Top Tourist Attractions in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

One of those cities that is so simple to underrate is Kuala Lumpur. KL is a thriving international city with an abundance of both traditional and contemporary tourist attractions. The city is home to a plethora of urban parks, dynamic street art locations, and temples in addition to the well-known skyscrapers. Numerous local markets, large malls, and outlet centers offer the newest brands and inexpensive goods for shopaholics.

While many restaurants provide an extensive international menu, many booths are selling traditional Malaysian food in the night markets. Additionally, Kuala Lumpur can serve as a starting point for day visits to surrounding cities like Putrajaya and Melaka.

Following are some of the top activities and destinations in and around KL if you’re soon traveling there.

Top Kuala Lumpur Attractions

Petronas Twin Towers

It is said that if you haven’t stood beneath Malaysia’s most recognizable buildings, the Petronas Twin Towers (also known as KLCC Twin Towers), in Kuala Lumpur, you haven’t truly visited. The towers, which were finished in 1996 but not formally unveiled to the public until 1999, have grown to be the city’s most identifiable landmark.

It is currently the highest twin building in the world with 88 floors and a height of nearly 452 meters. The towers are best viewed at night when they illuminate the night sky. The 41st and 42nd floors of Towers 1 and 2 are connected by the Sky Bridge.

Saloma Link

Northwest of the Petronas Towers, the Saloma Link Bridge is just a five-minute walk away. This bridge spans the Klang River and the Ampang-Kuala Lumpur Elevated Highway, connecting KLCC and Kampung Baru. It is almost 70 meters long.

The bridge, one of the city’s newest attractions, opened in February 2020, right before the epidemic caused the closure of international borders. The architectural form, created by VERITAS Design Group, is modeled after the betel nut leaf, a staple of Malay wedding traditions.

KL Tower

One of the most iconic structures in the city is Menara Kuala Lumpur, also known as KL Tower. This skyscraper, which rises 421 meters above the earth (including the antenna), is now the eighth tallest telecommunications tower in the entire world.

The two most noticeable features are the 276-meter observation deck Kuala Lumpur Skyline View and the perspective Sky Deck. The tower also functions as a moon observatory for Muslims. It was formally opened to the public in 1996 and continues to be acknowledged as the highest public viewpoint in the city.

Thean Hou Temple

The Chinese colonizers from Hainan erected the Thean Hou Temple, one of the biggest temples in Southeast Asia, and they dedicated it to the Chinese sea goddess Mazu. Atop Robson Heights, it provides a sweeping view of Jalan Syed Putra and KL’s buildings, including the Merdeka PNB 118 and the KL Tower.

The six-tiered temple, which spans more than 6,700 square meters, has an intricately crafted prayer hall with three altars, each of which is dedicated to a different deity: Guan Yin on the left, Tian Hou in the middle, and Shui Wei Sheng Niang on the right.
The main gate, the ceiling artwork, the roofing, the garden, the incense burner, and the Guanyin fountain are further characteristics.

Muzium Negara (National Museum)

The National Museum houses sizable collections that have influenced and characterized the history and cultural heritage of the country from the prehistoric era to the present. On the site where the 19th-century Selangor Museum once stood, it was constructed. It was opened in August 1963 and recognized as a historical landmark in April 1996.

The current building is modeled after the royal palaces and other local Malay buildings. The four main galleries of the three-story museum contain natural history and ethnology exhibits.

Istana Negara (National Palace)

Istana Negara has been the King of Malaysia’s (Yang di-Pertuan Agong) new royal palace since it opened in November 2011. It occupies a total land area of around 98 hectares and is located in Bukit Damansara (Segambut District), northwest of the city center. There are a total of 22 domes in the large palace. The Royal Component, the Formal Component, and the Administration Component are the three zones that make up its interior.

KL City Center

Petaling Street

Petaling Street, a heritage landmark, is at the center of Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown neighborhood. From Leboh Pasar Besar/Jalan Yap Ah Loy on the northern end to Bulatan Merdeka on the southern end, it is nearly 800 meters long. It is well-known for its sizable covered market, which is home to mostly Chinese enterprises and sells a variety of items (including fake goods), luring locals and visitors to its busy stores and eateries.

Lorong Panggung (Kwai Chai Hong)

Lorong Panggung, also known as Kwai Chai Hong, was formerly a desolate and abandoned lane but has been converted into a lovely location with vibrant street murals and rebuilt shophouses. The once-forgotten back alley region is now one of Kuala Lumpur’s most popular photogenic tourist destinations.

