Kuala Lumpur city skyline as seen from "Deep Blue Bar & Restaurant"
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysias capital, is a bustling city full of high-rise buildings, ancient wonders, delicious street food and impressive architecture. The popular city, often referred to as 'KL' or 'KLCC' (Kuala Lumpur City Center) is known to be a melting pot of southeast Asia where a plethora of races and cultures come to visit and live.
There is a lot to do, but KL is fairly large - home to around 1.77 million people - so most sights or activities are reasonably spread out across the city or are a day trip just outside the city. For easily getting around Kuala Lumpur, you can use their public transportation systems including busses or railways (LRT, MRT and Monorail stations). You can also download the app 'Grab', which is the most popular ride-share app in southeast Asia.
Top Things to do in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia
1)Batu Caves
Hours: 7am-8pm
Cost: Free
The famous Batu Caves are a set of caves built into a limestone mountain, containing Hindu temples where people go to worship or visit. At the base of the mountain is a large golden statue of Hindu deity Kartikeya (commonly called Murugan) who is worshipped as the god of love and war. Next to Kartikeya and leading up to the caves are 272 brightly colored stairs that you must walk up to enter the caves and see the temples.
Make sure to have water with you as it can be pretty challenging if you're there on a hot, sunny day. Despite having water, I was certainly covered in sweat by the time we got to the top - there is hardly any breeze in the caves so it tends to get stuffy. You're sure to pass monkeys on the way up so if you have snacks or loose items make sure you secure them because they have no shame when it comes to stealing from humans!
Dressed in cultural clothing and holding giant beautiful displays above their heads called kavadis, worshippers walk up and down the stairs chanting and in celebration on their way to pray and participate in a ceremony. They actually have people walking next to them holding a chair so they can take breaks - it is very heavy, the purpose of which is to be a physical burden. 'Kavadis' translates to burden or load, and the carrying is done as a means of balancing a spiritual debt; once they have sacrificed through this physical burden, the devotee can ask Kartikeya for assistance in such things as forgiveness, healing of a loved one, fulfilling a vow or in offering thanks to the deity for the blessings they have received. Inside the caves you might be able to catch one of these religious ceremonies taking place as we did. It is very cool to witness, and combined with the ambiance of being inside a massive and beautiful cave you can truly feel how special of a moment it is.
Between the tourists and devout Hindus coming to pray, the Batu Caves are constantly packed with people. It gets very busy almost right away with people lined up by the time they open the gates - due to the amount of diversity this attraction brings and the amount of religious activities happening all around you, the amount of people does not take away from the beauty and experience of this place - if anything it adds to it.
You do have to cover up as a woman when visiting a religious location in southeast Asia - remember to bring something to cover your shoulders and knees, but if you forget they sell sarongs that you can use as a shawl at the gate! You do not need to cover your hair here. For men, wearing a t-shirt (not a sleeveless shirt) and either long shorts or pants will be fine.
2)Petronas Twin Towers
Hours: Tuesday -Sunday 9am to 9pm; last admission 8:30pm
Ticket Pricing:
Infant (<2)
Free Admission
Child (3-12)
Adult
Senior Citizen (>61)
The petronas twin towers dominate the KL skyline and are two of the tallest skyscrapers in the world with 88 stories each, standing at 451.9 meters tall. If you look at the towers from a birds-eye view the structure resembles that of an eight-pointed star to represent features of the islamic cultures including unity, harmony, stability, and rationality. There was a lot of debate between designers and prime ministers on how the towers should look, but six years and $1.6 billion USD later Malaysia had successfully created what was at the time the tallest skyscrapers in the world. The buildings are filled mainly with office buildings for Malaysias national oil company called Petronas, but they also have a large mall and a concert hall for the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra. The two towers are connected via the 41st and 42nd floors by a sky bridge that you can walk across for incredible views of the city.
The best place to get photos of or with the towers' uniquely designed architecture are in the front near the water feature. Local entrepreneurs with wide-angle lenses hang around this side of the building and will take photos of you for around 10 RM (just around $2 USD). Their quick editing skills make the photos come out beautifully, plus if you try and get good photos on your own the background will be full of other people. If you use one of the entrepreneurs they will make everyone move (by sometimes yelling at them) to get the perfect person-less shot! It's really funny, and they're actually super kind. They send the photo to you over text after taking it.
3)KLCC Park and Symphony Lake Lights & Sound Water Show
Hours: 7am-10pm
Cost: Free
KLCC park is 50-acres of green space and one of the best recreational parks to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. There are lakes, playgrounds, wading pools, sculptures, footpaths and so many picnicking areas.
Inside KLCC park, located along the promenade in front of Suria KLCC (a 6-story shopping mall at the foot of the petronas towers) is symphony lake - a 10,000 square foot lake with nightly light and sound water shows as a perfect way to finish your day in the city. The shows are at 8pm, 9pm and 10pm for both lights and sound, and at 7:30pm, 8:30pm and 9:30pm for lights only. Watching the light and sound show with a view of the twin towers is one of the top free things to do in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia.
