Founded in 1888 by the British, the Central Market is one of the best places to visit in Kuala Lumpur. Not only is it one of the prime locations to shop in the city, it is also the best place to enjoy the fruits of a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic environment. Because Kuala Lumpur has a rich blend of diverse cultures and people hailing from different parts of the globe, each have their unique set of handicrafts along with a unique blend that is very Malaysian. The market is one of the most visited sights in the city and quite a popular destination for buying souvenirs and mementoes for your trip.

The market was founded in 1888 and originally used as a wet market, while the current Art Deco style building was completed in 1937. It has been classified as a Heritage Site by the Malaysian Heritage Society and it is now a landmark for Malaysian culture and heritage.

With constant renovations and refurbishment, the market soon had distinct stalls and zones for different ethnic groups to display and promote their items. In the earlier days the Central market was nick named the “wet market” because the floors were constantly wet. The market was visited mainly by tin miners of the region and sold meat, vegetables and the catch of the day!

Today the market mainly sells food, sweets, arts, crafts, bags, t-shirts and souvenirs. It is clean, well lit, easily accessible and conveniently located close to multiple public transport facilities.

Kuala Lumpur in itself is a culmination of brewing together different cultures and people. The resultant of this rich blend of ideas, philosophies and heritage coming from different cultures and parts of the world is what makes it a fascinating place to visit and a tourist’s paradise. One such architectural example is the Sri Mahamariamman Temple.

Built in 1873, this enchanting temple is the oldest functioning Hindu Temple in Malaysia. Founded by K. Thamboosamy Pillai, a pre-independence Tamil settler and one of the most prominent figures in the Tamil community in the country, the Temple was initially used exclusively by the Pillai family. It was not until 1920s that they opened the doors so that it could become a place of worship for the immigrants from India.

One of the most striking features of the Sri Mahamariamman is its dramatic tower filled with intricate sculptures of the various Hindu deities – a whopping 228 idols. Known as the ‘gopuram’, the tower is dedicated to the deity Mariamman, protector of all those in distant lands to preserve them from the evils of the world. This temple is especially relevant because the procession at Thaipusam (Hindu festival) during the month of February starts from here.

Tip:
Entry is free, but ladies need to cover properly and shoes must be removed and stored on the side for a small fee (bring wet wipes for your feet to avoid getting socks dirty). Friday afternoon prayer time is an exciting experience; watching the ritual, and all the music to go with it.

The Thean Hou Temple is known as the Temple of the Goddess of Heaven. It is a six-tiered Buddhist temple dedicated to Tian Hou, the goddess of the sea.

The temple was built in 1894 by the Hainanese community of Kuala Lumpur. Its construction uses elements from Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism.

Along with Tian Hou, the temple offers a statue of Guan Yin, the goddess of mercy; Shui Wei Sheng Niang, the goddess of the waterfront; Guan Di, the god of war and Wei Tuo, the protector.

The temple is open from 9 AM through 6 PM daily. Visitors can enter the temple or enjoy the tortoise pond and traditional medicinal garden that are located on the temple grounds. There are also a number of fortune tellers and martial arts demonstrations nearby.

The Sultan Abdul Samad Building is undoubtedly one of the grandest structures in the skyline of Kuala Lumpur. Standing proudly at the Jalan Raja, the building emanates authority, heritage and elegance. Located on the opposite side of the Independence Square from the Royal Selangor Club, the Sultan Abdul Samad Building is one of the city's most treasured landmarks.

Built during the British occupation, the structure took shape in 1897. The chief architect responsible for its regal construction was A.C Norman along with chief engineer C.E Spooner. The building was named after the fourth Sultan of Selangor under whose reign the building was constructed, and boasts an excellent blend Indo-Islamic and Neo-Gothic architectural styles. History has it that Norman, in fact, visited India and from the visit drew inspiration for many of his designs.

One of the oldest structures in Kuala Lumpur, the Sultan Abdul Building has been used by the government since its inception and presently houses the Ministry of Information, Communication and Culture of Malaysia. The structure is truly spectacular and definitely worth the visit.

Why You Should Visit:
As majestic as it is during the day, when it is lit up at night, the building looks simply magical.

Tip:
Don't miss the backyard of the Sultan Abdul Samad Building, either. Facing the river, it forms a peaceful garden with tiled fountains and wrought iron benches to relax on. White marble, yellow tiles, and the freshly planted greenery create a harmonious background for the building.

DBKL City Theatre (Panggung Bandaraya DBKL) stands as a historic theater hall situated adjacent to Merdeka Square in Kuala Lumpur. Its construction commenced in 1896 and concluded in 1904.

