Petaling Jaya Travel Guide

Situated just a 20-minute drive away from Kuala Lumpur, Petaling Jaya is a charming little satellite town cocooned in the envelope of serenity. Popularly called ‘PJ’, this petite township has transformed into a city over the years. With its quaint neighbourhoods, glorious shopping malls, popular landmarks, exciting theme parks and sprawling national parks, there are so many amazing things to do in Petaling Jaya. Whether it is your first time in Petaling Jaya or you are practically a local, the city never runs out of remarkable places to visit and fun activities to do. So, here is a detailed travel guide for those planning a trip to this wonderful city.

Things to Do in Petaling Jaya

Owing to the city’s lots of popular attractions, thrilling amusement parks and picturesque landscapes, you can never run out things to do in Petaling Jaya. With its large variety of entertainment choices and several points of interest, the city caters to the diverse tastes of all kinds of travellers. Some fantastic activities you can enjoy here include:

Admire the architecture of Kota Darul Ehsan

Kota Darul Ehsan is listed amongst the city’s most popular tourist attractions. It is a row of domed arches that mark the symbolic boundary between Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya. The arches boast of striking Moorish architecture and feature two canons on either side. 

Pay a visit to the brilliant Museum Coklat

Also called the Chocolate Museum, this place is a paradise for all the chocolate-lovers out there. Besides being a treat for your taste buds, a visit to Museum Coklat can also be quite informative. You can learn all about the history of chocolate and how it is prepared, processed and packaged. You will be able to taste samples and buy some to take home with you. Also, you can make some for yourself!

Get your adrenaline pumping with bungee jumping

The incredible city is not just about history and tourism. It can also serve as the dream destination for adventure enthusiasts. Experience the thrill of free-falling from as high as a nine-storey building. The activity is managed by Bungy Malaysia at Sunway Lagoon Extreme Park. 

Have the time of your life at JumpStreet Trampoline Park

JumpStreet is known for being the largest trampoline park in entire Asia. The perfect place to visit for children and adults alike, the park is dotted with a myriad of interconnected trampolines. Spending a fun-filled day, defying gravity every second of it, can be a memorable experience.

Take the exciting rides at Sunway Lagoon Theme Park

Home to an awesome water park, wildlife park, amusement park, scream park, extreme park and Nickelodeon Lost Lagoon, spending an unforgettable day enjoying various rides in this brilliant theme park is counted amongst the most enjoyable things to do in Petaling Jaya. This spot is ideal for people of all interests and age groups.

Shop till you drop

Filled with several mega malls, lovely shops and bustling street markets, this city is a fabulous shopping destination. Shopaholics can have an amazing time exploring its mind-blowing hotspots like Sunway Pyramid Shopping Mall. This pyramid-shaped mall is based on an Egyptian theme. It also features around 800 shops, a bowling alley, a swimming pool, an archery shooting range and lots of food stalls to make your shopping experience much more entertaining.

Satiate your spiritual appetite at various temples, mosques and shrines

Exploring the various magnificent temples and shrines in Petaling Jaya is the best way to relish the city’s vibrant culture. The exceptional Wat Chetawan Temple situated in Klang Valley is a significant religious destination frequented by tourists of all faiths. Theravada Buddhist Thai temple offers a stunning sight with its awe-inspiring Buddha Thammeen and striking Thai architecture. It is also one of the most prominent highlights of Petaling Jaya tourism.

Take a day-trip to the marvellous city of Kuala Lumpur (KL)

Being located so close to the Malaysian capital, Petaling Jaya offers an unmissable opportunity to explore Kuala Lumpur. All the major tourist attractions in KL can easily be accessed from the city. You can visit various significant landmarks, exciting theme parks, beautiful parks and buzzing markets adorning the streets of Kuala Lumpur.

​​​​​​​Explore the city’s pulsating nightlife

Dotted with spectacular bars, nightclubs, pubs and night markets, the city has countless nightly entertainment options. Wandering the city’s streets after the sun has set is a great way of meeting locals and delving deeper into its colourful culture. Exploring the dynamic nightlife should definitely be on your itinerary, especially if it is your first time in Petaling Jaya.

How to get to Petaling Jaya

The city of Petaling Jaya is well-linked to other major cities and can be reached via air, train and road.

• By Air - The closest airport to Petaling Jaya is 54 km away from Kuala Lumpur. Numerous regular international and domestic flights arrive and depart from the airport. To reach the city, you can book a direct flight to Kuala Lumpur International Airport and either take a bus or hire a taxi to Petaling Jaya. A bus takes around 1 hour 25 minutes to cover the distance, while taxis take around 1 hour 5 minutes, depending on traffic.
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• By Train - Petaling Jaya is connected to several nearby cities by train. The easiest way to reach the city via train is to take the Kelana Jaya railway line connecting central PJ to Kuala Lumpur. The main stops on this line include Taman Jaya, Taman Paramount, Asia Jaya and Kelana Jaya. Another viable option is to take the MRT that link Kuala Lumpur with a number of stations in Petaling Jaya.
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• By Road - Petaling Jaya is well-linked to many nearby cities through a well-maintained network of highways. You can either hire a chauffeured taxi or rent a car and drive yourself. Sprint Expressway directly connects the city with central Kuala Lumpur.

