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Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia • Asia

Kuala Lumpur

Malaysia's glittering capital - the Petronas Towers above a melting pot of Malay, Chinese and Indian cultures, temples and street food.

#Skyline#Street Food#Temples#Shopping#CultureCouplesFamilySolo TravelFoodieBudget
7 Attractions
5 Restaurants
5 Hotels
1 Itineraries

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Quick facts

Best time to visit

Kuala Lumpur is hot and humid all year, so there is no bad time to visit, but the drier, slightly cooler months from May to July and December to February are most comfortable. The wettest periods are the monsoon months of March to April and October to November, with heavy but usually short afternoon downpours.

Daily budget
$110
Time zone
GMT+8 (MYT)
Language
Malay (English widely spoken)
Currency
MYR (Malaysian Ringgit (MYR))
Emergency
999 / 112
Power
Type G · 240V

About Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur is a city of dazzling contrasts, where gleaming skyscrapers led by the soaring Petronas Twin Towers rise above colonial domes, golden mosques, Chinese temples and Hindu shrines. Founded as a tin-mining town barely 160 years ago, KL has grown into Southeast Asia's most underrated metropolis - modern, green and affordable, and one of the great street-food capitals of the world. The city's magic is in its mix. In a single day you can ride to the top of the towers, climb the 272 steps to the giant golden statue and limestone caverns of Batu Caves, wander the colonial core around Merdeka Square, haggle in Chinatown's Petaling Street and feast at a sizzling night market. The three great cultures of Malaysia - Malay, Chinese and Indian - meet here in mosques and temples, festivals and, above all, food, from nasi lemak and char kway teow to banana-leaf curries and roti canai. KL is hot and humid year-round with tropical downpours, so plan indoor breaks in its huge malls and museums. Use the cheap, efficient trains, graze your way through Jalan Alor, and let this friendly, easygoing city win you over as a destination in its own right, not just a stopover.

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Things to Do in Kuala Lumpur

7
Petronas Twin TowersCulture

Petronas Twin Towers

The soaring 452-metre steel-and-glass twin towers, an icon of modern Malaysia, with a skybridge and observation deck and a dancing fountain show below.

1.5 hours From MYR 804.7(200,000)
Batu CavesReligious

Batu Caves

A vast limestone cave temple reached by 272 rainbow-painted steps guarded by a giant golden statue of Lord Murugan - a major Hindu pilgrimage site.

1.5-2 hours Free (Ramayana cave small fee)4.6(160,000)
KL TowerEntertainment

KL Tower

The 421-metre Menara KL communications tower on a forested hill, with an observation deck and glass skybox offering 360-degree views over the city.

1 hour From MYR 504.5(90,000)
Merdeka SquareHistorical

Merdeka Square

The historic colonial heart of KL where independence was declared, ringed by Tudor and Moorish buildings including the splendid Sultan Abdul Samad Building.

1 hour Free4.4(70,000)
Chinatown & Central MarketShopping

Chinatown & Central Market

The lively warren of Petaling Street, packed with stalls, temples and food, beside the Art Deco Central Market full of crafts and souvenirs.

1-2 hours Free entry4.4(85,000)
Islamic Arts MuseumCulture

Islamic Arts Museum

One of the finest museums of Islamic art in the world, with exquisite ceramics, textiles, manuscripts and architectural models under elegant domes.

1.5-2 hours From MYR 204.7(40,000)
Jalan Alor Food StreetFood

Jalan Alor Food Street

KL's most famous open-air food street, a sizzling, neon-lit row of stalls and seafood restaurants that comes alive every evening in Bukit Bintang.

1-2 hours Free entry4.5(95,000)

Where to Eat in Kuala Lumpur

5
Village Park Restaurant

Village Park Restaurant

Malaysian / Nasi Lemak $4.6(25,000)

Widely judged to serve the best nasi lemak in KL - fragrant coconut rice with crispy fried chicken, worth the trip out of the centre.

Jalan Alor

Jalan Alor

Malaysian / Street Food $4.5(40,000)

KL's legendary food street, where dozens of stalls serve grilled satay, char kway teow, seafood and tropical fruit late into the night.

Nasi Kandar Pelita

Nasi Kandar Pelita

Malaysian-Indian / Mamak $4.4(22,000)

A popular 24-hour mamak chain serving heaped rice with rich curries, roti canai and teh tarik - the heart of Malaysian comfort eating.

Lot 10 Hutong

Lot 10 Hutong

Malaysian / Food Court $4.4(18,000)

A heritage food court in a basement mall gathering some of KL's oldest hawker stalls, a clean, comfortable way to sample classics in one spot.

Atmosphere 360

Atmosphere 360

International / Fine Dining $$$4.2(12,000)

A revolving restaurant near the top of KL Tower with a slowly turning panorama over the city - a special-occasion buffet with a view.

Where to Stay in Kuala Lumpur

5
Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur

Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur

Luxury $$$$4.7(5,000)

A polished five-star beside the Petronas Towers and KLCC Park, with an infinity pool overlooking the towers, a spa and superb dining.

The RuMa Hotel and Residences

The RuMa Hotel and Residences

Luxury $$$$4.7(2,500)

A sophisticated, design-led luxury hotel near the towers with a striking sky pool, a spa and a warm sense of Malaysian craft.

Hotel Stripes Kuala Lumpur

Hotel Stripes Kuala Lumpur

Boutique $$4.5(3,000)

A stylish boutique hotel with an excellent rooftop infinity pool and bar and skyline views, a short ride from the main sights.

Aloft Kuala Lumpur Sentral

Aloft Kuala Lumpur Sentral

Mid-Range $$4.5(6,000)

A bright, contemporary hotel directly connected to KL Sentral station, ideal for transport, with a rooftop pool and bar.

Mingle Hostel Chinatown

Mingle Hostel Chinatown

Hostel $4.3(3,500)

A friendly, sociable hostel in characterful Chinatown, with a rooftop, common areas and private and dorm rooms near the markets and trains.

Kuala Lumpur Itineraries

1
3-day trip

Classic 3 Days in Kuala Lumpur

easy USD 150 - 350

A loop through KL's soaring towers and street food, the temples and caves, the colonial and cultural core, and a day trip into the wider region.

View day-by-day plan

Kuala Lumpur Budget Guide

CategoryBudgetMid-RangeLuxury
Flights$400 - $1,000$400 - $1,000$400 - $1,000
Accommodation$20/night$70/night$200/night
Food$12/day$30/day-
Activities$20/day$20/day$20/day
Local Transport$5/day$5/day$5/day
Daily Average$45$110$280

Local currency: Malaysian Ringgit (MYR)

Kuala Lumpur Travel FAQ

Everything you need to know before you go: best time to visit, visas, getting around, safety and more.

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