Places to Visit in Kuala Lumpur

The population of Kuala Lumpur is a unique and evenly balanced mixture of Malay, Chinese, Indian and sundry ethnicities. Conversations, manners and food throughout the city as well as the patience and insouciance to which travellers are exposed contain healthy doses of this cultural amalgamation. Street markets and hawker centres abound and soy milk, fruit juice and fresh fruit stalls flourish.

Greater Kuala Lumpur, also known as the Klang Valley, is an urban conglomeration that is one of the fastest growing metropolitan regions in the country. The sheer number of mosques, Buddhist temples, Hindu shrines and churches here is staggering – in fact some of the country’s best-known attractions are its houses of worship – noteworthy are the rugged limestone Batu Caves, on the city’s northern border – a Hindu place of worship.

Batu Caves Kuala Lumpur

Located approximately 11 kilometres to the north of Kuala Lumpur, Batu Caves is a limestone hill comprising three major caves and a number of smaller ones. Considered one of Kuala Lumpur’s most frequented tourist attractions, this 100-year-old temple features idols and statues erected inside the main caves and around it. Incorporated with interior limestone formations said to be around 400 million years old, the temple is considered an important religious landmark by Hindus. Read More...

Central Market Kuala Lumpur

Located along Jalan Hang Kasturi – only a few minutes away from Petaling Street – is the renowned Central Market. Also known as Pasar Seni, this market is one of Kuala Lumpur’s most familiar landmarks as well as a popular tourist attraction.

In the past it was a simple wet market yet today it is a permanent structure that houses all sorts of traders – you can find an assortment of merchandise here that ranges from handicrafts and souvenirs to authentic Malaysian batik prints. Read More...

Chow Kit Market

Located at the northern end of Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, Chow Kit is acknowledged as one of Malaysia’s most infamous landmarks. Even though it may not be as well known by tourists in comparison to its starlet cousin, Petaling Street – which is located within the same area – it is definitely exciting although not for the faint hearted.

Chow Kit is divided into two fairly detached halves. The first half is home to some of KL’s most sordid avenues while the other part plays host to a bazaar that is perhaps KL’s most popular. Read More...

Craft Complex Kuala Lumpur

If it’s traditional Malaysian arts and crafts you’re after, then the best spot for collectors and cultural enthusiasts is Craft Complex Kuala Lumpur - a non-profit organisation located along Jalan Conlay. Housing a wide range of Malaysia’s traditional craft merchandise you can watch demonstrations of traditional craft-making, purchase Malaysian goods or simply participate in a free guided tour. A subsidiary of the centre, Karyaneka retails an array of handicrafts and souvenirs ranging from batik and rattan to Kelantan silverware and Borneo blowpipes.

Istana Budaya

Istana Budaya is Malaysia’s National Theatre. Also known as The Palace of Culture, it towers over the National Art Gallery on Jalan Tun Razak. Built in 1999, it is the country’s main venue for local and international music, dance and drama performances, including operettas, classical concerts and more. Read More...

Jalan Ampang Areas

The most famous landmark is of course, the Petronas Twin Towers, with a trendy and elite shopping mall located between the two buildings called Suria KLCC. Some popular night clubs and restaurants are located along the main Ampang road. Ampang is famous for a Chinese dish called 'Yong Tau Foo', an assortment of vegetables and tofu stuffed with meat. Read More...

Kampung Baru

The oldest Malay residential area in Kuala Lumpur, Kampung Bahru is about ten minutes away from Chow Kit Market. Founded in 1899 there are still authentic traditional Malay wooden houses there, a sharp contrast to the concrete houses and high-rise apartments of Kuala Lumpur. On Saturday evenings, one section of Kampung Bahru is a hive of activity with the Pasar Minggu, or Sunday Market. Starts from 6 p.m. on Saturday evenings and ends in the wee hours of Sunday morning at 1 a.m

This market has a totally Malay feel to it, and this is obvious in the style of jewellery and clothes, the fabrics, the handicrafts and aromas of Malay cooking

Little India Brickfields

A seemingly different world, Brickfields, the site of the recently relocated Little India, was originally a simple residential neighbourhood situated just outside central Kuala Lumpur. This wide thoroughfare plays host to a vast collection of Indian stores and restaurants run by Malaysia’s Indian community. The strip of Indian shops – retailing traditional Indian goods including saris, flower garlands and Bollywood music – happen to be one of Kuala Lumpur’s trademark tourist hotspots. Read More...

