Malaysia has never been on our ‘gay bucket list’ but due to our proximity to that corner of Asia while on a recent visit to Phuket, we decided to take time out for a special celebration and to spend a long weekend in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s bustling tropical capital of around eight million people.
Although Malaysia has some very conservative and strictly ‘anti-gay’ laws, we found the country’s capital to be safe and enjoyable. Overall, Malaysian people were extremely friendly to us and their English fluency was a major bonus.
Kuala Lumpur is a low-cost destination, especially regarding hotel prices , food and taxis. Alcohol is available in major hotels and selected venues, but can be at the alternative end of the price spectrum.
Malaysia, with 60% Muslim, 25% Chinese and ‘the rest’, is not really a country where you wave the Rainbow Flag with great fervour, but we found no real hassles about the ‘gay’ issue, especially if we didn’t wear those matching, sequinned outfits.
Kuala Lumpur (KL)
We only stayed three nights in KL and we were immediately seduced by our luxurious accommodation on the 37th floor of the Sheraton Imperial Hotel. The hotel loyalty manager ensured our stay was perfect. The hotel room was as spacious and well appointed, as one would expect.
The facilities like the pool, fully equipped gym, luxurious hot and cold soak tubs, steam room and sauna were a dream come true. We celebrated our anniversary in the hotel’s exotic Celestial Court oriental restaurant. The crisp roast duck was superb and the light, freshness of the stir fried lotus root with Asian mushrooms was a standout. Perhaps it was the fragrant dewiness of the lychee martinis which made this a special evening, or was it the celebration of our 30+ year relationship? Cheers to that!
HOW WE FOUND THE GAY SCENE
The gay scene in Kuala Lumpur is a discrete, back street affair. There are a few gay bars and night clubs. We only visited one, Blue Boy, which is the most renowned gay bar/club in town and had been recommended by friends. Our experience there was not as memorable as we might have imagined. By 11pm on a Saturday evening the bar was almost entirely empty with no DJ and a 40 Ringgit ($12 AUD) entry fee. We enjoyed our complimentary drink and left. The doorman said the bar would soon be packed. Perhaps we left too soon? However, we will return to KL and give the bars another shot.
We had a much more pleasurable experience at Tantara Man Spa, located at the Novotel and open from 11am daily. Located on the fourth floor of a major hotel, it is very easy to find. We both chose a full body, 90 minute Tantara signature massage by male masseurs who were skilled and perceptive practitioners. We found this to be the most enjoyable and relaxing gig in town at a very reasonable price.
ISLAMIC ARTS MUSEUM
When in KL the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia (IAMM) is an absolute must on your ‘to do list’. The modern building, set in the Lake Gardens area, houses a highly representative collection of artefacts from the Islamic world. The museum has some priceless pieces on display, from the finest jewellery to large scale models of Al Masjid Haram in Mecca.
Also on display are some outstanding archival photographs and historical paintings of the Hajj through the ages. The Islamic calligraphy was equally impressive with many fine examples and dozens of ancient texts.
We spent four hours easily exploring this fascinating museum and can highly recommend the restaurant (Moza) for a delicious, post exhibition lunch to ease fatigued feet and tame voracious appetites.
SHOPPING AND EATING
For a superb shopping experience in the city, with all the biggest brands, head to Pavilion. This ultra modern shopping emporium in the Bukit Bintang district, is high-end shopping at its best. With gourmet eating areas and a whole floor devoted to beauty, this mall is impressive. Fahrenheit 88 shopping centre, connected to Pavilion, is a more affordable collection of small scale boutique stores resembling an outlet shopping mall.
We were given a fantastic tip to visit Lot 10 Hutong in the centre of Bukit Bintang for top quality hawker food. Here there were dozens of divine food shops selling an enormous range of Asian food, especially traditional Malaysian dishes.
We had a delicious, spicy pork dumpling, noodle soup and finished off with fluffy egg custard tarts which primed us for another round of shopping and sightseeing.
In the centre of the city, the Bukit Bintang district is a shopper’s paradise. There are restaurants and food halls everywhere. Later that evening the area was packed with night shoppers but, as Malaysia is a Muslim country, there are very few bars serving alcohol.
TOWERS
We needed to leave something to do for our next visit to Kuala Lumpur and that was the iconic city towers. Both Petronas Twin Towers and KL Tower are impressive sights indeed. At night they are beacons, true landmarks of the city and draw in thousands of tourists every day, so booking online is recommended.
Our long weekend escape to Kuala Lumpur was a thoroughly pleasant experience and helped resolve a few of our somewhat unfounded anxieties about travelling in a predominantly Muslim country. That aside, if you want a vibrant gay scene in a southeast Asian city, then perhaps Singapore or Bangkok should be at the top of your list.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
while visiting Kuala Lumpur we choose to stay at Sheraton Imperial Hotel
Kuala Lumpur International Airport is at least a one hour taxi ride outside the city centre.
Download the Grab App for taxis.
Mid February was a great time to see the city, after Chinese New Year.
For the latest gay scene advice in KL visit TravelGay.com