4)Taman Tugu/Perdana Botanical Park
Hours: 7am-6:30pm (Taman Tugu); 7am-8pm (Perdana Botanical Park)
Cost: Free
Another incredible recreational park that made my list of the top 9 things to do in Kuala Lumpur is Taman Tugu - a 66 acre forested park that is a very popular hiking spot. It contains over 5km of trails highlighting the beautiful flora and fauna of Malaysia.
The parks goal was dedicated to conservation, preservation and sustainability while also being an educational hub; there are signs throughout the trails explaining the plants and animals around you. In the 1930s Taman Tugu was a plain grassland that housed British government officers, followed by Malaysian government officers. In the 1970s many of the officers left and the area flourished into a secondary forest. There are many nurseries within where trees and other flora are planted, eventually to be moved to the main forest areas. One of my favorite things about this park is that it is so clean and well-kept. While you're wandering through the trails you'll come across many things the forest has to offer including a sculpture garden and a few parks.
Across the Jin Parlimen highway the forest continues, leading into the 220 acre Perdana Botanical Park. The perdana botanical gardens (inside the park) lie next to a large lake with city views where you can walk through the gardens trails past beautiful tropical plants. In the large forest oasis there is a deer park, bird park, picnic areas, playgrounds, and water features; it is the perfect location for a stroll.
5)Aquaria KLCC
Hours: 10am-8pm; last daily admission 7pm
Cost:
General Admission - Adult
Weekend: 79 RM (~$16.90 USD), Weekday: 75 RM (~$16 USD)
MyKad Holder - Adult
Children (3-12 years) & Senior Citizens (60+ years)
Infants (<3)
Aquaria KLCC is the best aquarium I have ever been too. Located under the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Aquaria KLCC houses over 5,000 species of aquatic and semi-aquatic animals - both native to Malaysia and from around the world - showcased in 10 exhibit areas. The environments they are kept in were curated to closely replicate their natural environment to allow the animals to flourish.
The aquarium is huge (over 60,000 square feet), so set aside around 1.5-2 hours to make the most of your experience and see all of the exhibits. The exhibits were inspired by different geographical zones that allow you to go on a 'journey through the sea' as you pass by species in their corresponding habitats. My favorites were the flooded forest which is a wonderful display of what fish habitat may look like in the Amazon, and the living ocean exhibit which has the longest underwater tunnel in Malaysia at around 90 meters long. You can walk through the tunnel and watch as sharks, eel, sea turtles and many different species of fish swim right over your head!
If you're lucky (or plan accordingly based on the feeding times listed on their website) you may be able to watch some species being fed. I didn't know about this, but we got very lucky being able to see the archerfish at feeding time - it is able to shoot down insects up to five feet above the sea level by spitting a jet of water from its mouth! When in Kuala Lumpur you can't miss a visit to this aquarium.
6)Street Markets
Southeast Asian street food is not something you can pass up on, and the street food in Kuala Lumpur is no exception! There are many street markets with delicious food and cheap souvenirs located throughout the city and the following are two of my favorites.
Sembang Matic open-air night market on Jalan Ampang road
Hours: 4pm-12am Monday-Thursday, 4pm-1am Friday-Sunday.
This night market near the iconic twin towers has many food trucks selling cheap, delicious food with a very wide selection. The chicken fried rice, ramen, satays and fresh juices were incredible. This market has nightly entertainment including musicians, singers and fire shows. The ambiance here is wonderful; string lights hang above as the smell of fresh food hits your nose and you look out upon the modern Kuala Lumpur skyline - both the petronas twin towers and the Menara Kuala Lumpur are visible from this food market. You should note, when they ask if you want your food spicy, they mean really spicy! It is delicious, but southeast Asia does not play around when it comes to spice.
Petaling Street Market in Chinatown
Hours: 8am-8pm Daily
A bit farther from the petronas towers is the lively and vibrant district of Chinatown. Known for its shops and covered market on Petaling Street, this bustling market has vendors selling a range of goods including food, souvenirs, and copied designer items (clothing, shoes, sunglasses, etc.). You can spend hours walking around haggling with vendors for better prices - negotiation is an art at this market where the better you are with your words, the cheaper the items you'll walk away with.
Petaling Street is the most popular area in Chinatown, so it can get pretty busy towards mid to late afternoon. It is definitely worth visiting to feel the exciting atmosphere where Chinese and Malaysian culture meet. The food on this street that is a must try are rice dumplings, nasi lemak (a coconut rice dish), mochi and sweet Chinese pancakes.
Throughout Chinatown you'll also see plenty of temples - Chinese and Hindu - often right next to each other which goes to show just how diverse Kuala Lumpur truly is. Weather you are an avid shopper or just love to get mixed up in other cultures, Chinatown is a must-see in KL.
