Sightseeing temples and best places to visit in Kuala Lumpur

Petronas Twin Towers

The most iconic buildings of Kuala Lumpur are the Petronas Twin Towers. This landmark building defines the skyline of the city. When the Petronas Towers were finished in 1998 it were the tallest buildings in the world at an astonishing height of 452 meters, which is 1,483 ft. Today it still are the tallest twin towers in the world. So when you arrive in the city you can view these towers from great distances. In the evening the lights of the towers usually shine bright giving it a majestic appearance. The towers have a very modern look, but the design is also inspired by traditional Islamic architecture and symbolism. The two towers are connected to each other by a skybridge that give an amazing panoramic view over the city skyline. The tickets to the skybridge come in limited numbers, but it’s still one of the must-do’s in the city. The towers allow you to experience Kuala Lumpur from a bird’s eye perspective, which is both fun and humbling.

If you wish to take a picture of yourself with the Petronas Towers in the background then you could go to KLCC park. This is the park in front of the towers. From here you can take stunning pictures with green trees and lively fountains with the towers in the background. This way you can take fantastic pictures that you will always fondly look back at.

Batu Caves

The Batu Caves is one of the most famous Hindu shrines and a popular destination for travelers. The Batu Caves are actually multiple caves and Hindu religious shrines located in a millions of years old limestone hill. Perfect for the cultural travelers among us.

In front of the caves you will find the second largest Hindu statue in the world. A golden statue of 43 meters (140 feet) tall. This golden deity is Lord Murugan, who is worshipped by the Hindu’s. This becomes quite apparent during the impressive Thaipusam festival when more than a million Hindu pilgrims come to the Batu Caves with parades, music and dance, sometimes performing a sacrifice, which can be anything from carrying a pot on their head, to piercing body parts and walking on fire, in exchange for a blessing of the deity Lord Murugan.

The caves are located in a hill, so you have to climb a majestic 272 steps long stairs to reach it. On top of the stairs you have both a beautiful view and access to this remarkable religious site and beautiful natural formation.

One fun feature of this cave is that it’s home to small monkeys called macaques. These monkeys are used to being fed by tourists. The monkeys are quite curious and cheeky, as they are always out looking for food, bags and interesting items. It should be noted that the monkeys are still wild animals, so you cannot always predict their behaviour. And if you lure them with food they might find your bags interesting as well. But they are generally a friendly bunch.

This cave temple can be found right outside of Kuala Lumpur at a 15 kilometer (9 miles) distance, so it’s quite close to the city. The caves be reached in various ways. The caves have plenty of parking space, but you can also reach the caves from the city with a taxi, by bus or the subway / metro. This cave is one of the best places to visit in Kuala Lumpur, so at Meet The Cities we certainly recommend a visit to this monumental spiritual site.

Tugu Negara, the National Monument of Malaysia, and the Asean sculpture gardens

Between the calm and lush nature of the Tun Abdul Razak Heritage Park you can find the Tugu Negara. The Tugu Negara is the national monument of Malaysia and portrays and commemorates the people who fought for peace and freedom during the tragic conflicts of World War 1, World War 2 and the Malayan Emergency. The monument stands gracefully on a hill surrounded by fountains. This unique sculpture sets the record for being the tallest group of unattached bronze statues in the world. Next to the bronze statue you will find a beautiful domed pavilion with a cenotaph behind it, which are also part of the war memorial. The National Monument of Malaysia is easy to miss as a tourist, but it’s an historically important and beautiful site of reflection worth visiting.

Leading up to the monument you will find the Asean sculpture gardens. Here you will find six statues from artists from different Asian countries. This small garden of statues was built in 1987 to celebrate the 20 year existence of the Association of South East Asian Nations. As you stroll past these statues and towards the National Monument you will be reminded of the importance of mutual understanding between nations.

It’s a good idea to combine a visit to these monuments with a visit to the beautiful Heritage Park, as the park is filled with lovely family friendly attractions, such as the largest free flight bird park in the world, the Kuala Lumpur Bird Park.

Merdeka Square / Dataran Merdeka

Merdeka Square is a cultural highlight of Kuala Lumpur. The name means Independence Square. One of the reasons why this square is so popular is because it’s within walking distance of the most important architectural and colonial sights to see in Kuala Lumpur. If you wish to explore the city then Merdeka Square is a good place to start from.

Colonial heritage can be found all around the square. The imposing gothic, mughal and Indo-Saracenic styled Sultan Abdul Samad building is where the British administration was housed during colonial times. Leaving a landmark site for tourists to visit. Every year parades are held in front of the building on Independence day and Malaysia day. These vibrant spectacles demonstrate the historical importance of this beautiful building for Malaysia.

On the other side of the square you will find the Royal Selangor Club, which is a social and sports club originally founded for the local elite of all origins. But this is also one of the first places where the Malayan flag waved after it’s independence, and is now a symbol of social cohesion for the locals.

If you are interested in the colonial history of Malaysia then this Independence Square is the best place to visit in Kuala Lumpur, for a truly cultural citysperience. As this square is in the touristic heart of Kuala Lumpur you can also easily visit the nearby sights such as the Kuala Lumpur City Gallery, which is the tourist information center, the imposing Jamek Mosque, the unusual looking skyscraper called the Dayabumi Complex and the historical Panggung Bandaraya City Theatre. In short, there are plenty of things to admire in the area.

