7 Awesome Things to Do in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

As Malaysia‘s national capital, Kuala Lumpur offers visitors a taste of both modern and traditional landscapes, from towering skyscrapers to sacred mosques and temples. There are tons of things to do in Kuala Lumpur, I will list them down for you.

Check out some of the cool and cheap tours you could do in Kuala Lumpur.

This city is proud of its multi-cultural heritage, and lives up to its tagline as “truly Asia.”

Whether traveling to see its beautiful sites, immerse in its diverse culture or feast on its delicious dishes, KL, as it is popularly called, will not fail your expectations. Related Article: List of Cheap Hostels in Malaysia

See the Petronas Towers in the morning and at night

Just like the skyline of Hong Kong, the Petronas Towers of Kuala Lumpur has a different charm in the morning and at night. Standing at 452 meters above street level, the 88-storey megastructure is a symbol of Malaysia’s culture and technological advancement. The two towers are connected on the 41st floor by the Skybridge, while the 86th floor provides an observation deck where visitors can see the tower’s spire up close as well as a panoramic view of the entire Kuala Lumpur.

Check out some of the cool and cheap tours you could do in Petronas Towers.

Take note that the Skybridge and Observation Deck are only open from Tuesdays to Sundays, 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Ticket counters open at 8:30 a.m. but be there earlier as the queue can be quite long. You may also purchase your tickets in advance via the Petronas Towers official website. Ticket prices are RM84.80 for adults and RM31.80 for children.

Don’t feel weird if you see people laying on the ground while taking a photo of the towers. That’s the right position if you want to take the perfect angle, especially if your companion wants a photo with the towers in the background. Join the fun!

How to get there:

From KL Sentral station: Ride the Kelana Jaya Rail Line to KLCC station, which is five stops away. Fare is RM2.50.

From Kuala Lumpur International Airport: You have three options if you are coming from the airport.

If taking the train, hop on the KLIA Express train to KL Sentral, and transfer to the Kelana Jaya Rail Line (see above). Fare is RM35.

If taking the bus, there are bus lines found in the public bus terminal outside the airport that will take you directly to KLCC. The buses depart every 30 minutes. Fare is RM18, travel time is around an hour.

If taking the taxi, fare is around RM75, travel time is around an hour. Although the most convenient, this is also the most expensive. There is a chance that you might be scammed so be very careful.

Visit the Kuala Lumpur Tower Observation Deck

Should you be in Kuala Lumpur on a Monday when the Petronas Towers is closed, you can still get a panoramic view of the city through the observation deck of KL Tower, or Menara Kuala Lumpur. At 421 meters high, this telecommunication tower may appear to be taller than the Petronas because it stands on top of Bukit Nanas, or Pineapple Hill.

Aside from the observation deck at 276 meters, the KL Tower also houses the 1 Malaysia Cultural Village, an F1 simulator zone, and function rooms for special occasions.

Ticket prices: RM52 for adults, RM31 for children. Guided tours and family packages are also available. Check the official website for more information.

How to get there: Take the train and get off at Dang Wangi station. Walk towards the Bukit Nanas monorail station, and follow the signs that will lead you to the tower.

Drop by 1Malaysia Cultural Village

Before leaving KL Tower, make sure to drop by the 1 Malaysia Cultural Village located in the KL Tower Terrace. A huge contrast to the modern design of the tower, this cultural village showcases unique replicas of ‘kampung’ houses. Have your photo taken with these traditional Malaysian houses that can also be rented out for private functions.

Shop in Central Market

Whether shopping for yourself or buying souvenirs for loved ones back home, the Central Market along Jalan Hang Kasturi is the perfect place for you. This sky blue-colored building used to be a wet market in 1888 before it was revamped into a shopping destination. While there, don’t forget to check out the Annexe found at the back of the market. It serves as a venue for local artists to hold art galleries and exhibits. You may visit their official website for more information.

Operating hours: 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

How to get there: Take the train and alight at Pasar Seni station. Central Market is right across it. It is also a five-minute walk from Kuala Lumpur station, Chinatown, and Petaling Street, and a 15-minute walk from Masjid Jamek station.

Climb the 272 steps of Batu Caves

Need to do some cardio while on vacation? Then include Batu Caves in your itinerary, which is just around 11 kilometers north of Kuala Lumpur. This cave system carved in a limestone hill is home to various Hindu shrines and idols, the most prominent one being the 43-meter high golden statue of Lord Murugan at the entrance of Cathedral Cave. This popular cavern can only be accessed by climbing a flight of 272 steps, so get your lungs and legs ready.

Check out some of the cool and cheap tours you could do in Batu Caves.

Aside from Lord Murugan’s statue, another towering figure can be seen in the cave complex – that of Hanuman, the monkey devotee of Lord Rama. This 15-meter tall statue can be found at the entrance of the Ramayana Cave, located at the leftmost part of the area.

How to get there: Take the KTM Komuter line from KL Sentral station. The train will terminate at Batu Caves station. You may also ride Bus U6 from Titiwangsa.

Try nasi lemak

Considered as the nation’s national dish, nasi lemak is a must try when visiting Kuala Lumpur and Malaysia in general. It is simply just rice cooked in coconut milk, but what makes this cuisine special are the various garnishes and add-ons that come with it. Nasi lemak is traditionally served with sambal (spicy sauce), ikan bilis (fried anchovies), cucumber slices, roasted peanuts, and fried egg. Additional protein is provided by a good serving of ayam goreng (fried chicken), sambal sotong (cuttlefish in chili) or beef rendang, among others.

Nasi lemak is readily available, as it is commonly sold in both hawker food centers and fancy restaurants all over Kuala Lumpur. Although typically consumed as breakfast, it can be eaten anytime of the day because of its availability.

Take the train/bus/plane to other states

What better way to maximize your stay in Kuala Lumpur than to visit its neighboring states and cities? Petaling Jaya, Penang, Langkawi, Perak, Malacca, Johor Bahru, and the rest of the peninsula are just a train, bus or plane away, waiting to be explored. If you’re done seeing KL and you still have a few days to spare, grab that chance to check out these amazing places.

Check out some of the cool and cheap tours you could do in Petaling Jaya, Langkawi, Malacca, Malacca City and Johor Bahru.

Want to see Penang after touring Kuala Lumpur? Here are 7 awesome things you can do there!

With lots of options on tourist spots, shopping areas, and local food, Kuala Lumpur is not to be missed when planning your next vacation. So go ahead, book that ticket, and experience what being truly Asia is all about!

About the Writer

Named after a The Beatles hit song, Michelle Caligan is a self-proclaimed expert when it comes to scoring cheap airline tickets, dubbing herself as a “seat sale slave.” This acquired skill has taken her to many places, exposing her to various cultures and tradition.

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