10 Best Places to Visit in Kuala Lumpur – Things to do in Kuala Lumpur
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Kuala Lumpur is a must visit city if you are traveling to Malaysia. It is the country’s capital city and well known for the world’s tallest twin towers – the Petronas Twin Towers. You will find an interesting blend of cultures, cuisines, modern architectures and also some beautiful nature experiences. There are many places to visit in Kuala Lumpur that I wasn’t aware of before and visited as per the recommendations of the locals there. If you are planning a trip to Kuala Lumpur make sure not to miss out on the below must visit attractions that the city offers to explore. I have also mentioned the nearest LRT (Light Rail Transit System) station to these tourist attractions.
Places to Visit In Kuala Lumpur :
Petronas Twin Towers :
The Petronas Twin Towers is one of the major iconic landmark of the city. It stands tall at about 451m height comprising of 88 floors and a remarkably constructed Skybridge which connects the towers to each other. This Skybridge is the world’s highest two-storey bridge and it is accessible for visitors at the 41st floor. It is interesting to know that the Skybridge is actually not a part of the main structure of the towers, but is constructed in such a way that it slides in and out of the towers to prevent it from breaking during high winds.
The Petronas Twin Towers also have an observation deck at the 86th floor from where you can get the stunning and spectacular views of the city. These towers were also glorified as the world’s tallest buildings until the year 2004. The Petronas Towers are one of the must visit places in Kuala Lumpur.
Opening Hours:
The Petronas Twin Towers are open from 9 AM to 9 PM six days a week. It remains closed on Mondays. On Fridays, it remains closed between 1 PM to 2:30 PM.
Entrance Fees:
- Adult: 80 MYR (Malaysian Ringgitt) / USD 20
- Child: 33 MYR (Malaysian Ringgitt) / USD 8
To avoid the long queues and get into the desired slot I would recommend you to purchase the tickets in advance.
How to Reach the Petronas Twin Towers:
You can hire a cab or use the LRT train system (which is an easily accessible public transport system in Kuala Lumpur) to reach the KLCC station from where you can walk towards the Petronas Twin Towers.
Batu Caves :
The Batu caves is another iconic tourist attraction in Kuala Lumpur. It is a limestone hill comprising of several caves which are said to be about 400 million years old. At the entrance of the caves there is a huge statue of Hindu deity Lord Murugan which is about 140 feet tall. I was pretty overwhelmed when I saw this statue. It’s a really overwhelming feeling once you get a view of this statue. Besides the statue are the 272 steps you will have to climb if you want to visit the caves inside the hills. These steps may be a bit disheartening and tedious but getting the view of the caves and it’s scenic beauty will be totally worth it.
This religious destination has three major caves Temple Cave, Dark Cave and Art Gallery Cave. The Temple cave is the largest cavern having many Hindu shrines beneath a ceiling of over 300 feet height. The Dark Cave gives you a wildlife tour and experience of knowing about cave animals such as bats and creepy crawly insects. The Art Gallery cave has various wall paintings and carvings depicting the story of Hindu religion and deities.
Useful Tips:
There are many monkeys at Batu caves right from the entrance till the caves, so just be careful, maintain space from them and ignore them. Do not carry any food items with you to avoid it getting snatched by the monkeys.
Try visiting the Batu Caves early morning to avoid the afternoon heat. Also carry bottles of water with you to stay hydrated.
Opening Hours:
The Batu Caves are open from 6 AM to 9 PM daily. The visiting times for Dark Caves vary which is from 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Entrance Fees:
The entrance to Batu Caves is free. There is an entrance fees for Dark Caves only which is as below;
- Adult: 35 MYR (Malaysian Ringgitt) / USD 8
- Child: 28 MYR (Malaysian Ringgitt) / USD 7
Click Here To Book Your Tour To Batu Caves Now.
How To Reach The Batu Caves:
Batu Caves are located in Selangor, Gombak at a distance of about 15 km. If you are willing to commute through public transport, you can take the train from KL Sentral Railway Station to Batu Caves Railway Station. The tickets are easily available at the railway station for 2 MYR (Malaysian Ringgitt). You can also easily hire a taxi and reach the Batu Caves.
Kuala Lumpur Tower :
The Kuala Lumpur Tower also known as the Menara tower is the seventh tallest telecommunication tower in the world. This tower stands at 420 m height. It is a great alternative to get the glimpses of the beautiful city skyline if you have missed out visiting the Petronas towers. The Observation deck and the Sky Deck which are much more higher than the Observation Desk at Petronas towers gives thrilling and impressive skyline views of the Kuala Lumpur city. You can also dine at the revolving restaurant Atmosphere 360 which is located at a level higher than the observation deck while overlooking the spectacular views of the city.
