Southeast Asia has 2 beating hearts: Singapore is the heart of economic, Kuala Lumpur is the heart of travel-traffic-movement and good food!
The most important transfer city of the region offers much more experiences to it’s visitors than just an airport hotel. Kuala Lumpur is truly a city to fell in love with! Just think to the dream destinations like London, Paris, Rome, New York or Sydney! KL is not on that list, but should be, could be and will be because it has everything for that.
More iconic buildings, skyscrapers, six-lane ways, colonial architecture and lots of exotic greenery. It’s a shopping paradise with mega sized shopping malls, housing the world’s top and exclusive brands. Sure, there is a lot of traffic all day and all night, but turn a corner and explore KL’s exotic life with mosques and temples side-by-side with street markets and towering high rises. On top of that all, you cannot be hungry in this metropol! Thousands of restaurants and street food vendors serving every imaginable type of food from fine dining to local dishes for every budget.
Top1: Petronas Twin Towers which are one of the most powerful skyscrapers ever built in terms of design. The towers are not simply recognized for their 452 meter height, but it was the architect, Cesar Pelli’s conceptual effort to use Rub el Hizb, an important symbol found in many Islamic cultures that influenced the design and the detailing of the building. Completed in 1998, the Twin Towers are a reflection and homage to the dominant Islamic culture of Malaysia.
Christmas shopping season and New Year’s Eve are very important here, as well, despite that Malaysia is not a Christian but strongly Muslim country. Children are playing under the Christmas trees in the big shopping centres. The photo is taken in the Petronas Towers.
Ticket prices for the towers were quite expensive, a package for 2 costs 40 MYR (~10EUR or ~13,50USD), valid for visiting both the Skybridge and the observation deck on the 86th floor. It is possible to visit the Skybridge only for 10 MYR (~2,50EUR or 3,50USD). We wanted to stay up for a longer time watching the sunset and seeing the city slowly “turning on” its lights. But we could only spend 1 hour in the building. The tour started with passes being handed out, as we were divided in several smaller groups. Then a 5 minute presentation video was shown to us about the Petronas Towers, before going through a security check.
The views over the city from both platforms were magnificent and with sunny weather, we could look far ahead. The time we were allowed on the Skybridge was 10 minutes while the time on the observation deck was 20 minutes. It is enough time to take pictures and admire the scenery of Kuala Lumpur but not enough for those who have this tour on their bucket list.
The Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC) Park is a real oasis among the huge buildings, an expansive man-made park with walking paths, jogging track, water fountains, and a wading pool for children.
Top2: You can find all sorts of stuff, from Chinese herbs to imitation goods in the colorful Chinatown which is a well-known bargain hunter’s paradise that seemingly never sleeps. Deeply immersed in Oriental culture, heritage and history, it is óne of the most popular tourist spots in the whole country. It represents Malaysia’s multi-hued multicultural background perfectly. China Town is situated in the very heart of Kuala Lumpur.
Top3: Little India. It is a must to see, to taste, to smell and to listen to. It has a wonderful atmosphere with the traditional music flowing out loudly from the shops. If you like textiles, this is a heavenly place for you to make your choice in its huge assortment. We have also bought a beautiful silk scarf here.
Built in 1909, Jamek Mosque (also known as the great white mosque) is one of the oldest mosques in the city. It is located at the confluence of the Klang and Gombak River next to the main square called Dataran Merdeka. Try to avoid visiting in prayer times because it is still in use!
Top4: Merdeka Square and Sultan Abdul Samad Building. The building houses the offices of the Ministry of Information, Communications and Culture of Malaysia. It formerly housed the superior courts of the country: the Federal Court of Malaysia, the Court of Appeals and the High Court of Malaya. You can find inside a museum about freedom and independence. It was absolutely free of charge.
Dataran Merdeka (Independence Square) is situated in front of the Sultan Abdul Samad Building. It was here the Union Flag was lowered and the Malayan flag hoisted for the first time at midnight (time: 12:00 AM) on 31 August 1957.
