But the incomparable scenery of the many parklands and exotic blend of cultures famous for their food makes the 6,600 kilometre distance from Sydney to the capital of Malaysia worthwhile.
As I discovered, you can expect the unexpected and the perfect starting point to take it all in is the KL Forest Eco Park.
Situated at the foot of the Kuala Lumpur Tower, the park provides the ideal retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city.
The jungle is unlike any other as it is the only natural rainforest in the world located in the middle of a city. The canopy trail allows you to explore a jungle and be back at your hotel five minutes later!
Other parks worth visiting are Titiwangsa Park with its huge lake and variety of recreational activities for the family. Another favourite among nature lovers is Taman Botani Perdana, known to the locals as Lake Gardens – a sprawling 227-acre park located right in the middle of the city.
To get a real feel of how big this place really is, the seventh tallest tower in the world, Kuala Lumpur Tower allows you to see just how far the city stretches.
When people think of Kuala Lumpur, they may mistakenly think only of a concrete metropolis, but the impressive 360-degree view from KL Tower is something of a revelation. What surprised me most was the huge pockets of greenery throughout.
Built in 1995, the imposing KL Tower is used for communication purposes but its also a favourite among tourists with its revolving restaurant and panoramic views.
Kuala Lumpur is well known as a great place for food lovers. Malaysia comprises of three ethnic groups and the cultures have blended resulting in some excellent Malay cuisine with its own unique flavours.
The healthy, organic trend seen in Australia is also evident throughout the city where an array of quaint organic cafes are popular among diners.
Wellness advocates and Melbournites, Shantini Iyngkaran and Anjana Arunachalam, left their Australian home to chase their passion for healthy living and established Organica Lifestyle in Bangsar, KL.
The hidden retreat features all the comforts Australian visitors love to experience, and then some. With the café, whole foods store and yoga studio all offering patrons a wholesome experience second to none. Enjoying the holistic experience on offer is a must-do for anyone in need of taking time out for themselves.
Tourism in Kuala Lumpur is going from strength to strength and you can expect to stay in high quality hotels, such as the new Oasia Suites by Far East Hospitality .
Located right in the midst of the city centre, travellers are welcomed to a home-like atmosphere with a premium touch.
The newly appointed suites are more than a hotel bed in a room, they offer you all the comforts you might find at home plus the benefits of a swimming pool from which you can see the city sky line.
Most travellers (me included!) sacrifice wellness while travelling, but it is not really a holiday if you return feeling run down. After three days in KL, I came back feeling refreshed and my energy recharged, due mainly to my comfortable stay. But more than anything, I saw Kuala Lumpur with new eyes and not, as many think, as a quick airport stop over.
Ben Mayor stayed as a guest of the Oasia Suites by Far East Hospitality .
