The Best Things to Do in Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur is one of the coolest cities on Earth and frequently lands on many people’s bucket lists . There is so much to see and do on a visit to Kuala Lumpur, but you will want to make sure you see the best that the city has to offer.  Here are the ten best sights and activities that should be on your Bucket List when you visit during your visit to Kuala Lumpur.

1) Batu Caves

Batu Caves is one of Kuala Lumpur’s most popular and exciting attractions. You will find the caves 21 kilometers from Chinatown, while the city’s heart is about 18 kilometers away.

Batu Caves is a Hindu temple founded in the 18th century and dedicated to Lord Murugan. It features a unique combination of both Indian and Malay architectures. The 56-meter-high temple is situated atop a hill and features a vertical drop to its main prayer hall that can only be accessed through 272 steps – making it one of Malaysia’s tallest temples.

It was once home to Hindu sages but is now renowned as a retreat for many Buddhists, Hindus, and Muslims alike.

2) Petronas Twin Towers

Petronas Towers is one of Kuala Lumpur’s most famous landmarks. The towers stand at 451m, making them the tallest twin towers in the world.

If you feel adventurous, you can get a view from this skyscraper’s highest observation deck (level 43), which will offer 360-degree views of KL below. There’s also a sky bridge connecting both towers on levels 42 and 43 that provides sweeping views to those not quite so daring.

3) National Mosque

Every traveler should explore Malaysia’s capital by visiting its 400-year-old UNESCO World Heritage Site for great food and exciting culture: Jalan Lembah Perdana. The street has restaurants, cafes, and souvenir shops offering delicious Malaysian and Indonesian cuisines.

The mosque has 17 domes, four minarets, and three entrances. You will also find nine mosaics that depict different scenes from the Qur’an, such as the story of Joseph.

4) Petaling Street

If you visit Malaysia, don’t forget to visit Petaling Street, Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown. Petaling Street is a shopping area near the Central Market. The street is crowded and lively. Here you’ll find shops selling inexpensive imitation brand-name items and offering many stands and stores selling cheap garments, accessories, and consumer goods.

Petaling Street’s popular market culture has made it a tourist attraction for shoppers from all over the world. You can find many good choices for both foods and clothes at low prices like in other Chinatowns around China, Hong Kong, or Singapore, for example.

5) Bukit Bintang

Another cultural site in Kuala Lumpur to add to your itinerary list is the time-honored Bukit Bintang area. Bukit Bintang is one of the oldest and most famous tourist areas in Kuala Lumpur. Bukit Bintang is a colonial-era district of Kuala Lumpur famous for its many entertainment and nightlife venues.

Bukit Bintang also features some of the city’s most popular restaurants, ranging from upscale to budget eateries. Tourists can visit the National Library Library here and the National Exhibition Centre – the heart of Malaysia’s government – or office buildings such as the Putra World Trade Centre and International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC).

6) National Museum of Malaysia

Riding on the back of Malaysia’s rich culture, you can trace Malaysia’s history back to when Singapore was a Malay kingdom. Today, you can take a walk through several important Malaysian history sites at the museum – one of the country’s oldest and largest museums.

The National Museum has rich collections relating to Malaysia’s rich history and heritage. The museum showcases many rare artifacts kept in large glass-covered cabinets regularly displayed in all of the building’s rooms.

The museum also features two exhibition galleries that help introduce visitors to the country’s cultural heritage through artwork, crafts, and costumes dating from different periods in Malaysia’s history.

Daily guided tours are also available on request for visitors to explore more of the museum.

7) Central Station (KL Sentral)

Central Station is the primary transportation hub in Kuala Lumpur. The station has the following services: intercity train, omnibus, light rail transit (KL Sentral), SkyTrain (MRT), and feeder bus lines to help you get around the city as efficiently as possible.

However, there is more to Central Station than a rail system. This massive transportation hub also sports a gigantic mall. When you go inside, you will find a large indoor food court, an outdoor walkway where you can shop or snack, and a movie theater on the very top floor.

8) Petaling Street Night Market

Petaling Street – also known as Chinatown – is the place to go for cheap souvenirs and fun memories. You’ll find Petaling Street’s night market in Jalan Petaling, Kuala Lumpur. It used to be an orange grove but has become a famous market for neon-lit shopping and street food after dark every day.

Petaling Street is the heart of Chinatown in Kuala Lumpur. A range of shops suits all budgets, from the traditional hawker stalls to high-end jeweler’s shops. Here, you can find inexpensive clothes, jewelry, and popular electronic goods such as smartphones and cameras.

9) KL Tower

KL Tower is a sightseeing spot that you should not miss while visiting Kuala Lumpur. The tower offers visitors a bird’s eye view of the city – one that includes all its beautiful sights and some of its busiest traffic areas located in the historic core area.

From the KL Tower, you can see many attractions, including Lake Garden Park on one side of the tower and Bukit Bintang on the other.

10) Merdeka Square

One of the largest city squares in Malaysia, Merdeka Square, features many shops and restaurants. It is also one of Kuala Lumpur’s prime nightlife areas, with many bars, clubs, and pubs at its four corners. You can reach the square by walking or by using a taxi or KTM (CityCab).

While you are there don’t forget to document your travels and to get phos at the Instagram worthy spots. Now that you know the best places to visit in Kuala Lumpur, go ahead and make some plans to spend  your vacation here and check those dream destinations off your bucket list!

Safe travels!

Related articles

NEXT WEEKENDER EDITOR

Welcome.

Welcome to Next Weekender, your go-to travel guide to making your weekends the best that they can be: whether it's a road trip or a red eye. Next Weekender is here to inspire your next bucket list adventure, with helpful travel tips to make the most of your time.  Our curated itineraries will help you to easily plan a weekend trip filled with all of the must see sights, most delicious meals, and most gorgeous photo op locations to share with family and friends. It's travel fit for an A-lister.

Jenny Russey

BEST OF
SPONSOR
MY FAVORITES