Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur Monorail

The KL Monorail Line goes through the city center and connects the transportation hub KL Sentral with station Titiwangsa in Bukit Bintang, which is the shopping and entertainment district of Kuala Lumpur. This shopping area is also called the Golden Triangle.

Depending on the time the monorail trains depart every 5 to 15 minutes from the stations. The monorail stations are elevated structures and are often situated above the roads. Ticketing facilities are on the ground or first floor. Both the Touch ‘n Go and MyRapid stored value cards can be used at the monorail.

Below are some stations listed with the attraction or shopping mall that is nearby:
Station Air Asia / Bukit Bintang – attraction Pavilion mall
Station Bukit Nanas – attractions KL Tower and Petronas Twin Towers
Station Imbi – attraction Berjaya Times Square shopping mall
Station KL Sentral – attraction Nu sentral shopping mall
Station Maharajalela – attraction Petaling street (Flea market)
Station Tun Sambanthan – attraction Brickfields (Little India) and its temples

LRT lines (Light Rail Transit lines)

A great way to reach most destinations in Kaula Lumpur is by using the Light Rail Transit lines, or in short the LRT lines. Making use of the LRT lines is a very popular method of travelling within Kuala Lumpur. The trains are air conditioned, modern and clean. The lines are very extended and have many stations so that almost all important shopping malls and attractions can be reached with one of the LRT lines. At each station is a ticket machine, or counter where you can buy your tickets. It is also possible to pay with one of the public transport stored value cards Touch ‘n Go or MyRapid card.

There are four Light Rail Transit lines. These are the LRT Ampang Line, the LRT Sri Petalang Line, the LRT Kelana Jaya Line and the LRT Bandar Utama – Klang Line. Together with the KTM line (and the planned MRT line) the LRT lines go to most of the suburbs in Kuala Lumpur. There is a map at each station that explains where you are and which direction the trains go to.

During weekdays it can be very busy between 7:00-9:00 and 17:00-19:00 as people travel between their work in central Kuala Lumpur and their homes in the suburbs of Kuala Lumpur. The operating times of the transit lines are from 6:00 to about midnight. Every 15 minutes or less a train departs from the station, so you will never have to wait very long.

Some important stations and their nearby attractions or malls are listed below:
Station Air Asia / Bukit Bintang – attraction Pavilion mall
Station KLCC – attraction Petronas Twin Towers
Station KL Sentral – attraction Nu sentral shopping mall
Station Masjid Jamek – attraction Dataran Merdeka (Independence Square)
Station Pasar Seni – attraction Petaling street (Flea market)

KTM Komuter lines

The KTM (Keretapi Tanah Melayu) Komuter is a commuter rail service brand with air-conditioned trains. In 2015 it transported about 54 million passengers. There are two KTM lines in Kuala Lumpur, which are the KTM Seremban line and the KTM Port Klang Line, and there are over fifty connected stations in total. For people with a rental car there are park & ride facilities available at the stations.

KTM Komuter services shopping malls like the Mid Valley Megamall / The Gardens Mall and several attractions. The KTM Komuter lines do not go to the airports, but it is possible travel to the KL Sentral station and transfer there to other trains, like the KLIA Ekspres, which do go to the Kuala Lumpur International Airport. The tickets can be bought at the vending machines and counters at the railway stations. Do note the MyRapid card can’t be used for travelling with the KTM, but the Touch ‘n Go card can.

Listed below are some popular destinations of the KTM Komuter combined with a nearby attraction or shopping mall:
Station Batu Caves – attraction Batu Caves
Station KL Sentral – attraction Nu Sentral Shopping Mall
Station Kuala Lumpur – attraction KL Bird Park and the National Mosque of Malaysia
Station Mid Valley – attraction Mid Valley Megamall

MRT lines (planned for 2017)

The Mass Rapid Transport lines, also known as the MRT lines, are transit lines that are planned to be operational in early 2017. These will be driverless trains with a capacity of about 1200 persons per trainset. There are three lines planned of which the first, the Sungai Buloh-Kajang Line, is currently under construction. As its name reveals it will run from Sungai Buloh in the northwest through the city center of Kuala Lumpur to Kajang in the southeast. This line is much needed as it is estimated it will serve an impressive 1,2 million people.

