package, priced at RM288 nett per person per night in a Deluxe comes inclusive of

• breakfast for two persons at Café Mint 
• one 2-course lunch for two persons at Café Mint 
• one set dinner for two persons at Café Mint plus a full 28-hour stay experience 
• FREE access to the Hotel’s new gymnasium 
• in-room WiFi for endless streaming and seamless connectivity.