Imagine a city boasting of gleaming skyscrapers, colonial architecture, charming locals, and a myriad of natural attractions. A city with food-stall-lined streets shaded by a leafy canopy of banyan trees. Kuala Lumpur - the capital city of Malaysia is that city.
Divided into numerous districts, its main hub is called the Golden Triangle which comprises Bukit Bintang, Aquaria KLCC and Chinatown. Kuala Lumpur is widely recognized for numerous landmarks, including Petronas Twin Towers (the world’s tallest twin skyscrapers), Petaling Street flea market, and Batu Caves, which is over 400 million years old, the Islamic Arts museum and the Royal Malaysian Police museum.
People from all areas within Malaysia come to Kuala Lumpur to find jobs or do business. Tourist love the city as it has numerous great sights & attractions. Apart from the architectural marvels, tourists can feel the ultimate adrenaline rush by engaging in several adventurous activities to choose from. Besides that there are simply too many choices when it comes to dining options. You can go shopping in one of the many modern shopping malls within the city center. Kuala Lumpur is the perfect destination for a short visit or stopover and many tourists are drawn back to the great city during their travels through Malaysia.
Kuala Lumpur is the multicultural melting pot for different cultures and traditions which is widely seen all across Asia. Beyond the traffic and malls there is a complex cultural patchwork formed of distinct, coexisting communities, united by the warm welcome extended to guests.
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Whether you enjoy spending time wandering in a park or shopping in a multi-storied mega mall, Kuala Lumpur wouldn’t disappoint you. It has something to suit all ages and budgets. Here are some of the best things to do in Kuala Lumpur:
1. Visit the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur: It is one of the most iconic sights in the world. Visitors flock here to walk over the sky bridge that joins the two well known towers together and admire the breathtaking view that stretch across the enticing city.
2. Take in the history at Sri Mahamariamman Temple: This ravishing temple isn’t just a place of worship but here you can also explore the grounds and marvel at the architecture and blissful atmosphere it is known for.
3. Sample some local flavor with Nasi Kandar: Nasi Kandar, meaning ‘mixed rice’, is a cornerstone of Malaysian cuisine. Actually, customers are given a plate of plain rice and can choose a variety of toppings and sauces to accompany it.
4. Make some feathery friends at Kuala Lumpur Bird Park: Here, visitors can enjoy learning about the local flora and fauna. Popular for bird watching, Kuala Lumpur has one of the largest public aviaries in the world.
5. Enjoy the culture at the National Museum: You can visit the National Museum to learn all about the history and culture of Malaysia, take in the replicas of Malay houses as souvenirs, along with wedding scenes and hunting displays.
6. Feel the rush Sunway Lagoon Theme Park: To beat the heat Sunway Lagoon theme park is the best place. This place consists theme park rides, interactive games, wave and surf pools, and even a zoo. The park also has wonderful dining and shopping options.
7. Do some shopping at Central Market: The Central Market in Kuala Lumpur, also known as Pasar Seni, is a firm location on the tourist map and is the perfect place to shop and hog on to the finest local delicacies.
Recommended Read: Top Things to Do in Kuala Lumpur
Since weather stays hot and humid mostly, you can visit Kuala Lumpur all year round. Though wetter months like March-April and September-November isn’t the peak time to visit. Due to tropical climate, it experiences occasional rainfall, the intensity of which varies throughout the year.
Explore & Checkout: Best Theme Parks in Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur has a well-developed transport network and is well connected to all the major cities and states by air, road and rail.
- By Air: Kuala Lumpur International Airport is the main airport having two different terminals. The airport is well-connected to various cities across the world,.
- By Rail: There are regular trains to and from various cities across Malaysia and international cities, such as Singapore, Hat Yai in Thailand, etc. The prices are reasonable and tickets can be booked online.
- By Road: Kuala Lumpur is connected to various cities in Peninsular Malaysia by road. North-South Expressway is a major expressway that passes through the city. There are several bus stations and terminals in the city, but the main ones are Pudu Sentral, Hentian Putra, Terminal Bersepadu Selatan and Pekeliling Bus Terminal.
