The capital of Malaysia is Kuala Lumpur, known as KL to the local people. Today the city is dominated by the Petronas twin towers and many skyscrapers making a modern skyline, and KL is a melting pot city with three primary cultures who proudly call this beautiful city home: Malay, Indian and Chinese. The diversity in architecture and culture is present all over this city. Their gastronomy is a blend of the three cultures with a little touch of Indonesian culture. We truly enjoyed the variety of food you can find in KL.
Tourism is the engine of this city. The tourism industry serves as a catalyst to the economy in KL. The attractions here range from the traditional to the more modern. Whatever brings you to this city a layover, a stop on your Southeast Asia itinerary, a business trip, or a vacation destination, this charming city has something for everyone.
LingoHut was loved by the people in Malaysia, thanks for the support to all our new Malaysian friends.
We want you to experience the best of the city so we put together a list of all sorts of things to do in Kuala Lumpur:
The Perdana Botanical Garden is a peaceful and beautiful place to walk and talk to friends. The property of 226 acres of lush beauty. It has flowers that bloom at all different times of the year depending on the season. The waterfalls and lake in the park enhance the beautiful surroundings. We enjoyed sitting by the lake and watching the KL city skyline. Everywhere you turned, there was something new to explore. Philipp and I love to walk, so for us, it was a great place to spend hours looking at the different vegetation and get some great exercise.
A place you can come close and personal with different species of birds. I had never been to a park like this before. You have birds walking and flying freely as you wander the park. It houses more than 3,000 birds from more than 200 species in the world’s most enormous free-flight walk-in aviary. I highly recommend this experience to anyone who loves birds.
The butterfly park houses 120 different species of butterflies that are local to the country. The colors are explosive as you walk around, taking pictures. The gazebos and maze of pathways make it a fun place to explore. If you are not a fan of humid and steamy, this is not your place. I must say it needs a little freshen up; it’s a bit outdated, but still a really fun time! The botanical garden, bird park and butterfly park are all in one cluster so you can spend a day doing all 3 areas.
Aquaria KLCC is a state-of-the-art aquarium that has over 5000 exhibits of aquatic and land-bound creatures. It spans over 60,000 square feet and features a 300-foot tunnel in the center, offering visitors an awe-inspiring journey with a full view of marine animals in their element, including seven species of sharks, giant stingrays, marine turtles, and shoals of fishes.
An exceptional underwater journey like no other meant to educate visitors on Malaysian aquatic life. The interactive exhibits, feeding shows, and close-up encounters emphasize the importance of conservation. The aquarium is located in the lower level of the KL convention center. We loved this experience and would recommend it to anyone if you go later in the day you can miss some of the screaming kids who visit in the morning and early afternoon.
The Central Market, also known as Pasar Seni in KL, is sophisticated, modern, and updated with air conditioning. It does not sell any produce, meat, or fish with no strong smell that turns your stomach at times like many of the other markets we have visited. Instead, it reflects the various influences and ethnic backgrounds present in Malaysia of Malay, Indian, and Chinese.
This market sells local products like many do but you can purchase some nice pieces at a lower price than in the mega malls. If you are hungry on the upper floor, there is also a food court selling local delicacies. If you are there at the right time and lucky you might get to see some street performers and musical shows outside in front of the market. We truly enjoyed our time there
Mega shopping malls are everywhere in Southeast Asia; this may sound a bit strange, right? But you see, shopping malls are a part of the culture here, a way to pass the time and keep cool from the humidity and hot weather. In most of Southeast Asia, you can find mega-malls Kuala Lumpur is no different, actually, you can find one every few blocks in this city. Some are even connected by tunnels or bridges to escape the weather.
Even if you don’t need to shop, it’s fun just to have a look around and see just how giant these malls can get. It’s a great place to walk and work off all the yummy food you are eating while in KL. Oh, and if you forgot to pack something in your luggage – no worries! There is no doubt you will be able to find whatever you need at one of these great malls.
One of the latest mega malls is Suria KLCC, a six-story shopping center that includes shops, a Mercado (supermarket), pharmacy, and a variety of dining options. The site is located at the large KLCC complex that includes the KLCC park and the mighty Petronas Towers.
The Batu Caves complex has three main caves the Cathedral Cave, also known as the Temple Cave, the Dark Cave, and the Art Gallery Cave. With a statue of Lord Murugan that stands 42.7 meters high, the tallest statue in the world of Lord Murugan.
It is located outside of KL in the suburb of Selangor. A cheaper way to get there is via grab (like an uber). Visitors can marvel at these stunning limestone cliffs, which include the opportunity of rock-climbing with over 160 climbing routes in the area and some lighter treks for less experienced visitors.
The Jamek Mosque, built around 1900, is one of the oldest mosques in Malaysia. Its Moorish architectural style is striking. It sits at the confluence of the Klang and Gombak rivers, making it a natural place to build an impressive mosque. Visitors can tour parts of the mosque, but make sure you wear appropriate clothing. While you are there take in the stunning views across the river. For many years this was the only Muslim place of worship in the city and it has a proud history of famous clerics and religious leaders who have attended the mosque.
This park is nestled between high-rises, a mosque, and behind the Petronas Towers, lined with restaurants and attached to the Suria KLCC shopping mall. It’s a beautifully landscaped park creating a little oasis in the middle of the city. Many visitors spend the afternoon there relaxing and getting some fresh air. The KLCC park contains a jogging loop, walking trails, and drinking fountain perfect for joggers and walkers to enjoy after work.
The Petronas Towers can be seen from all over the city. They stand 1,482.6 feet tall and are currently the 12th tallest building and holds the record for the world’s tallest twins’ buildings in the world. These iconic steel buildings with Islamic motifs have a sky bridge connecting them with an observation deck.
The best view of the towers, in our opinion, is at the KLCC park, which is at the base of the towers. We think the buildings are more picturesque at night when lit up. But if you have the time, go during the day too so you can compare for yourself. The buildings are truly spectacular to admire and people love to take lots of pictures of them.
This neighborhood is unique. It is incredible to see the skyscrapers next to the old town, which is a super cool sight. This area of town still provides the historical hub of the old Kuala Lumpur.
We spoke to some people how shared that new developers will soon demolish the traditional Malay houses which is just heartbreaking. In the past decade, KL has become a very modern city with all the skyscrapers and modern design throughout the city.
Put Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on your bucket list. It will not disappoint. Here is a fun trivia “muddy confluence” is the literal translation of Kuala Lumpur in Malay. Funny enough, this translation is appropriate, this city has risen from the Jungle forest with hot, humid air hangs heavy most of the time.