Skyscraper

Merdeka 118 is the 2nd tallest building in the world after Dubai's Burj Khalifa and opened to the public in July 2025. [btn "See the most luxurious hotels in KL here" https://www.booking.com/city/my/kuala-lumpur.en.html?aid=2380460;label=p-kl-merdeka118] Height of Merdeka 118 How tall is the 2nd tallest building in the world? In total, Merdeka 118 measures an impressive 679 metres including the antenna. The roof of the building is at a height…

Skyscraper, Lookout

The twin skyscrapers of the Petronas Towers are an icon of Kuala Lumpur. They were built in 1998 and measure 452 metres, when this height made the Petronas Towers the tallest buildings in the world until 2004. Today, they rank as the 21st tallest buildings in the world. They are no longer the tallest even in Kuala Lumpur - surpassed by "The Exchange 106" at 454 metres and the world's second tallest building Merdeka 118 at 679 metres. In total,…

Cave, Temple

A location that you should definitely not miss when visiting Kuala Lumpur is Batu Caves on the very border of the city. Around the 325 metre high rock massif you will find a number of Hindu temples, statues and shrines. [btn "The 10 best hotels in Kuala Lumpur" https://www.booking.com/city/my/kuala-lumpur.en.html?aid=2380460;label=p-kl-batu-caves] Colourful stairs and a golden statue Batu Caves, this is actually a cave complex with a long…

Lookout, Tower

The TV Tower in Kuala Lumpur offers the best panoramic view of the entire city. It is built on a hill in the centre of the city and the height of the top floor alone is 308 metres. The acknowledged height of the building, including the antennas, is 421 metres. [btn "Hotels with the best views in KL" https://www.booking.com/city/my/kuala-lumpur.en.html?aid=2380460;label=p-kl-menara] The tower was opened in 1996. Menara Kuala Lumpur is the 7th…

Temple

The oldest Hindu temple in Kuala Lumpur was built in 1873. Located right in Chinatown, its colourful ornate facade catches the eye from afar in the modern development. [btn "Top cheapest hotels in Kuala Lumpur" https://www.booking.com/city/my/kuala-lumpur.en.html?aid=2380460;label=p-kl-maha-mariamman] Monumental gopuram Dominating the temple is a 5-storey, 23-metre-high colourful gopuram, a typical gateway for South Indian-style Hindu temples…

Park, For kids

An oasis of calm in the middle of the bustling business centre will be your romantic stop, ideally during each evening, when you will enjoy peaceful moments after the day's activities on the waterfront steps and under the illuminated Petronas Towers. Symphony Lake - Musical fountain Every evening, a performance is set to music by illuminated fountains directly below the Suria Shopping Centre and Petronas Towers. The show may not be as…

Square, Monument

Unofficially known as Independence Square, it has become a place to celebrate national holidays and other more festive events. In its close proximity you will find the Textile Museum, the statue of I love KL, the City Gallery, St Mary's Cathedral and most importantly the Sultan Abdul Samad Building, which was formerly used for the administration of the British colony and is now home to several Malaysian ministries. Dataran Merdeka, as the…

Mosque

Under the Malay name Masjid Negara is the national mosque, which can accommodate up to 15,000 people. It is located halfway between the old railway station and the Museum of Islamic Art. [btn "The 10 best hotels in Kuala Lumpur" https://www.booking.com/city/my/kuala-lumpur.en.html?aid=2380460;label=p-kl-narodni-mesita] Modern architecture: symbols of umbrellas Built in 1965, the mosque's unconventional modernist look is striking at first…

Museum

As boring as the name sounds, it is the largest museum of Islamic art in Southeast Asia and features over 7,000 artifacts. Given its ideal location and walking distance between Masjid Negara and the parks on the west side (such as Bird Park and the Botanical Gardens), the museum is perfect for at least a short stop when strolling through this part of Kuala Lumpur. [btn "Show hotels in downtown Kuala Lumpur" https://www.booking.com/city/my…

Market

The Central Market building is a haven for many market vendors who sell all sorts of goods here. From clothes to home accessories to electronics. But in recent times, Central Market has been transformed from an authentic place to a commercial tourist mall with many souvenirs and local food. [btn "Show top 10 Kuala Lumpur hotels" https://www.booking.com/city/my/kuala-lumpur.en.html?aid=2380460;label=p-kl-centralmarket] But we definitely…

