I visited Kuala Lumpur a year ago but I haven’t written anything about this trip so far. I consider it’s never too late to write about my trip to the largest Malaysian city.
I must confess that the capital of Malaysia was a lovely surprise which I remember with great pleasure. The modern architecture, the impressive skyscrapers, the high towers and the blend of religions and cultures define the beautiful Kuala Lumpur.
This modern metropolis is home to different nationalities such as Malaysian, Chinese and Indian. A blend between Islam, Buddhism and Hinduism can be felt all over the city. Even if it seems to be in the shadow of other famous Asian cities, Kuala Lumpur has its own special vibe and a lot to offer to the tourists who choose to visit it. In this regard, I made a list of 10 things you could do in this beautiful city:
1.You could let yourself mesmerized by the gorgeous Petronas Twin Towers, which are considered the tallest twin towers in the world. Situated in the beautiful KLCC Park, the image of these 452-meter tall towers is simply breathtaking. It is mandatory to admire them in daylight and also at night, when a multitude of lights will twinkle in front of your eyes.
Even though the towers shelter the headquarters of the Petronas Company and also several other offices, a small area can be visited by tourists. This interesting visit will offer you the chance to get to the 86th floor and enjoy a beautiful panorama over the entire surrounding area.
You will notice that the basement and the first floors of the towers shelter Suria KLCC Mall, which is one of the most famous shopping malls in the country. Here you can spend a few moments of relaxation walking among the multitude of stores.
2.The Aquaria KLCC is a lovely aquarium which really deserves to be visited. This place is located in a Convention Center and it is connected to Suria KLCC Shopping Center by a gangway. Built on two levels, the aquarium covers an area of about 60000 square feet. About 5000 marine creatures and land animals are exposed in 15 different exhibition areas. It will be a real delight to let yourself fascinated by jellyfish, sea turtles, sharks, corals, octopuses, seahorses, otters and a multitude of fish and other species.
3.The King’s Palace (Istana Negara) is an interesting palace which deserves a few moments of your time. It is the residence of the Malaysian King, Yang di Pertuan Agong and this is why it is not open to the public. The tourists can only admire its interesting facade, take a walk in the yard of the palace and watch the changing of the guards.
4.The War Memorial or the National Monument (Tugu Negara) is another place that should be on your trip list. Considered the tallest freestanding group of bronze sculptures in the world, this monument commemorates the brave soldiers who died fighting for the independence of Malaysia during the Japanese occupation. Taking into account the significance of the monument, the entire area is beautifully decorated and it has a special and interesting vibe.
5.Your trip itinerary will not be complete without a visit to the National Museum, which is an excellent way to plunge into Malaysia’s history, economy, geography, art and culture. From collections of artworks and weapons to stuffed animals and traditional Malacca Baba houses, the museum has a lot to offer. The sweeping and traditional Minangkabau-style roof of the museum and the main entrance flanked by two large murals of Italian glass mosaics are equally interesting.
6.You could admire the interesting architecture of the Moorish Federal Court which is also called the Sultan Abdul Samad Building. An imposing porch, a few interesting arches and curved colonnades topped with copper cupolas and a high clock tower are just a few architectural elements of the building. Elements of the Gothic, Western and Moorish architectural styles can be distinguished in the design of this beautiful building.
The Moorish Federal Court was originally built to serve as the secretariat for the colonial British administration and after that it was used to house the superior courts of Malaysia. Nowadays it is home to the Ministry of Information, Communications and Culture of Malaysia.
7.You could let yourself delighted by the image of the Menara Kuala Lumpur or the Kuala Lumpur Tower. This 421 meter-high telecommunication tower is among the tallest freestanding towers in the world. Arabic inscriptions, Islamic tiles and floral abstract motifs can be noticed on the exterior of the tower.
Acting as the Islamic observatory of the crescent moon, the tower is the highest viewpoint in Kuala Lumpur which is open to the public. The Menara Kuala Lumpur shelters a revolving restaurant where you can enjoy a meal or a drink while you admire a spectacular view over the entire city. My advice is to visit the Menara Kuala Lumpur at night, because it is beautifully lighted in different colors.
8.You cannot leave Kuala Lumpur without taking a walk in its large streets. You should venture into the streets if you want to feel the authentic vibe of the city. You will be amazed by the impressive skyscrapers which seem to dominate the sky. The contrast between the impressive and modern buildings and the poor and modest ones is simply confusing.
9.You should buy fruit from the local markets because it is the guarantee of an authentic taste. Like in any other Asian city, local fruit are a real treat because they are tasty and savory. It will be a pleasant experience to combine the pleasure of admiring the fruit on the stalls with the pleasure of enjoying their fresh smell.
10.Last but not least, you should spend a few moments of relaxation in the multitude of malls and shops which can be found all over the city. It goes without saying that shopping comes in handy whenever you want to take a break from visiting tourist attractions. A lot of malls and shops in Kuala Lumpur are connected to each other by walkways and underground tunnels.
All things considered, Kuala Lumpur is definitely worth visiting. In my opinion these are the things you should not miss in Kuala Lumpur, but this city has a lot more to offer and I’m sure you could find other places and experiences that deserve your time and attention.