KLIA Ekspres and KLIA Transit

KLIA Ekspres and KLIA Transit are rail services that ride from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) to KL Sentral transportation hub. The services share the same rail track, but the difference between the two rail services is that the KLIA Ekspres serves only three stations (which are KL Sentral, KLIA1 and KLIA2), while KLIA Transit also stops at the three stations in between.

The KLIA Ekspres is a very modern and comfortable train with free WiFi and is mostly used by travellers between KLIA and Kuala Lumpur city center. The KLIA Transit on the other hand is more used by locals to travel between their work in Kuala Lumpur and their homes in the metropolitan area of Kuala Lumpur. This makes KLIA Ekspres faster to reach it’s final destination and it only takes about 30 minutes to travel between KL Sentral and KLIA.

These trains depart approximately every 15-20 minutes from KLIA, so that you don’t have to wait for a long time to catch a train. Tickets can be bought at the automated ticketing machines or counters. Since June 2015 it isn’t possible anymore to use the Touch ‘n Go for these trains at KL Sentral. When tickets are bought in advance at the KLIA Ekspres website a discount will be received on the fare price, and if you pay with Mastercard an additional discount will be received.

KLCC Park

The KLCC Park is located in the heart of the Kuala Lumpur. The park was designed as an idyllic garden next to the Petronas Towers that combines nature, recreation and design making it an ideal refuge to escape the buzzing city life of Kuala Lumpur. The facilities like fountains and a swimming pool for children contrasts with the trees and the skyscrapers in the background, adding lots of lively colours to the park. Even the vegetation in the park is carefully selected to cater to local and exotic birds in the region to attract wildlife and give the park a more natural feel.

As the park is located right next to the Petronas Towers it is considered one of the ideal places to visit if you wish to take stunning travel pictures of Kuala Lumpur with the Petronas Twin Towers in the background.

KLCC park is home to Symphony Lake. This lake has is where the park fountains can be found. And as the name suggests the lake also has an artistic note to it. In the evening at set times colourful and musical fountain shows are given giving the lake a memorable note.

Tun Abdul Razak Heritage Park

The Tun Abdul Razak Heritage Park is one of our favorite parks in Kuala Lumpur due to it’s sheer size and interesting things you can do in the park. As the name suggests the park is meant to preserve the heritage of the Kuala Lumpur residents in a delightful fashion. This serene haven is the largest park of the city and consists of several smaller themed parks, monuments and even museums. You can spend a day at the lake, strolling the many beautiful paths while enjoying the lush nature. Or you can spend the day with your family visiting one of the largest bird parks in the world.

The park was originally founded in the late 19th century. And after more than a century it now covers over 170 acres of paradise in the cultural heart of the city and is home to many touristic attractions and sites of historical importance.

A great way to explore this luscious green park and it’s attractions is by hopping on the green trams that rides through the park. For a small symbolic fee you can hop-on the tour tram, enjoy the amazing view as you see everything the park has to offer and hop-off at the themed parks you wish to explore deeper. The trams go all the way from the tourist center at KL City Gallery at Merdeka Square to the famous lake gardens, the bird park and more.

Perdana Botanical Garden / Lake Gardens Park
The Lake Gardens Park is the oldest and most popular park in Kuala Lumpur, but it was revamped in 2011 as the Perdana Botanical Garden. In 1888 when this park was founded it was originally intended to be a recreational park, but as more exotic and rare plants and trees were planted it became the botanical garden it is known for today. This park is so large it actually covers most of the heritage park. The garden aims to bring a serene environment that expositions the elegance of flower gardens with the scenery of tropical woods.

In this garden you will find a diverse array of features like a soothing waterfall, a beautifully designed sunken garden with a fountain in the heart of it, walking paths between the lush nature so you can calm your mind while exploring nature and smelling the flowers around, charming white bridges, tropical flower collections, an extravagant lake with multiple fountains, fruit trees and hybrid flowers rarely seen in modern cities, a conservatory and garden where enthusiasts can discover the medical herbs that are grown here and more.

