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– TOP 24 COOL THINGS TO DO IN KUALA LUMPUR –
As a multicultural, green, and modern city, Kuala Lumpur has all kinds of attractions to offer to visitors from beautiful religious sites, and lush green parks to top-notch skyscrapers.
In this post, I will share a list of 24 interesting and cool things to do in Kuala Lumpur including some general information or history, opening hours, address, and admission ticket. And guess what? 17 of them are free to visit!!!
Read more: Kuala Lumpur travel blog: things to do, places to stay, expenses
Table of Contents
- Best religious attractions in Kuala Lumpur
- Best historical attractions in Kuala Lumpur
- Best places for shopping in Kuala Lumpur
- Best places to visit at night in Kuala Lumpur
- Nature and relaxing attractions in Kuala Lumpur
- Best skyscrapers to visit in Kuala Lumpur
- Fun places to visit in Kuala Lumpur
- FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
Best religious attractions in Kuala Lumpur
1. Thean Hou Temple
Visiting Thean Hou Temple is definitely one of the coolest things to do in Kuala Lumpur and is my all-time favorite activity in this city because it is just so gorgeous.
Thean Hou (Mazu) is the ocean goddess who guards seafarers and is originally from Phuc Kien, China. Not only Malaysia, but Thean Hou temples can also be found in Singapore, Taiwan, and Vietnam because Chinese people have a strong belief in Thean Hou and erect temples to worship her everywhere they immigrate.
The Thean Hou Temple in Kuala Lumpur is established by the local Hainanese community in 1894. It is one of Southeast Asia’s largest and oldest temples.
Along with worshipping Thean Hou, Shui Wei Sheng Niang (the Goddess of the waterfront) and Guan Yin (the Goddess of Mercy ) are also dedicated in the temple.
Opening Hours: Daily: 08:00 – 22:00
Address: 65 Persiaran Endah, Off Jalan Syed Putra, Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan 50460
Entrance ticket: free
2. Batu Caves
This is one of the most colorful and instra-worthy religious attractions in Malaysia.
In Batu Caves, you can visit several caves such as Cave Temple, Dark Cave, Cave Villa, and Ramayana Cave. However, the cave which draws tourists’ attention the most is the Cave Temple because of its colorful staircase.
Noticeably, you can see a giant Murugan statue – a God in Hindu – in front of the Cave Temple. It is renowned as the tallest Murugan statue in Malaysia and the 3rd tallest one in the world.
Getting inside the Cave Temple, you will see a small Hindu shrine. If you want to get inside the shrine, don’t forget to take off your shoe. However, bear in mind that the cave is very smelly because of the bat dung.
Opening hours: 7:00 – 21:00, every day
Address: Gombak, 68100 Batu Caves, Selangor
Entrance ticket: It’s free to visit the Cave Temple. But if you want to visit other caves, you will need to pay for the tickets. For more details, read more: Batu Caves – Murugan Statue: interesting facts, history, how to get there?
3. Jamek Mosque
Jamek Mosque, also known as Masjid Jamek in Malay, is the oldest mosque in Kuala Lumpur that is still in operation today. This building, which was designed by British engineer Arthur Benison Hubback, has a Moghul style that is very similar to the Islamic architecture found in northern India. Interestingly, the mosque has the same architectural style as the Sultan Abdul Samad Building, which was also designed by the same architect.
This is one of the most famous attractions in Kuala Lumpur and it’s very close to other attractions such as Independence Square, Sultan Abdul Samad Building, Petaling Street, etc.
Opening Hours: For non-muslim visitors, it’s opened daily from 8.00am to 12.30pm and 2.30pm to 4.30pm.
Address:Jalan Tun Perak, City Centre, 50050 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Entrance ticket: Free (Islamic clothing is provided for free for non-muslim visitors)
4. Masjid Negara Malaysia
The Masjid Negara Malaysia (or the National Mosque of Malaysia) is the grandest mosque in Kuala Lumpur and the official Islamic center of the nation of Malaysia.
After its completion in 1965, the mosque took the place of Jamek Mosque as Kuala Lumpur’s main place of worship.
The design of the National Mosque is a blend of modern and traditional Islamic architecture. This is totally distinguished from the architecture of buildings erected during British colonial, which was heavily influenced by Indian and European architecture.
