Chan See Shu Yuen Temple

At first glance Kuala Lumpur is a multicultural and modern metropolis of skyscrapers, shopping malls, and ethnic enclaves. But this city of 1.8 million people also has a wild side. Here are some of the best places in the area to escape the city and commune with Mother Nature.

Two days in Kuala Lumpur allow you to look beyond the top sights to areas such as Brickfields, Little India, and Chinatown, and to feast on the city’s unforgettable food. You’ll also have time to take in some of the spectacular natural attractions that await outside the urban borders. Here’s how.

Swap urban life for sensational scenery and traditionally brewed tea, and head outside Kuala Lumpur to cool-climate hill stations. Here are a few of the best tea plantation tours from Kuala Lumpur.