Opening Hours:
The Kuala Lumpur tower is open from 9 AM to 10 PM daily.
The revolving restaurant at KL Tower, Atmosphere 360 is open from 11:30 AM to 11 PM.
Entrance Fees:
Observation Deck;
- Adult: 49 MYR (Malaysian Ringgitt) / USD 12
- Child: 29 MYR (Malaysian Ringgitt)/ USD 7
Sky Deck;
- Adult: 99 MYR (Malaysian Ringgitt) / USD 24
- Child: 52 MYR (Malaysian Ringgitt)/ USD 13
Click Here To Book Your Skip The Line Tickets To The Kuala Lumpur Tower
How To Reach The Kuala Lumpur Tower:
The easiest way to reach the Kuala Lumpur Tower is by hiring a taxi since there is a long uphill road going towards the tower.
Chinatown :
Chinatown is a very well known street market area and one of the coolest places to visit in Kuala Lumpur. Located at the Petaling street this vibrant and colorful market is a go to place for shopaholics. You will find a wide variety of apparels, accessories, souvenirs and handicraft goods at very cheap prices in Chinatown. If shopping is not something that interests you, this place also has some well preserved Hindu and Buddhist temples that are about hundred years old. The beautiful and mesmerizing architecture of these temples attract many art and history enthusiasts from around the world. The Chan See Shun Yuen Temple is one of the oldest and largest Buddhist temple in Chinatown having beautiful carvings and paintings depicting Chinese mythology and culture.
Chinatown also has many eateries and cafes offering authentic Chinese and regional food that are perfect to satisfy your taste buds. Click here to check out a great evening tour of China Town including a visit to the night market, oldest Hindu temple in Malaysia and an authentic buffet dinner.
Opening Hours:
The shops at China Town are open 10 AM to 9:30 PM daily.
How To Reach Chinatown:
Chinatown is at a five minute stroll from the Pasar Seni LRT station.
Taman Negara :
If you are a nature enthusiast and looking for some adventure then Taman Negara is the place you have to visit. It is one of the oldest tropical rainforest in the world and is spread over 4343 sq km spanning three states – Pahang, Kelantan and Terengganu. It is a home to many endangered wildlife species such as elephants, tigers, rhinoceros, deers and bears. Taman Negara also offers an incredible range of trekking trails, an exciting Canopy walk, cave exploration and boat rides giving you the glimpses of the stunning and mesmerizing landscapes. You will find yourself surrounded by a variety of nature’s best flora and trails of wildlife while trekking or walking through the canopy. The Canopy walk is at about 45m high and 530m in length providing you a breathtaking view of the forest life.
Tip: Before visiting Taman Negara just be sure you have had good food and carry lots of water. You will need a lot of energy to go through this rainforest.
Opening Hours:
The Taman Negara rainforest is open for visitors from 9 AM to 5:30 PM daily. It may be closed during rainy days.
Entrance Fees:
Canopy Walk: 5 MYR (Malaysian Ringgitt) / USD 1
Boat Ride: Ranges between 100 and 150 MYR (Malaysian Ringgitt) / USD 24 and USD 34
How To Reach The Taman Negara:
Taman Negara is reachable through both road or by river route. The most convenient way is to take a taxi from Kuala Lumpur to reach Kuala Tahan (the entry point to Taman Negara) if you are not keen on using the public transport. The journey by road is of about 3 hours minimum.
For reaching through public transport, you will have to take train from KL Sentral Railway Station to Jerantut and then hop on to a taxi or mini bus going towards Kuala Tembeling. Then from Kuala Tembling you can get a boat ride towards Kuala Tahan (the entry point to Taman Negara). The boat ride is about 3 hours long and it departs twice a day at 9 AM and 2 PM. Alternatively you can also take a direct mini bus from Kuala Tembeling to Kuala Tahan and reach the Taman Negara rainforest.
Sultan Abdul Samad Building :

The Sultan Abdul Samad Building is a prominent landmark of Kuala Lumpur. It was build in the 19th centuary and is known to be one of the earliest Moorish designed complex. This historically significant building initially served as an secretariat for the colonial British Government. Located near the Merdaka Square, this building servers as a backdrop for many events and celebrations including the National Day Parade which is held on August 31st every year. It is a very beautiful building having a radiant copper dome and a clock tower. Also there are many other tourist attractions nearby this building including Gombak River, Klang River, Petaling Street, Merdaka Squre Club and Jamek Masjid. You can capture a lot of picturesque shots around the building and spend a quality time admiring the beautiful architecture of it. It is one of the free places to visit in Kuala Lumpur.