 

Where and what to Eat in Petaling Jaya

Malaysia is well-known for its diverse food culture and excellent eateries. Being one of the country’s most developed cities, Petaling Jaya offers an unforgettable culinary experience to all its visitors. Ranging from cheap street food to luxurious meals, the city provides a diverse range of dining experiences to suit the tastes of every tourist. The city’s food culture is another important highlight of Petaling Jaya tourism. You can find everything from international cuisines to authentic local delicacies at every corner of the city. Your trip cannot be considered complete if you do not try out the mouth-watering local food including dishes like Nasi Kandar, Mee Goreng, and Murtabak. Dotted with hosts of street food stalls, Mamaks and fine restaurants, it can be confusing to choose a nice place to eat from so many available options. So, if it is your first time in Petaling Jaya or if you are still figuring your way out, here are some amazing places to treat your taste buds.

  

• Nasi Lemak Bumbung - It is a favourite dining venue amongst locals. It is the best place to go for those who feel like trying Malaysia’s national dish Nasi Lemak. The generous serving of fragrant coconut rice, crunchy fried chicken, fried egg, and spicy-sweet sambal will leave you wanting for more. With plastic tables and chairs lined up along the alleyway, this eatery is always filled with a crowd of foodies.
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• Fatty Crab Restaurant - With its delicious food and cosy ambience, this place is another one of food-lovers’ favourite haunts. It is best known for its signature dish sweet and sour chilli crabs, which contain flavourful gravy that can also be paired with fried rice and sweet buns. You can also order some lip-smacking snacks served here including the fried chicken wings.
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• Nasi Kandar Bestari - There is no better place than this to enjoy the amazing taste of the well-loved local dish Nasi Kandar. The menu includes a wide array of curries and gravies. To make the most of it, douse your rice with these curries and enjoy the dish like locals do. Also, you can try another delicious speciality called Indomee noodle burger.

  

• Murni Discovery - It is one of the city’s most famous Mamaks. It has an extensive menu that includes numerous classic Mamak dishes as well as lots of innovative fusion dishes. It offers over 20 different types of rotis and more than 10 kinds of Mee Goreng. Some very popular dishes served here are soft shell crab, chicken chop, garlic cheese naan, and spaghetti meletup.
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• Super Kitchen Chilli Pan Mee - Chilli Pan Mee is a very popular dish amongst locals. Made from ingredients like springy flat noodles, poached egg, shredded chicken, and lots of chilli, it almost impossible to say no to this mouth-watering delicacy. And there is no place better than this restaurant to try it out.

 

Cafes to Visit in Petaling Jaya

Petaling Jaya has a spectacular cafe culture. It is dotted with a large variety of cafes that serve great coffee and amazing food. Whether you want to hang out with a friend, have a get-together or just relax with a cup of coffee, you will always find a perfect cafe for every occasion. With so many options to explore, it can be a bit difficult to choose one. So, here are some incredible cafes to visit in Petaling Jaya.

• Rekindle - With its rustic decoration and folksy atmosphere, Rekindle is the perfect place to unwind after a tiring day. Brick walls, a vintage bicycle before the counter, and various quirky school items lying around make the place appealing. Serving delicious cakes, beverages, and snacks, this place is very popular amongst tourists and locals alike. Some major specialities of this cafe include earl grey, Nutella brownie, Pandan Mille Crepe, chocolate Baileys, and the Upside Down. It also serves excellent Ham Cheese Tomato and Smoke Salmon Turkey.

  

• Jam & Kaya Cafe - With its simple and modern furnishing, this cafe is themed like a European living room and offers a laid-back vibe. Its extensive menu includes an array of local dishes prepared with a modern twist. It offers a selection of numerous cakes and pastries to satisfy your sweet tooth. Its breakfast menu also includes French toast and a variety of pancakes. The classic Jam & Kaya’s Pancake is a major speciality.
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• Strangers at 47 - Listed amongst the most remarkable cafes to visit in Petaling Jaya, this cafe is a haven for food-lovers. This can serve as an ideal venue for a family or friends gathering. The menu includes many interesting and creative dishes like Uncle Salmon, Nasi Lemak, Kayaman and Red Riding Hood. The cafe specialises in crepes served with various out-of-the-box names such as the Purple Rage and the Lethal Shrooms.

 

• Awesome Canteen - The food served in this cafe is inspired by the paleo diet making it one of the few cafes that are equally well-liked amongst food-buffs and fitness freaks. This relaxing cafe is the perfect place to hang out with friends while enjoying a mind-blowing combination of Asian and Western food. It also serves an array of cakes and cuppa joe to die for.