10 Incredible Places to Visit in Kuala Lumpur That You Can’t Miss (2024)

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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.

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Places to Visit In Kuala Lumpur

1. Petronas Twin Towers

The Petronas Twin Towers is one of the major landmark of Kuala Lumpur 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 floors 41 and 42.

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.

Entrance Fees

• Adult : 98 MYR (Malaysian Ringgit) / USD 21
• Child (3 – 12 years old) : 50 MYR (Malaysian Ringgit) / USD 10
• Senior Citizen (age 60 and above) : 50 MYR (Malaysian Ringgit) / USD 10

To avoid the long queues and get into the desired slot I would recommend you to purchase the tickets in advance.

Click Here To Get Skip The Line Tickets Of Petronas Tower Delivered To Your Kuala Lumpur Accomodation.

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.

2. 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. 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 seem to 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.

Know Before Visiting

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.

Wear comfortable shoes and try visiting the Batu Caves early morning to avoid the afternoon heat. Also carry bottles of water with you to stay hydrated. If you want to see a local guide, check out this tour.

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: 25 MYR (Malaysian Ringgitt) / USD 5

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.

3. 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.

Update – Atmosphere 360 is temporarily closed due to some dispute.

You Can Book Your Skip The Line Tickets To The Kuala Lumpur Tower here.

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.

4. 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. Some of my finds that you should not miss out trying are the delicious Curry Laksa from Madras Lane and the egg tarts from Bun Choon.

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.

5. 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

• Book A Full Day Group Tour To Taman Negara Here.

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.

6. 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.

How To Reach The Sultan Abdul Samad Building

This building is at about 10 minutes walking distance from Masjid Jamek LRT station.

7. 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: 75 MYR (Malaysian Ringgitt) / USD 16
• Child: 65 MYR (Malaysian Ringgitt) / USD 14

How To Reach The Aquaria KLCC

The Aquaria KLCC is at a very short stroll from KLCC LRT station.

8. 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: 85 MYR (Malaysian Ringgitt) / USD 18
• Child: 60 MYR (Malaysian Ringgitt) / USD 12

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.

9. 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                           10 MYR (Malaysian Ringgitt) / USD 2
Normal Two-Way (Return)          18 MYR (Malaysian Ringgitt) / USD 4
Express One-Way                           16 MYR (Malaysian Ringgitt) / USD 3

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

10. 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;

Budget : Hotel 1000 Miles (KLCC)

Mid Range:  The Face Suites (KLCC)

Luxury : Shangri La (KLCC)

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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