Pasar Seni (Central Market)

Pasar Seni (Central Market), which was initially established in 1888 as a wet market, later developed into a significant landmark for Malaysian culture and was designated a Heritage Site by the Malaysian Heritage Society. Behind the main structure, in the Central Market Annexe, are stores and art galleries. It is a significant art venue in the area where it sells and exhibits local artists’ creations.

Bukit Bintang Shopping

Welcome to Kuala Lumpur’s hopping business and entertainment sector! Any time of day (or night), the streets that makeup Bukit Bintang are crowded with people and automobiles! The neighborhood has mamak kiosks, night markets, restaurants, hotels, and hostels. Additionally, both locals and visitors frequent the upscale bars and cafés. This is where most young crowds want to hang out and meet up.

Here are some of the main attractions in the area:

• The main street with modern retail enterprises such as shopping malls and upscale clothing stores is Bukit Bintang Street.
• Alor Street (Jalan Alor), a popular location for food trucks and Chinese seafood restaurants
• Graffiti Alley, where you can see some recently completed paintings and street art
  Changkat Bukit Bintang, renowned for its clubs, pubs, and nightlife

Here are some of the retail centers in the region for those who love to shop and purchase pasalubong:

• Fahrenheit 88
• Berjaya Times Square
• The Starhill
• Lot 10
• Don Don Donki
• LaLaport BBCC
• Pavilion Kuala Lumpur

Merdeka PNB 118

Southeast Asia’s and Malaysia’s highest structure! The Merdeka PNB 118 will be formally unveiled to the public in mid-2022, adding to Kuala Lumpur’s expanding skyline. This 118-story skyscraper, which soars to a height of over 679 meters, surpasses the Petronas Towers to become the highest structure in Malaysia and the second-tallest structure in the world, behind Burj Khalifa.

The structure houses commercial and retail facilities, hotel rooms, homes, and dining establishments. The View at 118, a lookout on floors 115 and 116 Mezzanine, currently holds the record for Southeast Asia’s highest observation deck.

Sultan Abdul Samad Building

The Sultan Abdul Samad Building, which was constructed in 1897 and was first known as Government Offices, initially held the offices of the British colonial government, primarily the Federal Secretariat offices of Selangor. Today, the offices of Malaysia’s Ministry of Communications and Multimedia and Ministry of Tourism and Culture are housed in this opulent building directly across from the famed Dataran Merdeka (Independence Square).

Merdeka Square

Originally known as Padang, Merdeka Square (Independence Square) was a public multi-use field. Numerous civic and national gatherings, as well as cricket and rugby matches, were held in the square. The first-ever raising of the Malaysian (Malayan) flag on the eve of the nation’s independence from the British administration in August 1957, however, was the most significant occasion. Since then, it has evolved into the typical location for the annual Independence Day Parade.

Masjid Jamek & River of Life

Masjid Jamek (Jamek Mosque), one of the oldest in the capital, was consecrated in 1909. The Moorish-style building, which is located at the confluence of the Klang and Gombak rivers, is a beautiful sight, especially when viewed from a viewing point along Leboh Pasar Besar. Since the name Kuala Lumpur translates to “muddy confluence” and refers to the meeting of these two rivers, this area of the city is significant.

The section of the river at the vantage point is blue-lit at night. Every 20 to 30 minutes, a fountain show begins, producing a splash of enchanted illusions with the minaret in the background.

RexKL

RexKL, a community-based cultural center housed in the former Rex Theatre, features eateries, a bookstore, and areas for exhibitions, films, workshops, and other activities. The location was one of Malaysia’s original cinemas when it opened in the 1940s.

RexKL demonstrates how reusing old buildings may revive the arts and culture while protecting history and heritage. As it welcomes locals, tourists, adults, children, artists, entrepreneurs, and shoppers, it is quickly evolving into one of KL’s hippest and most Instagrammable locations.

KL Food Trip

Malaysia’s geographic location, trade with its neighbors in Southeast Asia, and foreign occupations have all contributed to the complexity of its culinary traditions. Local cuisine is growing, despite the popularity of fast food and Western cuisine. The three main ethnic groups of the population—Malays, Chinese, and Indians—have a significant effect on the majority of the traditional favorites. There are additional flavors from the Middle East and Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, and the Philippines).

Lot 10 Hutong

If you’ve always wanted to explore Kuala Lumpur’s street food scene but lack the time, you’ll adore this food court! It’s convenient because Lot 10 Hutong houses the top hawker stalls in Kuala Lumpur!

