AlestraSure, Kuala Lumpur is just like many other capitals around the world; crowded, noisy, busy and many times, hectic and rushed. Although it can get a little crazy at times (especially before and after working hours), there’s plenty for you to explore, experience and enjoy during your time here in Malaysia. If you’ve managed to call on your adventurous spirit, let’s dive into the many attractions to visit in Kuala Lumpur during your stay:
Image credit: Jutta M. Jenning
1. KL Tower
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It’s easily one of the most recognisable landmarks in Kuala Lumpur since 1994. Its unique shape and design draw inspiration from Islamic and Persian architecture. The viewing deck is placed 276 metres above ground, meaning that you’ll get an unobstructed view of the Kuala Lumpur city skyline from morning to night. If you’d like to dine while admiring the amazing view, you can always drop by their revolving restaurant called Atmosphere 360.
Address: 2 Jalan Punchak, Off Jalan P.Ramlee, 50250 Kuala Lumpur
Opening Hours: 9.00am to 10.00pm
Website:https://www.menarakl.com.my/
2. Petronas Twin Towers
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It was once the world’s tallest building, but this title has since been claimed by many others around the world. Even so, the Petronas Twin Towers definitely holds its own when it comes to being a tourist attraction worth visiting. Although the majority of the structure is taken up by corporate offices, visitors can still enjoy themselves on the ground and lower floors by walking in KLCC Park, shopping in Suria KLCC, visiting the Petronas Art Gallery, and taking a turn on the double-decked Skybridge.
Address: Kuala Lumpur City Centre, 50088 Kuala Lumpur
Opening Hours: Mall (10.00am to 10.00pm), Skybridge (9am to 9pm, Closed on Mondays)
Website:https://www.petronastwintowers.com.my/
3. Petaling Street a.k.a. Chinatown
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This lively and colourful street is also locally known as ‘Chee Cheong Kai’ (Starch Factory Street), referring back to its roots as a tapioca-producing area. If you’re looking to buy some imitation goods to bring back home, this is one place to bargain your way to the best deal. There’s also plenty of hawker stalls (mainly Chinese fare) selling all kinds of food and delicacies. The street is alive from morning to night with different street merchants coming out to hawk their wares in Chinatown’s night market.
Address: Jalan Petaling, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur
Opening Hours: 9.00am to 11.00pm
Website:http://www.visitkl.gov.my
4. Jalan Alor
Image credit: Martin Kleckers
Are you a certified foodie? Does seeing stall after stall of delicious food make your mouth water? Jalan Alor is a famous street in Kuala Lumpur that serves up tons of hawker (street) food. It’s located just behind Jalan Bukit Bintang so do make sure to drop by if you’re in the area. You should definitely try out their noodles, barbecued meats and desserts. Although the majority of the food is Chinese, the stalls also represent Malaysian favourites from all over the country.
Address: Jalan Alor Bukit Bintang 50200 Kuala Lumpur
Opening Hours: From around 5pm till late evening (Daily)
Website:http://www.visitkl.gov.my
5. Central Market
Image credit: Ikhlasul Amal
Also known as ‘Pasar Seni’, this tourist attraction is just a short walk away from Petaling Street so you can definitely drop by both places on the same day. Established in 1928, this indoor shopping centre used to be a wet market but has since changed into a handicrafts complex in the 1980s. Here, you’ll find plenty of local arts and crafts such as batik prints, paintings, wood works as well as local snacks and drinks.
Address: Jalan Hang Kasturi, City Centre, 50050 Kuala Lumpur
Opening Hours: 10.00am – 9.30pm
Website:http://www.kuala-lumpur.ws/attractions/central-market.htm
6. Rebung Restaurant
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Owned by celebrity chef, Ismail Ahmad, this restaurant overlooking the Botanical Gardens is a must-go if you’re a fan of buffets. Here, you’ll find a wide variety of dishes that can usually only be found in Malay homes. First of all, you’ll get to choose the amount of rice you prefer. After that, you can leisurely walk around and pick from the various spreads available consisting of meat and fish dishes, vegetables and other local condiments such as sambal.