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- By rail and bus: If you're staying for an extended period in KL, consider the prepaid MyRapid card, valid on public buses and rail lines. It costs RM20 (including RM5 in credit) and can be bought at monorail and LRT stations.
- By Car: Taxis and cabs are available round the clock in Kuala Lumpur. These cabs are metered and are available at an affordable fare.
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The city of Kuala Lumpur is teeming with bars, pubs, and clubs on the streets, and swanky rooftop restaurants and bars situated within five-star hotels. Some of them are:
- Zouk KL- Jalan Tun Razak
Location: 436 Jalan Tun Razak
Timing: 22:00pm-4:00am
- Pisco Bar- Changkat Bukit Bintang
Location: 29 Jalan Mesui off Jalan Nagasari, Kuala Lumpur
Timing: 5:00pm to 2:00am
- Sky Bar -KLCC
Location: Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Stall 7, Jalan Pinang
Timing: 10:00pm to 1:00 am
- Marini’s on 57-KLCC
Location: Level 57, Menara 3 Petronas, Persiaran KLCC
When : 7:00pm to 11:00pm
-TREC Kuala Lumpur- Jalan Tun Razak
Location: 436, Jalan Tun Razak, Kelab Golf di Raja Selangor
Timing: 10:00pm to 3:00am
You must explore the Nightlife of Kuala Lumpur to add a new dimension to your exploration in Kuala Lumpur.
A nation where up to six meals a day is not uncommon (breakfast, elevenses, lunch, afternoon noodles, dinner and a late night hawker snack), food courts located within malls are plentiful but street shops serve some the best authentic delicacies.
Some of the must try dishes along with the places you can try them at, are :
-Fish head curry: One of the things Malaysians love but hardly talk about, this delicious curry with the fragrance of aromatic spices goes best with a plate of steamed rice.
Try it at - Acapella Suite Hotel
-Char Kway Teow: Providing you one of the most authentic local hawker experiences, this dish, made with stringy rice noodles, fresh prawns, eggs, beans and sprouts fried to charred perfection, is a sinful delight in lunchtime as you can hardly stay awake after this hefty meal.
Try it at - Tiam Fatt Restaurant
-Chilli pan Mee: One of the newer staples, most popular among youngsters is comfort food for many. Made with minced meat, crispy shallots, a runny soft boiled egg, scallions crispy anchovies and thin flour noodles has the spicy kick everyone loves.
Try this at - Super Kitchen Chilli Pan Mee
-Satay: It is basically meat skewered and barbequed over flaming hot charcoal. With sweet honey and succulent meat dipped in spicy peanut sauce, It is every Malaysian’s side dish/appetizer. A DEFINITE MUST TRY WHEN IN KUALA LUMPUR.
Try it at - Pondok Satay
-Roti Canai: Whether you like plain roti canai, roti with egg, roti with Milo, or banana or sugar, Malaysia got you covered with huge varieties of roti available at Mamak (Indian Muslim) stalls everywhere.
Try this at - Murni SS2
-Nasi Lemak: Of Course the epitome of Malaysian cuisine, it is one of the most favourites in Kuala Lumpur. It is actually a plate of hot steamed rice infused with coconut milk, served with peanuts, fried anchovies and chicken along with cooling slices of cucumber.
Try it at - Village park Restaurant
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There’s something for every taste and budget in Kuala Lumpur. Some of the best places to shop are :
- Mid Valley Megamall: Mid Valley has over 430 stores spreading across its five floors. This place is one stop for all your needs and visitors throng here in large number.
- Berjaya Times Square: The biggest shopping mall in Malaysia has over 600 shops, ranging from huge stores at the lower levels to numerous small shops at the higher levels. There is even an indoor rollercoaster, which makes it the perfect to visit if you are traveling with children.
- Pavilion: It is one of the grandest shopping malls in KL. It is especially exciting to visit this place during festive periods like Christmas, Easter, Diwali or Chinese New Year. Definitely even though it is decorated beautifully throughout the year.
