This list of 10 best things to do in Kuala Lumpur should be included in any traveller’s itinerary. It comprises the city’s most iconic landmarks, both natural and manmade, and showcases the best KL has to offer. The Malaysian capital is known for its multicultural community, which mainly consists of Malay, Indian, and Chinese residents. As a result, you’ll find vibrant events and festivities celebrated throughout the year, while local markets and religious sites offer a glimpse into the local culture and lifestyle.
When visiting a destination, some things you can do without, while others are considered the essence of a place. So we decided to compile a comprehensive guide of Kuala Lumpur’s best attractions - making the cut are world famous iconic landmarks like the Petronas Twin Towers, religious hotspots like Batu Caves, as well as culturally enriching streets markets and botanical gardens.
Petronas Towers
KLCC
>>> Hotels nearby Petronas Twin Tower
Anchoring the sprawling Kuala Lumpur City Centre, are the iconic Petronas Twin Towers. Hailed as the Twin Jewels of Kuala Lumpur, a visit to KL just is not complete unless you have visited these doppelganger structures. The 88-storey chrome and steel towers are joined at the 41st and 42nd floors (175m above street level) by a 58m-long, double-decker Sky Bridge Read More...
- Location: Near Concorde Hotel Monorail stop, in between Jalan Ampang and Jalan Raja Chulan
Menara KL Tower
Jalan P.Ramlee
Standing atop the Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve, the 421m-high KL Tower is, at present, the world's fifth tallest structure. Officially known as Menara KL, it has been outshone by the Petronas Twin Towers but remains an important architectural marker and boasts spectacular views of the city. The viewing deck is at least 100 metres higher than the Petronas Tower’s Skybridge - to get free tickets be sure to arrive early. Read More...
- Opening Hours:
09:00 – 22:00 weekday;
09:30 – 22:00 weekend & public holidays - Address: Jalan Punchak, Off Jalan P. Ramlee
- Tel: + 603 208 5448
Chinatown
Jalan Petaling
>>> Hotels in Chinatown Kuala Lumpur
The colourful Chinatown is a well-known bargain hunter’s paradise that seemingly never sleeps. Deeply immersed in Oriental culture, heritage and history, it is undoubtedly one of the most popular tourist spots in Malaysia, and holds its own against its more glamorous neighbours, KLCC & Bukit Bintang. Representing Malaysia’s multihued multicultural background perfectly, you can find all sorts of stuff, from Chinese herbs to imitation goods in this area. Read More...
Batu Caves
Batu Caves
11 km north of KL, Batu Caves is a 400 million-year old limestone hill (with a 100-year old temple incorporated within it), best known as the focal point of the annual Hindu festival of Thaipusam. The celebration attracts thousands of visitors who come to see the colourful spectacle of devotees who pay homage by carrying ornately-decorated ‘kavadis’ (frameworks) combined with various metal hooks and skewers which are used to pierce the skin, cheeks and tongue. Read More...
- Opening Hours: Daily, 06:00 - 21:00
- Address: Batu Caves, Sri Subramaniam Temple, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Tel: +603 2287 9422
- How to get there: 13km north of Kuala Lumpur How to get there: Take Intrakota bus No 11D from the Central Market or the Cityliner bus No 69 at Jalan Pudu to get to Batu Caves. Taxis are also available anywhere around city.
Sultan Abdul Samad Building
Kuala Lumpur
>>> Hotels nearby Sultan Abdul Samad Building
Among Kuala Lumpur’s earliest Moorish-style buildings, the Sultan Abdul Samad Building is a distinguished city landmark that originally served as the secretariat for the colonial British administration. Today it is home to the offices of the Ministry of Information, Communications and Culture of Malaysia. Built in 1897 and designed by AC Norman, it is set to the east of Merdeka Square (Dataran Merdeka) and is frequently the backdrop for Malaysia’s annual Independence Day parades. Read More...
- Location: Jalan Tun Perak (across from Dataran Merdeka on Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin)
- How to get there: Take the LRT and alight at Masjid Jamek station. This building is 10 minutes walk from the station. You will not miss it because there are many good signages to guide you to this place.
Sunway Lagoon Theme Park
Petaling Jaya
>>> Hotels nearby Sunway Lagoon Theme Park
Water slides that whirl and twirl, a manmade 'river' ride, surf beach, wave pool and 360° revolving pirate ship… the list of fun attractions at the 323,749sqm Sunway Lagoon Theme Park is extensive. Located in Petaling Jaya, the park encompasses a total of five different zones - the water park, Scream Park, Amusement Park, Extreme Park and Wildlife Park. Read More...
- Opening Hours: 11:00 – 18:00 Monday & Wednesday – Friday; 10:00 18:00 Saturday & Sunday
- Location: Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa
- Address: No. 3, Jalan PJS 11/11, 46150
- Tel: +603 5635 8000
Jalan Alor
Bukit Bintang
Called the cultural heart of the city’s local cuisine, Jalan Alor (ocated just behind Jalan Bukit Bintang), is basically a strip of atmospheric air-conditioned Chinese seafood restaurants, with a row of hawker stalls set up on the five-foot walkway on both sides and plastic tables and chairs spilling out onto the road. The variety of food available is amazing with barbecued meats, noodles and desserts recognised as some of the best (and cheapest) in the city. Read More...
- Location: Behind Jalan Bukit Bintang
Aquaria KLCC
KLCC
>>> Hotels in KLCC
On the concourse level of the KL Convention Centre, the 464,515sqm Aquaria KLCC is home to over 150 species of marine life. Some people write it off as a tourist trap, but they’re sorely missing out – beyond the gallons of water filled with necklaces of kelp, coral and sea creatures, is one of KL’s foremost sightseeing attractions with real depth and complexity. Read More...
- Opening Hours: 11:00 – 20:00
- Location: Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre Complex, Kuala Lumpur City Centre
- Tel: +603 2333 1888 or +603 2333 1975
Central Market
Chinatown
>>> Hotels nearby Central Market
The focus for the city’s artistic community, Central Market is a KL cultural landmark, just a short walk away from Petaling Street. Also called Pasar Seni, it was built in 1928 and used to be a simple wet market, until the early 1980s when it was revamped into a handicrafts outlet. In similar vein to New York’s SoHo flea market – the merchandise here is cheap and comprises traditional goods such as batik, embroidery carvings, souvenirs, and sculptures. Read More...
- Opening Hours: Daily, 10:00 – 22:00
- Location: Just around the corner from Kota Raya Shopping Centre
- Address: No. 10, 1st-3rd floor, Jalan Hang Kasturi
- Tel: +603 2031 0399 or +603 2031 5399 or +603 2031 7399
Perdana Botanical Gardens
Lake Garden
The Perdana Botanical Gardens boast the largest collection of flower gardens and animal parks in Kuala Lumpur city centre. Formerly called Lake Gardens, one of its standout features is the Orchid Garden, which is fitted with walking paths and manmade fountains, as well as a semi-circle pergola and rock garden that house 800 species of orchids. Another must visit is the Hibiscus Garden, where you can find Malaysia’s national flower in full bloom and a colonial-era building. Within the building is a quaint tearoom and a gallery showcasing the history and significance of the hibiscus flower in Malaysian history. Read More...
- Opening Hours: Daily 07:00 – 20:00
- Address: Jalan Kebun Bunga, Tasik Perdana, Kuala Lumpur
- Tel: +603 2617 6404