Before independence in 1957 the Merdeka Square symbolized British sovereignty as it was a cricket ground for the colonial administrators and fronted the Royal Selangor Club, wich was Malaysia’s most exclusive whites-only club. A 95-metre flagpole, one of the tallest in the world, marks that spot with a flat, round black marble plaque. Every year on Merdeka Day (31 August) as well as on Malaysia Day (16 September), thousands of spectators converge on the streets of the city to watch the colorful parade and performances held at the Merdeka Square.
The City Gallery is located at the southern side of the squere. You can see it on the picture below, behind the flags.
Top5: Masjid Negara (National Mosque of Malaysia) was built in 1965 and its sizes are simply amazing! It has a capacity of 15,000 people and it is situated among 53000 sqm (13 acres) of beautiful gardens. Believe us, it is a must to see on the way to the greatest Bird Park of the World.
Top6: Dayabumi Complex is located at half way between Merdeka Square and the National Mosque. Most of the travel magazines don’t write about it but we have to because it’s a genius building and also an intellectual ancestor of the Twin Towers. The facade of the 35 story Tower adorned with patterns of eight-pointed stars, and Islamic arches at the top and bottom of the tower.
Just have a look at the fountains and the structure of this snow white office building! Symbols and motifs are everywhere around the city.
Walk inside and use the elevator to go down to -1 or -2 platforms. Using this way you can reach the KL Sentral – Main Railway Station as well, but please note that it is not an easy walk!
Top7:Â Menara Tower is the 7th tallest freestanding tower in the world with its height of 421 m. It has a stairway and an elevator to reach the upper area, which also contains a revolving restaurant, providing diners with a panoramic view of the modern city. You can choose a ticket for visiting the closed, glass walled observation deck or for an additional price you will be allowed to step out the open deck. It is truly a lifelong experience to be up and feel the wind blowing around yourself! If you do not have enough time to visit the Twin and Menara Towers, than we suggest you to choose the Menara!
How many swimming pools are there on the picture? More than it seems at first sight! It is easy to find a hotel with panoramic pool. The close-up photo shows a rooftop of a so called condominium which is a popular type of living in Southeast Asia. It means that the people are renting their flats and pay a monthly fee for several services like pool, security, laundry, cleaning, and so on.
Top8: Rising almost 100 m above the ground, the Batu Caves temple complex consists of 3 main caves and a few smaller ones. The biggest, referred to as Cathedral Cave or Temple Cave, has a very high ceiling and features ornate Hindu shrines. You must climb a steep flight of 272 steps to reach the Cathedral Cave.
At the base of the hill there are two more cave temples, Art Gallery Cave and Museum Cave. If you arrive by train, then start your tour in the direction of the left cave. This cave has a different style but worth visiting, especially because nobody is inside. People want to go up the Temple as soon as they can.
Green garden at the foot of the stairway. Near the top you can find the Dark Cave which is a memorable attraction to visit. It is possible to go inside with guided tour only and the last one starts around 5pm, so arrive in time, start here and after you have taken a walk in the territory of bats you can go up to the Temple.
Monkeys are waiting for rookie travelers who don’t pay attention to the movable parts of their belongings.
Top9: KL Bird park is also well known as “World’s Largest Free-flight Walk-in Aviary”. It is home for more than 3,000 birds of approximately 200 species of local and foreign birds.
Top10:Â Botanic Garden and Orchid Park is a part of Lake Gardens where Bird Park is located as well. Prepare yourself for a half day (~4 hours) pleasant walk in the middle of the city but far away from it’s noise. Just let yourself be lost in the variety of colors and arts of flower shape. The Lake Gardens offers world-class attraction and their special air will catch your soul. We simply loved it!
Tha Garden of Roses invites the visitor with a romantic atmosphere and thousands of beautiful flowers. Do not miss this green terrace if you are traveling with your partner.
The iconic buildings are visible from almost everywhere.
Picturesque nightlights and cityscape will take your breath away. The most emotional and dynamic view we have ever seen, absolutely fantastic!
We wish you a pleasant journey to this mixed-cultured city full of emotions. Will you fall in love with KL?