Kuala Lumpur is a melting pot of different peoples and cultures. The traffic is as diverse as the people. In addition to cars and taxis, thousands of mopeds and scooters jostle for space. Almost two million people live in Kuala Lumpur. Visitors are immediately captivated by the Malaysian capital. Anyone who has visited Kuala Lumpur once will never be able to get rid of this fascination.
The most beautiful sights in Kuala Lumpur
The highlight is the Petronas Tower
In Kuala Lumpur, there is something to discover around every corner. Without a doubt, the Petronas Towers are the center of attraction for all tourists. They are among the most visited attractions in Kuala Lumpur. They rise 443 meters into the sky and yet at first glance they don’t look that high. Even from the outside, they leave a lasting impression.
In the entrance area, visitors are greeted by two huge racing cars. Right behind it is a multi-storey shopping centre. If you want to shop here, you need a thick wallet. Noble designer boutiques are lined up next to each other. In any case, it is worth going through the back door. An artificially created water landscape awaits you here. During the Christmas season, the Petronas Towers are festively decorated inside and out and entice with a special flair.
Colonial and Islamic architecture
Where the Gombak flows into the River Klang, the excursion into the history of the city begins. Historic buildings meet all around. The Masjid Jame Mosque immediately catches the eye. Its onion towers look like a fairy tale from the Arabian Nights. Its pinkish-beige colour and small colonnades are unusual.
Just a spit away is the famous City Hall, designed by the Briton A.C. Norman and built in 1896. The buildings around Merdeka Square are also an architectural masterpiece. The British once built a cricket ground here. All adjacent buildings were rebuilt after a serious fire in 1881. They were designed by the British, built by Indians and with typical Malay building materials. The result is Victorian houses with an Asian touch. The centrepiece is St. Mary’s Cathedral from 1894 with its organ imported from Great Britain.
Shopping streets, markets and culinary temptations
The Central Market is a must-see for visitors
The Central Market has a long history. In the 1930s, the market hall was built to improve the hygienic conditions on the adjacent market square. 50 years later, it was in a state of disrepair and was to be demolished in 1983.
But preservationists fought for a successful renovation. Today, Central Market is the city’s shopper’s paradise. The souvenir stalls are densely packed here. Cheap jewellery exports from China are just as much a part of the offer as antiques and clothing. In addition, there is an almost endless range of souvenirs of all kinds. They operate all the things on which the Petronas Towers can be printed. The Central Market also attracts culinary delights with typical Asian fast food dishes. The whole market is winding and has countless cross passages. You can spend a whole day here.
Chinatown and Little India
Just a few steps away from the Central Market is Jalan Petaling Street. Chinatown stretches here. Densely packed, people make their way past the countless small ground floor shops and market stalls. In Chinatown you can experience Asia up close and not always understandable for Western minds. Here, chickens and pigs are still slaughtered on the street. Tourists prefer to reach for fresh fruit or freshly squeezed juices.
Bags from Italian designers and watches from well-known manufacturers from Switzerland are sold on the street and are of course fakes. Little India is much more noble and refined. Indian scarves and silk saris are sold at the stalls. The restaurants offer Muslim-Indian dishes that date back to the colonial era and are more likely to please the Western palate. There are also carpets, antiques and books. In Chinatown and Little India, you can shop 24 hours a day. There is even a night market.
The best museums in the city
The National Museum at Lake Garden
Kuala Lumpur’s attractions also include the city’s museums. The National Museum impresses with its unique location on Lake Garden. In the green oasis of the city is also the garden of the National Museum. Here you can admire historic boats and cars and an original steam locomotive from the colonial era.
The museum itself gives an insight into the city’s culture of life. Visitors learn all about a Malay wedding and can find out about traditional celebrations and typical shadow plays. The upper floors are dominated by the country’s flora and fauna. Handicrafts and Malay music also have a separate section.
Railway Station and National Art Gallery
Kuala Lumpur Railway Station is among the most beautiful railway stations in the world. The impressive architecture combines Islamic architecture with the Indian-Victorian style. Minarets and turrets dominate and give this station a fairytale appearance. Just across the street is the National Art Gallery. Not only Malay art awaits visitors.
Exhibitions are regularly held on the lower floors. A popular photo motif are the large red letters at the entrance. They are a declaration of love to the capital. Behind the station there are several shopping streets and small colonial squares. Here you can eat typical Asian food and are guaranteed to find a place to linger.
Nightlife, weather and taxi rides in Kuala Lumpur
Nightlife Kuala Lumpur: This city never sleeps
In Kuala Lumpur you can experience something day and night. In Little India and Chinatown, you can shop 24 hours a day and immerse yourself in the nightlife of the capital. This usually takes place on the streets and at the markets. The European nightlife in Kuala Lumpur can only be found in the hotel bars.
The Asian nightlife is characterized by strolling through the night markets. You can enjoy the pasta dishes prepared on the street and stroll past countless market stalls. A highlight is a visit to a karaoke bar. Here you can even win prizes for your singing skills and quickly get into conversation with residents of the capital. In Kuala Lumpur, almost everyone speaks English and so nothing stands in the way of communication.
Take a taxi to Kuala Lumpur’s attractions
The best way to discover Kuala Lumpur is by taxi. Taxis can be found at every attraction and in front of all hotels. In general, taxi rides are very inexpensive and you can negotiate a price with the drivers in advance. If you want, you can also rent a taxi for a whole day. Some drivers drive from as little as 50 euros for 4 people.
Guests can determine the routes themselves. There is plenty of time for sightseeing at each attraction and the driver waits or picks up the guests at an agreed time. A rental car is generally not recommended in Malaysia . Traffic is chaotic for Europeans and there are only a few parking spaces. Taxi drivers, on the other hand, are allowed to park anywhere and take tourists directly to the sights.
Weather in Kuala Lumpur: Pack long trousers despite high temperatures
In Kuala Lumpur, the temperature is around 30 degrees almost all year round. The humidity is just as consistently high. This is always between 70 and 98%. But long trousers still belong in the suitcase. The capital is open and hospitable. However, visitors in revealing clothing are not welcome. In general, it is recommended to wear long trousers.
Shorts are not allowed in temples and religious sites. This also applies to men. In some restaurants, too, access is denied in shorts. Women should generally cover their shoulders. For the evening, a light jacket should be in your luggage. Rainfall occurs in the capital throughout the year. These can also be more severe during the monsoon season in April and May and in October and November.
