My 16 favorite things to do in Kuala Lumpur
Many people will tell you there is not much to do in Kuala Lumpur but it depends on your perspective and for me KL is still a must see. I spent there 3 days in November 2011 and it’s no secret it was one of my dreams to see the Twin Towers.
Kuala Lumpur was one of my dream cities, so I had to do it. As usual, I walked it all through so if I did it, you also can and thus save money on the transportation. I put up a list of things to do in Kuala Lumpur.
Kuala Lumpur things to do
1. Petronas Twin Towers – a must both during the day and at night. The towers are visible from most of the city. Between the 41st and 42nd floor there is the Skybridge through which you should take a tour. It is necessary to queue up to get a free ticket (1,000 tickets per day) early morning. Unfortunately, the skybridge was under the reconstruction when I visited KL :(
2. KLCC Park – You have to take a stroll around the KLCC park that is just behind the Towers. It is such a cool place with one of the best views. It can get a bit crowded though during holidays or Sundays as most of the families and young couples come here. It still has its charm.
3. Shopping – there are plenty of shopping malls in KL. One of the most interesting is the Berjaya Times Square with a Theme park inside. It just shows us that all the life in KL happens in a shopping mall. The Pavilion shopping centre is another famous mall in KL mostly because of its Pavilion Crystal Fountain which is the tallest Liuli Crystal Fountain in Malaysia. The three bowls of Hibiscus represent three cultures living in Malaysia in peace (Malay, Chinese and Indian).
4. Kuala Lumpur Tower – being the tallest tower in Southeast Asia, it’s possibly the best place to get the best view of the city.
5. Bukit Bintang – very popular Bintang Walk is the shopping area full of cafes, bars, restaurants and street food. Good for shopping during the day and then for nightlife after. Head off to Chulan square for a waste choice of different restaurants.
6.Chinatown – for all the lovers of street markets, cheap goods, fresh fruit and cheap hostels.
7. Central Market – a huge building with a lot of souvenirs shops for those who are not fans of street markets. It is more posh but worth a visit.
8. Little India – with Jalan Masjid India in its heart has as usual the best spicy smell ever. Full of textile shops and Indian snacks similar to other Littles Indias in any big city.
9. Masjid Jamek – Jamek Mosque is one of the oldest mosques in KL and also one of the must things to do in Kuala Lumpur. Its Moorish architecture was designed by Arthur Benison Hubback above the confluence of Gombak and Klang rivers. It was built on the first Malay burial place in Kuala Lumpur.
10. Sultan Abdul Saman Building – in front of Merdeka Square. This impressive Moghul building was esigned by A.C. Norman and built by the British in 1897. It housed Selangor State Secretariat, then the Supreme Court, and it was abandoned for several years now it is the seat of Ministry of Heritage, Culture and Arts.
11. Merdeka Square – originally a cricket green known as Padang, since 1957 called Dataran Merdeka or Independance Square. The Malayan flag was raised here for the first time on August 31, 1957 and since then National day Parade is held in there. The flagpole, the main spot of the square, is with its 95 metres one of the tallest in the world. Merdeka Square is one of my favorite spots of KL, I loved the Sanitary Board fountains there.
12. St. Mary’s Anglican Cathedral – designed in a Gothic style is a bit hidden behind the fountains of Merdeka Square that one would never guess the building is a church. (a tip – there are free toilets inside so if you are at Merdeka Square and have to take a pee, go inside the church)
13. National Mosque – just remember to keep your body covered when you visit.
14. Perdana Botanical Garden – sometimes simply called as Lake Gardens – probably the most peaceful plart of Kuala Lumpur. If you want to relax from hustle and bustle of the big city, take a walk or run in the park. Don’t forget to visit the Perdana lake. If some peace and quiet surrounded by lovely green nature is not what you are looking for, Lake Gardens are home of Deer Park, Orchid Garden and National Monument.
15. KL Bird Park – situated at the entrance to Perdana Botanical Gardens of KL, is the world’s largest free-flight walk0in aviary. It was opened in 1991 and if you are a bird lover, then this is the right place for you. It is not just flamingos showing off their red colour in the pond, or parrots flying above your head, but the park offers bird shows as well at 12.30 pm and 3.30 pm every day.
16. Butterfly Park – close to Lake Gardens, an imitation of tropical rainforest with more than 15,000 plants, ponds and 120 species of butterflies. On the way out there is an insect museum which you should not miss.
*What do you think? Would you do any of these things to do in Kuala Lumpur? Or have you done some already? Share in the comments below :)
Abi
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Thanks Alex for putting together this wonderful list.
I’ll be in KL for 2 nights. Days will be busy with meeting and evenings will be free. Any suggestions, in terms of shopping, street food and drinks?
Thank you.
Crazy Sexy Fun Traveler
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Glad you can use my KL list for your next trip :) However, I don’t drink at all and I’m vegan (special diet) so can’t really help you with that. But heard that shopping is great in KL, there’s many shopping malls, even one next to the Twin Petronas towers :)
Rhea Taylor
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Hi Alex, thank you for this list. I pretty much have the same things on my list since I will be visiting KL soon. Will be checking more of your blog by the way. ?
Crazy Sexy Fun Traveler
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That’s perfect, Rhea ;) Hope you enjoy KL.
SAAD
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i am planning trip to KL for 4days and staying at Sentral Pudu hotel near Bukit Bintang
kindly let me know places to visit in KL with expected expense per day for food
tks.
Ketaki
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Am going there by the end of this month..your toilet tip is really helpful as such things are never told in a guide book or any of the sights..
Crazy Sexy Fun Traveler
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Happy to be of any help, enjoy the city, it’s pretty over there ;)
Tourist Attractions
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It is crucial to plan your trip and things to do in Kuala Lumpur before you arrive. This will help the tourist to get in-depth overview about Kuala Lumpur specifically and Malaysia generally. Early and proper planning help tourist to make an effective and quality tour without overspending your budget. Before you start plan things to do and activity in Kuala Lumpur, always look for things and activity that unique, somethings you unable or unusual to see at others country. Although some of the activity or things to do in Kuala Lumpur might be similar to others country, but the surrounding ambiance could be totally different.
Crazy Sexy Fun Traveler
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Sometimes it is good to plan some things, but not everything I would say ;)
Drew | The Hungry Partier
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This list is amazing! I just got back from KL and did most of these things. It’s SUCH a cool and diverse city!
Cheers and happy travels :)
Drew
Crazy Sexy Fun Traveler
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Nice to hear you did the same things like me :)
Crazy sexy fun traveler
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Comment@ Michelle:
Hey Michelle, yes, I walked it all myself so it is possible :) Miss KL! Enjoy!
Michelle
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Hi Alex! I stumbled upon your blog because I’d be traveling in KL this August. If I understood it right, it is possible to just walk around the city and most of these sights? I love walking myself so I think it’d be fun (and it’d definitely cost less – yup, I’m frugal like that) to just do that than use transportation. Great post by the way! :)
crazy sexy fun traveler
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Comment@ Amer:
Thanks, Amer, I’m always glad to hear that my articles help people :)
Amer
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Great tips on Kuala Lumpur! It’s a lovely city, indeed.
crazy sexy fun traveler
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Comment@ VICTOR:
Thanks for your kind words! I was planning to visit Borneo too but never made it there. But next time I will definitely go there, it is one of my dreams ;)
VICTOR
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Love the way you write about Kuala Lumpur and I myself from Malaysia.
Have not travel a lot in Kuala Lumpur.
You should probably come and visit Borneo.. I myself live in
Sarawak and it is a beautiful place! :)
CheerS!