Choose wisely. Connect locally.Add your business 
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia's capital, began in the mid-nineteenth century as a tin-mining settlement where the Klang and Gombak rivers meet; its name means muddy confluence. Today it is a modern city of towers and highways in which Malay, Chinese and Indian communities shape the food, festivals and places of worship.
The Petronas Twin Towers, linked by a skybridge, rise above KLCC Park, and Menara Kuala Lumpur offers another lofty view, with KL Forest Eco Park and its canopy walk at its base. Bukit Bintang is the hub for shopping and nightlife. In the older center, Merdeka Square is where the Malayan flag was raised at independence in 1957, and Masjid Jamek stands at the meeting of the rivers. Petaling Street is the heart of Chinatown, with the restored lane of Kwai Chai Hong nearby, and Sri Mahamariamman Temple is among the city's oldest Hindu temples. The modernist National Mosque, Masjid Negara, sits close to the Islamic Arts Museum and the Perdana Botanical Gardens. Just north of the city, a long, brightly painted staircase climbs to the Hindu shrines inside the Batu Caves.
Kuala Lumpur suits food lovers, shoppers and travelers on a stopover. The climate is hot and humid year-round, with frequent afternoon storms. Rail lines reach most districts, and Malacca and the Cameron Highlands are popular side trips.
WiserMap travel guideKuala Lumpur Malaysia Petronas Towers and Batu CavesPlan a Kuala Lumpur trip: Petronas Towers, Batu Caves, Merdeka Square, Chinatown, Jalan Alor street food, where to stay, best time to go and how to get around.Read the guide
The 88-storey steel towers were the world's tallest buildings from 1998 to 2004. Timed tickets take you to the Skybridge on level 41 and the observation deck on level 86. Suria KLCC mall sits at the base, and KLCC Park has a lake, fountains and a free wading pool. Book tower tickets online ahead.
The KL Tower is a telecom tower on Bukit Nanas with an observation deck and an open-air Sky Deck and glass Sky Box at about 300 meters. Around its base, KL Forest Eco Park protects old lowland rainforest with a canopy walkway. Visit the forest in the morning, then go up the tower near sunset.
The square where Malaysian independence was declared in 1957, with a tall flagpole and a large lawn. It is framed by the Moorish style Sultan Abdul Samad Building, the Royal Selangor Club and the KL City Gallery, which has a scale model of the city. Come in the evening when the buildings are lit up.
Kampung Baru is a traditional Malay village of wooden houses and food stalls surrounded by skyscrapers, best for nasi lemak and satay. Merdeka 118, completed in 2023, is the world's second tallest building and rises near Petaling Street. Walk Kampung Baru at dusk, when food stalls open and the towers light up.
Kuala Lumpur's oldest major mosque, built in 1909 at the confluence of the Klang and Gombak rivers where the city began. The white domes and red brick arches overlook the River of Life water features. Visitors can enter outside prayer times, and robes and headscarves are provided at the entrance.
The oldest functioning Hindu temple in Kuala Lumpur, founded in 1873 at the edge of Chinatown. Its tall gopuram tower is covered with colorful carved deities, and the temple keeps a silver chariot used in the Thaipusam procession to Batu Caves. Remove shoes before entering and dress modestly.
A large six-tiered Chinese temple on Robson Heights dedicated to the sea goddess Mazu, with red pillars, ornate roofs and rows of lanterns. It blends Buddhist, Taoist and Confucian elements and has city views from its terraces. It is especially photogenic during Chinese New Year when the lanterns are lit.
A limestone hill north of the city with Hindu cave temples reached by 272 rainbow-painted steps beside a huge golden statue of Lord Murugan. The main Temple Cave is open and free. It is easy to reach on the KTM Komuter train. Cover knees and shoulders, and watch your bags around the monkeys.
The National Mosque, opened in 1965, has a star-shaped roof and a tall minaret set among pools. A short walk away, the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia displays manuscripts, ceramics, textiles, arms and architectural models from across the Muslim world. Check mosque visiting hours, which close at prayer times.
Kuala Lumpur's main shopping and entertainment district, with malls such as Pavilion KL and Lot 10 and busy streets full of bars and massage parlors. Nearby Jalan Alor is a famous food street that fills with outdoor tables at night. Use the MRT or monorail to get there, since traffic is very heavy.
Petaling Street is the heart of Chinatown, a covered market lane selling souvenirs, snacks and knockoffs, with old coffee shops and food stalls nearby. Kwai Chai Hong is a restored back lane with murals showing life in 1960s Chinatown. Haggle at the market stalls and go in the evening for street food.
A large green park in the old Lake Gardens area west of the center, with a boating lake, an orchid garden, a hibiscus garden and shaded walking paths. Nearby are the KL Bird Park and the National Monument. Visit in the early morning or late afternoon, since it gets hot and humid by midday.
No reviews yet. Been to Kuala Lumpur? Be the first to share your experience.
Share what you loved, what to skip and tips for other travelers.
Log in to write a reviewBeen to Kuala Lumpur? Add your best shots to the gallery.
Log in to add photosPhoto: Bruce Poon, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Marcin Konsek, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: CEphoto, Uwe Aranas, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: This photo was taken by Anton Zelenov. Please credit this with : Photo : Anton Zelenov …, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: CEphoto, Uwe Aranas, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: IQRemix, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Jorge Láscar, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: CEphoto, Uwe Aranas, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: *angys*, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Sam Hidayat, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: User:Two hundred percent., Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: مانفی, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: NASA Astronauts, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: DaveSumpner at English Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Flickr user: Sham Hardy Kuala Lumpur https://www.flickr.com/photos/xshamx/, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Azreey, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: CEphoto, Uwe Aranas, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: CEphoto, Uwe Aranas, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Bearsmalaysia, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Marcin Konsek, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: James Kerwin from Tbilisi, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Ahmad Rithauddin from Ampang, malaysia, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Frostpolar, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Frostpolar, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Frostpolar, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Frostpolar, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Frostpolar, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Frostpolar, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Marcin Konsek, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Marcin Konsek, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Philip Nalangan, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Philip Nalangan, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
Photo: CEphoto, Uwe Aranas, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: CEphoto, Uwe Aranas, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: CEphoto, Uwe Aranas, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Jan Kranendonk (https://www.jankranendonk.nl), Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Shesmax, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Shesmax, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Shesmax, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Philip Nalangan, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Alexey Komarov, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Dennis Sylvester Hurd, Wikimedia Commons, CC0
Photo: Alexey Komarov, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Alexey Komarov, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: CEphoto, Uwe Aranas, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Slyronit, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Slyronit, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Slyronit, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Yu Chu Chin, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Yu Chu Chin, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Renek78, Wikimedia Commons, CC0
Photo: Renek78, Wikimedia Commons, CC0
Photo: Renek78, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Carven Yong Jui Ming, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
