Planning a fun night out? Head to Changkat Bukit Bintang — the go-to spot for vibrant bars and lively clubs. Located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur’s tourist district, Bukit Bintang is also home to the famous Jalan Alor food street, a must-visit for every food lover.
The food stalls and restaurants stay open until 2 am. The number of visitors in 2023 exceeded the tourist numbers experienced pre-COVID, making Kuala Lumpur a great place to visit in 2024. Malaysia remains popular with honeymooners from the Middle East and Muslim family travellers looking for a destination offering halal food and and other tourist attractions.
What makes Jalan Alor such a popular place to visit in Kuala Lumpur?
Jalan Alor in Bukit Bintang is a great place to indulge in the culinary delights of Malaysia. This vibrant street is a hotspot for food enthusiasts, offering a tantalising mix of Malaysian specialties and international cuisine. From savouring succulent satay skewers to relishing fresh seafood dishes (both Thai and Chinese styles), Jalan Alor is a gastronomic paradise that promises to satisfy every palate.
As night falls, the bustling street transforms into a dazzling spectacle of colourful lights and lively crowds, creating an enchanting dining experience like no other. Whether you’re a seasoned food connoisseur or a curious explorer of local flavours, Jalan Alor is a must-visit destination that will leave you craving more. The street is lined with seafood stalls, fresh seasonal fruit juices, hand-made ice cream stalls and local snacks.
Several restaurant serves a wide range of seafood dishes from Southern Thailand and Malay-Chinese cooking styles. The streets are packed till late hours of the night. Popular restaurants include Restoran Wong Ah Wah, popular for grilled chicken wings, satay and Malay favourite dishes. I enjoyed steamed tilapia with grilled chicken wings and an eggplant dish cooked in oyster sauce. The servings are simple but rich in local flavours. Hotpots, steamboats and grilled seafood dishes are very popular with locals and visitors alike.
Useful information for travellers to Malaysia
- International Travel Money Card: Wise Money
- Rent a car at KLIA2 or KLIA
- Best tours and experiences in Malaysia
- Best Cheapest Hotels Online
- Book a Bus or Ferry Ticket
- Baggage Storage Solutions in Kuala Lumpur
- Best Travel Insurance Plans
Why Changkat Bukit Bintang is so popular with party-goers?
Changkat Bukit Bintang boasts a bustling array of venues, from sports bars and nightclubs to trendy restaurants. I revel in the vibrant atmosphere of Changkat and always seek out a hotel within walking distance of this lively street. As night falls, the street comes alive with colourful lights and the melodious tunes of live music.
Among the energetic crowds, it is common to see sex workers, including transsexuals, attempting to engage visitors along the roadside. Throughout history, Bukit Bintang has maintained its reputation as a prominent area for prostitution and sex tourism.
Sex Tourism in Bukit Bintang
Many hotels above the massage centres provide cheap rooms under RM 60 for 4-6 hours. Some hotels are “girl-friendly” and allow visitors to bring girls into the hotels. Back in those days, there were plenty of street girls and pimps parading the street along Changkat and Jalan Bukit Bintang. The government crackdown in recent years has discouraged the sex business in the area. With a wide range of tourist visiting the area, sex tourism still remains an attraction for young single men seeking sexual adventures in Kuala Lumpur.
In the late hours of the night, you will still observe plenty of girls and transsexuals offering services to passers by. The massage parlours and reflexology centers offer clean servieces to visitors and are very popular with family travellers. Most of these business along Changkat Bukit Bintang do not offer sex services and provide therapeautic massage and reflexology.
The massage parlours are popular with families and provide foot reflexology, massage services and spa facilities. A one-hour foot reflexology session can cost around RM 40.
Read more: Kuala Lumpur Travel Guide
Where to stay in Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur – Bukit Bintang Hotel
To best utilise your time in Kuala Lumpur, I recommend booking a hotel in the Bukit Bintang area. With such a high concentration of tourist-related services and businesses, hotels and hostels are available in all price ranges, starting from RM 80 to RM 350+ per night.