Opening Hours:
The Sultan Abdul Samad building is open for 24 hours 5 days a week. It remains closed on Saturday and Sunday.
Entrance Fees:
There is no entrance fees since you are not allowed to enter the building.
How To Reach The Sultan Abdul Samad Building:
This building is at about 10 minutes walking distance from Masjid Jamek LRT station.
Aquaria KLCC :
Aquaria KLCC is an impressive Oceanarium exhibiting more than 20,000 land and aquatic species from around the world. It is located at the basement of Kuala Lumpur Convention Center and has about 90 meter long underwater tunnel. You can get an up close look of the giant sharks, stingrays, turtles, piranhas and many other unique sea animals. This aquarium very beautifully simulates the natural habitat of the sea animals living in it. You can also witness an enthralling live show of divers hand-feeding these marine animals as well as a Touch pool zone to give you a unique experience of touching starfishes and bamboo sharks.
Opening Hours:
The Aquaria KLCC is open from 10 AM to 8 PM everyday.
Entrance Fees:
- Adult: 69 MYR (Malaysian Ringgitt) / USD 17
- Child: 59 MYR (Malaysian Ringgitt) / USD 14
- Senior Citizen: 49 MYR (Malaysian Ringgitt) / USD 12
Click Here To Book Your Tickets To Aquaria KLCC now.
How To Reach The Aquaria KLCC:
The Aquaria KLCC is at a very short stroll from KLCC LRT station.
Kuala Lumpur Bird Park:
The Kuala Lumpur bird park is known to be world’s largest aviary which houses over 3000 birds of about 200 different species. It is spread over 20.9 acres of scenic natural habitat created for the birds to adapt themselves. It is a part of Lake Gardens which also comprises of KL Butterfly Park, National Monument, Botanical garden and the Deer park. Once you enter the bird park you will find a variety of beautiful birds flocking and wandering freely. It is very fascinating to see the flamingos, peacocks, pelicans, storks and many other beautiful birds uncaged and flying freely. If you are a photographer, a bird lover or just a person who wants to spend some amazing and peaceful time admiring the nature, then this one of the best places you must visit in Kuala Lumpur.
The park is divided into four zones; Zone 1 and 2 are tropical rainforest themed zones where a variety of birds move around freely in harmony, Zone 3 is for the elusive Rhinoceros Hornbill and Zone 4 accommodates around 20 different species of parrots and flightless birds kept in separate aviaries. You can also enjoy the daily scheduled bird show and bird feeding programs.
Opening Hours:
The Kuala Lumpur Bird Park is open daily from 9 AM to 6 PM.
Entrance Fees:
- Adult: 67 MYR (Malaysian Ringgitt) / USD 16
- Child: 45 MYR (Malaysian Ringgitt) / USD 11
Click Here To Book Your Tickets For Kuala Lumpur Bird Park now.
How To Reach The Kuala Lumpur Bird Park:
The Kuala Lumpur KTM station is the closest to the bird park. From there you can hire a taxi to complete your journey.
Genting Highlands:
Genting Highlands is a beautiful hillside resort city located at about 50 kms from Kuala Lumpur. It offers a variety of entertainment activities, theme parks, accommodation, sight seeings and shopping malls. You can start your journey towards Genting Highlands through a mesmerizing cable car ride which gives you thrilling glimpses of the densely thick tropical forest from about 6000 feet height above the ground level. A visit to the beautiful strawberry leisure farms is also highly recommended from where you can pluck strawberries of your choice and purchase them. Genting Highlands is a perfect place to plan a weekend getaway from the city.
Opening Hours:
The Genting Highlands can be reached anytime depending on your accommodation. The cable car service operates from 7:30 AM until midnight.
Entrance Fees:
The ticket prices for the Cable Car Ride is as below;
Ticket Type Price (per person)
Normal One-Way 8 MYR (Malaysian Ringgitt) / USD 2
Normal Two-Way (Return) 16 MYR (Malaysian Ringgitt) / USD 4
Express One-Way 40 MYR (Malaysian Ringgitt) / USD 10
The ticket prices for Strawberry Leisure Farms;
- Adult: 8 MYR (Malaysian Ringgitt) / USD 2
- Child: 5 MYR (Malaysian Ringgitt) / USD 1
If you are short on time while visiting Kuala Lumpur, you can Book A Combo Day Tour Of Genting Highlands and Batu Caves Here.
