Kuala Lumpur Tourism

Kuala Lumpur is a 21st-century cosmopolitan city that boasts of modern infrastructure and old-world charm. The capital city of Malaysia is popular for towering skyscrapers, Buddhist temples, mosques, churches, Hindu shrines, huge shopping malls, marvellous museums, sprawling parks and iconic structures. Known for its rich cultural heritage, the city houses Malay, Indian and Chinese communities. As a result, exciting events and remarkable festivals are celebrated in the city all year long. Also, bustling local markets and religious sites offer a peek into the fascinating local culture and lifestyle. Besides the delectable food ensuring an unforgettable culinary experience, the pulsating nightlife in Kuala Lumpur will certainly keep you entertained at nights.

Things to do in Kuala Lumpur

Whether you wish to spend a relaxing afternoon taking a stroll in a leafy park, shop till you drop in a multi-storey mega mall, go sightseeing across the dynamic city or take a food tour, Kuala Lumpur accommodates the demands of even tourists with discerning tastes. Regardless of your age, interests or budget, you will definitely find something that helps you build beautiful memories of the Malaysian capital. Some of the exciting and interesting things to do in Kuala Lumpur include:

Visit the magnificent Petronas Twin Towers

Renowned for being the world’s tallest twin buildings, the 452-metre-tall Petronas Twin Towers are listed amongst Kuala Lumpur’s most popular attractions. The 88-storey twin towers are the focal point of Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC) and feature beautiful Islamic-influenced architecture. They house the headquarters of prestigious companies like Barclays, IBM, Boomerang, McKinsey & Co., Reuters, and Accenture. The buildings are connected to each other by a double-decker sky bridge at levels 41 and 42. Tourists are also drawn to the twin towers as they are home to other attractions like Petrosains Science Discovery Centre, Petronas Towers’ Observation Deck, and Petronas Philharmonic Hall.

Explore the wonderful Aquaria KLCC

The extensive oceanarium is the city’s another prominent point of interest. Aquaria KLCC is spread across 5,000 sq ft and houses over 150 marine species. It features replicas of coral reefs, jungles, marshlands, highlands, open ocean, and Amazon basin. The see-through aquarium lets you witness various common and rare aquatic creatures like piranha, grouper, arapaima, garfish, electric eel, elephant-nosed fish, giant catfish, seahorses, tiger sharks, blue rays and sea snakes. Aquaria KLCC also has a submerged tunnel aquarium, DNA Touch Pool, Coral Discovery Section, and Wildlife Park. Not just this, it also lets visitors dive with sharks.  

  

Shop your heart out at the Petaling Street Market

Petaling Street is the most popular of all the city’s budget shopping spots. It is a vibrant and bustling night market that offers anything and everything to satisfy all your shopping needs. You can find everything here ranging from clothes to household products, shoes to accessories, jewelery to souvenirs and food items to gadgets. The variety of products makes the shopping experience a real treat for visitors of all tastes and budgets. Moreover, the shops here remain open till morning, so you can head there any time throughout the night. Also, to make the experience even more gratifying, the street market is lined with numerous food stalls that serve mouth-watering local dishes. 

Go on a religious tour across the city

Kuala Lumpur is dotted with a number of majestic temples, mosques and churches. Delving deeper into the city’s culture and art scene by visiting these religious sites is one of the most fascinating things to do in Kuala Lumpur. Batu Caves is counted amongst the city’s most well-known religious and historical sites. It is a 400 million-year-old limestone hill which houses a century-old temple. The place is the epicentre of the Hindu festival, Thaipusam. Thean Hou Temple is a six-storey Buddhist temple known for being one of Southeast Asia’s largest and oldest temples. Masjid Negara is the country’s national mosque. It features striking architecture with a huge prayer hall surrounded by 48 smaller domes. Sri Mahamariamman Temple is a magnificent Hindu temple designed with gorgeous Italian and Spanish tiles. Jamek Mosque and Sin Sze Si Ya Temple are other prominent religious sites in the city.

Explore the city’s local heritage

Exploring the culture of Kuala Lumpur is always a memorable experience for a traveler. The multicultural city of Kuala Lumpur offers even more in terms of local customs and traditions. You can pay a visit to National Museum to learn in detail about Malaysia’s history and culture. Built to imitate a traditional Malay house and featuring an exceptional blend of traditional and contemporary designs, the museum is an architectural delight. It features hunting displays and wedding scenes, as well as national costumes and local instruments. China Town is another place you can visit to witness the city’s vibrant culture.  The Chinese community residing in the city dominates the area that features a vibrant market, a variety of Chinese food stalls and lots of Chinese cultural attractions. You can visit Istana Negara to learn more about the country’s royal history. It used to be the residence of Malaysia’s former kings and was transformed into a royal museum in 2011. You can also witness the magnificence of the Sultan Abdul Samad Building, a prominent heritage site. It is amongst the city’s oldest Moorish-style buildings and exudes grandeur. Kuala Lumpur City Gallery and Tugu Negara are other sites you can visit on your heritage tour.

