Make the most out of Kuala Lumpur

Paying Kuala Lumpur a visit is certainly something we recommend. However, organizing the trip can be quite overwhelming. What sights to see, where to go, which places are worth visiting and how to navigate the city, are all questions we have asked ourselves too. Having visited Kuala Lumpur, we would like to share our experience and findings to make things easier for you. So you can enjoy and get the most out of your own visit to Kuala Lumpur, without the hassle of planning a full trip.

A lot of highlights in Kuala Lumpur

1. Petronas Twin Towers

The Petronas Twin Towers are perhaps the most iconic landmark in Kuala Lumpur, making them a must-visit attraction. As you navigate through the city and take in your surroundings, you will often catch sight of these tower structures. The closer you get, the more impressive they become. Until 2004, they were the tallest building in the world, and to this day, they remain the tallest twin towers. They are essentially two identical towers connected to each other with a sky-bridge on the 41st floor, which can also be visited. At night, the towers are illuminated, giving them a radiant appearance.

A picture of the Petronas Twin Towers taken from far away

Nested within the Twin Towers is a shopping center named Suria KLCC. This mall is filled with clothing stores, restaurants and food courts and a cinema across multiple floors. During our trip, we visited the Petronas Twin Towers late in the afternoon. We first toured the shopping center and popped into a few stores. We noticed that the items in the shops were somewhat overpriced, as evidenced by a difference of RM 25.00 (5 Euros) between the original price tag and the sticker price put on top of that by the store. For shopping, we suggest not doing it here and instead, explore other malls within the city.

When we exited the mall, darkness had set in and the tower was beautifully lit – the perfect backdrop for some photos. Located at the back of the Towers is a large fountain, where the KLCC Lake Symphony Water Fountain Show is held every night at 8.00, 9.00 and 10.00pm. This show adds an extra touch to your visit to the Petronas Twin Towers. All together it is definitely one for the bucket list.

Petronas Twin Towers

Opening hours

Petronas Twin Towers

Monday till Sunday:
10.00 am – 10.00 pm

Suria KLCC Mall

Monday: closed
Tuesday till Sunday:
09.00 am till 09.00 pm

Entry prices

Petronas Twin Towers
  • Infants (0-2 years): Free entry
  • Children (3-12 years): RM 17.00
  • Adults: RM 35.00
  • Seniors (61+ years): RM 17.00
  • Infants (0-2 years): Free entry
  • Children (3-12 years): RM 50.00
  • Adults: RM 98.00
  • Seniors (61+ years): RM 50.00
Map

2. KL Tower

Beside the Twin Towers, standing out in the Kuala Lumpur skyline is the KL Tower. At a height of 421 meters, making it the seventh tallest tower globally. The pod, located at 335 meters, allows you to have a remarkable view of Kuala Lumpur from above.

Andrea from Whaling Around on top of the KL Tower looking at the Petronas Twin Towers and the view of Kuala Lumpur

Visiting the KL Tower presents you with several options. The observation deck provides a unique view from the pod, while the Skydeck is an observation platform located above the pod, allowing you to take a 360-degree walk around. The glass sky boxes, which stretch out from the observation deck, give you an even more dramatic view. For thrill-seekers, you can walk around the tower’s exterior on a glass panel roughly 30 meters above the ground, known as the tower walk 100.

We visited the KL Tower in the morning, which we highly recommend. By 9 am, when the tower opens, we arrived and found it was the ideal time since it was super quiet. We could casually stroll around the Skydeck, take photos without anyone in the background and enjoyed the almost unobstructed view of the entire city. The view included the previously mentioned Petronas Twin Towers alongside the natural backdrop of surrounding nature and mountains. We also had a great view of the Merdeka 118: an even higher tower with an impressive height of 678 meters, set to be opened to the public mid-2024. The spectacular view contributes to why this attraction is a must-see highlight in Kuala Lumpur.

KL Tower

Opening hours

KL Tower

Monday till Sunday:
09.00 am – 10.00 pm

Entry prices

KL Tower
  • Children (Malaysian): RM 20.00
  • Adults (Malaysian): RM 30.00
  • Children (non-Malaysian): RM 40.00
  • Adults (non-Malaysian): RM 60.00
  • Children (Malaysian): RM 37.00
  • Adults (Malaysian): RM 71.00
  • Children (non-Malaysian): RM 65.00
  • Adults (non-Malaysian): RM 110.00
  • Sky box: additional cost
  • Children weekday (Malaysian): RM 10.00
  • Adults weekday (Malaysian): RM 15.00
  • Children weekend (Malaysian): RM 15 .00
  • Adults weekend (Malaysian): RM 20.00
  • Children weekday/weekend (non-Malaysian): RM 30.00
  • Adults weekday/weekend (non-Malaysian): RM 40.00
Map

3. Forest Eco Park

Located around the corner of the KL Tower is the Forest Eco Park, making it ideal to combine these two attractions. We did not know that one of the entrances was just around the corner, as a result we ended up circling the entire park in search of the other entrance.

