5 Places of Interest to visit in Kuala Lumpur

The capital of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur is a magnificent, exotic city that offers a myriad of attractions. Not only is it a shopper’s paradise, but it also offers culture, history and vibrant nightlife. If you are making a brief stopover in Kuala Lumpur, here are 5 ‘must- sees’ to keep in mind:

China Town

Also known as Chee Cheong Kai, this colorful, fun market is the ideal location from where you can soak up the atmosphere as you mingle with the bustling crowd of locals and tourists. In addition to the market, this neighborhood offers temples, a wide selection of hawker stalls and eateries. The vibe continues from daytime into the night as people dine on street food, haggle away, shop for cheap clothes, souvenirs, and imitation designer goods that the market is known for.

Petaling Street market is the vibrant center of Chinatown, a chaotic but exciting place to wander around. Sample delicious offerings such as deep-fried chicken feet, coconut pancakes and stir-fries as you watch the Chinese dragons dance around you.

Petronas Twin Towers

Once the tallest buildings in the world, these are twin skyscrapers that were designed by the architect Cesar Pelli. The two towers consist of 88 stories of a circular structure with a pyramid-shaped pinnacle topped by a steel spire. The towers are 1,483ft high, and they are linked by a sky bridge.

You will marvel at the spectacular designs of the exterior as well as the interior. In addition, the views of the city from the observation deck at level 86 are outstanding.

Aquaria KLCC

This is a state of the aquarium that is one of the largest in Southeast Asia. The aquarium is designed to take you through varied watery landscapes such as the Amazon basin, and coral reefs.It is home to over 150 species of marine life, the most thrilling attractions of which include sharks, blue rays, sea horses and others.

You will have an opportunity to hold live corals and starfish to get a feel of their texture.At the ‘Jewels of the Jungle’ area you can check out the reptiles and insects such as the tarantula and many others.

The highlight of the tour is the walkthrough a 90m tunnel which is inside a giant tank. As you walk along, you will be surrounded by huge stingrays and sand tiger sharks.

The National Museum

A perfect way to get acquainted with Malaysian history, arts, and culture is to visit the National Museum which was opened in 1963. The museum building was designed to resemble an old Malay palace. The front facade has striking murals made of Italian glass mosaic.

The museum has four main galleries that trace the history of Malaysia from prehistoric to modern times, and it is famous for its artifacts from the Harappan civilization. 

KL Forest Eco Park

This is the sole remaining tropical rainforest in the center of Kuala Lumpur. A remarkable attraction, this park was gazetted as a forest reserve in 1906 and is home to numerous varieties of trees, creepers, and bamboo. The highlight here is the canopy walk, a 200m high aerial bridge that hangs above the forest reserve.

There is so much more to explore in Kuala Lumpur. However, to truly appreciate the eclectic blend of culture and class, you may need to plan a longer visit so as to do it justice.