Kuala Lumpur has a lot to offer and in this blog post, we will highlight 10 of our favorite activities. If you plan to visit Kuala Lumpur and want to take it all you need at least 4-5 days. The city is huge and getting around might take some time.
We love that Kuala Lumpur has a wide array of activities and it has something for everybody. There are a lot of parks, you could visit temples and mosques or simply enjoy the beautiful buildings. Don’t forget to check out some of the malls and most importantly, try the local food!
If you’re looking for a city to start your trip through Asia, or you simply need a break, Kuala Lumpur is your city. Its central location makes it perfect for a short stopover. There are plenty of Airbnbs with amazing facilities, but if you’d rather stay at a hostel or hotel there is plenty to choose from.
So let’s dive in!
1. Suria KLCC
Of all the malls we visited in Kuala Lumpur we came back to this one the most often. It has an amazing food court, which is convenient if you want to mix up your lunch or dinner. This mall is right in the city center next to the Petrona Towers, which makes it really accessible. The mall has a huge amount of shops and restaurants and at the lower level, you’ll find a big supermarket.
But the number one reason why we liked Suria KLCC so much is the light and music show they have every night! Every time we had a visitor we took them to this show and everybody had a great time. You just sit somewhere in the park around Suria KLCC and enjoy the fountains that dance to the rhythm of the music while they’re covered in colorful lights.
KLCC Lake Symphony Light and Sound Water Fountain showtimes are 8 pm, 9 pm, and 10 pm daily. However, KLCC Lake Symphony Water Fountain showtimes (Light only) are 7:30 pm, 8:30 pm, and 9:30 pm daily.
2. Batu Caves & Ramayana Cave
The Batu Caves & Ramayana Case are located at the edge of Kuala Lumpur. It’s easily accessible with public transportation. We took the MRT from KL Sentral (about a 30-minute ride) and when you exit it’s just a short walk to the temple complex.
When you enter the complex you first see some temples on the floor level. We decided to head to the Batu Caves first because it’s quite a hike to get up there. You have to walk up 300 steps and some people even take bricks with them as redemption. The earlier in the day you do this, the better. The Batu Caves are situated at the top of the stairs.
But if you have time visit the Ramayana Cave as well. It has a totally different vibe and is worth it as well. There is a small entry fee whereas the Batu Caves are free to visit. Make sure you dress accordingly to the dress code: no short skirts/hot pants.
3. Kuala Lumpur Colonial Heritage Trail
A great way to get to know Kuala Lumpur better is by walking this colonial heritage trail. Not only do you get to see some of the city’s highlights but you learn a lot about the history of the city as well. The entire trail is about 2-3 hours, depending on how fast you walk and how long you take a break at each stop. If you want the audio guide for this trail check out PocketGuide.
Since it can be quite hot in Kuala Lumpur we left for an early start, which we recommend. When we got to the end of the trail we were desperate for some air conditioning. Some of the highlights of this trail for us were the Central Market, Masjid Jamek (we didn’t go in), and the National Textile Museum.
4. Brickfields Heritage Walk
Kuala Lumpur is an enormous city with different districts that have their own look and feel. Discovering parts of them on foot gives you a chance to stop if you see something interesting and make it your own experience. This Brickfields Heritage Walk covers Brickfield for a big part, which is also called Little India.
It has a totally different vibe than the Colonial Heritage Trail. First of all, you smell amazing Indian food everywhere, but it’s more colorful and there are beautiful temples as well. It’s also the area where you see the mix between old and new, Western and Asian better.
5. Kuala Lumpur Bird Park
If you don’t like birds, please don’t go here, but for those of you who do this will be a fun activity! Kuala Lumpur Bird Park is something we’ve never seen before. Basically, you’re walking in an 8.5 ha aviary. It’s situated adjacent to the Lake Gardens. The entry fee is 75.00 RM.
The park is divided into 4 zones and in 3 of them, the birds have total freedom. You’ll see a mix of local and imported bird species. They do host shows as well, we saw a parrot show, but we liked the part where we could roam free better.
The birds didn’t seem to be bothered by the people at all. Most people know how to behave and just admire the birds from a distance. There are a couple of places where you’re able to feed the birds as well. Sometimes supervised and sometimes on your own.