- Petaling Street Market: The center of Kuala Lumpur’s original Chinatown is considered as shopper’s haven and Foodie’s Galore with hundreds of stalls selling all kinds of stuff along with Chinese food at cheap prices.
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Some of the must visit wildlife sanctuaries and national parks near Kuala Lumpur are:
- Buntal, Sarawak: In the shadow of Mount Santubong, about 35km north of Sarawak’s capital Kuching, you’ll find Santubong and Buntal, hotspots for the unusual-looking Irrawaddy dolphins.
- Kuala Gandah Wildlife Sanctuary: It is estimated that there are only 1,200 wild Asian Elephants left in Malaysia and this sanctuary, 150 km from Kuala Lumpur City, is the main conservation centre. Click here to Book: Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary Package.
- Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre (SORC): Malaysia’s most famous orangutan rehabilitation centre, it is in Sandakan, Sabah, where around 75% of the primates are allowed to roam as they wish all over the 4,300-hectare forest reserve.
- Talang-Satang National Park: The largest Turtle Island, Pulau Satang Besar, is a 30-minute boat ride from Damai Beach. It is open to the public but you must travel in an organised manner.
Life can be mundane and it’s always better to escape the hustle and bustle of the big city. Here’s the list of road trips for a refreshing experience in Kuala Lumpur :
- Kuala Lumpur to Taman Negara National Park
- Kuala Lumpur to Belum Forest Reserve
- Cameron Highlands to Penang
- Johor Bahru to Malacca
- Johor Bahru to Desaru
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Some famous destinations to enjoy caving near Kuala Lumpur are:
- Batu Caves: One of Kuala Lumpur’s most frequented tourist attractions, it is a limestone hill comprising three major caves and a number of smaller ones. It is located approximately 11 kilometres to the north of Kuala Lumpur.
- Cathedral Cave: The largest and most popular cavern in Batu Caves – houses several Hindu shrines beneath its 100-metre-high arched ceiling. At the foot of Batu Hill are two other cave temples – the Art Gallery Cave and
- Museum Cave: which houses numerous Hindu statues and paintings.
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The monuments that decorate the skyline and postcards of Kuala Lumpur have their own slice of profound history, which is rooted in their construction. From the widely recognizable Petronas Twin Towers to the Borneo Convention Center, here are just a few of the architectural wonders in Kuala Lumpur;
- Petronas Twin Towers
- Banguna Sultan Abdul Samad (Merdeka Square)
- Lord Murugan Statue,Batu Caves
- Istana Bundaya-Cultural Palace
- Masjid Negara-National Mosque
Cruising is one of the main attractions of Kuala Lumpur and there are so many places you can get on board at with your family and head for an amazing journey. There is a variety of tours to choose from as per your convenience. Some of the best cruising destinations in Kuala Lumpur are:
1. Kuala Selangor Boat Tour
Location: Kuala Lumpur Port
Highlights: Enjoy a relaxing, scenic evening boat ride through the mangroves of Kuala Selangor followed by the finest wines and dines of Kuala Lumpur.
Duration: 8 Hours
2. Langkawi Sailing & Island Hopping Tour
Location: Langkawi island
Highlights: A relaxing boat ride through Langkawi lets you witness natural wildlife. You can enjoy long evening strolls and feast yourself with some of the most delicious barbeque and free flow of drinks.
Duration: 7 hours
3. Pulau Payar Marine Park Snorkeling Tour from Langkawi
Location: Langkawi
Highlights: You can enjoy pristine landscapes, coastal views and can head under the water for a closer look at coral, tropical fishes and other colorful marine life.
Duration: 8 hours
Although Malaysia is a Muslim country, there are many great Buddhists and Chinese temples present in this area. Here’s a list of some of the famous temples :
- Batu Caves Temple
- Sri Maha Mariamman Temple
- Thean Hou Temple
- Guan Di Temple
- Shri Maha Shakti Temple
- Sin Sze Si Ya Temple