The KL That I Know
Federal Territory Mosque: It is the 44th mosque built by the Malaysian Government within the Kuala Lumpur city. It is one of the most beautiful mosques in Kuala Lumpur .
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Friday March 6, 2015
The Petronas Towers are a major landmark of Kuala Lumpur.
The city blends Malay, Chinese and Indian cultures, the ultra-modern skyscrapers interspersed with mosques, palaces and temples, as well as leafy parks.
Head to the Petronas Towers, among the world’s tallest buildings and the perfect place to take in panoramic views of the city. Learn about the fascinating layers of Buddist history and culture at the Sri Mahamariamman Temple, which still functions as a place of worship for the local Tamil people. Or head to one of the many hawker centers to sample spicy Malaysian street food at its freshest and best. Discover the best of Malaysia’s thrilling capital on a luxury cruise to Kuala Lumpur.
TOP ATTRACTIONS
The Petronas Towers, also known as theTwin Towers, are a pair of 88-storey supertall skyscrapers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
PETRONAS TOWERS
It’s impossible to miss the sheer magnitude and majesty of the Petronas Towers as you head into Kuala Lumpur. These massive twin towers rise to nearly 1,500 feet, making them just taller than Chicago’s Sears Tower, and a globally recognizable icon of Malaysia. Shop at the luxurious KLCC Shopping center at the towers’ base, then ride an express elevator up the observatory deck and lounge on the 86th floor of Tower 2 for spectacular panoramic city views. For an unusual experience, if you have a head for heights, cross from tower to tower on floors 41 and 42 via the Sky Bridge, the highest of its kind in the world.
BATU CAVES
Batu Caves are also used for Hindu festivals and pilgrimages.
Located inside a jagged limestone hill cloaked in a rainforest and accessed by 272 brightly colored stairs, the Batu Caves are an impressive sight. Climb the rainbow-colored stairs, guarded at the base by a towering golden statue of Sri Muruga, a Hindu deity, into the caves to uncover a series of millennia-old rock formations, intricate passages, smaller temples, and chambers dripping with stalactites. You may see bats flitting around, and wild macaques scampering up and down the steps.
THEAN HOU TEMPLE
The Thean Hou Temple is an ornate, six-tiered Chinese temple located just south of Chinatown near the center of Kuala Lumpur. The temple was built to represent the Chinese sea goddess Mazu and features elegant red-pillared pagodas with sweeping curved roofs made with intricate tiling. The architectural beauty and attention to detail make it a popular destination for travelers, and it still functions as a holy place of worship for many Buddhists, particularly the Chinese. If you visit during the fall season, you may be lucky enough to catch the famous Moon Festival event held here, or in winter, the colorful Lunar New Year celebrations.
VISIT THE SELANGOR PEWTER VISITORS CENTER
Royal Selangor Visitor Centre is the go-to place to experience pewter, both as a beautiful piece to be admired and as a craft. Explore the events that will put you in the thick of the tin rush in colonial Malaya, and the founding in 1885 of Royal Selangor, maker of the world’s finest pewter.
The world's largest pewter tankard.
Located about 20 minutes from central Kuala Lumpur, the Royal Selangor Visitor Centre provides visitors with an amazing insight into the art of pewter making and the country's pewter industry.
Visitors can watch pewtersmithing workshops or even join one.
The School of Hard Knocks pewter workshop allows visitors to make a pewter dish using traditional tools. The 30-minute workshop is inexpensive and leaves participants with a lovely, handmade keepsake from their trip to Malaysia.
The Foundry is a one-hour workshop that gives participants the experience of casting, polishing and decorating pewter accessories. They can use a cast or freehand the design. Both workshops must be booked in advance on the Royal Selangor Visitor Centre website.
Other features of the Royal Selangor Visitor Centre include the world's largest pewter tankard, a pewter replica of the Petronas Towers and hands-on educational exhibits. The visitor center has a retail showcase with items that can be purchased. There is also a cafe onsite with pastries, sandwiches, salads and daily specials.
VISIT THE NATIONAL MUSEUM
Kuala Lumpur’s National Museum showcases the intricate, layered mix of Malaysia’s history, art, architecture, religion, and culture. The museum itself was built to represent the style and architecture of iconic Malay royal palaces, with lavish mosaics that greet you at the entrance, and intricate tiling throughout the museum’s floors. Learn about Malaysia’s former Hindu-Buddist kingdoms, Islamic sultanates, the prehistoric ages, and more through exquisite exhibits and artifact displays. The National Museum is conveniently located near the Perdana Botanical Garden, Butterfly Park, and National Mosque of Malaysia.
SHOP AT PASAR SENI MARKET
Kuala Lumpur’s main marketplace, the art deco Pasar Seni, is home to hundreds of boutiques, souvenir stalls, outdoor eateries, and a performance stage. This is a cultural heritage site that represents nearly 100 years of Kuala Lumpur’s vibrant commerce and growth. The Pasar Sani is located just a quick walk from Chinatown and the historic Petaling Street in the city center, and is the place to come for clothing, jewelry and fabrics.
TOP FOOD AND DRINKS NEAR THE KUALA LUMPUR CRUISE PORT
One of the most epic noodle dishes in the world from the streets of Malaysia: Char Kway Teow!
No trip to Malaysia would be complete without sampling some of the diverse, regional cuisines, and Kuala Lumpur does a fabulous job of providing access to all of it. You’ll find dishes from all over the region available here. Snack on street food, from a delicious roti canai to chicken satay with peanut sauce. Sit down in a cozy restaurant and relax with a bowl of creamy, coconut-flavored masak lemak made with shrimp, ginger, turmeric, chili, and garlic. Cool off with a pink-hued Bandung, an iced beverage made with milk and rose syrup.
TRANSPORTATION IN KUALA LUMPUR
Transportation in Kuala Lumpur offers plenty of options as it is a sophisticated capital city. You can ride the light rail, monorail, or city buses from place to place throughout the city with ease, and maps and fare info are available online, or via a number of smartphone apps. You can also travel easily by taxi or private coach, but be prepared for heavy traffic in many areas, and ask your driver if they have A/C before agreeing to a ride. Many of Kuala Lumpur’s attractions are fairly spread out, so walking may not be an option if you’re trying to see a lot in one day.