Masjid Jamek Mosque

In Malaysia you can find plenty of religious sites with beautiful architecture. The Jamek Mosque, also known as the Masjid Jamek, with it’s three white domes and graceful arches is one of them. This mosque is the oldest mosques of Kuala Lumpur and it used to be the biggest one as well. Out of symbolism the mosque is build on a site of historical importance for the locals, as it is the site where the settlers first established a presence. Coincidentally it is the place where the serene Klang and Gombak rivers come together, creating a picturesque haven where travelers can have a nice photo moment. The mosque is still in active use and can be visited if you are dressed appropriately. Locals often nickname it the Friday mosque.

Thean Hou Temple

The Thean Hou Temple is the biggest Chinese temple in Kuala Lumpur. This Buddhist wonder sits on top of a hill and is a great destination for the spiritual traveler and a testament to the industriousness of the local Chinese community. The colourful multi-floored temple gives off a warm and peaceful Chinese ambiance. The temple is decorated with dragon symbolism, which are considered wise and loyal creatures that bring good fortune. If you climb to the top of the temple are treated with a charming view of the area.

The heritage of a lot of Chinese in Kuala Lumpur can be traced back to fishermen, which is why the temple is dedicated to the Goddess Tian Hou (Mazu) who watches over seafaring people. Her golden altar can be found in the center of the prayer hall. While Guan Yin and Shui Wei Sheng Niang can be found in the altars at the sides. Fortune telling is a practise that is also performed here. And at the temple people can ask questions to the oracles through Chinese Fortune Sticks.

Sri Mahamariamman Temple

The Sri Mahamariamman Temple was the very first temple in Kuala Lumpur dedicated to the Hindu religion. The temple can easily be recognized by it’s colourful five story tall decorated tower of hundreds divine idols which forms the gate into the temple. The gate has an impressive height of almost 23 meters (which is 75ft) making it one of the favorite tourist attractions for the culture enthusiast looking for the best temples in Kuala Lumpur. As you take your shoes off you are allowed to enter the temple. Inside the temple you will find various shrines and beautiful murals depicting Hindu deities. This unusual temple with it’s many bright statues is a fun attraction for the people interested in the Hindu way of life.

A fun fact is that during the Thaipusam festival a huge silver chariot, which is housed in this temple, is used to tour the most important statues, including Lord Muruga who is celebrated on this event, to the Batu Caves followed by a thousands of religious followers.

Menara KL Tower

The Kuala Lumpur Tower, also known as Menara KL, is one of the largest towers in the world, standing at an impressive 421 metres (which is 1381 feet) tall. The tower is used for broadcasting media, but it’s also open to the public. So if you desire a breathtaking panoramic view over the skyline of the city then you can take the super fast elevator, which only takes a minute to reach the observation deck, up this tower and enjoy the bird’s eye view.

The KL tower offers a restaurant with the most impressive view in town, as you can sit down and enjoy your meal right in front of the windows. From the KL Tower you will be able to view the city from a higher point than from the skybridge in the Petronas Towers, ensuring this is the best place to visit in Kuala Lumpur for a delightful 360 view over this stunning city. It’s also possible to buy a ticket to the open deck, where there will be no windows, where you can take extra thrilling pictures. Because the KL Tower is build on a hill it actually reaches slightly above the Petronas Towers. This makes it a popular spot for the world’s top base jumpers.

Old KL Train Station

One of the more iconic buildings in Kuala Lumpur is the old train and railway station. This colonial building with it’s large chhatris (elevated domes) and distinct arches in a moorish architecture shows the grandeur of the Malaysian and British empire. It’s no surprise it’s often considered one of the best looking train stations in the world. The clean white architecture of this classic monument forms a great contrast to the modern Kuala Lumpur buildings. The train station is still used to connect the different districts of the city using an above-ground metro.

In front of the Old Railway Station you can find another notable monument, the KTM Headquarters. So if you step outside the railway station you can take dazzling pictures of both landmarks at the same time.

KTM Headquarters

When talking about the architecture of Kuala Lumpur the modern buildings like the Petronas Towers usually get the most attention. But there is plenty of classic architecture to be found in the city. Right across the Kuala Lumpur Railway Station is the Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTM) headquarters also known as the Malayan Railway Administration Office. This landmark building was also built during colonial times in the typical Mughal style that you find across the city. The exotic brown monument offers typical keyhole shaped arches and five domes with Moorish pinnacles surrounded by minarets typical to this form of Islamic inspired architecture.

National Mosque of Malaysia

The National Mosque of Malaysia, also known as Masjid Negara Malaysia, was build as symbol of national unity and independence. The mosque has a progressive and modern design showing the new era the country was heading towards when the mosque was build. The most distinct features of the mosque are the minaret that reaches 73 meters high and the umbrella shaped roof above the main prayer hall. The mosque is surrounded by beautiful gardens, but also inside the compound you will find fountains and a soothing white, blue and golden architecture.

Tourists can visit the mosque for sightseeing when there are no active sessions, but they do have to adhere to the Islamic dress code and remove their shoes when entering. This usually also goes for the other religious buildings in Kuala Lumpur. Proper robes can be borrowed at the entrance.

The mosque is a nice modern contrast from the other religious buildings in Kuala Lumpur so at Meet The Cities we believe it’s certainly worth a visit. As the mosque is centrally located and within walking distance of the Kuala Lumpur Bird Park and other landmarks a visit is easy to mix with other activities.