Kuala Lumpur is one of my favourite cities in Asia, and it came as a complete surprise how much I enjoyed visiting.
The Petronas Twin Towers are the undoubted iconic main attraction but there are lots of other things to do here including visiting Dataran Merdeka with its colonial buildings and the bustling Petaling Street night market – both are reminiscent of Malaysia’s past. It is home to some of Malaysia’s most luxurious hotels, amazing shopping and fantastic restaurants.
View my tips for visiting Kuala Lumpur for the first time.
Weather & When to Go
Malaysia has high temperatures and wet months all year round. Rainfall happens all the time, but unlike dreary UK drizzle this stuff is pretty awesome to watch and splash around in. The heaviest falls in March to May and September to November but you’ll still average a good four to five hours of sunshine during the wettest months to eight or nine during the drier periods. Kuala Lumpur is generally hot and humid all year round.
Best Places to Visit in Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur is perfect for a city break, and is a must visit destination on any Malaysia itinerary.
Here are some the best things to do in this underrated city.
Petronas Towers
Petronas Twin Towers was the tallest building in the world in 1997. Nowadays there are some higher ones but it still belong to the top of tall buildings, with its height being more than 450 meters and have about 90 floors. What makes them unique now is the Skybridge on the 40th floor which is also open to visitors. A trip up to the Sky Bridge at the Petronas Towers is one thing you must do in Kuala Lumpur. You need to go nice and early in the morning to queue for tickets, as they only sell a limited number every day.
Merdeka Square
Maybe it’s the place that has the most things to see and are all concentrated around Merdeka Square. The tourist attractions of the area include:
Memorial arches of the independence of Malaysia
The British Secretariat, or the Sultan Abdul Samad Secretariat
National History Museum and Textile
The old train station in Kuala Lumpur
Masjid Negara or National Mosque
Masjid Jamek also known as the Friday Mosque
Masjid India (Indian Mosque Muslim community of belief)
Little India
As its name says it is the district of the Indian community in Kuala Lumpur. It has no great tourist attractions and monuments, but the neighborhood itself is worth visiting for its vitality. Perhaps one of the most chaotic areas of Kuala Lumpur, it is a shopping district where you can see the typical flower garlands used by Hindus in religious celebrations, purchase fairly priced items from India and mingle a bit with this community.
Chinatown
It goes without saying that this is the Chinese district of the city. Here you can see the typical signs in Chinese characters, red lanterns and well-preserved ancient Chinese temples. But the neighborhood is noted for its intense commercial activity at night. The Jalan Petaling night market has excellent mounts with street stalls offering products that come from different parts of Asia: China, Nepal, Indonesia, Tibet, etc..
The Lake Gardens
The Lake Gardens are among the most exclusive and expensive areas of Kuala Lumpur. The gardens date back to the British colonial era and are noted for their great tropical vegetation among which are fascinating orchids and hibiscus; there are also pavilions butterflies, etc.. They are places for you to relax and escape the city.
Shopping
One of the most important things for people backpacking is to be able to get bargains while on holiday, so they can bring home some great souvenirs without breaking the bank. In Kuala Lumpur (KL), there’s one place that stands out among the rest – China Town.
Most people booking an exciting holiday in Malaysia make sure they visit the capital KL, as, not only do most flights around the nation and beyond require a stop in the city, but there is also plenty to see and do here. Where it really stands out though is its shopping opportunities.
China Town, or Jalan Petaling, attracts holidaymakers and gap year students from around the world who are all eager to take home a bargain and soak up the unique atmosphere here. On entering the district, you will notice the impressive red and green gateway decorated with Chinese symbols, providing the official entrance point for the area.
After this, you will immerse yourself in a world of colourful stalls, a strong scent of tempting food and lively bartering. China Town itself is a busy, hectic place to be but this adds to its charm and character. Most importantly though, this is a superb destination if you want to take home something from Malaysia to remind you of the strong Chinese culture in the southeast Asian nation.
You will come across stalls selling traditional silk clothes, Chinese brands and homemade wares such as lanterns, prints and Buddha statues. These will help decorate your home when you return from your travels and remind you of the adventures you undertook during your gap year.
There are several other items you can get your hands on in China Town though, including fake brand-name handbags, watches, jewellery, clothes and sunglasses. You might have always wanted to walk around with a stylish bag, so coming here might give you the perfect opportunity to own one – even if it is just a copy.
This could also be an excellent place to grab some cheap if you’ve been travelling for a while and need to swap your tired, worn outfits for something fresher and cleaner. As items here are incredibly cheap – and you can haggle prices down further than they are advertised at – you will be able to grab some new garments so you will feel ready for the next leg of your travelling expedition.
Food and Drink
You can find restaurants and street food – perfect for all budgets. Malaysian food is really tasty too. If you are planning to travel with your partner view my advice for romantic things to do in Kuala Lumpur.
Jalan Aloor Street
From around about 5pm Jalan Aloor comes alive with street hawkers setting up their makeshift kitchens and restaurants. It’s bustling, exciting, and the colourful lanterns give it an amazingly exotic feel. The numerous Malaysian curry dishes on offer are epic and the Mee Goreng stir fried noodles to die for. You might like to learn more about Hainanese cuisine tradition in Kuala Lumpur.
Best Day Trips & Places to Visit Near Kuala Lumpur
To complete a quick tour of the sights of Kuala Lumpur there is one last place to go to. For a totally different place to what you see in the city, you should make an excursion to the Batu Caves, caves housing Hindu temples where Hindus celebrate one of the biggest festivals outside India, the festival of Thaipusam.