To avoid travel time to places of interest in the city and additional transport expenses for ridesharing and taxis, Bukit Bintang is a central location for accommodation.
These are some of the hotels I stayed at during my previous visits to Kuala Lumpur
- Parkroyal Serviced Apartment – $$$ – Suited for families – Close to Changkat/ Jalan Alor – RM 300+ / night. A great hotel in Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur.
- Mesui Hotel – Affordable boutique hotel. This hotel is centrally located in Bukit Bintang, with rates starting at RM 120 per night. Basis, but well-maintained property.
- Furama Hotel Bukit Bintang – 4 Star – Ideally located within walking distance from Berjaya Square – $$ RM 180+. Best value for money in Bukit Bintang.
- Hotel Soliel – Ideally located on Changkat Bukit Bintang in the heart of all activity in Bukit Bintang
- Hotel Capitol – Centrally located next to Low Yat Plaza and walking distance from Berjaya Times Square Shopping Mall
Parkroyal Serviced Apartments is ideally located within walking distance of Changkat
Parkroyal Serviced Apartment offers 5-star facilities for families in the heart of Bukit Bintang. Enjoy one and two-bedroom serviced apartments with rooftop pool, breakfast, business lounge and kids’ play area.
I stayed in a one-bedroom studio in this amazing establishment and enjoyed the morning continental breakfast and easy access to shops and restaurants in the area. The taxis are parked outside the hotel throughout the day.
One-bedroom serviced apartment at Parkroyal Serviced Apartments & Suites
Seven Eleven Stores, Patisseries, cheap foodie outlets and bars are located within walking distance of Parkroyal Serviced Apartments. Some roadside cafes offer basic noodle dishes and popular local delights like Roti Telur and Teh Tarek for under RM 8.
If you like a bit of noise and commotion in your surroundings, Bukkit Bintang is the place to look for your next hotel.
Another of my favourite hotels in the area is the Mesui Hotel. The staff at Mesui Hotel is friendly and very helpful. A new cafe and restaurant opened up right next to the hotel, making it easier to get food around the clock.
Mesui Hotel: Comfortable Budget accommodation in Bukit Bintang
I highly recommend this budget boutique hotel in Bukit Bintang. Check Rates online
Shopping in Bukit Bintang Kuala Lumpur
Some of the best Shopping Malls in Kuala Lumpur are located in Bukit Bintang. These include:
- The Pavilion Mall
- Farehenheit88
- Sephora
- Low Yat Plaza – the biggest lifestyle & electronics mall
- Berjaya Shopping Malls – with an indoor theme park and roller coaster
- Sungei Wang Plaza – mid-range shopping
These Shopping Malls are centrally located and within walking distance of each other. Make sure to book your hotel in Kuala Lumpur if shopping is a priority on your list while visiting Kuala Lumpur.
Lively views of Pavilion Mall in Bukit Bintang
Pavilion Mall has many quality restaurants, bars and international food chains and normally stays open till midnight. The central shopping area in Kuala Lumpur is accessible by light rail from KLCC and KL Sentral Train Stations.
Clothing stores at Fahrenheit88
The food court at Pavilion Mall is a great place for lunch or dinner. The ground floor near the Chulan Entrance in the Pavilion Malls has several trendy cafes, bars and fast food chains.
We enjoyed lunch at Dolly’s Dim Sum, located on the ground floor of Pavilion Mall. The underground walkways take you to interconnected shopping malls, including Sephora and Fahrenheit88.
Bukit Bintang is very popular with tourists, particularly from the Middle East. You can find some quality Middle Eastern restaurants (Al-Amr, Sahara Tent, Khudrut Maut, Zafaran, etc). Pavilion Mall is a great place for modern Western food outlets and bars. Several moneychangers are located on the ground floor near the Chulan Entrance, offering great money exchange in Bukit Bintang.
Restaurants in Pavilion Mall, Bukit Bintang near Chulan Entrance