Admire the magnetic nature’s beauty

Kuala Lumpur boasts of lush greenery and picturesque landscapes. It has numerous places nature lovers can visit to treat their eyes. Considered as one of the world’s largest public aviaries, Kuala Lumpur Bird Park is spread across 20 acres and houses more than 3,000 bird species. Kuala Lumpur Butterfly Park is another incredible place you can visit during your trip. It is home to over 120 species of colourful butterflies and features walkways, lakes, footpaths, gazebos, and ponds. The National Zoo is also one of the popular attractions and houses around 500 animal species. The zoo is administered by the Malaysian Zoological Society and maintains an aviary, reptile park, freshwater aquarium, and lake. Situated in Kuala Lumpur City Centre, Perdana Botanical Gardens has many animal parks and flower gardens. Its major highlight is Orchid Garden, which features a rock garden that has over 800 kinds of orchids, stunning manmade fountains, and a semi-circular pergola. The Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary, Maya Falls, Broga Hill and KL Forest Eco Park are some other must-visit places in the city.

Nightlife in Kuala Lumpur

A trip to the Malaysian capital is incomplete unless you experience its happening nightlife. With a myriad of clubs, bars and pubs, the nightlife in Kuala Lumpur is dynamic and exciting. As soon as the sun sets, the city comes to life with rocking dance numbers played by talented DJs and the wide range of alcoholic beverages. Whether you wish to dance the night away, enjoy with friends over drinks and snacks, or just spend a romantic evening with someone special, the city’s nightlife scene accommodates the night owls with diverse tastes. From enjoying yourself at one of the city’s spectacular nightclubs to wandering across its lively night markets, Kuala Lumpur hosts lots of activities to indulge in at night.
 

  

Go club hopping

The city is dotted with many fabulous nightclubs. The Zouk KL is counted amongst the most visited places for party animals. It features six different themed rooms to offer a vivid clubbing experience. Located in Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur hotel’s basement, Club Kyō is another popular nightclub in the city. Under9 KL is the perfect pick for those who like electronic music. Zion Club KL, Play Club at The Roof, Le Noir, and Jiro KL are some other great nightclubs you can visit.

Spend your night at a rooftop bar

With enchanting views, excellent selection of drinks, delicious snacks, and amazing music, the city’s rooftop bars will definitely give you a night to remember. Situated on Traders Hotel’s 33rd floor, Sky Bar boasts a centrepiece pool with a well-stocked bar on one side and cabanas on the other. Marini’s on 57 is a classic Italian-themed rooftop bar located on Petronas Tower 3’s 57th floor. It features a spacious dining area, remarkable bar and Havana-themed lounge. Situated on Aloft Kuala Lumpur Sentral’s 30th floor, Mai Bar is a chic bar that offers a breathtaking view of the city’s skyline along with a fine dining and drinking experience. Some other amazing rooftop bars in the city include The Heli Lounge Bar, Stratosphere at The Roof, Luna Bar Rooftop, Troika Sky Dining, and Elysium Bar & Terrace KL.

  

Explore the city’s buzzing night markets  

Exploring a vibrant night market is one of the best aspects of the nightlife in Kuala Lumpur. A shopping experience at the Fiesta Nite Thursday Market is just what a shopaholic needs. It is an upscale night market held every Thursday evening and offers all kinds of things. The market is always flooded with locals and tourists alike. It features around 80 stalls that sell large varieties of flowers, fruits, clothes, cosmetics and imported goods. The Kampung Baru Market is organized every Saturday evening and runs till early Sunday morning. It is an excellent destination for those who wish to buy Malay apparel, handicrafts, and jewellery. Also, the market has a lot of food stalls that serve delicious and authentic Malay food. The Taman Connaught Night Market is held every Wednesday and features over 700 stalls selling accessories, books, clothes, bags and household items. Kasturi Walk and Petaling Street are two other must-visit night markets in the city.

Explore other fantastic night entertainment options

Besides visiting pubs, clubs, bars and night markets, there are many other amazing experiences you can gain in the city at night. You can visit Lost World of Tambun’s Hot Springs & Night Park, which is a fabulous theme park that features a night zoo, Hot Spring & Spa, Luminous Forest, Flaming Percussion, and organizes live shows. Go on the spellbinding Fireflies Night Cruise in Kuala Selangor and enjoy the captivating sight of millions of fireflies dotting the mangroves along the banks. Witness the mesmerizing Symphony Lake Water Show in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. Also, you can tickle your tastebuds with the delectable local and international food while exploring the streets of Jalan Alor.