Opening Hours: For non-muslim visitors:
Daily, 09.00 am – 12.00 pm, 03.00 pm – 04.00 pm, 05.30 pm – 06.30 pm
Friday only: 03.00 pm – 04.00 pm, 05.30 pm – 06.30 pm
Address: Jalan Perdana, Tasik Perdana, 50480 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Entrance ticket: Free (Islamic clothing is provided for free for non-muslim visitors)
5. Sri Maha Mariamman Temple
The Sri Maha Mariamman Temple is the main Hindu temple in Kuala Lumpur, located nearby Chinatown. The temple is dedicated to Mariamman – the Tamil mother goddess in South India. She is believed to bring rain for the growth of crops, thus bringing prosperity (because her name “Mari” means “rain”).
The temple was established by K. Thamboosamy Pillai in 1873 as a family shrine. It wasn’t accessible to the public until the late 1920s when a board of trustees took over management. The temple is currently regarded as Kuala Lumpur’s oldest and one of the most significant Hindu temples.
Opening Hours: 06:00 – 21:00
Address: 163, Jalan Tun H. S. Lee, Kuala Lumpur.
Entrance ticket: Free (however, you will have to pay about 20 cents for the shoe keeper service, and if you wear short pants, you can borrow a scarf from them to cover your knees).
Best historical attractions in Kuala Lumpur
6. Dataran Merdeka
Independence Square (or Dataran Merdeka) is a significant historical attraction in Kuala Lumpur. This is where the first Prime Minister of Malaysia announced the independence of the country on 31st August 1957 after many years of being occupied by the British and the Japanese.
When visiting the square, you can also see the 95-meter flag pole, one of the tallest in the world, and mosaics showing portraits of Malaysia’s Prime Ministers. Besides, in the vicinity of Dataran Merdeka, there are many beautiful attractions such as Sultan Abdul Samad Building, Royal Selangor Club, St. Mary’s Church, Kuala Lumpur City Galery, etc.
Opening Hours: 24/7 (it’s more vibrant in the evening)
Address: Jln Raja, City Centre, 50050 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Entrance ticket: Free
7. Sultan Abdul Samad Building
Another candidate on the list of cool things to do in Kuala Lumpur is to take nice photo shots in front of the Sultan Abdul Samad building.
The Sultan Abdul Samad building is located in front of Merdeka Square. The building was constructed in 1897 with a majestic South Indian architectural style. It was called Government Offices in its early years and housed the center of British administration in the 19th century.
Not until 1974, it was renamed after Sultan Abdul Samad – the reigning sultan of Selangor at the time the structure was built.
Nowadays, it is the office of both the Ministry of Communications and Multimedia and the Ministry of Tourism and Culture of Malaysia.
Opening Hours: not open to the public, you can only see it from the outside.
Address: Jln Raja, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, 50050 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur
Entrance ticket: No
8. Kwai Chai Hong
The name “Kwai Chai Hong” is literally translated as “Little Demon Alley”. Why? There are 2 theories behind this supernatural name. The first one is that the Chinese migrant workers used to call playful kids running around Lorong Panggung “kwai chai” (little demon). The second theory is that this street was where vice activities commonly happened in the past and that led to its name.
Nowadays, Kwai Chai Hong is an instra-worthy attraction in Kuala Lumpur. There are many mural arts along this street that depict the local’s life in the old days. If you take a close look at the mural art, you will see a QR code, scan it and listen to the video.
Note: There are tons of highly-rated restaurants in this area. Don’t forget to try one of them.
Opening Hours: 9:00 – 00:00
Address: Lorong Panggung, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Entrance ticket: Free
Best places for shopping in Kuala Lumpur
9. Kuala Lumpur Central Market
Kuala Lumpur Central Market was built by the British as a wet market for KL citizens and tin miners in 1888. It represents the traditional market in Kuala Lumpur since the 1800s with a stall concept.
Throughout history, the market has been renovated multiple times until it becomes as aesthetic as today. Coming to KL Central Market, you can find plenty of souvenirs at affordable prices.
Opening Hours: 10:00 – 18:00
Address: Lot 3.04-3.06, 06, Jalan Hang Kasturi, Kuala Lumpur
Entrance ticket: free
10. Petaling Street
Petaling Street, popularly known as China Town, is one of the most well-known tourist attractions in Kuala Lumpur. This is a place where you can buy a variety of souvenirs, clothes, watches, etc. (you can haggle on the price if you want). The best time to visit this place is after 10 am because most of the shops are closed before 10 am.
