Kuala Lumpur (KL) the capital of Malaysia, is a vibrant city offering unlimited attractions and adventure as diverse as its multi-racial population. From rich cultures steeped in history to the likes of Batu Caves, some of the world’s wonders such as the Petronas Twin Towers and KL Tower, Mother Nature’s best wonders of fireflies exploration to the almost untouched lifestyle of fishing villages and the finest shopping mega malls.
Discover Kuala Lumpur
Batu Caves
The Batu Caves is one of the famous attractions in Kuala Lumpur, you ought to pay it a visit! The 400 million years old cave is located on the outskirt of town and accessible via public transportation. It is known for its natural beauty and for the Lord of Murugan, a 42.7 meters tall statue that stands beside the massive staircase of 272 steps leading you in the cave. Remember to dress decently as the Caves are a mixture of Hindu temples and international tourists will often head there to pray. Watch out for the little monkeys who might follow you up the stairs!
Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia (IAMM)
Almost 2 decades ago, Malaysia became home to Southeast Asia’s largest museum of Islamic art. Interested to explore the cultural driven museum which occupies approximately 30,000 square metres, situated amid the leafy surroundings of central Kuala Lumpur’s Lake Gardens. The Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia also houses more than ten thousand artefacts, along with exceptional library of Islamic art books. Interestingly, instead of concentrating on works from the heartlands of Persia Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia (IAMM) and the Middle East, IAMM has been emphasizing on Asia itself. Don’t forget to head towards the Museum Shop which opens from 10:00a.m. to 6:00p.m. whereby you find the most traditional Islamic items, ‘Quran etc.
Petronas Twin Towers
The 88-storey twin structure is the symbol and crown jewel of Kuala Lumpur, described as Majestic by day and Dazzling at night. The Petronas Twin Towers was the tallest building in the world until 2004. The Islamic-inspired building has a Sky Bridge on the 41st and 42nd floor where one can have an incredible view of Kuala Lumpur skyline. Inside the building, the gigantic shopping mall known as Suria KLCC is a shopping paradise with international brands and upscale boutiques.
District 21, IOI City Mall
District 21 is a first of its kind, apocalypse themed Adventure Park. This action park is located in a 70,000 square feet, indoor premise with a 55ft air-conditioned atrium, within IOI City Mall, Putrajaya. Comprising 10 prominent attractions and 8 function rooms, District21 also offers an ideal venue for corporate team building events, school group visitations and birthday parties. Void of 'passive' rides, the credo of District21 is fun, passion, and its participation requires the engagement of the entire family. Incorporating 10 adventure attractions, many of which have never been seen in Asia, District21 offers activities for all visitors to get you climbing, jumping, riding, sliding and flying. It is also fitted with number of kid-friendly rides, including a merry-go-round, scaled down rope obstacle courses, and pedal go-karts within 100-metre-long track. Parents can be assured of their children’s safety as the theme park is well-equipped with auto belays and padded flooring while safety helmets, knee and elbow pads are provided for more challenging attractions.
Marina
Acts as the ‘one-stop recreation centre’, offering luxurious leisure and recreation at reasonable rates. Visitors can enjoy boat rides besides learning water sports like fly board, jet skiing, wake boarding, water skiing, canoeing and kayaking. The compound also has an indoor swimming pool, gymnasium, aerobic studio, steam bath room, sauna room, squash court, karaoke rooms and snooker table. The biggest attraction is the musical fountain in the evening with a special show each Saturday. This attraction mainly aims to create a healthy lifestyle for everyone that come to use its facilities. With total space area of 28,530m2 (including buildings, promenade and water features), this facility is built in a circular pattern.