Panggung Anniversary
Within Perdana Botanical Garden you will find an open air theater called the Panggung Anniversary. At this amphitheatre regular cultural events and free concerts are given to the lucky audience. This theater was built during hippie times and gave a stage to new artists who could showcase their abilities to both fans and new audiences alike. As it’s surrounded by trees and fountains it’s a pretty unique setting to enjoy concerts from.

Orchid garden
Malaysia prides itself on it’s many native orchid species that have made the country it’s home. The access to this garden is free so don’t be shy to visit it. The garden colours itself with thousands of orchids from over 800 species. If you enjoy the garden you have the option to also buy some flowers to bring home. Especially when the flowers are in bloom it’s a wonderful sight to behold.

Hibiscus park
The Hibiscus is Malaysia’s national flower. The flower is excellent for landscaping as the showy flower can be in bloom any time of the year, the herbs can be used for teas and it attracts colourful butterflies. The flowers come in all colours of the rainbow. The hibiscus park is built in historical and colonial style with small ponds and waterfalls and it even has a nice tearoom for visitors. The access to this park is free so you can just freely stroll in to take some charming pictures.

Deer park
A great place to visit with the family is the deer park. The deer park is home to several species of deer, with the most interesting being the mouse deer, which is also known as the Kancil or Chevrotain. This is the smallest deer type in the world. The deer has some hilarious pig-like features and local folklore is often centered around how this deer gets itself into trouble, but manages to outsmart the situation. More common and friendly deers are also housed here that can be fed by people. This park also has free admission, so there is no reason to pass the opportunity to visit it.

Butterfly park
Butterflies are almost universally loved. So a fun place to visit during your stay in Kuala Lumpur is the butterfly park. This butterfly park has a small fee, but it is actually the largest butterfly park in the world. It has over 6000 butterflies of 120 species that live in this flower garden that mimics their diverse natural habitat. As you walk past the many flowers and plants you will see butterflies everywhere on them and can experience them up close. Although they are not the main attraction this colourful park also has a few other creatures like water turtles, leaf insects and stick insects.

Kuala Lumpur Bird Park
Nowhere else on the planet you can find a bigger enclosed bird park where you can experience birds roaming freely than in Kuala Lumpur. The KL Bird Park is an unique attraction where visitors can discover thousands of birds from up close. As both parents and children love the many colorful birds this huge park is one of the most popular tourist attractions of Kuala Lumpur.

The National Monument, Tugu Negara
The Heritage Park is home to one of the most impressive statues of Kuala Lumpur. The war memorial Tun Negara, which is the National Monument of Malaysia. This unique bronze monument reminds us of the people who fought for the freedom of Malaysia and stands on a platform overlooking the rich forest gardens of Kuala Lumpur.

You can find out more about this unique monument on the sightseeing in Kuala Lumpur page.

An abundance of museums
The Heritage Park offers a wealth of museums. The National Museum which covers the history and civilization of the country through various periods lies adjacent to the park. The National Planetarium, which includes various exhibitions and a space observatory managed by the Malaysian National Space Agency is located in the park. There is a museum dedicated to Malaysia’s second Prime Minister, who helped achieve the independence of the country, the Memorial Tun Abdul Razak. And you can find plenty of other museums here, like a police and Islamic art museum.

The park lies in the cultural heart of the city, making it an excellent destination for the cultural traveler who wants to visit some museums. A more extensive description of the available museums can be found on the museums of Kuala Lumpur page.

Titiwangsa Park

The Titiwangsa Park is a popular park in Kuala Lumpur containing a large lake at it’s center. As you peer over the lake and it’s fountains you see a marvelous horizon, with the Petronas Towers and the Palace of Culture, the Istana Budaya, in the background. The park offers water sport facilities, jogging facilities and a playground for children with slides, swings and climbing ropes. The park is a great place to visit to calm down, have a picnic and just enjoy the ambience with other people, while the more active people can go canoeing on the lake.

KL Forest Eco Park

The KL Forest Eco Park, also known as the Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve, offers a walking trail through a small rainforest, which can be found in the heart of the city right next to the famous Menara KL Tower. It’s one of the oldest nature reserves of the city and it’s most notable attractions are the presence of a tree top walk over a suspension bridge and the presence of monkeys, although you might not always find them. It’s a fun distraction from the city and one of the many pieces of nature in Kuala Lumpur that add soul to the city.