Mosque

One of the oldest mosques in Kuala Lumpur, Masjid Jamek Sultan Abdul Samad, is located at the overground station of the same name right in the city centre. The mosque sits on a beautiful site at the confluence of the Klang and Gombak rivers drowned in a modern development of high-rise buildings. On the tip of the peninsula formed by the confluence of the two rivers, you will find the inscription "Kuala Lumpur". Overall, the Jamek Mosque is one…

City Quarter, Market

In the middle of Kuala Lumpur you will find the unique Kampung Baru district, home to an ethnic group of traditional Malays. Kampung Baru is a very interesting island of local rural architecture of low houses with gardens among modern skyscrapers. The area is constantly on the radar of developers and the city has been negotiating with local residents for years to sell off land to build modern high-rise buildings. But Kampung Baru continues to…

Monument

The Tugu Negara National Monument commemorates the struggle for freedom during the Japanese occupation during World War II. It is the largest freestanding bronze grouping of statues with a height of over 15 metres. It is part of a pleasant park that comes more than handy on sultry days. [btn "The 10 best hotels in Kuala Lumpur" https://www.booking.com/city/my/kuala-lumpur.en.html?aid=2380460;label=p-kl-taman-negara] Apart from the bronze…

Market, City Quarter

Chow Kit, located north of the city centre just outside the popular Kampung Baru district, has a reputation for being a lively area full of local markets and until recently was also known as the main "red light district". However, this has recently moved more into the side streets of the very touristy Bukit Bintang area. [btn "Find hotel prices in KL" https://www.booking.com/city/my/kuala-lumpur.en.html?aid=2380460;label=p-kl-chowkit] Second…

Palace

The new royal residence of Istana Negara is located in a large park in the west of the city. The huge complex, dominated by a golden-domed palace, opened in 2011 and replaced the old mansion closer to the centre. The old mansion briefly housed a museum, but it is now closed. [btn "Top 10 most luxurious hotels in Kuala Lumpur" https://www.booking.com/city/my/kuala-lumpur.en.html?aid=2380460;label=p-kl-istana] The palace complex covers almost…

City Quarter

A typical place to go in the evening when you don't know where to go. The streets of Chinatown come to life as darkness falls and hundreds of vendors hit the streets. But it's lively all day long, and it's only in the evening that Chinatown takes on a truly exotic feel, with a huge number of traditional Chinese lanterns lit up. Shop the local markets for souvenirs, clothes, watches, sunglasses, handbags and even imitation expensive pens. Don't…

Zoo, For kids

Kuala Lumpur Bird Park is a huge bird zoo spread over 20 acres in the vicinity of the Botanical Gardens. It is one of the largest bird parks in the world and boasts what is said to be the largest aviary in the world, through which visitors can walk freely. [btn "The 10 best hotels in Kuala Lumpur" https://www.booking.com/city/my/kuala-lumpur.en.html?aid=2380460;label=p-kl-bird-park] We recommend setting aside 60-75 minutes to visit this bird…

Temple

Thean Hou Chinese Temple, built as recently as 1989, is located in the hills of Robson Heights. Apart from prayers, it is used for weddings and has been very popular with travellers in recent years. [btn "View the top 10 hotels in Kuala Lumpur" https://www.booking.com/city/my/kuala-lumpur.en.html?aid=2380460;label=p-kl-thean-hou] It offers impressive views of Kuala Lumpur and is worth a short visit in itself, despite being largely detached…

Botanical garden

The complex of several themed botanical gardens covers 91 hectares on the western edge of the city centre and was the first large public park in Kuala Lumpur. The botanical gardens are the perfect place to relax for a while in a pleasant shady setting with many ponds, grassy areas and benches. [btn "The 10 best hotels in Kuala Lumpur" https://www.booking.com/city/my/kuala-lumpur.en.html?aid=2380460;label=p-kl-botanicka-zahrada] Orchid and…

Street, Market

Jalan Petaling is one of the most famous streets in Kuala Lumpur and the centre of the local Chinatown. The covered street is literally bursting at the seams under the onslaught of locals and tourists alike, with hundreds of vendors selling clothes, food, watches and jewellery crowding the small space. All, of course, are cheap knockoffs of well-known brands. [btn "View the cheapest hotels in Kuala Lumpur" https://www.booking.com/city/my/kuala…

