BEST Things To Do In Kuala Lumpur & Places Of Interest

The capital of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur (KL for short), is a melting pot of cultures, tradition and modernity. A vibrant metropolis known for its smattering of tourist destinations, cuisine and unique blend of old and new. Read further to check out the places of Interest.

The city has a ton to offer for locals and tourists alike, and that’s why it’s such a hotbed for tourism. So, today we’ll dig into what exactly Malaysia’s capital state and city have to offer.

Places To Visit In Kuala Lumpur: Attractions & Activities

Ask anyone about what to do in Kuala Lumpur and you’ll get a whole slew of different answers! Kuala Lumpur is simply brimming with different things to do, and it’s almost impossible to pay all of them a visit. So, here we’re consolidating all of the must visit attractions in KL into a short and sweet list so you can add them to your bucket list when you’re around.

1. Petronas Twin Towers

The Petronas Towers are the centerpiece of KLCC, and by far the most iconic locale in Kuala Lumpur. As of the time of writing, they’re still the tallest pair of twin towers in the world. At the base of the towers, Suria KLCC is a world-class shopping mall with a wide range of high-end international and local brands. It’s a great place for shopping, dining, and entertainment.

To go along with these, there’s also a beautifully landscaped park outside the towers, as well as the ever-popular SkyBridge. Outside of that, it’s also just a marvel to look at there are a ton of other If there’s one place you need to visit when you go to Malaysia, it’s the Petronas Twin Towers without a doubt.

2. KL Tower

The KL Tower boasts an observation deck that provides panoramic views of Kuala Lumpur’s skyline. At 276 meters above ground level, it offers breathtaking vistas of the city, including iconic landmarks like the Petronas Twin Towers. For thrill-seekers, the Sky Box is a glass-bottomed observation deck extending from the Sky Deck.

Outside of that, there are a few more things you can do around the KL Tower. There’s a mini zoo and aquarium around the complex, for those of you animal lovers. If you’re a bigger fan of nature in general, the tower also has a small nature reserve that’s good for treks.

3. National Mosque (Masjid Negara)

The National Mosque of Malaysia, known as Masjid Negara, is a significant religious and architectural landmark. Featuring a blend of traditional Islamic architecture and contemporary style, the mosque is surrounded by a beautiful courtyard and a reflecting pool, creating a serene atmosphere. While the mosque primarily serves as a place of worship, it is open to visitors of all faiths outside of prayer times.

For people who like exploring the historical value of certain things, you’re in luck. The mosque is located near the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia, providing visitors with an opportunity to explore the rich heritage of Islamic art and culture.

4. National Monument (Tugu Negara)

Tugu Negara, also known as the National Monument, is a prominent and symbolic landmark erected to honor and remember the servicemen who sacrificed their lives in the struggle for Malaysia’s independence during World War II and the Malayan Emergency. Designed by architect Felix de Weldon, it features a group sculpture of seven bronze Malaysian soldiers.

In front of the sculpture, there is a cenotaph, a symbolic empty tomb representing those whose remains were never found. The words “Dedicated to the heroic fighters in the cause of peace and freedom, may the blessing of Allah be upon them” are inscribed on the cenotaph.

5. Perdana Botanical Gardens

The Perdana Botanical Gardens are home to some of the best attractions Kuala Lumpur has to offer. This includes the Hibiscus Gardens, nature reserves and especially the KL Bird Park, the world’s largest open-air aviary. The gardens have designated picnic areas where visitors can relax, which makes it a popular place for families and people taking a break from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Cultural Markets in Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur is the ultimate melting pot for the many different cultures in Malaysia. As a result of this, every culture has some bleed-in with others, and you can find the best of this at cultural markets. These are typically open-air shopping areas that highlight the best Malaysia has to offer. To get a taste of what makes every slice of culture unique, you need to visit these!

1. Central Market (Pasar Seni)

Central Market has a rich history dating back to 1888 when it was initially established as a wet market. Over the years, it has undergone renovations and transformations to become a cultural and arts center. Its architecture is a mix of local Malaysian influences and art deco inspirations. The distinct green, white and red facade of the building makes it stand out.

Walk through its many hallways and you’ll find a diverse range of stalls selling traditional and contemporary Malaysian arts and crafts. Wood carvings, paintings, Malaysian-inspired jewelry, batik cloth and more line these stores. If you’re hungry, the market also houses an excellent food court and a bazaar area.