Masjid Negara

The Masjid Negara (National Mosque) is located near the Kuala Lumpur Lake Gardens. Opened in 1965, the mosque is elegantly designed with contemporary interpretations of traditional Islamic art and calligraphy. Its unique feature is the umbrella-like roof which is cast in a blue hue. Visitors are required to remove their shoes as well as dress appropriately before entering.

Addition Note: Only Muslims are allowed in the main prayer hall. Shoes must be removed before entering the mosque. Modest dressing is a must for all visitor - no shorts, short skirts and sleeveless tops allowed. Women are advised to cover their heads with a veil when entering the mosque. The mosque is busy at prayers times, particularly during Friday prayers when the mosque is packed to the the brim, so visitors are advised to plan their visits around these prayer times. Read More...

National Art Gallery

The National Art Gallery located along Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin was established in the former Majestic hotel, which itself is a historical building built in 1932. It houses a number of galleries that range from permanent exhibits to temporary ones. The permanent collection amounts to over 2,500 art pieces, featuring the work of local and international artists. From time to time, educational programmes, workshops, competitions and seminars are organised.

National Library

The National Library in Jalan Tun Razak is a repository for locally-written and international books of an academic nature. The library is most often used by avid readers, students and researchers as a resource centre. The library, which has several floors, divides its collection of more than 6,500 books into Malaysiana, Rare Collection, Manuscripts, Serials, General, Media Resources, United Nations and National Collections. Other facilities include a photographic studio and web browsing stations.

National Museum

The National Museum or Muzium Negara is located just outside the Kuala Lumpur Lake Gardens, and is Malaysia's main museum. The building itself is a mix of traditional Malay and modern architecture, built in 1963. Outside, a restored old railway train greets visitors along with other old transportation vehicles such as the very first Proton Saga car, bullock carts and a vintage automobile.

The museum consists of two wings that house a variety of exhibits, dioramas and galleries which include historical relics and artifacts, cultural items, arts and handicrafts, flora and fauna, weapons and currencies. From time to time, there are special theme exhibitions to educate and enthrall visitors. Read More...

Royal Selangor

The Royal Selangor Visitor Centre is located in Setapak where visitors can see how pewter is manufactured and turned into intricate handicrafts. Established more than a century ago, Selangor Pewter is world-renowned for its beautifully-crafted pewter items that have won several international awards. At the centre, you can also glimpse how fine jewelry is made in the factory besides pewter products.

Sri Maha Sakthi Mohambigai Amman Temple

Flanking Mid Valley Megamall – one of the largest malls in Kuala Lumpur – is the ornate Sri Maha Sakthi Mohambigai Amman Temple. This 100-year-old sanctuary is smack in the centre of Mid Valley City making the shrine easily accessible from the jumbo shopping mall. The imposing and mammoth structure is at night, and during Indian celebrations, a truly breathtaking sight.

Two imposing statues known as bhootangals stand at its polychromatic gopuram (entrance gate) and act as guardians of the temple. The shrine also has a huge Bodhi tree inside with a statue of a meditating Buddha under it. Read More...

Thean Hou Temple

Overlooking the Federal highway, Thean Hou Temple is one of the oldest and largest temples in Southeast Asia and a popular tourist attraction in Malaysia due to its sheer magnificence. This six-tiered Chinese temple sits on top of Robson Heights in Kuala Lumpur. Read More...