Moreover, there are plenty of food stalls and restaurants in this area selling local foods like Ikan Bakar, Hokkien mee, curry noodles, etc.
Opening Hours: 8:00 – 20:00, every day
Address: Jalan Petaling, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Entrance ticket: free
11. Pavilion Kuala Lumpur
Pavilion Kuala Lumpur is a shopping mall located in the heart of the Bukit Bintang district. It was constructed on the former place of Bukit Bintang Girls’ School, the oldest school in Kuala Lumpur.
The complex was opened on September 20, 2007, and includes a huge shopping center, a 5-star hotel, two blocks of serviced apartments, and an office building. This is a shopping paradise with 700 stores and 8 themed precincts.
Opening Hours: every day, 10:00 – 22:00
Address: 168, Bukit Bintang St, Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur
Entrance ticket: Free
12. Suria KLCC
Suria KLCC shopping mall is nested at the foot of the Petronas Towers. Opened in May 1998, until now, the mall is still one of the biggest shopping malls in Kuala Lumpur. It has 6 levels with nearly 400 retail shops. Coming to Suria KLCC, you can find both luxury goods and high-street labels.
Moreover, if you visit the mall in the evening, don’t forget to watch the Lake Symphony show happening outside of the mall at 8pm, 9pm and 10pm daily
Opening hours: every day, 10:00 – 22:00
Address: 241, Petronas Twin Tower, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, 50088 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Entrance ticket: Free
Best places to visit at night in Kuala Lumpur
13. Jalan Alor Food Street
This is one of my stomach’s favorite attractions in Kuala Lumpur. There are a vast array of food options on this street such as grilled fish, hot pot, fruits, ice cream, etc.
If you like fish, I highly recommend this restaurant: Restoran Meng Kee Grill Fish. I have eaten there twice already and I love their grilled fish so much.
Opening Hours: It’s open 24/7, but it’s more bustling from 5 pm until midnight.
Address: Jln Alor, Bukit Bintang, 50200 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur
Entrance ticket: Free
14. River of Life
What is the cool thing to do in Kuala Lumpur at night? The answer is undoubtedly to have a walk along the River of Life.
The River of Life (ROL) is a Klang River transformation project which is led by the Government of Malaysia. The purpose of this program is to change the appearance of the Klang River into a lively waterfront with high economic value and reduce water pollution in the river.
The best time to visit ROL is definitely in the evening from 9 pm to 10 pm. Every 15 minutes during this time, you will see a dancing symphony fountain, blue corridor, fog, and lighting effects. The whole area looks really fantastic.
Opening Hours: 24/7
Address: Jalan Benteng, City Centre, 50050 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Entrance ticket: Free
15. Pintasan Saloma
Pintasan Saloma (or Saloma Link) is a pedestrian bridge that connects KLCC to Kampung Bharu designed by VERITAS Design Group. It is named after Saloma – a well-known Singaporean – Malaysian singer, actress, trendsetter, and fashion icon from the late 1950s to the 1960s.
Since its opening in 2020, the bridge has been attracting plenty of visitors thanks to its gorgeous appearance, especially in the evening when the lights are on.
Opening Hours:
Mon – Sat: 5:00 am – 1:00 am
Sun, Public Holidays: 5:00 am – 12:00 am
Address: Saloma Link, Lorong Raja Muda Musa 3, Kampung Baru, 50300 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur
Entrance ticket: Free
Nature and relaxing attractions in Kuala Lumpur
16. KL Bird Park
If you like birds, don’t miss this amazing attraction. KL Bird Park is home to over 3,000 birds of more than 200 species. The majority of the birds are from Malaysia, meanwhile, about 10% of them were imported from other countries such as China, Holland, Tanzania, New Guinea, etc.
Coming to KL Bird Park, you can see, feed, and take photos with animals. Below is the schedule for daily activities.
Opening Hours: every day, 9:00 – 18:00
Address: 920, Jalan Cenderawasih, Tasik Perdana, 50480 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Entrance ticket:
Foreigner: RM 75/adult, RM 50/child
Mykad holders: RM 35/adult, RM 15/child
17. KL Butterfly Park
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Known as the largest butterfly garden in the world, KL Butterfly Park has a total area of over 7,400 m2. It is home to more than 5,000 live butterflies of 120 different species. Many of them are endangered species and were taken to the park for protection.
