Kuala Lumpur, one of the world’s most recognisable cities, is a hive of activity. It’s a never-ending jumble of shiny high-rises, dilapidated flea markets, and a wacky concoction of exhaust from cars and smoke from cramped apartments.
From the moment you step foot in Kuala Lumpur, the city will captivate and excite you. Everything you’d want from a thriving city in Southeast Asia, and yet so thoroughly Western.
Top 10 Places to Visit in Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur
You’ll spend your days alternating between the gleaming malls of Butik Bintang and the frantic streets of Jalan Alor. Kuala Lumpur is a great place to visit no matter your age or budget because it lacks the seediness of neighbouring cities.
There are a lot of families there, along with couples and singles. Choose from the numerous interesting sights in Kuala Lumpur, travel to the adjacent caverns and highlands, and then end the day with a drink on top of one of the city’s many rooftop bars.
1. Petronas Twin Towers
The Petronas Twin Towers, which were once the tallest buildings in the world, remain the focal point of Kuala Lumpur’s breathtaking skyline. The Petronas Twin Towers, located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, are a sight to behold every night as they illuminate the sky with their brilliant lights.
Around halfway up the 88-story buildings is a sky bridge that provides breathtaking views of the glowing metropolis below. A city with cutting-edge technology and the hectic energy that characterises Southeast Asian metropolises.
Remember that the bridge’s primary function is to maintain the stability of the towers as you take in the breathtaking views. After exploring the area, return to the Suria KLCC, which serves as the hotel’s home base. It’s the gateway to the Lake Symphony and home to nearly 300 exclusive boutiques.
2. Berjaya Times Square
Berjaya Times Square is located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur’s trendy Bukit Bintang neighbourhood. There are more than a thousand stores in this thriving metropolis, creating an exciting atmosphere that will attract shopaholics and entice the rest of us to stay for a while.
The magnificent 48-story mall building is the complex’s main attraction. One of the largest indoor amusement parks in Asia may be found here, along with several restaurants and stores.
So whether you’re looking for retail therapy or a dose of adrenaline, Berjaya Times Square has something for everyone in the family. Beyond is Bukit Bintang, famous for its street markets, local cuisine, and relaxing spas.
3. Menara KL Tower
The over 1,100-foot (335-meter) Menara KL Tower has a dual purpose. The first is in the role of a transmission tower. The second is as the city’s highest public viewing spot, with a rotating café and observation deck that provides breathtaking panoramas of Kuala Lumpur below.
The base of the tower was poured with concrete, a process that took 31 straight hours. Tourists in peak physical condition may like to take part in the yearly stair climbing competition; those less inclined to exert themselves can always take the lift.
4. Jalan Alor Food Street
The throngs of people who swarm Jalan Alor Food Street during the daytime disappear after the sun goes down. Without the roar of passing motorbikes and cars, the area comes alive with the chatter of locals and visitors alike.
Like any decent food street, there is as much eating done outside as there is inside. In Kuala Lumpur, this restaurant serves some of the finest examples of Thai and Chinese cuisine. You may easily get your hands on a cheap pint by finding a seat on one of the thousands of plastic chairs, and then doing your best to squeeze your legs under the little tables.
The sky keeps brightening even as night falls. You can choose between various food carts offering various sized dishes. Try working up the nerve to start a conversation with one of the many welcoming locals you’ll likely encounter while eating.
5. KL Bird Park
Parents taking children on a trip to Malaysia should make time to visit the KL Bird Park. Fantastic for family fun, especially with the kids. More than three thousand birds make their home in this large park, making it a charming aviary.
Visitors can get up up and personal with native species including rare birds that can’t be seen anywhere else in the world. The significance of these species and the ecosystem as a whole in Malaysia may be appreciated by the whole family thanks to the emphasis on conservation and education.
The thousands of birds are separated into four zones, with the most attention going to the last one. There is a beautiful 9-meter (30-foot) waterfall, a feeding station, and an open enclosure for parrots.
6. Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia
The Islamic Arts Museum in Malaysia is one of the most important Islamic museums in the world, with more than 10,000 works of art. The museum has been pioneering research into the country’s religious past for the past two decades.
Despite its secular nature, Islam plays a significant part in everyday life in Malaysia. The Islamic Arts Museum houses twelve permanent displays that take visitors on a historical trip through the centuries.
The Quran Gallery is the main attraction. Pieces of the sacred text from as far away as North Africa in the 9th and 10th centuries are housed there.
The blue domes and entrance, reminiscent of the Persian Iwan, are just the beginning of the two-story building’s captivating architecture.
7. Thean Hou Temple
Thean Hou Temple is one of the largest Chinese temples in Southeast Asia, so it’s like finding a little part of China in Kuala Lumpur.
Its four storeys of orange-tiled pagodas are a spectacular example of Chinese architecture, and it was opened in 1989 by Malaysia’s Chinese community. The goddess of the sea, Thean Hou, is worshipped in the temple.
The temple includes a marriage registration office, and over 5,000 couples a year choose to get married here because of the spectacular view of Kuala Lumpur that it provides for wedding photos.
8. Merdeka Square
While Bukit Bintang is where most of Kuala Lumpur’s tourists and shoppers congregate, Merdeka Plaza is where the city’s culture and way of life come together. The square was formerly a wide green field for a local sporting club, but it has since become the location of choice for protests and cultural activities.
The first time the Malayan flag was flown here was in 1957, six years before independence was achieved. An impressive flagpole rising 100 metres (330 feet) stands as a monument to this key location. Colonial structures in the area date back to the late 1700s and tell the story of British rule.
The KL City Gallery and the National Textile Museum, for example, add to the wealth of information about the city’s wonderful history and ancient culture that can be found around Merdeka Plaza.
9. Batu Caves
As you arrive at the Batu Caves entrance, you may feel like you’ve stepped into the city’s biggest tourist trap. You’d be justified in feeling this way, but there’s no point in turning back now.
You’ll understand why Batu Caves has become so popular once you’ve fought your way through the horde of mobile shops selling fake souvenirs and the locals selling fake food and apparel. The Batu Caves are a short drive from the city centre and have three major caves, the most popular of which is Cathedral Cave.
This area is home to towering limestone cliffs that reach heights of over 295 feet (90 metres), making them nature’s answer to a palace or cathedral. Hidden within the cave’s walls lies a Hindu temple adorned with glistening stalactites.
10. Trip to Genting Highlands
There is always something going on in Kuala Lumpur. You’ll get exhausted very fast. Genting Highlands has beautiful scenery and activities for the whole family to help you get back on track.
A small country with a huge capital city might surprise you with its wide open landscapes. Nonetheless, the Highlands can be reached without much effort. Hikes to mountaintop temples, strawberry picking at a nearby farm, and the Butterfly Wonderland are all within easy reach.
The Genting Highlands offer welcome reprieve from the oppressive heat of Kuala Lumpur below, as well as a wealth of exciting opportunities. Not only can you do all of the above, but you can also relax out in Snow City, ride the gondolas for breathtaking views, and have a blast at the open-air amusement park.
