Top Sights in Kuala Lumpur

A visit to Kuala Lumpur is not complete without a trip to one of the numerous shopping malls, whether it’s shopping international brands at KLCC, eating a delicious lunch at the food court in Pavilion or braving the roller coaster at the top floor of Berjaya Times Square. However, there are of course plenty of other sights worth checking out in Malaysia’s capital city. Whether you are just passing through or staying a little longer, here are a few places I recommend in Kuala Lumpur.

The Lake Gardens:
I love urban parks, whether it’s Central Park in NYC, Hyde Park in London or Vigelandsparken in Oslo. Kuala Lumpur’s main escape from the busy life of the big city is the wonderful Lake Gardens, which include not only lush greenery and an artificial lake but also a number of attractions. Within the grounds, you can visit the KL Bird Park, a Butterfly Park, an Orchid Garden, a Deer Park and the National Monument. 

Petaling Street

Jalan Petaling, or Petaling Street, is Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown. This is the place to get cheap bargains on fake brands and over-the-top bouquets for your loved one, as well as delicious Chinese food from a variety of stalls and restaurants. Gorgeous lanterns and other decorations (red and yellow umbrellas last time I was there) add to the great atmosphere.

Petronas Towers

The main landmark of Kuala Lumpur. The lit-up Twin Towers can be seen from most areas of the city at night (so long as your view isn’t blocked by another skyscraper!). The towers are in fact the tallest twin buildings in the world and are connected by a skybridge between them. In front of the towers, you can catch a rather corny but still mesmerizing musical fountain show every hour. There are several places nearby where you can enjoy a drink or two with a great view of the towers, including Marini’s on 57 and the Heli Lounge - an actual fully-operational helipad that turns into a bar in the evening!

Batu Caves

A short KTM Komuter-ride away (depending on how long you have to wait for the train), the limestone hill at Batu Caves is home to a Hindu temple and shrine. At the entrance stands a giant golden statue of Murugan, the Hindu god of war, victory, wisdom and love - apparently this is the tallest statue in the world and it is certainly quite the vision. To enter the cave, you have to climb 272 steps – be aware of the monkeys on the way! Some are as cute as can be, but others can get a bit aggressive – not surprising considering the many people who grab their tails and tease them with food. If you have any food on you, they will know and they will try to get a hold of it! At one point, we saw a monkey with a bag of crisps sitting next to another with a soda can – a sad sight. However, the caves are still definitely worth the visit. Halfway up to the left, you can also visit the Dark Cave. For a small fee, you can enter by joining a non-profit and very informative educational tour. The guide will tell you about the history of the caves as you wander past stalactites, stalagmites, bats and other creatures (including several rare creepy crawlies), with torches as your only source of light. A bit spooky, but fun!

The Islamic Arts Museum

Highly recommended! The stunning architecture of the building is in itself worth the trip, and the exhibitions are fantastic as well. The museum is located close to the beautiful old railway station (pictured at the very top) and the Lake Gardens, right opposite the National Mosque. The permanent galleries host displays of old artifacts such as jewelry, ceramics, textiles and scripts, including religious texts and books on astronomy and mathematics. The current temporary exhibition (until May 2014) is a collection of contemporary Islamic calligraphic art. The exhibition includes the works of 36 artists from 8 different countries, who display a diverse range of styles and strokes – some more traditional and others more experimental. In the words of one the artists: "Viewers need not understand the meaning of the letters and words to gain access to meaning of my art". A great exhibition and overall a great museum!

Kuala Lumpur is a fantastic city with a lot to offer, in addition to being a great base for travelling to other parts of the country and the region. My time in Malaysia this time around is over, but I look forward to returning one day soon and to new adventures in Ethiopia!