Besides the butterfly park, you can also visit a small museum displaying a collection of butterflies and insects from all over the world.
Opening Hours: every day, 9:00 – 16:30
Address: Jalan Cenderawasih, Tasik Perdana, 50480 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Entrance ticket:
Foreigner: RM 22/adult, RM 11/child
Mykad holder: RM 11/adult, RM 6/child
Note: Tripods are not allowed in the park
18. KL Forest Eco Park
Spanning 9.4 hectares of landscape, KL Forest Eco Park is knowns as the green lung of Kuala Lumpur. It is one of the oldest permanent forest reserves which is home to a variety of flora and fauna such as ferns, creepers, giant bamboo grasses, etc.
In addition, you might meet some animals in the park such as monkeys, birds, squirrels, snakes, etc.
Opening Hours: every day, 8.00 am to 5.30 pm
Address: Lot 240, Bukit Nanas, Jalan Raja Chulan, 50250, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Entrance ticket:
Foreigners: RM 40/adult, RM 5/child
Mykad holders: RM 10/adult, RM 1/child
19. KLCC Park
If you are looking for the best spot to take photos with the Petronas Towers, KLCC Park is definitely a great option.
This is an urban park designed by Roberto Burle Marx – a talented Brazilian architect. This park was built with the purpose of providing greenery to the KL City Centre. It is home to nearly 2000 indigenous trees and 66 species of palms.
Things to do in the KLCC park:
- Bring your kids to its huge children’s playground
- Get wet in the free public swimming pool (open from 10:00 AM – 7:30 PM from Tuesday to Sunday and closed on Monday for maintenance)
- Run/ jog around the park
- Watch the Lake Symphony water show at 8pm, 9pm and 10pm daily
Opening Hours: daily, 10:00 – 22:00
Address: KLCC, Lot No. 241, Level 2, Suria, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, 50088 Kuala Lumpur
Entrance ticket: Free
Best skyscrapers to visit in Kuala Lumpur
20. KL Tower
Kuala Lumpur Tower (or KL Tower) is one of the iconic symbols of Kuala Lumpur from which you can see the magnificent view of Kuala Lumpur.
The tower consists of 15 levels with a height of 420.7 meters. This place has many things to offer for visitors such as the Observation Deck, the Sky Deck, the Sky Box, the Tower Walk 100, and the Atmosphere 360 Revolving Restaurant.
When my mom and granny went to Malaysia, we decided to treat them to the hi-tea buffet at the Atmosphere 360 Revolving Restaurant. They enjoyed it so much and were thrilled to see the whole city from a bird’s-eye view. It’s such a cool thing to do in Kuala Lumpur that you should experience it with your family or loved ones!
Opening Hours: every day, 9:00 – 22:00
Address: 2 Jalan Punchak, Off, Jalan P. Ramlee, 50250 Kuala Lumpur
Entrance ticket: Each activity has a different price. Refer to the link below to check the price and buy tickets:
- Atmosphere 360 Revolving Restaurant: Click here
- Observation Deck, Sky Deck, Sky Box, tower Walk 100: Click here
21. Petronas Tower
Unquestionably, one of the coolest attractions in Kuala Lumpur is to visit the Petronas Twin Towers.
With a height of 451.9 m (88 stories), it is known as the tallest twin towers in the world. The towers were designed by an Argentinian architect, Cesar Pelli, with a postmodern architectural style. Interestingly, the two towers were erected by 2 different construction consortia, namely Hazama Corporation (from Japan) and Samsung C&T Corporation (from Korea).
If you want to get a panoramic view of KLCC from the Petronas Tower, check out the Skybridge (41st floor) and Observation Deck (86th floor). Ticket prices and opening hours are as below:
Opening hours: 10 am – 6 pm (closed on Monday)
Ticket price:
Adults (13-60 years old): 95RM
Kids (3-12 years old): 47RM (free for under 2-year-old kids)
The elderly (over 61 years old): 58RM
(The ticket is valid for only 45 minutes and this price is applied for online booking)
Link to buy tickets: Click here
Fun places to visit in Kuala Lumpur
22. Museum of Illusions
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The Museum of Illusions is located right in the heart of the Bukit Bintang district and is so close to Pavilion Mall.
It is not only a place to have fun but to learn about the functioning of our minds and train our brains. There are more than 80 fascinating exhibits that will blow your mind and some interesting puzzles. Interestingly, some sections in the museum will make you feel dizzy such as Vortex Tunnel, Tilted Room, etc.
