Need some help!! Just found out that I will be in Kuala Lumpar for 3 weeks on business and want to make the best of it since this is my first trip to South Asia.
Any suggestions on things that are a must see(keeping in mind I will be in KL - Mon-Fri 9-5)? I am trying to make the best of the two weekends that I have available. My goal is to see as much as possible.
Some of things that I am thinking are:
1. Catching a flight to Singapore for the day?
2. Any good day trips to the beach or caves in or around KL?
3. Any beautiful temples? I would like to visit historical palaces or temples.
4. Any suggestions on good shopping in for crafts and gems that I can sqeeze in during the week? or would singapore be better?

You could make a trip to the beach for a weekend say Pangkor, Langkawi or Redang. These are beautiful beaches.

The second weekend you could visit the sights surrounding KL. For caves you could visit the Batu Caves. You could check with the hotel for day tours or get a guide to get around. IMHO KL is NOT a fun place to drive around.

You could fly to Malaysian Borneo for a weekend - either into Kota Kinabalu or Kuching.

Depends on what your into. Shopping would be bettr in Malaysia due to the more favourable exchange rate (compared to Singapore). For the best view of KL avoid the twin towers (limited admission) instead head to KL Tower. Stick to reputable shops when shopping for gems/jewel (e.g. KM Oli, Carat Club, Habib Jewel, Cartier etc). Shopping centres are every where but the better ones are the Suria @ KLCC, Starhill and the adjacent Lot 10. For electronics stuff head to Sungai Wang Plaza near to Lot 10. Kraft Centre has good selection of arts & crafts but most malls have good selection.

I agree with KMloke to split the weekend and do either Langkawi (Datai's a good resort) or to get away from it all try the Pangkor Laut Resort. And KL's not a fun place to drive, though it's better than BKK.

To take in cultural performances etc try the Saloma which offers dinner with its performances. Also if your trip's in mid-October, do be aware of the Muslim fasting month (Ramadhan).

Singapore for a day? I like Singapore a lot more than KL. I'd spend three full days in Singapore if I were you. I've been to Singapore a lot, on vacation, and have spent up to a week and a half there and still haven't done everything. Happy Travels!

For shopping cheaper in KL than Singapore it actually depends on what you are shopping for. Generally locally made stuff are cheaper, no doubt. For imported stuff not so true.

If you do plan to come to Singapore consider the weekend as it's not worth the flight otherwise.

I totally DON"T agree that Singapore is not worth the flight. It depends on what one wants to do. If one wants to just run around and see sights, then that can be done rather quickly. But, if one wants to really experience the place and absorb the different cultures and meet REAL Singaporeans, then it takes time. I have invested TIME in Singapore and it has paid off quite well. I have met great people and have been taken out to lunch and been invited to breakfast/dinner and other places. I find it very easy to meet Singaporeans. I think the people are great. Happy Travels!

Surprised nobody has bentioned Malacca. It's an easy day trip from KL, but might be worth an overnight trip. You might also find a weekend in Penang quite interesting.

if u can, squeeze in Taman Negara a 100 mil yr old rainforest. towns, caves n cities u can see everywhere. 100mil yr old rainforest u can only see in malaysia or the Amazon

instead of driving 3 hrs to over hyped pangkor, take 3 hrs to Jerantut's river jetty n anoth couple hours by boat into the jungle. u can see caves, rapids, wild animals.truly amazing.pretty good accomodation there too.

Guenmai

What I meant was that the flight to Singapore is not worth it if it's only for a day. Should be better value to stay over the weekend or over a few days. This was in response to Kiran000's point 1 "catching a flight to Singapore for the day."

There's a lot of stuff in Singapore to be discovered just like a kueh lapis it's multi-layed. Depends on how much effort you take to find it.

BTW found a nice and cheap traditional dim sum place called "126 Eating Place". located around junction of Geylang Lorong 15. The 126 is a translation of the Cantonese name which means "I've found food". No problem with ordering as the menu has pics of all the dishes. They've a very refreshing plum juice for $1.50. Loved the fried pig intestines!
They also sell traditional Chinese pastries. My kids loved the egg tarts.