This theater was originally located within the venerable Old City Hall of Kuala Lumpur. Both the theater and the Old City Hall were conceived by Arthur Benison Hubback, an architect working under the colonial government. Hubback was also responsible for the design of other colonial structures across the Klang Valley, including the Kuala Lumpur Railway Station and the Jamek Mosque. The primary purpose of DBKL City Theatre was to host stage productions, encompassing plays and musicals.

The theatre holds the distinction of being recognized as a heritage building in accordance with the Antiquities Act, and its Moorish-style façade has been meticulously preserved.

In 1992, a significant fire ravaged the theater's interior, necessitating a complete restoration by the City Hall's designers and builders. During this restoration effort, notable enhancements were introduced, including updates to the furnishings and the sound system.

One of the most happening places in Kuala Lumpur is the Bukit Walk, your one-stop destination to a complete Kuala Lumpur shopping experience! Stretching from Jalan Bukit Bintang and Jalan Imbi, all the way to Jalan Pudu, the Bintang Walk is a place you do not want to miss.

No matter what your budget is, the Bukit Walk has something to offer every visitor. Right from upscale classy and glamorous malls and boutiques like the Pavillion and Star Hill Shopping Gallery, to road side bargains, electronic shopping complexes and exclusive shops like the Low Yat Plaza, the Bukit Walk is truly a shopper’s paradise.

But don’t let the excessive shopping put you off. If you are not very keen on peeking into the retail stores, you have plenty of other things to do at the Bukit Walk. Some of Kuala Lumpur finest eateries can be found here. Whatever be your style, you are sure to find the perfect place, menu and cuisine to tempt, tantalize and satisfy your hunger. From hawkers who are famous all over the city for their offerings to specialty restaurants that are known world over, from delicious local fare to alfresco restaurants, the Bukit Walk is the place to get a mouthful of Kuala Lumpur.

Jalan Alor is a notable street in Kuala Lumpur. Visitors to the city will find a vibrant nightlife, plenty of places to shop and, most of all, delicious food.

Food stalls, referred sometimes as hawker stalls, are set up on both sides of the street. As Malaysia is a blend of many cultures, so is the food. Patrons will find barbecue, seafood, noodles and more. Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese and Cambodian restaurants share space with vendors selling chicken drumsticks, bowls of ice cream and colorful arrays of fruit and vegetables from carts.

The area, lovingly referred to as Food Street, is not just for tourists. Plenty of locals populate the street thanks to its delicious food at reasonable prices. Many prefer the street food on Jalan Alor to the pricier sit-down cafes in other parts of the city.

Jalan Alor is a short street nestled between Jalan Tong Shin and Changkat Bukit Bintang. Stalls and restaurants are open throughout the day and night, so visitors can come here any time they feel a pang of hunger.

Pavilion Kuala Lumpur is a prominent shopping center located in the vibrant Bukit Bintang district of Kuala Lumpur. This bustling complex was constructed on the site where the historic Bukit Bintang Girls' School once stood. This school, known as the oldest in Kuala Lumpur, was relocated to Cheras in 2000, where it was renamed Sekolah Seri Bintang Utara.

The Pavilion Kuala Lumpur officially opened its doors on September 20, 2007. The extensive development comprises not only a premier shopping center but also includes two blocks of serviced apartments, an office block, and a luxurious 5-star hotel. In 2016, the mall expanded with the addition of Pavilion Elite, a significant extension, and was further enhanced by the development of a new residential block constructed above it.

Further expanding its presence, Pavilion Kuala Lumpur launched a sister mall in the southern suburbs of the city on December 3, 2021. This new mall, named Pavilion Bukit Jalil, boasts an impressive 1.8 million square feet of retail space. It houses notable features such as Malaysia's first Tsutaya Bookstore and the country's longest Muji Store. A distinctive highlight of Pavilion Bukit Jalil is its projection mapping dome located at the center court, adding a unique visual element to the shopping experience.

Continuing its expansion, a third mall under the Pavilion brand opened on October 8, 2023. Named Pavilion Damansara Heights, this mall, though smaller with only 1 million square feet of space, marks another significant addition to the Pavilion Kuala Lumpur's growing portfolio of retail destinations. Each of these malls, with their distinct characteristics and offerings, contributes to the dynamic retail landscape of Kuala Lumpur, drawing both local shoppers and international tourists.

Petronas Towers are arguably the most notable landmarks in all of Malaysia. Looking over KLCC Park and Simfoni Lake, Petronas Towers stand at 1,483 feet, making them the tallest twin towers in the world.