Sky Mirror Kuala Selangor
The Sky Mirror Kuala Selangor, located in the middle of the Straits of Malacca is a newly-discovered natural wonder that has become one of the latest tourist attractions in the area! The Sky Mirror is a sandbank that only emerges for 3-4 hours in the mornings, producing a mirror-like reflection of the sky. What’s even more surprising is that this mysterious phenomenon only appears on the 1st, 2nd, 14th, 15th, 16th and 30th day of the month according to the Chinese lunar calendar. Fully guided tours of the sandbank, which can be accessed via a 30-minute boat ride from the mainland, are available from a licensed tour company near Pantai Remis. The sandbank itself is home to a great variety of marine life. Though tiny, you will definitely fall in love with millions of baby clams that glitter like diamonds under the sun. Other interesting marine organisms found are sea anemones, shore crabs, red crabs, soldier crabs, bamboo clams. sea grapes, bailer shell, sea snails, and a variety of shells. Sky Mirror has received international press coverage and has been dubbed the Salar de Uyuni of Malaysia, after a similar natural wonder in Bolivia.
Kuala Penambang Fishing Village
Need to escape the hustle and bustle of the city? The tranquillity that you need is just an hour’s drive from Subang! Known as Kuala Selangor's hidden pearl, Kuala Penambang is sub-district, located along the Selangor River. If you are lucky, you may catch a look behind the scenes at how fishing nets are made by the experienced local fisherman! The fishing village is also famous for its cheap and fresh seafood with all varieties of cooking and marvellous sunset too!
Kelip-Kelip (Fireflies) Kampung Kuantan
Kampung Kuantan is known as one of the largest firefly (or Kelip-kelip, as it fondly called by the local) colonies in the world that dwell along Sg Selangor river banks and feeding on the Berembang trees (mangrove trees) that grow well in brackish water. The mangrove trees with its scientific name, Sonneratia Casolaris, can be found at 8 km upstream and 18 km downstream to Kuala Selangor. Kampung Kuantan is located about 9 km from the town of Kuala Selangor. Visitors would experience riding on a traditional sampan (small boat) into the darkness at night where you may enthral by the thousands of fireflies (Kelip-Kelip) that flicker. At dust, the fireflies (Kelip-Kelip) gather in Berembang trees (mangrove trees) to feed on its tree sap and flash to attract a mate. The boat tour is available daily from 7:00p.m. until 10:30p.m.
For adrenaline-inducing fun and excitement, head to Sim Flight KL @ Subang Sky Park, Funtopia Courtyard, Extreme Park or Subang Ria Park for the country’s largest paintball park, namely TT Sports Park.
No Black Tie
The city’s singular spot for jazz, nestled in the centre of Kuala Lumpur has been the toast of anything jazz-related in the capital since the late 1990s. For the past two decades, Jalan Mesui has been No Black Tie’s home curating fabulous talents and musicians from local to internationally. The found and owner of the cozy club Evelyn Hii is a Miri-born musician, a classically trained-pianist who is also the curator and co-organiser of the 13th Borneo Jazz Festival in Miri, Sarawak from May 11 – 13. For the jazz lovers and enthusiasts out there, do not miss the upcoming festival line-up which includes arties like Swiss-French ensemble Chris Stalk Quartet, Italian vocalist Cecilia Brunori, Chinese saxophonist Gaoyang Li, multi-talented Polish artist Grzegorz Karnas, etc. Check the venue out for the watering hole of choice for KL’s intellectual, cultural, social and corporate elite!
Trec Kuala Lumpur
Looking for a superb night of fantastic bars? Head down to one the most happening and trendiest bar-hop location ideal for the outgoing ones exploring the vibrant nightlight of Kuala Lumpur. There are many hidden speakeasy bars that you can adventure along the long stretch of walkway. The name stands for “Taste, Relish Experience, Celebrate” This dining and night life hub is situated right next to the new home of Asia’s most popular super night club Zouk KL. Perfect for the fun and fancy party goers! There are various entertainment concepts from lounges to club rooms to al fresco dining spaces with balcony decks. You may party all night long till past midnight and enjoy a lovely view of the Petronas Twin Towers right across the street!