Craving for some curry banana leaf during your staycation? Then head on over to Brickfields. Photo: Filepic
Kuala Lumpur’s "Diamond Triangle" may not get as many mentions on travel guides as its Golden Triangle, but it certainly holds plenty of urban charm.
Located in central KL, the Diamond Triangle encompasses historical suburbs and vibrant streets. The eclectic district is a perfect spot for a culture-packed and food-filled weekend staycation in the city.
Now is a great time to do a staycation holiday as there are numerous domestic tourism campaigns to encourage locals to travel.
Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said efforts to spur domestic tourism in Malaysia would continue to be carried out.
One such campaign is "Cuti-Cuti Kuala Lumpur”, which focuses on encouraging locals from all over the country to visit the capital city.
“Although Kuala Lumpur is synonymous with its status as the country’s capital, it cannot be denied that it also has exciting tourism attractions which promise something for every Malaysian, ” she said.
Some of these attractions can be found at the Diamond Triangle, which includes three distinct neighbourhoods: Brickfields, Chinatown and Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman.
There's no shortage of Indian cuisine at Brickfields. Photo: Filepic
Brickfields is a vibrant neighbourhood that's home to Little India, with its rows of colourful Indian textile, sweets and jewellery shops.
When it comes to food, look out for the many low-key restaurants serving banana leaf curry meals and roti.
Nearby, there's KL Sentral, the main communication hub of the city. Travellers can easily hop on to a network of trains and buses to get to other places in the Klang Vallley.
In the southern side of the Diamond Triangle, look out for the bustling Petaling Street within Chinatown.
Its reputation as a bargain hunter’s paradise aside, Petaling Street and the surroundings of Chinatown, is also a foodie destination.
There are many local restaurants here serving dishes such as Hokkien mee, beef noodles, Cantonese porridge and chee cheong fun.
Feast on some yummy Hokkien mee at Petaling Street.
If you’re up for some coffee, there are many quaint cafes in the vicinity that will thrill with good caffeine as well as cosy interiors.
For more shopping, head over to Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman (or Jalan TAR as it’s affectionately known by locals). The major one-way road is a traditional shopping district.
Many locals come here during the lead-up to Hari Raya and Deepavali to do their festival shopping. The pre-war shops along the streets sell an assortment of clothes, fabrics, textiles and food at attractive prices.
The pre-war shops along Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman carry an assortment of clothes, fabrics, textiles and food at attractive prices. THE STAR/ Chan Tak Kong
If you’re sold on the idea of a staycation in the Diamond Triangle, Sunway Putra Hotel Kuala Lumpur is a good option to stay a night or two.
Check out this view of the KL skyline. THE STAR/ Chester Chin
The hotel, nestled in the heart of the Diamond Triangle, is conveniently linked to the PWTC LRT station and provides seamless connectivity to the many attractions in the city.
Travellers can also jump onboard the KL Hop-On Hop-Off double decker bus for a self-guided tour of KL.
There's a good selection of food to choose from. THE STAR/ Chester ChinOn a recent stay at the hotel, my suite's private balcony opened up to a spectacular view of the city skyline with the Petronas Twin Towers and KL Tower on the horizon.
If you're not too keen to explore the big city, you can just head on to Sunway Putra Mall, which is located next door.
During my stay, I got to experience a nine-hour dining spree – lunch, hi-tea and dinner – as part of the hotel’s Stay Kawtim, Makan Unlimited package.
Guests can start their dining from noon, even before checking in to their rooms. There's a good selection of Malay, Chinese, Indian and Western cuisines to choose from.
If you’re still feeling peckish after a delectable spread, hop on the train or bus to get more bites around the area. The KL Diamond Triangle, with its rich cultural landscape, has no shortage of good food and colourful culture.
