Sightseeing in Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur is a popular destination for tourists coming to Asia. English is spoken and understood, making it fairly easy for tourists from all over the world. KL, one of the most vibrant and bustling cities of Asia, is blessed with natural as well as man made attractions. The tourist attractions are very diverse too, from stunning waterfalls, rainforests, beaches to pulsating nightlife, architectural marvels and entertainment.

Some of the must see sights of KL are listed below.

 

In Kuala Lumpur City

Petronas Twin Towers

Petronas Twin Towers is located in Kuala Lumpur. It is one of the tallest buildings of the world and has become synonymous with the existence of the city. Standing at the height of 458 metres tall and 88 levels is one of the most spectacular architectural marvels of Asia. The design of the building was derived from the five pillars of Islam. The 88 story building boasts of a sky bridge, which is situated on levels 41 and 42. The bridge is 58.4 meters in length and is located at a height of 170 meters above street level. You are allowed to visit only the Sky bridge level. It is the tallest sky bridge in the world. A visit to the Petronas Twin Tower is a must visit attraction if you are visiting Malaysia. At level 4,there is a Petroleum Discovery Centre which is called Petrosains. The company which built the twin tower is an oil company so the lights at the twin towers are spectacular at night.

 

Petrosains

Located within the imposing Petronas Twin Towers building is the Petrosains at Suria KLCC.  Petrosains is the perfect place for all to experience the showcase of exhibits featuring the wonders of science and technology related to the petroleum industry. Petrosains is designed as a modern museum housing many exciting exhibits. Covering a total area of 100,000 square feet, this interactive science discovery center traces the development of petroleum science and technology. Among the interesting exhibits are hi-tech presentations of a singing dinosaur and a smoking volcano. The discovery journey through forest, ocean and sky, and the simulation helicopter flight in a tropical storm is just as thrilling and engaging. There are also live science demonstrations and a child play center.

 

Independence Square

The Dataran Merdeka, or Merdeka Sqaure was once a focal point— and cricket pitch—for the British colonial presence in Malaysia. The structures bordering the Dataran Merdeka resemble the physical environment of the colonists' native land. Situated on one corner of the square is the Selangor Club, replicating the Tudors of merry old England. Located in the center of Kuala Lumpur City. It is situated in front of the Sultan Abdul Samad Building. It was here the Union Flag was lowered and the Malayan flag hoisted for the first time at midnight on August 31, 1957. Since then, Dataran Merdeka has been the usual venue for the annual Hari Merdeka Parade (National Day Parade). A 95-meter flagpole, one of the tallest in the world, marks the spot.

 

Aquaria KLCC

Experience the journey of AQUARIA KLCC through an exciting discovery of the ocean and beyond. Uncover 5,000 captivating and colourful marine life of over 150 different species from Malaysia and around the world presented through a multi-sensory voyage of entertainment and education.

 

Menara Kuala Lumpur

The Kuala Lumpur Tower is officially known as Menara Kuala Lumpur, is used for communication purposes and features an antenna that reaches 421 m, which currently makes it the fifth tallest tower in the world. The tower below has a stairwell and an elevator to reach the upper area, which also contains a revolving restaurant, providing diners a beautiful view of the city. The Menara becomes as the Islamic falak observatory to look for the crescent moon. Menara Kuala Lumpur is the fifth tallest telecommunication tower in the world (after the CN Tower in Canada, the Ostankino Tower in Russia, the Oriental Pearl Tower in China, and the Borj-e Milad in Iran). Built to enhance the quality of telecommunication services and the clarity of broadcasting, Menara Kuala Lumpur represents the symbol of Kuala Lumpur, appears to be taller than the Petronas Towers, because it is built on a hill. The Menara Kuala Lumpur at 515m above sea level, is right in the middle of the city. It also claims to house the highest McDonald's in the World. This tower has an observation deck, where you  finally can manage to get a bird's eye view of the city. Menara Kuala Lumpur constructed over a period of four years and completed in May 1996. Menara Kuala Lumpur is designed to withstand wind pressures of up to 90mph.

 

Bukit Nanas Forest Park

Bukit Nanas near Kuala Lumpur Tower is one of the oldest permanent forest reserve in the country. It was gazetted in 1906 and was formerly known as Bucket Weld Forest Reserve. It covers an area of approximately 11 hectares and is the only remaining tropical rainforest in the heart of the city of Kuala Lumpur. It celebrated its Centennial Anniversary in year 2006. If you are planning to visit KL Tower, you may want to consider spending an hour or so walking through the nature trails that are well maintained here. The entrance to the park is just beside the entrance to KL Tower. A complimentary nature walk is provided for those who are visiting the Observation Deck at KL Tower. All you need to do is just show your ticket at the Forest Trail Gate for a guided tour of the forest. As the weather can be humid and hot, remember to bring along a bottle of water to quench your thirst.

