Selamat Datang (Welcome) to Kuala Lumpur or KL as it’s known worldwide. KL has long been on my list of places to visit, not only because I am South East Asia’s no. 1 fan but also due to it’s relationship with the grand prix and the Petronas Towers.
This is an uber modern capital city, where KL’s shiny skyscrapers surround the old city containing enclaves, beautiful ancient temples, which combine beautifully with traditional Malay architecture. This is the only city I have ever heard of that celebrates every religious festival with a public holiday and therefore is oozing with culture without losing its heritage.
We were in Kuala Lumpur around Christmas time and although busy, it was lovely to see the place lit up in lights and the hustle and bustle in the shopping malls around the city. 72 hours is sufficient time to spend in Kuala Lumpur and you can most certainly see a lot of the city highlights in a more leisurely manner however early starts were a must to ensure we didn’t get caught up in the crowds, afternoon showers and post lunch humidity. The transport system (metro and bus) in Malaysia is excellent however can end up costing the same as taxis which will essentially drop you off closer to your destination. But then again travelling by public transport can give you the more authentic KL experience, rubbing shoulders quite literally with the locals! The choice is yours! Try and avoid rush hour with taxis as the city centre is totally grid-locked!
Here is a round up of my must-visit sites in Kuala Lumpur…
Merdeka Square
This is Malaysia’s symbol of independence, and there is nowhere better that will tell you the story of Malaysia’s colonial history than here. You will see the Moghul inspired architecture of the Sultan Abdul Samad building in front of the cricket green, which was built in 1897. The cricket green lies between this magnificent indo-Saracenic building and the tudor faced exterior of the Royal Selangor Club, built in 1884, is where the social elite come together. The square is also home to the erection of the Malaysian flag, back in 1957 still stands tall beside the green.
Merdeka Square Jalan Raja Kuala Lumpur 50050
Istana Negara
This is Malaysia’s National Palace and was the official residence of the King of Malaysia. It is a 13 acre castle built in 1928 and its spectacular architecture with gold domes is quite impressive to peer at through the guard lined gates at the front of the property. Changing of the guards is on the hour and is quite a show. One not to miss if you’re visiting.
Istana Negara Kuala Lumpur 50500
Masjid Negara
This is the national mosque of Kuala Lumpur and has a capacity of 15,000 people and is situated along 13 acres of beautiful gardens. The main dome of the mosque is covered in green and blue tiles and there are 48 smaller domes spread across a Mecca inspired courtyard.
Masjid Negara Jalan Perdana Kuala Lumpur 50480
Tugu Negara
This is the National Monument in the form of a sculpture which commemorates the lives lost in the fight for Malaysian independence. Malaysia’s fight for freedom was principally against the Japanese occupation during the Second World War.
Tugu Negara Jalan parlimen Kuala Lumpur 50480
Kuala Lumpur Railway Station
This building reminds me of a fairy-tale storybook kind of architecture and served as KL’s main railway station until 2001. It has been superseded by the KL central railway, which is in use today. It adopts an East meets West style and was designed in 1910 and resembles a typical glass and iron Victorian English railway building.
KL Railway Station Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin Kampung Attap Kuala Lumpur 50050
Batu Caves
This is Malyasia’s holiest Hindu site and comprises a complex of giant limestone caves. The caves were discovered in 1878, however the local indigenous people knew of their existence. The cave in the complex include the Temple, dark and Ramayana caves and are fascinating, however first you have to climb the 272 steps to the opening. At the foot of the stairs there is 42.5m golden statue of Murugan, the son of Shiva and the Hindu god of war.
Batu Caves Segangor Kuala Lumpur 68100
Top Tip: Just a note to say that the caves are about 13 km north of KL and it roughly took us 30 minutes to get to by taxi in commuter traffic. We were hoping to take the metro but we ended up sharing a taxi with another couple from our hotel and between the 4 of us the cost was the equivalent of £8 with a tip.