Address: Cascade Parking Bukit Aman, 5-2 Jalan Tanglin, Tasik Perdana, 50480 Kuala Lumpur
Opening Hours: 7.00am – 10.00pm
Website:http://www.restoranrebungdatochefismail.com/
7. Zouk Club
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Looking to party the night away? You really can’t go wrong with a trip to Zouk at TREC. Get your party face on and pick a party space (they have seven) to dance, drink and mingle to your heart’s content. You’re definitely encouraged to dress your best while you’re here. Depending on your music preference, different music styles – such as techno, hip-hop and trance – are available in the various sections. Tourists can gain free entry before 1am from Tuesday to Sunday. Just remember to bring your passport along with you.
Address: 436, Jalan Tun Razak, 50400 Kuala Lumpur
Opening Hours: 5.00pm – 4.00am
Website:http://www.zoukclub.com.my/
8. Thean Hou Temple
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This multi-storey Chinese temple can be found atop Robson Heights. The name ‘Thean Hou’ refers to the heavenly queen. Here, you’ll get to enjoy wonderful views from the upper deck. The temple is mainly used as a place of worship and also to hold various events, but it is fast becoming a tourist attraction in its own right. If you look closely at the building structure, you’ll definitely be able to spot various mosaic dragons and phoenixes adorning the eaves.
Address: 65, Persiaran Endah, Taman Persiaran Desa, 50460 Kuala Lumpur
Opening Hours: 8.00am – 9.00pm
Website:http://www.visitkl.gov.my
9. Merdeka Square
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Malaysia’s independence since 1957 was officially announced by the Chief Minister of Malaya, Tunku Abdul Rahman, at Merdeka Square. This huge open square is worth visiting and learning about. It’s also surrounded by various heritage buildings such as the Sultan Abdul Samad building and St Mary’s Anglican Cathedral. There’s also a free guided tour by KL City Hall that will bring you around 11 historical sites in the area.
Address: Jalan Raja, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, 50050 Kuala Lumpur
Opening Hours: Open 24 Hours
Website:http://www.visitkl.gov.my
10. Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra
Image credit: Jorge Láscar
Nestled in the lower floors of the Petronas Twin Towers are concert halls that house the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra. There are usually shows to attend during the weekends, but there can also be weekday performances as well. Here, you’ll get to enjoy a medley of both local and international performers. Although they’re not overly strict on the dress code, you are advised to don formal wear so as to avoid getting barred from entering.
Address: Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, 50088 Kuala Lumpur
Opening Hours:10.30am – 6.30pm
Website:http://mpo.com.my/
11. Royal Museum
Image credit: Conny Sandland
Since 2011, Istana Negara had officially shifted to its new premises, leaving its former quarters behind. After that, the former palace was turned into the Royal Museum. This mansion originally started out as a family home to a Chinese tin tycoon by the name of Chan Wing. The exterior of the palace still looks very much the same as it did many years ago. If you’re interested to view the interiors of royalty in Malaysia, do stop by for a visit.
Address: Jalan Istana, Istana Negara, 50460 Kuala Lumpur
Opening Hours:9.00am to 5.00pm
Website:http://www.jmm.gov.my
12. National Museum
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Most locals in Malaysia have visited the National Museum at least once in their lifetime so you should definitely stop by if you have the time. Here, you can view artefacts and findings from the past and present. There are several sections in the museum to explore, including the gallery of modern history and natural history gallery. The Central Hall is usually used for temporary exhibitions that continuously change throughout the year.
Address: Jabatan Muzium Malaysia, Jalan Damansara, Tasik Perdana, 50566 Kuala Lumpur
Opening Hours:9.00am to 6.00pm
Website:http://www.muziumnegara.gov.my/
13. Old KL Train Station
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This colonial structure dates back to 1910 and is a cultural landmark worth visiting. It was designed by British architect, AB Hubback, in the Mogul style. Currently, the station is functioning as a KTM Komuter stop, so you can still hop aboard a “train” to your destination of choice. Opposite this building is another historical structure that you can visit, the Malayan Railway Administration Building.