The towers were designed by Cesar Pelli, an Argentinian architect who used Postmodern Islamic architecture to create the unique style. Petronas Towers are made from a combination of reinforced concrete, steel and glass. Construction on the towers began in 1993 and was completed six years later in 1999.

At the time of its completion, Petronas Towers were listed as the tallest buildings in the world. Since that time, the towers have been overshadowed by buildings like Taipei 101, One World Trade Center and the Burj Khalifa. They continue to be the tallest buildings in Malaysia at just 23 feet higher than the Exchange 106.

Visitors are welcome in either tower where they can explore the Petrosains Discovery Centre and the Petronas Art Gallery. They can walk the Sky Bridge that connects the two towers on the 42nd floor. An observatory deck is located on the 86th floor of Tower Two.

Suria KLCC is a retail space at the base of Petronas Towers. The shopping center is home to luxury shops, an aquarium, an art gallery and a science center.

Why You Should Visit:
It is a real cool experience to see the tallest twin towers in the world and catch a view of Kuala Lumpur from the observation deck

Tips:
Visitors are welcome in the towers between 10 AM and 6 PM on Tuesdays through Sundays. Tickets must be reserved in advance.

The National Library of Malaysia, established in 1972, is key in keeping and sharing knowledge for Malaysians now and in the future. It's more than a place for books; it's a main spot for the country's thinking and cultural history.

A big part of the Library is the Malaysiana Collection, a source of pride with a wide variety of stuff from Malaysia and elsewhere. It focuses on things closely related to Malaysia, showing the country's varied cultural and intellectual scene and offering insights into Malaysian life, history, and culture.

A special item in the Library is the "Hikayat Hang Tuah," a Malay Manuscript. UNESCO recognized it, putting it in the Memory of the World Register. This shows the Library's role in keeping manuscripts that are important for understanding Malaysia's history and culture.

The Library's design reflects Malaysian identity and culture. Made by Kumpulan Akitek, it's inspired by the tengkolok, a traditional Malay headgear, showing intellectual pride and respect in Malaysian culture. The roof tiles, inspired by the Kain Songket, a hand-woven cloth, add to the cultural importance.

The Library has about 4.78 million items: 4.52 million printed, 98,406 non-printed, 4,974 Malay manuscripts, and 158,316 digital. This huge collection is not just for research and learning, but also to protect the nation's history and cultural identity.

The Malaysian Library not only preserves but also promotes its collections nationally and internationally, playing a vital role in fostering intellectual growth. The Malaysiana collection embodies Malaysia's rich heritage and history.

Tip:
This is a great place for kids to chill. The kids' section is equipped with a media/internet room, as well as a TV area and a comfy carpeted section for kids to roll around.
Easy access to café and restrooms, friendly ànd helpful staff. Food is fairly cheap, with plenty of choices compared to other government cafeterias.
Just across the road is IJN. Take the overpass pedestrian bridge, and you'll find some hip cafés for more food choices.

Batu Caves, located in the Gombak district, approximately 13 kilometers north of Kuala Lumpur, is a limestone hill featuring a series of caves and cave temples. Its name is derived from the Sungai Batu, or Batu River, which flows alongside it. Additionally, there is a village nearby that shares the same name.

This cave complex is renowned as one of the most prominent Hindu shrines found outside of India and is dedicated to Lord Murugan. It plays a central role in the Hindu festival of Thaipusam in Malaysia.

Geologically, the limestone that comprises Batu Caves is believed to be approximately 400 million years old. Historically, some of the cave entrances were utilized as shelters by the indigenous Temuan people, a tribe of the Orang Asli.

In the early 1860s, Chinese settlers began mining guano from the caves for use as fertilizer in their agricultural activities. However, Batu Caves gained significant recognition only after colonial authorities, including Daly and Syers, as well as American Naturalist William Hornaday, documented the limestone hills in 1878.

The transformation of Batu Caves into a place of worship can be attributed to K. Thamboosamy Pillai, an Indian trader. He was inspired by the 'vel'-shaped entrance of the primary cave and decided to establish a temple dedicated to Lord Murugan within the caves. In 1890, Pillai, who was also responsible for founding the Sri Mahamariamman Temple in Kuala Lumpur, placed the consecrated statue (murti) of Sri Murugan Swami in what is now known as the Temple Cave. Since 1892, the Thaipusam festival has been celebrated there during the Tamil month of Thai, which typically falls in late January or early February.

The original wooden steps leading to the Temple Cave were constructed in 1920 and have since been replaced by 272 concrete steps. Among the various cave temples found at the site, the most significant and well-known is the Temple or Cathedral Cave, named for the numerous Hindu shrines it houses beneath its lofty vaulted ceiling.