Start your Kuala Lumpur sojourn by getting oriented with a guided city tour. Capture photos of signature sights like the Lake Gardens, National Monument, Masjid Jamek, and Petronas Twin Towers. Some tours include stops at a batik factory, the Royal Selangor Visitor Centre pewter workshop, or a chocolate boutique.

Kuala Lumpur’s number-one must-see sight lies 9 miles (14 kilometers) or so outside the city borders. Join a tour to the Batu Caves, a series of ancient limestone caverns that have been transformed into stunning Hindu temples, guarded by a giant statue of Lord Murugan—and some cheeky monkeys.

After dark is the time to appreciate Kuala Lumpur’s contemporary, high-rise architecture, whether with a sunset cocktail at a rooftop bar, fine dining in a skyscraper, or a buffet at KL Tower’s revolving restaurant. You can also admire the views from the observation deck of the famous Petronas Twin Towers.

Breakfast and lunch can be some of the best meals in Kuala Lumpur, particularly if your tastes run to Indian breads. Join a morning food tour to discover this multicultural city’s signature cuisines: Indian, Chinese, Malay, and mixed. Walking food tours are often the most atmospheric.

Most food tours land you in the heart of town, leaving time for shopping and wandering as you soak up the sights and stalls of Chinatown, Brickfields, and Little India. If crafts are your thing, consider a visit to Central Market, a heritage site transformed into shopping heaven.

What better way to cap off a short break in Kuala Lumpur than with a cruise through the mangroves accompanied by thousands of fireflies? Join an evening tour of Kuala Selangor to catch the fireflies at their finest: many tours include a decadent seafood dinner as well as exploration of local historic sights.