What to do and see in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

FREE to visit and technically located just a 10-minute drive outside of Kuala Lumpur. The Batu Caves are a famous Hindu pilgrimage site. There are around 272 colorful steps leading up to a series of limestone caves and shrines. Make sure you don’t have food on you as the monkeys on the temple grounds will attempt to take it. They are very persistent with a high success rate.

The tallest twin towers in the world. You can go to the bridge to view the KL cityscape. Inside the building there’s also a mall where you can wander around and cool down from the humidity.

Every night at 7 pm, there’s a FREE water and light show. You enter through the mall, and it takes place at the fountain and not at the fountain at the main entrance where all the photographers usually gather. Stay a little while, because I almost walked away after mistaking their test run for the real thing, LOL. The actual show includes both lights and music.

Take a guided through the streets of Kuala Lumpur and experience all the different foods that Malaysia has to offer. Come with an empty stomach and prepare to eat sooo many delicious dishes from classics such as nasi lemak to the infamous fruit durian.

The palace is located on a hill with golden domes and manicured grounds. It is the official residence to the Malaysian King. Fun fact: unlike in other monarchies the Malaysian King is elected every five years by and from among the nine hereditary Malay rulers through a unique rotational monarchy system. The palace itself is not open to the public, but tourists can view the impressive gates and watch the ceremonial changing of the guard. You can also take photos with the horse and guard.

The riverfront is a scenic boardwalk with cafes, murals, and evening light shows. It’s actually the point in Kuala Lumpur where both the Klang and Gombak rivers meet. It’s a popular location for tourists and locals alike at night.

Right around the corner you can find the Central Market, Chinatown and the Independence Square.

Central Market is right next to the River of Life. Within the shopping center there’s a food court and multiple souvenir shops. My favorite shop was Paper Adventures by Loka Made, where you can browse a variety of postcards and even send them directly from the store. Don’t forget to take a look at Borneo Pearls too as they have so many beautiful pieces of jewelry.

Shop here too! But you need to bargain. The price point for souvenirs is significantly better. The selection is limited as the storefronts sell more clothing, purses, electronics and so on.

There is so much to see when walking around Chinatown. Street art is quite literally sprinkled everywhere. You must check out the famous street art alley way called Petaling Street. Here you can take “interactive” photos. Certain artworks have benches to sit next to the subject of the image. It’s so fun and cute!

During the weekend, the roads around the square get closed and its only open to pedestrians. The square is a historic landmark where Malaysia declared its independence in 1957. You can see one of the world’s tallest flagpoles, historical colonial buildings, and the red I Love KL sign.

The second tallest skyscraper in the world! It stands at 2,227 feet with 118 floors. Unfortunately, during my time in Kuala Lumpur Merdeka 118 was still closed to tourists. In the future you will be able to go to an observation deck. The iconic building is seen in many places around Kuala Lumpur.

The National Mosque of Malaysia is huge! It can accommodate up to 15,000 worshippers and serves as one of the country’s most important places of worship.

FYI: If you are not a practicing Muslim, you won’t be able to enter the inside of the mosque at certain times, so be sure to check the visiting schedule before you go. I didn’t check so I ended up having to come back another day. Also, right next door do not forget to visit the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia, which gives you a thorough insight to everything Islamic.

Thean Hou Temple quickly became one of my favorite spots in Kuala Lumpur. It’s perched on a hill, so not only do you get sweeping views of the city, but you’re also surrounded by vibrant red lanterns. I loved wandering through its courtyards, watching people light incense, and just soaking in the peaceful atmosphere.

Ohhhh, you must do this! Get your fortune read. The directions are simple. In your head, state your name and birth date. Then you’ll grab the plastic sticks, each marked with a number and throw them three times. The stick that is elevated is yours so note the number. The number corresponds with your fortune that’s in the container below.

Batik is a traditional fabric art found in Malaysia (and Indonesia technically). It is created by applying wax to cloth in intricate patterns before dyeing. The wax creates a border for the watercolor. I took a Batik class, and it was the perfect way to see this traditional form of art. It was also a very personal and useful souvenir.

If you have time in Kuala Lumpur, then take a day trip to Melaka. It’s a UNESCO city with a blend of Portuguese, Dutch, and British influences.