2. Petaling Street (KL Chinatown)

Just a short while away from Central Market, you’ll find the bustling streets of Petaling Street. Also known as Chinatown, Petaling Street is a highlight of KL Chinese culture. At noon, it’s a shopper’s paradise, offering a wide variety of products at great prices. You can even find traditional Chinese herbs and electronics here. For bargain hunters, quality imitation goods can be found everywhere.

When night hits however, Petaling Street transforms into a vibrant night market. Things become livelier as the beautiful colourful lighting of the area brightens up the night. Hawkers and food vendors line the rows, all selling local specialties that you’ll struggle to find anywhere else.

3. Brickfields (Little India)

Brickfields is a beautiful place sitting southwest of the Kuala Lumpur city center. Also known as Little Indie, Brickfields is widely known for its vibrant streets and many stores offering traditional Indian goods. It’s also a food lover’s paradise, with several restaurants serving authentic Indian dishes, various types of Indian sweets and more.

Brickfields features colorful street art and murals everywhere that depict scenes from Indian culture and traditions. If you’re lucky and drop by during a cultural event like Deepavali, you can even catch traditional Indian music and dance performances.

4. Masjid India

If you’re looking for something truly unique to Kuala Lumpur, then look no further than Masjid India. Where Brickfields is more along the lines of capturing authentic Indian culture, Masjid India focuses on the unique experience of the Muslim Indian community in Malaysia. Also known as Mamaks, Masjid India highlights the best that this subset of cultures has to offer.

With a variety of local products like textiles all the way down to local spins on well-known dishes like mee goreng mamak, Muslim Indian culture in Kuala Lumpur is something uniquely local.

Shopping Malls in Kuala Lumpur

Outside of the aforementioned attractions, the biggest thing about Kuala Lumpur is its malls. Kuala Lumpur is one of the most advanced states in Malaysia, and it shows in the modern aesthetic and sensibilities of its many malls. But, at the same time, these malls uniquely reflect the needs and demands of the local people, resulting in some fascinating shopping options.

1. Pavilion Mall Kuala Lumpur

Sitting smack in the heart of Bukit Bintang, Pavilion Mall is everything you expect when you go to a modern mall. It’s home to many luxury and high-end fashion brands, both international and local alike. It’s also a fairly large mall, with many floors catering to specific themes and products. The food court of Pavilion is comprehensive, and there’s also a movie theater in case you’re itching for cinema.

2. Berjaya Times Square

Berjaya Times Square has been a hallmark of Kuala Lumpur for a long time, boasting a wide variety of attractions. Its most famous offering is its indoor theme park, offering an indoor roller coaster and a ton of different rides. For shoppers, Times Square has a plethora of clothing stores ranging from luxury brands to simpler outlet stores, to affordable local offerings.

3. Kenanga Wholesale City

Looking for the greatest clothing deals and bargains? Then Kenanga Wholesale City is where you want to look. Located in Pudu, KWC is a well-known hub of wholesale clothing, where locals go to find incredible deals for high-quality clothing. On top of clothes, they also carry beauty products, textiles and household goods. It’s the best place for a bargain, though it has little else to offer.

4. Sunway Pyramid

Sunway Pyramid carries with it a focus on leisure activities much more than most shopping malls in Kuala Lumpur. While it has comprehensive offerings between its dozens of eateries, cineplex and arcade, its the mall’s theme park that truly puts above the rest. The Sunway Lagoon Theme Park is one of the best in Malaysia, offering water rides, a wildlife park and even an extreme sports section.

5. Low Yat Plaza

Unlike its contemporaries, Low Yat Plaza stands alone as the most popular technology-focused shopping mall in Kuala Lumpur. It’s a hub for all things IT, and is popular for carrying all sorts of gadgets ranging from smartphones and computers, all the way to more niche interests like cameras. Prices are competitive and bargaining is part of the culture here. If you’re looking for tech in Kuala Lumpur, this is the place to be.

Things to Eat in Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur is brimming to the gills with excellent food at every corner, so much so that it’s difficult to narrow things down. Instead, we’ll be breaking down some of the best types of cuisine available, as well as where we recommend you try them! With any luck, you’ll be able to enjoy a fair few of the culinary experiences that Kuala Lumpur has to offer.

