15 Best Things to Visit in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s capital, is a multicultural area with residents who are Malay, Tamil, Chinese, and native. Kuala Lumpur, the largest city in the country by population, is stretched across 200 square kilometers and has recently merged with nearby suburbs to form a center of activity and trade. Due to Kuala Lumpur’s emphasis on tourism, there is a vast selection of attractions to pick from, ranging from the more traditional to the more modern, depending on your preferences. There are mosques and temples that symbolize the diversity of the city, as well as amazing buildings and futuristic towers, as well as local markets, street cuisine, and pretty much anything else you can think of. TIP: Reserve tours ahead of time: Kuala Lumpur’s top tours The Most of Kuala Lumpur with Petronas Towers & Batu Caves Tour offers the best value for the money. Kuala Lumpur doesn’t let you down with plenty to suit all ages and wallets, whether you like to spend an afternoon exploring a lush park or shopping in a multi-story mega mall. The best things to do in Kuala Lumpur are listed below.

Sri Mahamariamman Temple

Sri Mahamariamman Temple is definitely worth a visit for those interested in learning about the various cultures and religions that make up this city. It is renowned for being the oldest Hindu temple in all of Kuala Lumpur and was constructed in the nineteenth century. The temple boasts a striking and colorful façade with a variety of Hindu deities illustrating well-known legends, making it easy to recognize as you approach. Visitors are welcome to explore the grounds and marvel at the architecture and ambiance of the location, which serves as a working temple and a place of prayer for the local Tamil population.

Malaysian cuisine with Nasi Kandar

The staple dish of Malaysian cuisine, Nasi Kandar, or “mixed rice,” is served to customers on a plate of plain rice with a selection of toppings and sauces. Due to a large number of South Indian immigrants, Nasi Kandar is based on Tamil cuisine, and the sauces and gravies heavily utilize curry powder and chili. Nasi Kandar recipes frequently have curried pork or fish with a vegetable, like okra or Asian cabbage.

National Museum

The National Museum, which is close to the well-known Lake Gardens, is an architectural marvel in and of itself. It is shaped like a traditional house and has decorations that combine more modern and traditional styles. Explore the reproductions of Malay homes, wedding scenes, and hunting exhibits at the National Museum to discover everything there is to know about the history and culture of Malaysia. National costumes and regional instruments are also displayed. In addition to the museum’s permanent displays, the Central Hall hosts temporary exhibitions that change frequently throughout the year.

Shop at Suria KLCC

Suria KLCC, located within the sizable KLCC complex that includes the imposing PETRONAS Towers, is a six-story shopping center that offers a range of dining options, including food courts, as well as stores, rides, a theater, and a grocery. Visitors to the mall can eat at the Rasa food court on the top level, which provides freshly prepared food from all across Malaysia and offers breathtaking views of the city from a table by the windows. Visitors can also browse the rows of arts and crafts and souvenir vendors selling their items from carts in the basement.

Visit Kuala Lumpur Butterfly Park

Visit Kuala Lumpur Butterfly Park for a bit of a surreal day trip and be amazed by the over 120 species—hundreds of different—colorful butterflies that live there. The park itself is designed to resemble a tropical forest and has walks, footpaths, lakes, ponds, and gazebos. In addition to the butterflies themselves, there is a wealth of local flora and fauna to be discovered. Visitors to the park can slow down and enjoy the quieter and calmer pace while they take in the local wildlife because there are informative explanations available, such as information on the breeding program and the life cycle. Use this combo ticket to see the Orchid Garden, Butterfly Park, and Bird Park.

Street food at Hutong

In Kuala Lumpur, there are several food courts situated inside malls, but Hutong, located inside Lot 10 Mall, is regarded as one of the greatest in the industry. The food court is made up of neighborhood street vendors who were chosen and invited to sell their wares at Hutong. As a result, the food is real and tasty. What’s more, everything is located under one roof, saving you the trouble of scouring the streets for a feast. The food court is an excellent spot for people who are unfamiliar with Malaysian food to go because it offers all of the most well-known and delicious regional foods, like oyster omelets, fried noodles and soups, dumplings, meatballs, and roasted meats. You can reserve a spot on the well-regarded “Off The Eaten Track” street food tour here.