 

Temples and Mosques

Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Mosque

One of the largest mosques in South-east Asia, this impressive building is frequently referred to as the blue mosque. It is huge and magnificent, with an enormous, dark blue dome and four minarets standing at 466.8 feet. Decorative Islamic calligraphy enhances the dome and main prayer-hall, while the overall architecture integrates ethnic Malay design elements. The mosque is adjoined by a small lake, which makes it a particularly serene setting, especially at sunset. Visitors should dress according to the Islamic dress code. Suitable attire is provided at the main entrance.

 

Batu Caves

This is one of the holiest Hindu shrines in Malaysia and a popular tourist attraction. The Caves are popular not only for being the southern-most limestone outcrop in the Northern Hemisphere, but the labyrinth that makes up the Batu Caves also supports a variety of exotic wildlife. There is a 272-step concrete staircase leading to the temple cave. The main cave holds a shrine of Lord Subramaniam, a Hindu deity. A cave gallery is located at the foot of the caves featuring clay figurines and wall paintings depicting scenes and figures from Hindu mythology.

 

Thean Hou Buddhist Temple

Sitting atop a hill overlooking Jalan Syed Putra is the imposing Thean Hou Temple. This magnificent religious monument is one of the largest Chinese temples outside the Orient. The grandiose building was designed in an interesting combination of modern architecture and authentic traditional design. Prominent features of the structure include imposing pillars, spectacular roofs, ornate carvings and elaborate embellishments.

 

Outskirts Of KL

Sunway Lagoon Theme Park

Situated 20 minutes from Kuala Lumpur is Malaysia's first international-standard water theme park. Within the 80 acres of the park are water-based attractions, such as giant water slides, twin speed slides, a river, a waterfall garden and a lagoon express. There is a shopping mall known as the Pyramid, which adds to the limitless range of activities at this theme park. There is also the charming Sunway Lagoon Resort Hotel nearby. The Admission price includes access to theme park; additional fee for Extreme Park and Wildlife Park.

 

Taman Negara National Park

Taman Negara National Park is one of the major wildlife reserves of the country. It is located 175 km northeast of Kuala Lumpur and features a green rain forest and broad variety of wildlife. The park offers you the opportunity to participate in numerous adventure sports and activities like Jungle trekking, riverboat excursions, canopy walk, Orang Asli village trip and freshwater fishing. Some of the wild animals that you can see in the park are gibbon, macaque, peacock-pheasant, wild pigs and elephants.

 

Genting Highlands

Genting Highlands is a resort nestled on a mountain peak within the Titwangsa Mountains, on the border of the Malaysian states of Pahang and Selangor. It is accessible by car from KL and by Genting Skyway, a cable car ride. It is dubbed as the City of Entertainment as it has the only legalised casino in the country. It has 6 hotels, a golf resort, dining and shopping outlets, theme park and shows.

 

A'Famosa Resort

A'Famosa Resort. The bustling port city of Malacca was not only the commercial hub of Asia but an exotic melting pot of cultures, ideas and architecture as well at one time. The A'Famosa, is a fortress located in Malacca, Malaysia. It is among the oldest surviving European architectural remains in Asia. The Porta de Santiago, a small gate house, is the only remaining part of the fortress which is still standing. The Portuguese fort once formed an imposing circle of stone around the entire city. The logo of the resort also incorporates a stylized silhouette of the gateway in the background. That romantic era may be long-gone but it can be re-lived at A'Famosa Resort, rated by many as the region's foremost leisure and holiday resort. Situated on a 1300-acre site in Alor Gajah, surrounded by rolling hills and a lush countryside, A'Famosa is a dream getaway which will entice your senses, calm your nerves and leave you totally refreshed and rejuvenated. One of the best things about A'Famosa is its strategic location off the North-South Highway- just half an hour's drive from historic Malacca city, 45 minutes from the Kuala Lumpur International Airport and about an hour from Kuala Lumpur. The resort is also extremely a popular with Singaporeans as it only takes two hours by road to go there from the Lion City. An alternative mode of travel is via rail, alighting at the Tampin Railway Station which is just a 10-minute taxi ride away. Rightly touted as a one-stop destination for business and pleasure, A'Famosa offers an international championship 27-hole golf course, the highly-acclaimed Animal World Safari, Water World Theme Park, Resort Hotel, Villas, Condotel, excellent conference/banquet facilities and much more.

 

Apart from the above listing, there are endless more attractions you can visit. Galleries, museums, memorials, mosques, temples, beaches, streets, for example the famous Petalling Street, parks like Butterfly Park, Deer Park etc. Places nearby one can visit are Kuantan, Terangannu, Malacca, Langkawi, Penang, Cameron Highlands etc.