The best way to see anything is up high and in the open air, so until we get to crank windows down in helicopters, nothing beats seeing a city from the top of a double decker bus. Naturally, the introduction of KL’s own Hop On Hop Off bus a few years ago is a real treat for everyone, especially tourist.

The way these buses work is like this: You pay for an all-day ticket and ride the bus which loops around the city. Sightseeing can be done from the bus but you are also free to disembark at any stop-to explore, shop, eat, or do whatever that area is famous for – then jump on the next bus to continue your tour. They come around every half hour.

With 22 stops around Kuala Lumpur, Hop On Hop Of (or HOHO, as it is also unfortunately known) takes you directly to, or at least puts you in easy walking distance of the city’s major and minor attractions, including museums, parks and shopping districts.

You can get your 24 or 48-hour tickets at most hotels, travel agents or on the bus itself. Agents sell tickets at some of the more popular Hop On stops to save the driver and passenger’s time.

The bus runs from 8.30am to 8.30pm. A 24-hour ticket means that if the first time you board the bus is at noon on a Monday, you can continue to use your ticket on Tuesday morning.

As you ride you can choose to listen to recorded commentary both telling you what is outside your window and what you can do at your next stop. You can choose between half a dozen languages, including English, Mandarin, Japanese, French, Spanish and Arabic.

Although some websites claim the ride is 45-60 minutes depending on traffic, the loop is actually 2 and a half hour long, and it feels it. Absolutely do not do what I would usually recommend, which is to do the full trip once to get your bearings, then again to do the hopping. You will need frequent breaks.

STOP HIGHLIGHTS

Malaysia Tourism Centre

A beautiful building in its own right, this is also a great place to stop if you are here for a few days, for sightseeing information or to attend one of their many cultural shows and events.

KL Tower

The reason the KL Tower seems to be as tall as the Petronas Twin Towers is because it was built on a hill. The bus takes you up the winding road and deposits you near the foot of the tower. An elevator does the rest.

Jalan P.Ramlee

This is the heart of KL’s clubbing district but there is absolutely no reason to get off since partying starts hours after the bus stops running. Just take note of the location for later.

KL Convention Centre & Aquaria

More of a hop on than a hop off since the convention centre and aquarium are a five-minute walk from KLCC, stop 22.

Craft Cultural Complex

Pricier but quieter than Central Market, this complex of attractive buildings is a good place to learn about Malaysian crafts, see how they are made and pick up a few to take home.

Bintang Walk

This is Malaysia’s premier shopping street with several sidewalk cafes and restaurants. Good for pedestrians, terrible for traffic, it’s hard to look down on the happy shoppers overtaking you on foot.

Tengkat Tong Shin

Slightly more mature nightlife with jazz, family restaurants and clubs that offer tango nights. Very popular with expatriates.

Chinatown

A few years ago, Petaling Street was well-intentionally revamped to make it more tourist-friendly. The roof that now keeps out the rain is appreciated, but no one has ever needed extra incentive to come here, and it is now as crowded, noisy and chaotic as it ever was.

Central Market

All the crafts you could ever want under one roof, with great little galleries and a healthy alternative arts scene.

National Palace

This is one of two places where the bus stops and waits for 5 minutes because there is little to do, and no way of getting out of there once you’re done. The National Palace is closed to the public but people enjoy taking pictures of the gates and the guards on horseback.

KL Sentral

This is Kuala Lumpur’s major transport hub. From here you can catch a bus or train to anywhere in the Klang Valley or take a long distance train as far as Singapore or Bangkok. The history-rich neighbourhood of Brickfields is just across the road.

National Museum

Not the best organised of places, but still provides interesting insight in Malaysian history and culture.

Lake Gardens

The first of three stops in the Lake Gardens, this one sets you down at the foot of the Orchid Garden.

Bird Park

And this one at the entrance of the (surprise!) Bird Park.

National Mosque

And this is at the other end of Lake Gardens, outside the very impressive National Mosque.

Dataran Merdeka

Surrounded by amazing colonial architecture, the world’s tallest flagpole marks the spot where the Malaysian flag was hoisted to mark the country’s independence, more than 50 years ago.

Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman

Not exactly touristy, but a popular local area for bargain shopping.

Chow Kit

Again, not your usual tourist fare, but a good place to get a real taste of Malaysian food in the small coffee shops along the road. This stop is right outside a Bak Ku Teh shop, a brilliant Chinese Malaysian pork and herb soup shop.

Bulatan Pahang

Again more hop on than hop off unless you have reached the end of your destination and happen to be staying at one of the dozen hotels in the vicinity.

Lake Titiwangsa

This is a nice one too, a great nearly-end to the journey and a good break after an hour in city traffic.
The bus stops for five minutes so you can take photos and stretch your legs.

Ampang Park

Upscale hotel area, near embassy row. Not much here that you could not find elsewhere.

KLCC

Huge shopping mall at the base of Malaysia’s twin towers. Restaurants, shops, galleries, cinemas, a concert hall and a park – keep this for your final hop off and spend the rest of the day here.

The bus will also stop at these places:

• Malaysian Tourism Centre
• Karyaneka
• Rumah Penghulu Abu Seman
• Sungei Wang Plaza
• Bukit Bintang Plaza
• Pavilion Kuala Lumpur
• Berjaya Times Square
• Ain Arabia
• Sri Mahamariaman Temple
• Little India (Brickfields)
• Parliament of Malaysia
• National Monument
• ASEAN Sculpture Garden
• National Planetarium
• Tun Abdul Razak Memorial
• Islamic Art Museum
• KL Railway Station
• Royal Selangor Club
• Sultan Abdul Samad Building
• St Mary’s Church
• Jamek Mosque
• Istana Budaya
• National Art Gallery
• Petronas Twin Towers

TIPS

• It is absolutely impossible to get down at every stop in the time allotted, so plan for what you want to see.
• If you are using the HOHO for sightseeing, go on a Sunday, when traffic and air is at its clearest. Despite the ads, not all buses have an open air section but these are the best for sightseeing.
• Check weather reports before planning your trip because rain comes down hard and every stop is a good sprint away from decent cover. Malaysian weather changes in minutes rather than hours, so even if the sky is clear, bring an umbrella!
• There are 24-hour and 48-hour tickets. 24-hour tickets are RM38 for non-Malaysian adults and RM17 for non-Malaysian children, student card holders and disabled people. The same tickets for Malaysians are RM19 and RM12, respectively. Tickets counters can be found at Jalan Bukit Bintang (main counter at stop number 6), Malaysian Tourism Centre at Jalan Ampang, at KL Sentral (arrival hall) and at Central Market.
• 48-hour tickets are RM65 and RM29 for non-Malaysians, RM32 and RM20 for Malaysians.

For more information, visit the website.
 

Images taken from KL Hop-On Hop-Off Facebook page.

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