The museum is not so big but it might take up to 2-3 hours to discover all of it, especially if you want to solve all the puzzles in the museum. They look simple but are not that easy to solve.
Opening Hours: Every day, 10:00 – 20:00
Address: Level 1, Ansa Hotel Kuala Lumpur (Between Fahrenheit 88 and Lot 10 Mall), 101 Jln Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur
Entrance ticket:
Foreigners: RM 45/adult, RM 35/child
MyKad holders: RM 35/adult. RM 25/child
Link to buy tickets: Click here
23. Sunway Lagoon
If you are looking for a joyful attraction, Sunway Lagoon is definitely a great choice. The theme park covers an area of 88 acres consisting of 6 different zones – the Amusement Park, Scream Park, Water Park, Nickelodeon Lost Lagoon, Wildlife Park, and Extreme Park.
There are 90 attractions in total in Sunway Lagoon which are more than enough to spend your day.
Note: The theme park is located inside the Sunway Pyramid complex which consists of a huge shopping mall and hotels as well.
Opening Hours: Every day, 10:00 – 23:00 (close on Tuesday)
Address: 3, Jalan PJS 11/11, Bandar Sunway, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor
Entrance ticket:
Foreigners: RM 187/adult, RM 155/child
MyKad Holders: RM 140/adult, RM 115/ child
Link to buy tickets: Click here
24. Aquaria KLCC
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This is one of the most popular and cool things to do in Kuala Lumpur for families with kids in Kuala Lumpur.
There are more than 5000 animals on display at Aquaria KLCC, including 5 different varieties of sharks, shovelnose rays, sea turtles, jellyfish, etc. Additionally, you can watch their staff members feed marine animals as well, especially the shark feeding session.
And if you have the courage, attempt some exciting activities like sleeping with sharks or diving with sharks.
Opening hours: daily, 10:00 – 19:00
Address: Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Jalan Pinang, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, 50088 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Ticket price:
For Foreigners: RM 59/adult, RM 50/child (only applied for online booking, if you buy at the counter, it’s a little more expensive)
Check more details and buy tickets: Click here
Above is the list of 24 cool things to do in Kuala Lumpur. Hope you find this post helpful and feel free to ask any questions in the comment box. Thanks for reading!
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
What are the cool things to do in Kuala Lumpur with kids?
Most of the places of interest in Kuala Lumpur mentioned above are kid-friendly. However, below is the list of the coolest things to do in Kuala Lumpur for families with kids:
- Aquaria KLCC
- Sunway Lagoon
- Museum of Illusions KL
- Petronas Towers
- KL Towers
- KL Bird Park
- KL Butterfly Park
- River of Life
What are the free things to do in Kuala Lumpur?
If you are traveling on a budget, check out this list of free and cool things to do in KL:
- River of Life
- KLCC Park
- Petronas Towers (you can visit it from the outside)
- All the religious attractions such as Thean Hou Temple, Batu Caves, Jamek Mosque, etc.
- Sultan Abdul Samad Building
- Merdeka Square
- Kwai Chai Hong
- Petaling Street
- Jalan Alor
- All the attractions for shopping such as KL Central Market, Suria KLCC, Pavilion Mall, etc.
How can I spend my day in KL?
There are tons of attractions in KL that are interesting and fun. However, if you have only a day to visit this beautiful city, I would recommend this itinerary:
- Morning: Experience some famous and cool things to do in Kuala Lumpur such as visiting Thean Hou Temple, Petaling Street, Kwai Chai Hong, Merdeka Square, Sultan Abdul Samad Building, Kuala Lumpur Central Market (most of them are very close to each other and within the walking distance)
- Noon: Have lunch near Kwai Chai Hong Lane – there are a lot of restaurants here, you can try these highly-rated restaurants: Luckbros Kopi, Ho Kow Hainam Kopitiam, Kafei Dian.
- Afternoon: Rest for a while until 4 pm. After that, you can enjoy the Hi-tea experience in KL Towers – a cool thing to do in Kuala Lumpur.
- Evening: This is the best time to visit the Petronas Tower. After that, you can take a grab of Beam scooter to the River of Life to watch the water show from 9pm – 10pm. Then you head to Jalan Alor to explore some foods and have fun at the bar street nearby Jalan Alor.