The best street food finds were carefully assembled in this Platinum Award-winning heritage food village, satisfying the desires of both locals and visitors in a very cozy and convenient environment.

Jalan Alor

Bukit Bintang is a well-known street food destination Jalan Alor. The strip is jam-packed with outdoor cafes and food carts that serve a broad variety of delicious dishes and snacks, primarily Chinese, Malaysian, and Indian cuisines. There are also Vietnamese and Thai alternatives.

Even though many businesses are open during the day, this gourmet area comes to life at night. This is when the crowds get denser and the street is overrun with food vendors.

Kampung Bahru

Locals are aware of several other gourmet hotspots throughout the city, while the majority of tourists head to Jalan Alor. Kampung Bahru (Kampung Baru) is one of them. One of the city’s most delightful places to visit is Kampung Bahru! Jalan Raja Muda Musa, the city’s tree-lined main thoroughfare, is surrounded by small restaurants and food stands that serve traditional Malay cuisine and draw large crowds of customers. The best part is that many of these choices are reasonably priced.

Chocolate Factories

Calling all cocoa enthusiasts! The sixth-largest center for the processing and grinding of cocoa beans in the world is Malaysia. More than 50 chocolate and confectionery businesses, as well as more than 200 chocolate entrepreneurs, were listed by the Malaysian Cocoa Board as of 2021.

The following list includes some of Malaysia’s top-selling and greatest chocolate brands:

• Cocova
• Beryl’s Chocolate
• Love 18ºC Chocolate
• Harriston Chocolatier
• Cocoraw
• Chocolate Concierge
• Benns Ethicoa

Other Kuala Lumpur Attractions

Genting Highlands

Genting Highlands, which was established in 1965 by Lim Goh Tong, has grown to become a major tourist destination in Malaysia. This integrated resort development, located at 1,800 meters on the forested peak of Mount Ulu Kali, provides residents and visitors of all ages with an exceptional leisure experience.

One of the best weekend getaway locations close to Kuala Lumpur has emerged as Genting Highlands, particularly Resorts World Genting. It has top-notch lodging, entertainment venues, and theme parks.

Batu Caves

The Batu Caves – a network of chambers naturally formed into a prehistoric limestone hill on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur. It names one of the holiest Hindu sites in the entire globe and one of Malaysia’s most well-liked attractions. The complex of shrines comprises three enormous caves; the Temple Cave (also known as Cathedral Cave), the largest, houses several Hindu shrines.

Sunway Lagoon

Have the best day of your life at Sunway Lagoon, a sizable amusement park located in Petaling Jaya, Selangor’s neighbor, just outside of Kuala Lumpur. This 88-acre amusement park has over 90 attractions spread out across six (6) different zones, including the Lost Lagoon, the first Nickelodeon-themed attraction in Asia, the Wildlife Park, Scream Park, Extreme Park, and Water Park.

Putrajaya

Although Kuala Lumpur is still the country’s capital, Putrajaya serves as Malaysia’s current administrative and judicial hub. To relieve congestion in the capital city, the federal government’s headquarters moved from KL to Putrajaya in 1999, and the judiciary in 2003. This is where most government-run businesses are located.

The following are some of the notable buildings and locations:

• Putrajaya Lake
• Putrajaya Government Center
• Iron Mosque (Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin Mosque)
• Putra Perdana
• Seri Wawasan Bridge
• Putra Mosque
• Istana Melawati
• Putrajaya Wetlands Park
• Millennium Monument
• Putra Bridge
• Putrajaya Landmark

Kampung Kuantan

One of three places to see fireflies is in the little Kuala Selangor settlement of Kampung Kuantan. In Kuala Selangor, these fireflies, or kelip-kelip, come to symbolize tourism.

Tours to see fireflies at Kampung Kuantan Firefly Park, formerly a privately run business in the 1970s but currently run by the Kuala Selangor District Council. Traditional, non-motorized boats called sampan sail along the Selangor River, one of the well-known locations with the largest firefly colonies in the world, to accommodate the growing number of tourists without disturbing the fireflies’ natural environment.

Malacca

One of the most popular tourist sites in Malaysia is the old city of Malacca, also known locally as Melaka and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its lengthy history has witnessed the rise and fall of the Portuguese, Dutch, and British as they controlled the region, leaving behind enduring buildings and cultural influences that are still evident today, producing a melting pot of civilizations that is unique.

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