7)Check Out the Nightlife
From high rise bars with city views to hidden gems that require some time spent searching to find, nightlife in Kuala Lumpur never ceases to impress.
Her House KL is a small bar that we literally got lost in the building trying to find. There is a tiny sign indicating it is the right building, but once you enter you're on your own. It is hilariously hard to find when you compare how beautiful it is on the inside - the true definition of a hidden gem. Go up two sets of stairs, and on your left there are large double doors. If you push them open and are struck with gorgeous neon lights, you've found it! It sounds easier than it was - there were no signs inside and the hallways around the stairs were a labyrinth. It is in a building full of other businesses that were all closed by the time we were headed to the bar so it felt like we were exploring an abandoned building until we finally found it, and we loved every second!
We were the only two people there. They have such unique and delicious cocktails catered directly to your taste preferences. The waiters or bartenders will explain each ingredient and what kinds of flavors your tastebuds will gather upon drinking it to ensure your satisfaction. The first one I tried was a special fungus cocktail, and the rest... well, these drinks are pretty strong so I don't remember (lol!), but I know for a fact they were SO good and this hidden gem is a must-visit in Kuala Lumpur.
Changkat Bukit Bintang street has multiple blocks lined on both sides with fun bars, restaurants and nightclubs that welcome the idea of partying all night long. The entire street has such a lively vibe; it's a great place to visit more casually during the day and an even better place to hit the dance floor and grab some drinks once the sun sets and the nightlife begins!
Deep Blue is an incredible bar & restaurant in a high-rise building in the heart of the city. It was only a few blocks away from where we were staying so we went a couple of times. The food was delicious and the views were even better. I highly recommend getting the Malaysian chicken satay or the Thai beef lettuce wrap since both were delicious.
8)Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary
Hours: 10:30am-4:15pm; last admission 3:30pm
Cost: Free; they accept donations in whatever amount you'd like. Please donate upon entry, as the money goes towards funding for this elephant sanctuary.
Visiting the elephant sanctuary in Kuala Gandah is absolutely a must when in Kuala Lumpur. It is around 2 hours from KLCC and it is not very easy to get there unless you rent a car or join a tour group going to the sanctuary from Kuala Lumpur. There are two busses that I could find that get within 30-45 minutes of the elephant sanctuary, but you'd still need to take a taxi the rest of the way and I read that it is really hard to find taxis out there (and 'grab' apparently doesn't work either).
If you opt to rent a car, keep in mind they drive on the left side of the road so it may take some getting used too. This was our first time driving a car on the left side - we have driven a scooter many times in southeast Asia but it is much different than driving a car when you're on a different side of the road than you're used too. It is the perfect drive for getting comfortable though, with mainly smooth highways at not-too-fast speeds.
The elephants eat bananas and sugarcane which can be purchased on-site for very cheap (around 5 RM/around $1 USD or less). You can feed the elephants and touch their trunks or watch the mahouts (an elephant rider, trainer or keeper) and their elephants complete a variety of activities, including an informational live show featuring a few tricks from the elephants, watching the elephants get bathed, visiting a small museum they have and watching a short educational video. Check out their schedule for what activities you can watch at what time.
The elephants are rescued or taken from areas where plantations are encroaching on their habitat and placed into safety. Most of them are released after they are rehabilitated and have received the treatment they need.
It's truly amazing to see these elephants up close and personal. They are such beautiful and smart creatures and I had such a wonderful experience getting to see and touch them! If you choose to hire a guide for a tour you can (for a small extra cost) help bathe the elephants and prepare their food, essentially helping the sanctuary workers.
9)Weekend Trip to Pangkor Island
If you're looking to get away from the business of the city for a few days, the beautiful and tropical Pangkor island is just around a 4-5 hour bus ride away! After a few weeks in the city an easy island getaway was just what we needed and it certainly did not disappoint. To get there, hop on a bus from KL to Lumut in Perak, then take the ferry from Lumut to Pangkor and enjoy your trip! For more information on how to get there and what to do while you're there, see my blog post on Pangkor island.
Recap: 1) Visit the Batu caves to watch worshippers at a Hindu temple inside a cave, 2) see the Petronas Twin Towers which are one of the tallest skyscrapers in the world, 3) relax to the music during the symphony lake lights and sound water show at KLCC park, 4) take a hike or stroll through the jungle and botanical gardens at Taman Tugu and Perdana Park, 5) walk under the sharks in Aquaria KLCC, 6) eat delicious food and buy cheap souvenirs at the street markets, 7) check out the Malay nightlife, 8) touch some trunks at Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary, and 9) visit Pangkor Island to have a tropical getaway!
I hope you enjoy Malaysias capital city as much as I did, and if you have any questions feel free to reach out or drop them in the comments!