Menara KL Tower
Set atop a hill (with a free shuttle bus service) this is the highest telecommunications tower in South East Asia. You can take a lift up to the observation deck or simply enjoy an afternoon tea or fancy dinner at The Atmosphere 360 revolving restaurant. Whenever you decide to go, just ensure that you buy your tickets online so you can head straight up instead of queuing.
Menara KL Tower Jalan P Ramlee Kulala Lumpur 50250
Petronas Towers
Perhaps the most well-known pinnacle of KL, these towers are a must see. If you are scared of heights then I recommend you take those all-important snaps and selfies in front of them at KLCC Park. Again, I would highly recommend securing a time slot beforehand as it’s very busy and you will be taken up in small groups, especially if you are doing the bridge walk which connects the two together. The towers are 452m high and you are taken up to the 68th Floor. The views are spectacular during the day but sunset and evening give beautifully illuminated views of the vistas.
Every evening from 19:00 outside the entrance to the Suria KLCC shopping centre there is a free fountain show, with an impressive music sequence. Crowds gather around including locals and tourists and it really is vision of rainbow colours.
Petronas Towers Kuala Lumpur 50068
The Pavillion Shopping Mall
This is known as the fashion and entertainment capital of KL. There are lots of shops, luxury, and high street, a bunch of brilliant restaurants inside and outside the shopping mall and my favourite, Sephora resides here, so I got to stock up on all my longed after goodies! If you want to escape the afternoon heat or tropical showers, this is the place to hang out and people watch. The food mall houses an enormous selection of eateries including patisseries, sushi restaurants, fine dining establishments, south American, Indian, Chinese and Mediterranean cuisine. There is also a fantastic French inspired shop serving the very best macarons!
Pavillions Mall 168 Bukit Bintang Street Bukit Bintang Kuala Lumpur
Sri Mahamariamman Temple
Being Hindu and interested in the construction of South Indian temples, I was really looking forward to visit this temple, based in Brickfields, the old part of the city. The temple was built in 1873 and is the oldest Hindu temple in KL. The temple is made up of tiers of 220 ornate deity designs sculpted in the South Indian style. The temple has its main shrine at the back of the temple, to the goddess Parvati. Parvati is the goddess of love and devotion and the wife of Lord Shiva. If you love photography, this will be a dream and you could end up sitting here all day taking photos from every angle.
Sri Mahamariamman Temple Jalan Tun H. S. Lee (Jalan Bandar)
Kuala Lumpur 50050
Sun Sze Sia Ya Temple
This is the oldest Taoist Temple in Kuala Lumpur, built in 1864 and is so small you could even miss it. It was full of locals worshiping, who welcomed us in to share the history and culture. The temple also serves as a community centre for the city’s Chinese community. If you fancy a visit, you can even have your fortune told by one of the ladies in the main prayer hall!
Sun Sze Sia Ya Temple 113A Jalan Tun HS Lee 14A Leboh Pudu Kuala Lumpur
Central Market
The market dates back to 1888 and is a real cultural hub with vendors coming from all over to sell their items. The market is divided into sections a bit like a warren of boutiques. There are specialty shops selling authentic Malaysian batik prints as well as refreshing juices, food, saris, furniture and artifacts. It’s a perfect way to spend an afternoon mooching around the stalls and meeting the locals.
Central Market No. 10 1st-3rd floor Jalan Hang Kasturi
Petaling Street in Chinatown
I’m always a fan of Chinatown and love exploring it in virtually every city I’ve been in around the world. In fact, I may even have to write a blog post on that soon!! Chinatown was founded by the Chinese when they first came to work in Malaysia in the tin mines. After the war when they returned they formed an area where they could get authentic Chinese food and cultural products. Today, I guess it’s had a bit of a face lift but it’s a haven for tasty cuisine as well as a number of street markets. If you go in the evening, the whole place is lit up with lanterns and there is quite the buzzing atmosphere.
Petalimg Street & Chinatown 7, Jalan Petaling Kuala Lumpur 50000
Further Reading
If you love rooftop bars then check out this line up prior to your visit.
Click on the Pin.
Let me know in the comments below if you’ve been to Kuala Lumpur and what you’d add to the list for another visit
À Bientôt…
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