Thanks for the help everyone!! Really appreciate it! I think Im def. getting a better idea of what I am going to do.

As far as the beaches go - can any of the above mentioned be done as a day trip? Without compromising beautiful clearwater. If not, is langkawi, redang, etc. easily accesible from downtown KL - flights, trains? (Keeping in mind Im a 25 yr. old female and might be traveling alone so I dont want to go too far off the "beaten path" )

KL is land locked and don't think it's near any decent beaches. Port Dickson is the nearest that comes to mind.

As someone mentioned you could take a day trip to Malacca though. It's pretty historical although the beaches aren't great. Suggest you checkout your hotel travel desk for a day tour. It's much easier.

Seriously consider coming to Singapore for a weekend.

I agree with the above as to checking with your hotel about day tours. They are usually not that expensive and are very convenient. The tour company usually drives around to different hotels and picks up people for the tour. The first time I was in Bangkok, back in the 90s, I had been traveling alone for three weeks throughout Southeast Asia(I'm female,too) and the day before I left for home, I decided to get on a 12-hour day tour to the floating market area along with some other areas... and I'm glad I just took the bus tour.It would have been complicated had I tried to do it alone. We weren't that many people, on the bus, I met some interesting people and everything went smoothly and it was nice to be with other folks,for a day, after having been on the road alone for three weeks. Happy Travels!

has no one mentioned a weekend in bangkok?

you will really enjoy the grand palace and wat po and those are gorgeous. if you overnight for friday and saturday you can organize a river/bus trip to ayuttaya, a totally different type of temple.

i would also say spend a weekend in singapore. you can enjoy the very nice beaches of sentosa island. water's warm, lots of conveniences around.

if you are into the "jungly beach" thing, try to catch a small plane to tioman island and spend a lazy beach weekend there.

unless you are a history buff i would skip malacca. it really is great for the dutch colonial heritage, but for your first time in asia i would get myself to bangkok as a priority over melaka/malacca (sorry terrible speller).

Suggest not wasting your time with Port Dickson - it's a real pit and a 90 minute drive from KL.

If you're going to try to do Bangkok in just a weekend, then you need to be VERY organized. Maybe it's best to contact Ratt and hire her as your driver as you won't have much time to figure things out on your own. Happy Travels!

Thanks guys! I think Im going to take one of the weekends and go to Singapore! Can I catch a cheap flight from KL? Figure it would save time over train/bus?

....also, is Sentosa easily accessible from downtown? Train/bus?

I thought about Bangkok but, I heard i would probably need more time! So, I guess I will save that for the next trip!

From KL there's not that time difference between taking a flight and a luxury bus.
The only cheap flight is from Air Asia which lands in Senai Airport in JB. From there you would need to take a shuttle bus to Singapore. There's quite a few bus companies which use luxury coaches. Some of them even have massage chairs, individual LCDs and games on board!

It's pretty easy to get to Sentosa. Take the MRT to Harborfront and from there you could take a bus to Sentosa or take the cable car.

I flew between KL and Singapore...round trip... but it wasn't cheap. But, then again, I didn't really shop around for a cheap flight since I wanted the type of ticket that could be changed in the case that I might have to cancel the trip or change it to another time. It only takes 45-50 minutes to fly to Singapore, if I remember correctly. So, go for it. Singapore is SUPER easy to get around in. If I were you, I'd check into the YMCA International House Hotel at 1 Orchard Road at the Dhoby Gaut MRT(subway station). I've stayed there for years.I was just there a few weeks ago again. It's S$80. a night...breakfast included and spotlessly clean, has a pool, and a decently priced internet cafe. Plus, tons of buses stop almost outside of the door. This would make it VERY easy for you to get around. You'll have a private room with private bathroom. Book early as many times it's booked solid for whole months.It's an extremely popular place.Plus, you'll probably meet people there. I have which, is nice, since I travel alone. I'd call the hotel directly and give them a credit card number over the phone and then have them send the confirmation by e-mail. Ask for a room on the 8th floor...the top floor.Have a ball in Singapore. Happy Travels!