Things to do in Kuala Lumpur

More about Kuala Lumpur

About Kuala Lumpur

The diversity of tourist attractions that Kuala Lumpur has to offer, ranging from popular attractions, historical landmarks, to shopping centers, lures tourists to visit the capital city of Malaysia. In 2013, Kuala Lumpur was listed among the 10 best cities for shopping vacation, according to CNN Travel. At least 3 of the 10 largest shopping centres in the world are in Kuala Lumpur. One of them is even equipped with the largest rock climbing facilities in Asia, a rooftop garden with hundreds of plants from tropical rain forests, and more than 650 shops. Located in the southwest of Peninsular Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur is regarded as the fastest-growing metropolitan city. As a business center, the city is also home to diverse ethnicities, including Chinese, Malay, and Indian. Like other metropolitan cities, Kuala Lumpur is always busy with numerous community activities all day long. Looking back in history, the name Kuala Lumpur is believed to be derived from its location, which is an estuary where the mud-filled Gombak River and the Klang River meets (Kuala: confluence, Lumpur: mud). However, it is also mentioned that the name Kuala Lumpur is derived from the Cantonese term "lam-pa" which means "flooded jungle", referring to the area that used to be a jungle. Along with its growing development, Kuala Lumpur is now transformed into a modern city that many tourists delightfully come to visit. 

Top things to do in Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur offers diverse tourist destinations. Here are 5 exciting must-visits in Kuala Lumpur that you can’t afford to miss

Bird Park Malaysia

Enjoy the enchanting songs of beautiful birds in Malaysia's Bird Park. Home to thousands of birds of 200 different species, Bird Park Malaysia consists of 4 zones 2 free zones, 1 hornbill park, and 1 zone of small cages. The harmonious combination of flowing rivers, large trees, vast lakes, and the singing birds inhabiting Bird Park Malaysia will make you feel the sensations like being in the jungle.

Petronas Twin Tower

As one of the landmarks in Malaysia, Petronas Twin Tower seems to be a magnet for tourists from the neighboring countries to come visit. Petronas Twin Tower is located at Kuala Lumpur Center, precisely at the intersection of Jalan Raja Chulan and Jalan Ampang. Offering magnificent architecture, this place is always crowded with tourists who want to take pictures or just relax. The area also has a number of interesting facilities such as the Petronas Art Gallery, Petrosains Discovery Center, and Sky Bridge.

Aquaria KLCC

After an exciting tour to the Petronas Twin Tower, be sure to stop by at the Aquaria KLCC which is about a 4-minute walk away. Established by Aquawalk Sdn Bhd, Aquaria KLCC is a giant aquarium with more than 5,000 marine life, including stingrays, sharks, piranhas, and jellyfish. The underwater tunnel is spanning about 90 meters long where you can see hundreds of swimming fish as far as the eye can see.Here you will also find Gene Pool, which allows you to interact with starfish and sea cucumbers up close. Another interesting attraction is the Signature Feeding Show, a shark-feeding performance by the aquarium guards.

Bukit Bintang

Bukit Bintang is the most famous shopping area in Malaysia. If you like shopping, don’t miss out having a tour in this area. Here you will find popular outlets that sell branded products. High-class hotels, cafes, and even entertainment venues are also available. This area is perfect for taking pictures or just enjoying the busy life at the capital of Malaysia.

KL Tower

While its main function is for communication purpose, KL Tower offers a variety of activities for tourists. Enjoy the magnificent view of Kuala Lumpur from Sky Box, a cube-shaped chamber protruding at the top of KL Tower. All parts of the Sky Box are made of transparent glass, allowing you to see the surrounding view from all angles, even from the bottom. To make your visit the KL Tower even more memorable, be sure to try the provided tour packages and have fun at the XD Theater and F1 Simulator, Blue Coral Museum and Mini Zoo. 

Top culinary in Kuala Lumpur

Looking for a culinary tour? Here are the top 3 places to eat in Kuala Lumpur that you should try. The foods are tasty, and the price won’t make your wallet bleed

Jalan Alor

When the night falls, Jalan Alor becomes the main culinary-tour destination. Most of the dishes you’ll find on Jalan Alor are seafood, but several restaurants also serve Malaysian cuisines. Tip for Muslim tourists: since some restaurants serve non-halal food, it’s best to ask the seller before making your order.

Dharma Realm Guan Yin Sagely Monastery

Known for serving a variety of palatable dishes without meat nor MSG, Dharma Realm Guan Yin Sagely Monastery is a culinary paradise for vegetarians. Its location is also unusual, being part of the cafeteria at one of the temples in Kuala Lumpur.

Nyonya Food

Nyonya Food at Bukit Bintang serves palatable dishes with rich seasoning. The dishes are especially best served with rice, such as ayam goreng berempah (fried chicken with rich spices), kangkung sambal belacan (kangkong with chilli paste), and gerang aram fish (spicy fish soup).

Where to stay in Kuala Lumpur

Having a comfortable accommodation to stay during your trip is a must. Here are some recommended accommodations in Kuala Lumpur with decent facilities

Hotel 99 Kuala Lumpur (Chinatown)

Located on 44A-44B Jalan Pudu, Bukit Bintang, this 3-star hotel is quite close to a number of popular attractions such as Petronas Towers, Petaling Street and KL Towers.

Royale Chulan Bukit Bintang

Offering luxury 4-star accommodations, Royale Chulan Bukit Bintang is an ideal choice to stay in Kuala Lumpur. Located on Jalan Bukit Bintang, this hotel is close to Malaysia's #1 landmark, Menara Petronas. 

Hotel Sentral Kuala Lumpur

Head to Jalan Thambypillai, KL Sentral, and you’ll find Kuala Lumpur Sentral Hotel with complete and decent facilities. This 3-star hotel is about 3.4 km from Bukit Bintang, a shopping paradise in Malaysia.

Those 3 most recommended accommodations in Kuala Lumpur are just a few among myriad options. Find other recommended accommodations at Traveloka app. With Traveloka, you can also buy tickets for exciting attractions in Kuala Lumpur, such as Aquaria KLCC and Menara KL.