Pewter museum at the Royal Selangor Visitor Centre

The Royal Selangor Visitor Center, a sort of undiscovered gem that is oddly under-visited, displays the company’s history, factory, and goods since it started producing them in 1885. There are free guided tours available that start with a stop at the operational Royal Selangor factory and then proceed through a museum area showcasing early examples of their craftsmanship, old photographs, and even period clothing for guests to put on. There is an adjacent gift shop if you want to stock up on pewter jewelry and ornaments, and you can even try your hand at crafting some of the pewter pieces there.

Kuala Lumpur Bird Park

Over 3000 birds live in this vast aviary, which covers more than 20 acres. Although some imported birds are housed at the park, the emphasis is on promoting indigenous species to tourists. One of the biggest public aviaries in the world is available for visitors to enjoy bird watching while learning about the local flora and fauna. There are breeding programs and scientific studies of the birds in their natural habitat, and the park is also a well-known scientific location with a focus on conservation and education. Use this combo ticket to see the Orchid Garden, Butterfly Park, and Bird Park.

Visit Aquaria KLCC

The Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre’s basement is home to Aquaria KLCC, a large aquarium that is also referred to as an “oceanarium.” It is over 60,000 square feet in size and has a 300-foot tunnel in the middle that allows visitors to see the bottom up close while being encircled by water on three sides. Visitors are intended to learn about Malaysian aquatic life, from freshwater rivers and swamps to the wide ocean, through an experience that is designed to be a land-to-sea voyage. Additionally, there are engaging exhibits that educate tourists about the value of conservation, and visitors can enjoy over 5,000 aquatic animals at Aquaria KLCC.

Check the views at Kuala Lumpur Tower

This tower, also known as Menara Kuala Lumpur, is 335 meters tall and includes an observation deck with breathtaking panoramic views of the city. There is an annual race to the top of the tower to promote health and fitness, in addition to its many other uses as an observation tower for the moon sighting that signals the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. The lifts take fifty-four seconds to ascend to the visitor deck, which is the highest point in the city that is accessible to the general public. Around sunset is a popular time to go to see the city as darkness falls.

Visit the PETRONAS Towers in Kuala Lumpur

The PETRONAS Skyscrapers, or PETRONAS Twin Towers given that there are two of them, are the tallest twin towers in the world and one of the most recognizable landmarks on earth. Due to the Muslim predominance in Malaysia, the towers have Islamic designs in addition to postmodern architecture and style. Visitors swarm to this location to cross the sky bridge connecting the two skyscrapers and take in the amazing views of the entire city of Kuala Lumpur.

Central Market

The Kuala Lumpur Central Market, also known as Pasar Seni, is a well-known tourist destination that was created from a former wet market that sold fruit, vegetables, and meat. The neighborhood has been modernized and now features several portions that reflect the diverse cultures and ethnic origins present in Malaysia, including Malay, Indian, and Chinese regions offering regional goods like souvenirs and handicrafts. A food court offering regional specialties is also located on the upper floor, while musical performances and street performers can be seen in the vicinity of the market.

Food at Alor Street

Alor Street used to be renowned for being a red light district and a location of questionable reputation, but it has since cleaned up its act and is now best known for being a paradise for foodies. You will be let down if you visit during the day because the street sellers don’t really set up until the sun starts to set, when the street really transforms and becomes a swarm of gastronomic activity. The merchants here typically concentrate on offering a single dish that has become famous over the years. Expect good but modest meals and an eating experience on plastic chairs and tables on the sidewalk.

Sunway Lagoon Theme Park

Since it opened in 1997, Sunway Lagoon Theme Park in the Petaling Jaya neighborhood, a short distance from the city center, has provided family-friendly entertainment. Their tagline is “Come Feel the Fun,” and guests may enjoy not just a theme park but also a water park on the same property, as well as wildlife and an “extreme” park with more daring attractions for the more daring. The facility features interactive activities, wave and surf pools, theme park rides, and even a zoo. For those who want to pick up some mementos, the park also offers dining and shopping opportunities.

Kuala Lumpur Railway Station

Visit Kuala Lumpur Railway Station to visit a railroad museum located inside a great example of British and Asian architecture. This station is no longer the major railway station in Kuala Lumpur since it has been replaced by the more contemporary KL Sentral. The museum was constructed in a blend of European and Asian architectural styles during the British colonial era and was finished in 1886. The Great Hall presently houses vintage exhibits like steam locomotives and fire engines. Visitors can stroll around the platforms and learn about the history of the locomotive in Malaysia. There are also models and replicas of trains and carriages.