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.

Kuala Lumpur International Airport – KLIA1

Kuala Lumpur International Airport, also known as KLIA, is the main international airport of Malaysia and mainly serves Kuala Lumpur as well as the surrounding Klang Valley region. The airport is located in the Sepang district of Selangor, which is about 50 km (31 mi) south of Kuala Lumpur. The Sepang district is also known for its Sepang International Circuit where major motorsport events like the A1 Grand Prix, the Formula One Malaysian Grand Prix and the Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix take place.

The airport is very modern, has won several awards and is considered to be in the top 10 best airports in the world. With a surface of about 100 sq km (39 sq mi) is KLIA also one of the largest airports of the world. In 2017 KLIA received over 58 million passengers. The landing strips are large enough to receive the Airbus A380, which is the world’s largest passenger airliner. KLIA is an important hub for airlines like AirAsia, Gading Sari, Malaysia Airlines and Malindo Air.

The airport is divided in KLIA1 and KLIA2. The KLIA1 complex exists of two terminals the Main Terminal Building and the Satellite Building. Travelling between the two terminals is easy via the Aerotrain, which is an Automated People Mover that departs over 10 times per hour from one terminal to the other. The ride between the two terminals takes about 2 minutes. The whole airport is built on the concept of: “Airport in the forest, forest in the airport”. And there is actually a rainforest in the Satellite Building of the airport which has been kept intact from the period when the airport was built in the jungle. Restaurants, lounges and shops can be found in both terminals, but the most facilities are in the Satellite Building. At the airport are also several hotels where you can spend the night.

Domestic flights and regional international flights are processed in the Main Terminal Building while the international and intercontinental flights are processed in the Satellite Building. But after arrival you always have to get your luggage at the Main Terminal Building and when you depart you have to pass the immigration checks which are also in the Main Terminal Building.

If you want to travel from the airport to Kuala Lumpur, there are several options available to you:

Taking the bus to Kuala Lumpur city center
When you go to the ground floor in the arrival hall of the Main Terminal Building you will find the air-conditioned busses from companies like Airport Coach and Star Shuttle that go from KLIA1 to downtown Kuala Lumpur. This bus ride will take about one hour. But there are also coach services available that will bring you to other popular destinations like Ampang, George Town, Ipoh, Johor Bahru, Klang, Malacca, Petaling Jaya, Shah Alam and Subang Jaya. Taking the bus is one of the cheapest modes of travel in Malaysia, but also the slowest because it is subject to traffic delays, it has several bus stops and it probably doesn’t bring you directly to your final destination.

Taking the taxi to Kuala Lumpur city center
At KLIA1 you can choose between two options for getting a taxi. First there are the meter-based city taxis which can be found on level 1 of the Main Terminal Building. Here you have to make sure that the taxi driver uses this meter, or else there is a chance that you will pay too much. Note that you first need to buy a ticket for a metered taxi at the taxi counter before standing in the waiting line.

Secondly there are the coupon-based taxis, which can be found on level 3 of the Main Terminal Building. At the taxi counter you can get a ticket for the coupon-based taxi. The standard price for this ticket is dependent on the zone in Kuala Lumpur where you would like to go to and the type of taxi that you would like to travel with. If you want some more space and luxury you could take a more luxurious taxi instead of the budget taxi, but for this type of taxi there will also be charged some extra. The prepaid taxis that drive from the airport to Kuala Lumpur are from Airport Limo and are safe and modern. By making use of this prepaid rate you can be sure that you won’t be ripped off by a taxi tout. Travelling from KLIA1 to Kuala Lumpur by taxi takes about 45 minutes to one hour. Taking a taxi is in most cases the fastest way to get to the doorstep of your final destination, but it is probably also the most expensive option.