Museum

The National Museum (Muzium Negara) has its doors in close proximity to the Botanical Garden or the National Mosque. If the exhibition itself doesn't tempt you, at least check out the outdoor exhibits, which are free to enter. The facade of the building is inspired by traditional Malay architecture combined with modern ones. Focus on tradition and Malay culture The museum's exhibitions and collections focus mainly on the cultural history of…

Street

This unassuming backstreet is one of the quieter spots in the lively Bukit Bintang district, but shouldn't be missed. Jalan Rembia has made a name for itself as an open-air gallery, with colourful murals by local artists adorning the apartment blocks along virtually its entire length. [btn "Find cheap hotels in Kuala Lumpur" https://www.booking.com/city/my/kuala-lumpur.en.html?aid=2380460;label=p-kl-rembia] The paintings on the houses are…

City Quarter

Bukit Bintang is the most famous neighbourhood to go for street food in the evening, but also to have fun. Nightclubs, shopping malls, restaurants and street vendors. Bukit Bintang has it all. Although Bukit Bintang is best known for its street food, there are definitely better places to go for local food in Kuala Lumpur. [btn "Book your hotel in KL in advance" https://www.booking.com/city/my/kuala-lumpur.en.html?aid=2380460;label=p-kl-bukit…

Park, Zoo, For kids

The butterfly zoo can be found as you stroll through the wooded area on the western edge of Kuala Lumpur. Other nearby attractions include Bird Park, the Botanical Gardens and the National Mosque. At over 7,400 square metres, it is one of the largest open-air butterfly parks in the world. In the aviary, you can walk freely among more than 5,000 butterflies, mostly from Malaysia and Southeast Asia. You'll see butterflies at every turn, and…

Mosque

The Federal Territory Mosque, known in Malay as Masjid Wilayah Persekutuan, is the largest mosque within the city limits of Kuala Lumpur and is larger even than the National Mosque in the city centre. The interior can accommodate 17,000 worshippers and is located in the modern government district in the west of the city. [btn "The 10 best hotels in Kuala Lumpur" https://www.booking.com/city/my/kuala-lumpur.en.html?aid=2380460;label=p-kl…

Aquarium, For kids

Located on the ground floor of the Kuala Lumpur Convention Center just a few minutes' walk from the Petronas Twin Towers, the Oceanarium will entice children and adults alike. Of the city's aquariums located extra within other buildings and malls, this is definitely one of the best. [btn "The 10 best hotels in Kuala Lumpur" https://www.booking.com/city/my/kuala-lumpur.en.html?aid=2380460;label=p-kl-aquaria] What will you see inside? After a…

Temple

The oldest Chinese temple in Kuala Lumpur can be found between Central Market and lively Petaling Street. The colourful little Taoist shrine, Sin Sze Si Ya, was opened in 1864 by Captain Yap Ah Loy and is still an integral part of the local Chinese community today. [btn "Book a cheap hotel in central Kuala Lumpur" https://www.booking.com/city/my/kuala-lumpur.en.html?aid=2380460;label=p-kl-sin-sze] A visit to the small temple takes less than 5…

Station

Don't confuse Kuala Lumpur Railway Station with KL Sentral, the main transport hub today. The train station is much older, almost devoid of modern interventions and renovations, and so will offer a brief throwback to the past. The railway station building dates back to 1917 and at first glance, it impresses with its interesting "Rajah" style of architecture, which blends Western and Mughal elements. Nowadays only suburban lines stop here, for…

Street

Kuala Lumpur City Walk is a covered pedestrian street in the city centre, ideal when walking between the Petronas Twin Towers and the Menara Tower. KL City Walk is approximately 500 metres long and is the perfect place for lunch or an early dinner. [btn "View KL city centre hotels" https://www.booking.com/city/my/kuala-lumpur.en.html?aid=2380460;label=p-kl-city-walk] The lane is dotted with local eateries and restaurants serving Asian cuisine…

Amusement park, Department store, For kids

The Berjaya Times Square mall is home to one of the largest indoor theme parks in Southeast Asia for all ages. [btn "The best family hotels in central KL" https://www.booking.com/city/my/kuala-lumpur.en.html?aid=2380460;label=p-kl-berjaya] Attractions for kids and adults The theme park is divided into many sections. A huge roller coaster, carousels and other large attractions take up the largest space, all under one roof on the 5th floor of…