Address: 5, Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin, Tasik Perdana, 50000 Kuala Lumpur
Opening Hours:9.00am to 6.00pm
Website:http://www.visitkl.gov.my
14. National Mosque
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As one of the main places of Muslim worship in Malaysia, the National Mosque (Masjid Negara) is also frequented by tourists every year. Its huge space enables up to 15,000 worshippers at any one time and a 74–metre–high minaret is used to issue daily calls to prayer. Non-Muslims are always welcomed to visit during non-prayer hours and robes are available to wear for those who do not come with the proper attire required for entering.
Address: Jalan Lembah Perdana, 50480 Kuala Lumpur
Opening Hours: Daily from 9.00am to 12.00pm, 3.00pm to 4.00pm and 5.30pm to 6.30pm. On Fridays, the mosque will not be open to visitors in the morning due to prayers.
Website:http://www.itc.gov.my/mosque/masjid-negara-national-mosque/
15. Sri Mahamariamman Temple
Image credit: Yun Huang Yong
If you’re unfamiliar with Hindu temples in Malaysia, prepare to have your jaw drop open when you come across a 23–metre tower above the Sri Mahamariamman Temple. This South Indian style temple is named after Mariamman, the South Indian mother goddess. During Thaipusam (usually in January), the Silver Chariot procession makes its way from this temple to Batu Caves on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur.
Address: 163 Jalan Tun H S Lee, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur
Opening Hours: 6.00am to 8.30pm
Website:http://www.visitkl.gov.my
16. Perdana Botanical Garden
Image credit: Naz Amir
Fancy an outdoor stroll? Though Malaysia’s weather tends to lean towards, hot, humid and wet, there’s still plenty of fine days available for outdoor activities. The Perdana Botanical Garden is Kuala Lumpur’s oldest public park (since the 1880s). Here, you can take a relaxing walk amongst a wide variety of flora and trees, including over 800 species of orchid and hibiscus blooms.
Address: Jalan Kebun Bunga, Tasik Perdana, 55100 Kuala Lumpur
Opening Hours: 7.00am to 8.00pm
Website:http://www.klbotanicalgarden.gov.my/
17. National Zoo
Image credit: Phalinn Ooi
With over 500 species of animals and reptiles available in a vast compound, the National Zoo over at the north east side of Kuala Lumpur is worth a visit. It’ll be a little out of the way, but if you’ve got a soft spot for nature’s creatures, do drop by. There’s even an area dedicated to insects (if you’re a fan of creepy crawlies), reptiles, birds and fish. The zoo is definitely kid friendly and there’s also a train that goes around it just in case you want to rest your feet.
Address: Jalan Ulu Kelang, Kemensah Heights, 68000 Ampang
Opening Hours: 9.00am to 5.00pm
Website:http://www.zoonegaramalaysia.my/index.htm
18. Heli Lounge Bar
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Think you can handle your drinks on a helicopter pad? This spectacular rooftop bar definitely lives up to its name with 360-degree views of Kuala Lumpur. If you’re interested in catching the sunset (whether through your eyes or phone), do be sure to arrive early enough. Otherwise, you can always aim for their happy hour starting from 6pm to 9pm
Address: Bukit Bintang 34th Floor, Menara KH, Jalan Sultan Ismail, Kuala Lumpur
Opening Hours: 5.00pm to as late as 3.00am
Website:https://www.facebook.com/Heliloungebar
Where to stay
There is no lack of accommodation in the Malaysian capital; however, being a buzzing and large city, it’s best to choose a place that’s close to all the action so you don’t have to spend too much time and budget on travelling. Located just ten minutes from the Petronas Twin Towers and Golden Triangle, Ambassador Row Hotel Suites by Lanson Place boasts not just accessibility to KL’s top attractions, but also delicious local food as well. The hotel has suites with one, two and three bedroom options, so it’s perfect for all types of travellers including larger groups.
Book your stay at Ambassador Row Hotel Suites by Lanson Place here.