Taking the train to Kuala Lumpur city center
From KLIA1 you can also take the (shuttle) trains from KLIA Ekspres or KLIA Transit to travel between the airports and the ‘KL Sentral transportation hub’ in the city center of Kuala Lumpur. With the train you will avoid the traffic jams during rush hours. The KLIA Ekspres is a modern and comfortable train equipped with WiFi, so that you can do some work online and connect with your family while on the train. It is the fastest of the two trains, because it is not a stop train like the KLIA Transit.

The train departs several times per hour and a journey from KLIA1 to KL Sentral takes about 28 minutes. The trains departs from the first floor of the airport. KLIA Transit uses the same rail as KLIA Ekspres, but has three extra stops at the stations of Bandar Tasik Selatan, Putrajaya & Cyberjaya and Salak Tinggi. This is why KLIA Transit is mostly used by local commuters who travel between home and work. Please be aware that the tickets of KLIA Ekspres and KLIA Transit are not interchangeable.

From KL Sentral transportation hub it is easy to take a short ride in the metro, bus, monorail or taxi to get to your final destination. We from Meet The Cities recommend to buy your KLIA Ekspres tickets at the website of KLIA Ekspres. The advantage of purchasing your train ticket online is that you will get an immediate discount.

At the railway station of the KL Sentral transportation hub in downtown Kuala Lumpur KL is a virtual extension of KLIA and is called City Air Terminal. So if you want to go from train station KL Sentral to KLIA you can make use of the city check-in services provided by several large airlines like Cathay Pacific, Emirates Airline, Etihad Airways, Malaysia Airlines and Royal Brunei Airlines. When you check-in at the City Air Terminal you can hand over your luggage and get your boarding passes, so you can spend some extra time in Kuala Lumpur without having to carry your baggage with you.

Taking a rental car from the airport to Kuala Lumpur city center
In the arrival hall at KLIA1 are various car rental booths from the well-known car rental companies and offer a wide range of modern cars and vans. The highways around Kuala Lumpur are very well-maintained and the petrol in the region is relatively cheap, so it’s a joy to drive there. It is more convenient to book your rental car in advance than comparing and discussing the rates at the different car rental booths at the airport after a long flight. And your selected car will be ready waiting for you upon arrival when you have booked in advance. Or else you can only choose between the cars that are left over at that location. Booking your rental car in advance via a car rental comparison website is in general cheaper than renting at a car rental desk at the airport, because of discount agreements between the rental company and the car rental comparison website.

Kuala Lumpur International Airport – KLIA2

About 2 km (1,5 mi) from the Main Terminal Building of KLIA1 is KLIA2. KLIA2 is home to the budget airlines like AirAsia, Cebu Pacific or Tigerair. This is why KLIA2 was first named LCCT or Low-Cost Carrier Terminal. Currently has KLIA2 a maximum capacity of 45 million passengers. Just like at KLIA1 has KLIA2 two terminals which are the Main Terminal Building and a Satellite Building. Different from KLIA1 is that KLIA2 has a skybridge which connects both terminals. KLIA2 has also a lot of restaurants and retail shops.

Just like KLIA1 is KLIA2 served by buses, taxi, trains and rental car companies. So if you wonder how to get from KLIA2 to Kuala Lumpur than are these the options to choose from:

Taking the bus to Kuala Lumpur city center
Buses are located at Level 1 of the Gateway@KLIA2 mall complex. The cheapest method of travelling in Malaysia is by bus, but it also has the longest travel time. At KLIA2 are several bus companies like Aerobus, SkyBus and Star Shuttle. Aerobus and SkyBus travel between KL Sentral and KLIA2 and depart multiple times per hour. Catchthatbus and Star Shuttle also provide coach services to other cities in Malaysia. Star Shuttle also offers a service that first brings you by coach from KLIA1 or KLIA2 to Pudu Sentral (Puduraya) and then from there it will bring you with a smaller van to the doorstep of your hotel.

Taking the taxi to Kuala Lumpur city center
At the taxi counters, which are located on Level 1 in the Gateway@KLIA2 mall complex, you can buy your prepaid taxi coupons. The licensed taxis at KLIA2 are from the company Mesra Indah Jaya and the price depends on the type of taxi that you prefer and the zone that you want to travel to. By buying prepaid taxi coupons you prevent that you have to deal with unlicensed taxi operators or taxi touts which could charge you exorbitant rates. It is also possible to buy a ticket for a meter-based taxi, but then you have to make sure that the taxi driver uses the meter.