The Forest Eco Park is a gorgeous piece of nature nestled in the heart of the bustling city. It is an excellent hideaway to escape from the city’s commotion and enjoy a little hike surrounded by beautiful flora and fauna. The park is filled with various hiking trails, the most known being the 200-meter canopy walk. With this trail you walk high up between the trees from one suspension bridge to the next one. Locating the other trails beside the canopy was a bit of a challenge. Unintentionally we repeated the same walk three times before finding the path leading to the rest of the park. We were not the only ones struggling with navigation, so ensure to observe your surroundings keenly, consult maps or ask for guidance to avoid the same mistake.

Each trail in the park is unique and poses its own challenges. For instance, exhausted and overheated, we stumbled upon a path featuring a tall, extended staircase. We jokingly referred to it as the “stairway to hell” and reaching the top provided a sense of accomplishment. Make sure that when you plan to visit the park, you come adequately prepared with the right attire and sufficient hydration, as these will certainly be needed.

Eco Forest Park

Opening hours

Eco Forest Park

Monday till Sunday:
08.00 am – 05.30 pm

Entry prices

Eco Forest Park
  • Children (under 6 years): Free entry
  • Children (6-12 years): RM 1.00
  • Adults: RM 10.00
  • Seniors (60+ years): RM 1.00
  • Person with disabilities: Free entry
  • Children (under 6 years): Free entry
  • Children (6-12 years): RM 5.00
  • Adults: 40 RM
  • Seniors (60+ years): 40 RM
  • Person with disabilities: Free entry
Map

4. Museum of Illusions

During our stay in Malaysia’s capital we had one day filled with rain. We decided to visit the Museum of Illusions. This small museum is nestled in the large and most vibrant shopping area Jalan Bukit Bintang, making it an ideal place to spend a rainy day.

Andrea and Lars from Whaling Around at the Museum of Illusions in Kuala Lumpur

While the Museum of Illusions is not particularly large, we managed to spend a good 2 hours there. The museum features various optical illusions, including a dozen photo corners (such as the one above). Additionally, there were puzzles to solve – real brain teasers that really challenged us. It is a fun place to visit if you have spare time or in case of rain. We do not want to spoil your visit, so if you want to know more about the Museum of Illusions be sure to visit them during your stay in Kuala Lumpur.

Museum of Illusions

Opening hours

Museum of Illusions

Monday till Sunday:
10.00 am – 10.00 pm

Entry prices

Museum of Illusions
  • Children (5-15 years): RM 35.00
  • Adults (15+ years): RM 45.00
  • Seniors (55+ years): RM 40.00
  • Students: RM 40.00
  • Children (5-15 years): RM 45.00
  • Adults (15+ years): RM 55.00
  • Seniors (55+ years): RM 50.00
  • Students: RM 50.00
Map

5. Jalan Alor

The Stinky Tofu stall in Jalan Alor Street in Kuala Lumpur

Jalan Alor is a food-centered street. Its length is filled with eateries on one side and various food stalls on the other. It offers stinky tofu up to durian fruit and from satay to fish. You can find a variety of food, catering to everyone’s taste. We visited in the evening during dinner time, experiencing the busiest part of the day. Staff at every establishment tries to lure you into dining with them. We ultimately were convinced and ended up enjoying a meal at a fish restaurant.

Jalan Alor

Opening hours

Jalan Alor

Monday till Sunday
Best time to visit:
During dinner Time

Entry prices

Jalan Alor

Free entrance

Map

6. Petaling street

Andrea from Whaling Around at Petaling Street in the morning in Kuala Lumpur

Petaling is renowned for selling imitation goods. Its streets are packed with market stalls, where you can find almost anything that you could imagine. Whether you are looking to expand your wardrobe or enhance your home decor, this place has got you covered. You can also purchase tourist souvenirs here. In short, there is plenty to see, making it worth your while to visit.

Petaling street

Opening hours

Petaling street

Monday till Sunday:
08.00 am till 08.00 pm

Entry prices

Petaling street

Free entrance

Map

7. Kwai Chai Hong street art

Street art can be found all over Kuala Lumpur. One of the places famous for this is Kwai Chai Hong located near Petaling Street. The street art here is tucked away in a separate but easy to find alley. Here you can find several unique and interactive pieces of street art. One of the most popular is that of a barber where, if you capture the photograph from the right angle, it appears as if you are actually getting a haircut.