1. Nasi Lemak

As the national dish of Malaysia, it’s no surprise that Nasi Lemak is beloved in Kuala Lumpur. In the early mornings, it’s impossible to not find at least a few stalls offering their rendition of the humble dish. While many will point you to Nasi Lemak Wanjo as a popular choice, we’re bigger fans of the more humble stalls, like Nasi Lemak Padu Merindu and Nasi Lemak Alor Corner.

2. Mamak Food

No visit to Kuala Lumpur is complete without a late night meal at one of the hundreds of Mamak restaurants in the area. These serve up popular local fare like mee goreng, roti canai and nasi kandar that you won’t want to miss. The most popular of these is Nasi Kandar Pelita, though you can find these practically everywhere. Kedai Mamak Husin is one we recommend however, as it’s pretty clean.

3. Hainanese Chicken Rice

Hainanese Chicken Rice is one of the most common staple foods in Kuala Lumpur. While not as ubiquitous with Malaysia as Nasi Lemak, chicken rice is still incredibly popular. Venture into Kuala Lumpur, and you’ll come to realize it’s impossible to not happen upon chicken rice hawker stalls. Chee Meng Chicken Rice serves up authentic halal fare, though most hawker stalls are great.

4. Char Kway Teow

Not many dishes in Malaysia are as contentious as Char Kway Teow. It comes in two varieties, one being the authentic Chinese version, stir-fried rice noodles served dry with Chinese sausage, bean sprouts and chives. The next is a newer, commonly halal offshoot that’s served with more gravy, typically with cockles. Both are excellent, with KKJ Char Koey Teow and Pak Abu being some of the best of their respective variants.

5. Cendol

Cendol is a refreshing dessert in Malaysia, made with shaved ice, coconut milk, palm sugar, and green rice flour jelly strands. In Kuala Lumpur, it’s not uncommon to find small stalls selling cendol by the side of roads for those seeking respite from the tropical heat. Chinatown Cendol is a recent upper-scale eatery that serves a mean cendol, and Aliff Van makes a classic mamak-style cendol.

When is the Best Time to Visit Kuala Lumpur?

Kuala Lumpur is one of those places where there’s really no bad time to visit. Most of the time, you’ll want to avoid the rainy and festive seasons, sticking to the drier period between May to July. However, even during festivals or rainy seasons, Kuala Lumpur has plenty to offer. If there’s a specific cultural festival you’d like to experience, it may be good to visit then.

How Many Days Do You Need In Kuala Lumpur?

At its core, Kuala Lumpur is a city with a lot to offer. Despite its relatively small size, there’s a lot to do, and many locals go their whole lives without even enjoying everything it has to offer. We recommend staying for a week, which should give you ample amount of time to experience everything Kuala Lumpur has to offer.

Where to Stay in Kuala Lumpur?

No matter where you go in Kuala Lumpur, you’ll be able to find some form of accommodation. From higher-end hotels to cheap dorms, there’s something for every type of traveler here. Generally, we recommend checking out Google Maps reviews before staying anywhere if you value your rest. Here we have some recommendations for some solid options.

• Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur – A magnificent 5-star hotel next to the Petronas Twin Towers.
• Floresta Hotel Chinatown – Comfy and affordable 3-star hotel in Petaling Street.
• The Bed, KLCC – Cozy and unique hotel with dorm room setups.
• Oasia Suites – A good 4-star hotel with complete amenities.
• Villa Samadhi – Luxurious and relaxing villa away from the bustling city.
• 1000 Miles Hotel – Excellent budget hotel with an emphasis on comfort.
• Revopackers – A simple and affordable bed and bunk for backpackers.

How Do You Get Around in Kuala Lumpur?

The best way to travel in Kuala Lumpur is by car or motorcycle, as it allows you to go anywhere you want at any time. If you’re not the type to drive or ride however, traveling by foot and utilizing the public transport can get you quite far in Kuala Lumpur. It’s a small state, and if you’re staying near the city center, you can walk to most places of interest.

Conclusion

As the capital of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur is a surprisingly comprehensive look at Malaysian culture in a vacuum. It’s a modern city, but with many local sensibilities blending different walks of life together seamlessly. Visiting Kuala Lumpur is plenty of fun, especially seeing how the city never truly sleeps.