6. Lake Gardens
If you’re heading to the Bird Park make sure you stop at the Lake Gardens as well. But it’s a fun park to visit by itself as well. We discovered this park when we were headed to the Kuala Lumpur Butterfly Park but liked the gardens better than the butterfly park.
We visited on a Saturday and we saw a lot of locals working out or just hanging out with friends and families, Because it’s a big park and it has different areas you will always find a quiet spot. There is a lake as well and you’re able to do a boat tour.
What we liked most is that when you’re walking in the gardens you no longer feel like you’re in the middle of a big city. It’s a great escape from the skyscrapers and the noise of a city.
7. Aquarium KLCC
If you want to escape the heat and do something fun as well the Aquarium KLCC is for you! As the name suggests is right in the city center, next to Suria KLCC. The general admission is 75.00 RM. It’s Malaysia’s largest single saltwater tank filled with 2.5 million liters of saltwater. The aquarium has a variety of underwater zones, including the Weird and Wonderful, and Deep Forest.
Time your visit because they have different feeding times for different animals. We wanted to see the feeding of the sand tiger sharks and which happens 3 times per week. The times are listed on the website. But besides this, there are exhibits where you’re able to pet animals or discover more about their habitat. There is a lot of interaction, which makes it fun for everyone.
What we liked best was the giant dome where you see fish swimming over your head. Because there is a lot to see you step onto a conveyor belt so you’re able to watch everything without bumping into people or falling over.
8. Berjaya Times Square
There are a lot of malls in Kuala Lumpur and we’re not going to name them all, but Berjaya Times Square gets a spot on this list. This mall has an amusement park inside! The Rollercoaster is the highlight of this enormous mall. Even if you don’t go on it yourself, it’s fun to watch.
The mall has over 10 floors of shops and besides the amusement park there are a lot of restaurants and we spotted a cinema as well. You could easily spend a day here if you like shopping in combination with other activities.
Even if you don’t have a lot of time, just walk around for a bit and admire the building which has some awesome features inside that you wouldn’t expect. Don’t forget to look for the piano stairs.
9. Jalan Alor
You can’t visit Kuala Lumpur without trying some of the local dishes. Jalan Alor is the most famous street to try out street food, but there are a lot of local street food markets where you can get the same kind of food. Near our Airbnb is Petaling Jaya there was a food market every Sunday evening. But Jalan Alor is central and has a lot to offer.
Jalan Alor comes to life around in the evening and it’s the most fun to visit it for dinner or late-night snacks. A lot of stalls or restaurants have menus with pictures and sometimes they’ll have English menus as well. But just pointing at something that looks appetizing to you works as well.
Our experience is that if you want to know what it is they’ll find somebody to explain if they don’t speak English. And we tend to eat at places where it’s busy because it’s a sign the food is good and chances are slim you’ll get sick.
10. Bukit Kiara
If you’re looking for some exercise try out this hike in Bukit Kiara. It’s about 8km and it takes you through a part of the Bukit Kiara Forest Reserve. This park is visited by locals as well, so you’ll meet people during their exercise or just hang out with friends & family.
We chose a more challenging route because we had to test the strength of my knees, but there are some leisurely paths to take as well. It all depends on what you’re looking for. If you do some research you might find another route that’s more interesting to take.
But as you can see the Bukit Kiara Forest Reserve has a wide stretch and it has something to offer for everyone in all kinds of exercise possibilities. Just spend a day there but make sure to bring enough water and snacks.
Have fun in Kuala Lumpur
Well, that’s it, our list of 10 of our favorite things to do in Kuala Lumpur. We love this city and it has become our home away from home in Asia. What is your impression of this city? Are there any activities you miss in this blog post? Feel free to reach out to us or simply comment on this blog.
The great thing about Kuala Lumpur is there’s a lot to choose from. Don’t think you have to do everything in one trip, We’ve collected these favorites after numerous visits and living in KL for two months. The best part about traveling is taking your time and picking just a couple of things to do for one day.
Walk around a bit, jump on the MRT and soak it all in. Enjoy the food, and escape the heat or downpour in one of the many shopping malls. Kuala Lumpur is alive and kicking, enjoy your visit!
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