How To Reach The Genting Highlands:
The Genting Highlands can be reached by the cable car service or by road. You can take a taxi settled to the Genting Skyway or the Awana Skyway cable car station. Alternatively you can catch a bus from KL Sentral Railway Station to Genting Highlands .i.e. the Aerobus which would cost you RM35 (USD 8) per adult & RM25 (USD 6) per child.
Related Read : How To Explore Genting Highlands
Jalan Alor:
Jalan Alor is the most famous street food area in Kuala Lumpur. This street lights up in the evening when many street food vendors set up their food stalls. This vibrant food street has a variety of sea food restaurants offering Malay, Thai, Chinese, Indian and Vietnamese cuisine which you will find filling up with lots of locals and tourists. You are definitely going to be spoiled for choices because once you are there it gets very difficult to choose what to eat and what to leave behind. Jalan Alor is one of the must visit places in Kuala Lumpur for foodies.
Opening Hours:
The food stalls start setting up in the evenings from around 5 PM and most of them are open until midnight. Check out this local street food night tour to savour on some delicious authentic food in Kuala Lumpur.
How To Reach Jalan Alor:
The Jalan Alor is at about 10 minutes walking distance from Bukit Bintang LRT station.
Where To Stay In Kuala Lumpur :
Kuala Lumpur city offers a variety of hotels available whether you are on budget or planning a luxurious stay in this beautiful city. If you are looking for a lively neighborhood to stay in you must be considering Chinatown, Bukit Bintang or Bangsar. The area near KLCC has some luxurious hotels giving you a view of the Petronas Tower and is a perfect choice if you are visiting Kuala Lumpur with your family. To help plan a perfect stay for you, here are some of my recommended accommodations in Kuala Lumpur with their respective locations;
Hostels : 1001 Nights Mix Dorm KLCC (KLCC), Sunshine Bedz KL (Bukit Bintang)
Budget : Eco Hotel (Bukit Bintang), Hotel 1000 Miles (KLCC)
Mid Range: The Face Suites (KLCC), Renaissance KL (KLCC)
Luxury : Shangri La (KLCC), Traders Hotel (KLCC)
If you want to explore hotel options in Kuala Lumpur, you can find the best deals by booking your perfect hotel from the box below;
To book easy and reliable private transfers by car from or to the Airport, click here.
Don’t Miss : Best City Tours To Help You Explore The Best Places In Kuala Lumpur :
These were some of the best places to visit in Kuala Lumpur. Have you been to Kuala Lumpur? Share your experiences in the comments section below.
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Awesome information! I went to Kuala Lumpur for a couple of days and I wish I would have read this before to get some ideas on what to do! Aquaria KLCC looks amazing 😀
Honestly I didn’t know anything beyond Twin Towers till date. Wonderful post! Thanks for sharing.
I am glad you liked reading it.
I have not yet had the chance to visit Kuala Lumpur, but everytime I see a post like this it reminds me that I must visit sometime soon! Genting Highlands looks breathtaking especially! That’s definitely my #1 from this list!
Wow, what a post, you make me want to go there. I have done a bit of travel, but never to this place. Looks gorgeous
Wow, this is such a detailed post about KL. Haven’t been to Batu caves yet but its now on my wishlist! Thanks for sharing this, saved and bookmarked 🙂
I’ve been to Kuala Lumpur too and I can say that this city is the best place to visit. Especially for the budget travelers. I have some couple of pictures of Petronas Twin towers but I never got the chance to visit inside. Great and informative content btw.
The Batu Caves look like a great places to take photos atowle|https://formationvacations.com/
I’ve been to KL about 5 million times (damn Air Asia and always having to transit through there) 😉 and haven’t done even a fraction of these things. I deserve a serious slap on the wrist for not even making it to the Batu Caves. Will keep this handy for the next time I have to head back through KL…
I visited KL when my kids were barely 9 months and 2 years old – It was lovely reliving those places 🙂 I also some lovely additions to the City. Quite a detailed post this is.
We’re visiting Kuala Lumpur in December and have no idea where to visit, so thanks for the tips!
Great post! There’s so much more to do in KL that I didn’t get around to, and now thanks to you I know for next time. I wrote a post recently about KL too which includes where to eat and where to stay as well as what to do. Check it out if you want some budget travel tips!
Great post on a great place. I didn’t have enough time in KL to really experience it to its fullest, but Chinatown, the Batu Caves, KL tower, and the Petronas towers were not to be missed!
I love Kuala Lumpur and this one is a great list of beautiful spots there!
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