Taking the train to Kuala Lumpur city center
The same trains that go to KLIA2 will also go to KLIA1 before heading to Kuala Lumpur. You can choose between the (shuttle) trains KLIA Ekspres and KLIA Transit. Both travel between the airport and the ‘KL Sentral transportation hub’ in the city center of Kuala Lumpur. The trains use the same railway, but KLIA Transit also stops at the stations of Bandar Tasik Selatan, Putrajaya & Cyberjaya and Salak Tinggi while KLIA Ekspres goes directly to KL Sentral. The KLIA Ekspres departs several times per hour and the ride will take about 33 minutes. KLIA Ekspres offers a discount when you buy a ticket in advance at their website.

Taking a rental car from the airport to Kuala Lumpur city center
The car rental desks in KLIA2 are located at Level 1 of the Gateway@KLIA2, which is also the shopping section of this airport. When you book a rental car well in advance via a car rental comparison website it has several advantages. One of them is that you don’t have to discuss the rates and available cars at a desk after a long flight. But in general it will also be cheaper then when you hire your rental car at the airport desk. And you prevent that your favorite car isn’t available anymore, which can happen especially during holiday seasons. It is also very convenient that the comparison website shows you the different cars and rates from the different companies, so that you can pick the best deal.

Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport – Subang SkyPark

Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (SAASA) was formerly called Subang International Airport, or popularly Subang SkyPark. As the name implies is the airport located in Subang Jaya, which is the largest city of Malaysia and close to Kuala Lumpur. Before the construction of KLIA it was the main airport to Kuala Lumpur. At this moment is Terminal 3 the only terminal that is in use for passenger flights. The terminal looks fresh and modern as it has got a renovation several years ago and has lots of retail space and restaurants. There are no hotels at Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport, but there are several hotels nearby. It’s only 25 km (16 mi) and a 30 minute drive from the SAASA airport to Kuala Lumpur, which is only half the time compared to a journey from the other airport KLIA to Kuala Lumpur. If you are looking for a hotel near the airport you could also consider to have a look at the hotels in KL itself. Budget airlines AirAsia, Berjaya Air, Firefly and Malindo Air fly between this small but modern airport and several regional and domestic destinations. This is why the airport is mainly used by locals.

There are several options to choose from when you want to get from Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (Subang SkyPark) to Kuala Lumpur.

Taking the bus to KL city center
At the airport you can find public bus connections, but then you have to make sure that you know how the Kuala Lumpur bus network works. So if you want to travel by bus it is recommended to make use of a coach company, like Skypark Coaches, that directly drives to a centrally located transportation hub in Kuala Lumpur. Another option is to make use of the KL City Airport Shuttle Bus and is a cheap way of getting from the airport to Pasar Seni (Central Market) in Kuala Lumpur city center, or to KL Sentral transportation hub. There is also a shuttle bus available that connects Subang SkyPark with KLIA.

Taking the taxi to KL city center
The taxi is the easiest way to get from the airport to your final destination. If you want to make use of a licensed taxi at the airport you have to buy a prepaid taxi coupon at the taxi booth. With a prepaid taxi coupon you will be sure that you will not be scammed by a taxi tout. It is also possible to get a coupon for a metered taxi at the taxi counter. But please pay attention that the taxi driver uses the meter, or else you will run the risk of paying too much.

Taking the train to KL city center
At this moment the railway between the Subang Skypark Terminal (at the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport) – Subang Jaya – Kuala Lumpur, is still under construction and thus not available. So if you prefer to travel by train you will first have to take the bus to a transportation hub nearby like Subang Jaya station, or Salak Tinggi station and then take the train from there to Kuala Lumpur.

Taking a rental car to KL city center
Several car rental companies have a desk at Subang International Airport. In most cases you will get the best price when you book your rental car well in advance and come only to the desk to pick up the keys. It is also convenient to have a look at the car fleet in advance and check if the car you wish is available at the preferred date. A car rental comparison website like rentalcars.com will help you to get the best deal possible by showing the rates of the different rental companies that can match your preferences.

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.