Lars from Whaling Around posing with the interactive barber street art at Kwai Chai Hong in Kuala Lumpur


Surrounding Kwai Chai Hong are numerous streets decorated with lights and charming cafes, providing a peaceful ambience to unwind from all the bustle while enjoying a delicious cup of coffee (or tea, when you are a tea lover like I am).

Kwai Chai Hong street art

Opening hours

Kwai Chai Hong street art

Monday till Sunday:
09.00 am – 12.00 am

Entry prices

Kwai Chai Hong street art

Free entrance

Map

8. REXKL

REXKL, located near Petaling Street, is perhaps my (Andrea) favourite highlight, and a unique destination. This building started off as one of the first theaters in Kuala Lumpur in 1947. REXKL has since evolved into a community and cultural hub. In our opinion, it is a real hidden gem.

Andrea from Whaling Around in the massive bookstore at REXKL

The venue houses various attractions, including a café, art gallery, an exhibition and the largest bookstore we have ever encountered. If you are a fan of art and culture, this is the perfect place for you. We encourage you to take your time exploring the exhibition and bookstore. It is a real walhalla for the booklovers among us, the enormous bookshelves surrounding you on all sides and reaching up to four meters high are impressive. If you expect to casually stroll through this maze of books, you are mistaken. It is literally a labyrinth, with more books revealing itself around every corner. If Lars had not accompanied me, I would probably still be wandering around there.

As you might have noticed, Petaling Street, Kwai Chai Hong and REXKL are close to each other. We recommend you to combine these three attractions in a one day visit, to make it a perfect day in Kuala Lumpur.

REXKL

Opening hours

REXKL

Monday till Thursday:
08.30 am – 10.00 pm

Friday till Sunday:
08.30 am – 12.00 am

Entry prices

REXKL

Free entrance

Map

9. Batu Caves

Last but definitely not least: the Batu Caves. The Batu Caves are among the most famous tourist attractions in Kuala Lumpur, alongside the Petronas Twin Towers. This exceptional spot greatly impressed Lars, making it his personal highlight out of the 9 mentioned.

The front view of the Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur

They are located about 13 km north of the city center of Kuala Lumpur. The cave got its name from the Sungai Batu river that flows beside it. When reaching the square, you are greeted by a gigantic golden statue of Lord Murugan, in whose honor the temples were created. Notably, there is a 272-step colorful stairway of about 100 meters high leading to the entrance of the cave. Once inside, you can find diverse Hindu temples, but we thought the cave itself was more impressive. By walking a bit deeper into the cave and looking up, you can witness the sunlight seeping through the hole at the top, which gives a mysterious and sacred ambiance to its surroundings.

When visiting the Batu Caves, remember it is a sacred site for the Hindu community. Visitors are expected to dress modestly, women are required to cover their shoulders and knees. There are also numerous monkeys that often roam freely around the site. While they appear harmless and cute, please be careful because they are still wild animals. Therefore, we advise not to bring (visible) food or items of high value. If you do bring those, make sure they are securely stored in your backpack.

Batu Caves

Opening hours

Batu caves

Monday till Sunday:
07.00 am – 09.00 pm

Entry prices

Batu caves

Free entrance

Map

How to get around in Kuala Lumpur

Public transport

Public transportation in Kuala Lumpur is well-organized. It consists of a comprehensive network including the MRT and LRT (both types of trains), the monorail, and public buses. There is also the KLIA for transits between the city and the airport.

As we told you in our Kuala Lumpur weekblog, it is crucial to pay attention to where you need to get on and off since it can sometimes be quite confusing. Despite our rocky start, we found this to be an effective, fast and affordable means of transportation

Grab

In Malaysia, you can use the Grab app (Asia’s Uber equivalent). You specify your pickup location and destination in the app, which then calculates the cost based on distance and time of day. Our experience with Grab in Kuching has been very positive. On the other hand, Kuala Lumpur is a bustling city with heavy traffic, implying that you may have to wait longer for your driver to arrive and drop you off.

Walk

The easiest and most known way of transport is walking. Most tourist attractions are not too far apart. In many cases it is easy to walk from one spot to another. However, the Malaysian heat can be intense, making walking a lot less comfortable. We made the rookie mistake of deciding to walk during the hottest time of the day, only lasting about 10 minutes before seeking refuge in an air-conditioned café.

Lars from Whaling Around navigating through the Forest Eco Park in Kuala Lumpur

Now it is up to you to discover Kuala Lumpur

With all the information we have shared with you, we hope to offer you adequate guidance to make the most of your personal visit to Kuala Lumpur. If you need any assistance or have any questions, feel free to send us a message. We would be delighted to know if our tips were helpful!

Hi, it's me Andrea. I've written this blog specially for you!

Photo of author Andrea Bottelier

Do you want to know more about me and how I ended up traveling around the globe together with Lars? Have a look at our about us page.

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