Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) - Must see Landmarks, Tourist Spots and Sites

Kuala Lumpur (Malaysian pronunciation: [ˈkwalə ˈlumpʊr]), often abbreviated as K.L., is the federal capital and most populous city in Malaysia. The city covers an area of 243 km² (94 sq mi) and has an estimated population of 1.6 million as of 2012. Greater Kuala Lumpur, also known as the Klang Valley, is an urban agglomeration of 6.9 million as of 2010. It is among the fastest growing metropolitan regions in the country, in terms of population and economy.

Kuala Lumpur is the seat of the Parliament of Malaysia. The city was once home to the executive and judicial branches of the federal government, but they were moved to Putrajaya in early 1999. Some sections of the judiciary still remains in the capital city of Kuala Lumpur. The official residence of the Malaysian King, the Istana Negara, is also situated in Kuala Lumpur. Rated as an alpha world city, Kuala Lumpur is the cultural, financial and economic centre of Malaysia due to its position as the capital as well as being a key city. Kuala Lumpur was ranked 48th among global cities by Foreign Policy's 2010 Global Cities Index and was ranked 67th among global cities for economic and social innovation by the 2thinknow Innovation Cities Index in 2010.

Kuala Lumpur is defined within the borders of the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur and is one of three Malaysian Federal Territories. It is an enclave within the state of Selangor, on the central west coast of Peninsular Malaysia.

Since the 1990s, the city has played host to many international sporting, political and cultural events including the 1998 Commonwealth Games and the Formula One Grand Prix. In addition, Kuala Lumpur is home to the tallest twin buildings in the world, the Petronas Twin Towers, which have become an iconic symbol of Malaysia's futuristic development.

Top Tourist Spots and Sites to Visit:

1.) Petronas Towers

The Petronas Towers, also known as the Petronas Twin Towers (Malay: Menara Petronas, or Menara Berkembar Petronas) are twin skyscrapers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. According to the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH)'s official definition and ranking, they were the tallest buildings in the world from 1998 to 2004 until surpassed by Taipei 101, but they remain the tallest twin buildings in the world. The buildings are the landmark of Kuala Lumpur with nearby Kuala Lumpur Tower.

The Petronas Towers were the tallest buildings in the world for six years, until Taipei 101 was completed in 2004. The height of the towers is measured to the top of their structural components such as spires, but do not include antennas. Spires are considered actual integral parts of the architectural design of buildings, to which changes would substantially change the appearance and design of the building, whereas antennas may be added or removed without such consequences. The Petronas Towers still remain the tallest twin buildings in the world.

Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower) and the World Trade Center towers were each constructed with 110 occupied floors – 22 more than the 88 floors of the Petronas Towers. Willis Tower’s tallest antenna is 75.41 m (247.4 ft) taller than those of the Petronas Towers, however, in accordance with CTBUH regulations and guidelines, the antennas of Willis Tower were not counted as part of its architectural features. The spires on the Petronas Towers are included in the height since they are not antenna masts. Therefore, the Petronas Towers exceed the official height of Willis Tower by 10 m (33 ft) even though the roof of Petronas Towers at 378.6 metres (1,242 ft) is 63.4 m (208 ft) lower than the roof of Willis Tower at 442 metres (1,450 ft).

The construction of the Petronas Towers turned out to be a multinational effort. The structural design engineers worked out of New York City, while the wind-tunnel consultants and elevator design engineers were from Canada. In order to meet local safety construction codes, the towers had to be able to withstand 65 miles per hour (105 km/h) winds. In order to assure this requirement would be fulfilled, the engineers tested the towers twice within a wind tunnel, first by computer simulation and second by building an actual model of the towers.

How to get there:

Getting to the Petronas Twin Towers is pretty straightforward. You just need to get a train to KLCC Station (KJ10). Most people will start from the city center, so first of all you need to get to KL Sentral (KJ15). As you enter the station, you’ll see a few ticket machines to your left. Just follow the instructions on the screen, and buy a ticket for KLCC (KJ10). Current cost is 1.60 RM ($0.50). You’ll get a small plastic token which you hold against the top of the ticket barrier to open it. Get off the train at KLCC.

2.) Batu Caves

Batu Caves (Tamil: பத்து மலை) is a limestone hill that has a series of caves and cave temples in the Gombak district, 13 kilometres (8 mi) north of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It takes its name from the Sungai Batu or Batu River, which flows past the hill. Batu Caves is also the name of the nearby village.

The cave is one of the most popular Hindu shrines outside India, dedicated to Lord Murugan. It is the focal point of Hindu festival of Thaipusamin Malaysia.

The limestone forming Batu Caves is said to be around 400 million years old. Some of the cave entrances were used as shelters by the indigenous Temuan people (a tribe of Orang Asli).

Rising almost 100 m above the ground, the Batu Caves temple complex consists of three main caves and a few smaller ones. The biggest, referred to as Cathedral Cave or Temple Cave, has a very high ceiling and features ornate Hindu shrines. To reach it, visitors must climb a steep flight of 272 steps.

How to get there:

Batu Caves is easily reached by Komuter train using the Batu Caves-Port Klang Route, costing RM 2 for a one-way journey from KL Sentral. Batu Caves may also be reached by bus 11/11d from Bangkok Bank Terminus (Near to Puduraya Terminus) or bus U6 from Titiwangsa.

3.) Lord Murugan Statue

  

Lord Murugan Statue' (Tamil : முருகன் சிலை; Bahasa Malaysia : Tugu Dewa Murugga) is the tallest statue of Hindu deity in Malaysia and second tallest statue of Hindu deity in world, only second place to the Kailashnath Mahadev Statue in Nepal. It also the tallest statue in Malaysia at 42.7 metres (140 ft) in height. It located at the Sir Murugan Perumal Kovil at the foot of Batu Caves. It took 3 years of construction and unveiled in January 2006 during Thaipusam festival.

At the base of the Batu Caves hill beside the Lord Murugan Statue are two more cave temples, Art Gallery Cave and Museum Cave, both of which are full of Hindu statues and paintings. This complex was renovated and opened as the Cave Villa in 2008. Many of the shrines relate the story of Lord Murugan's victory over the demon Soorapadam. An audio tour is available to visitors.

The Ramayana Cave is situated to the extreme left as one faces the sheer wall of the hill. On the way to the Ramayana Cave, there is a 50-foot (15 m) tall statue of Hanuman and a temple dedicated to Hanuman, the noble monkey devotee and aide of Lord Rama. The consecration ceremony of the temple was held in November 2001. 

How to get there:

The Lord Murugan Statue is just on the foot-hill of Batu Caves. Take Komuter train using the Batu Caves-Port Klang Route, costing RM 2 for a one-way journey from KL Sentral. Batu Caves may also be reached by bus 11/11d from Bangkok Bank Terminus (Near to Puduraya Terminus) or bus U6 from Titiwangsa.

4.) Suria KLCC

In the heart of Malaysia’s glorious city of Kuala Lumpur is Suria KLCC. At the Petronas Twin Towers and on the doorstep of the KLCC park, Suria KLCC houses world-class retailers and attractions such as the Petronas Art Gallery and the Dewan Fillharmonik (Philharmonic Hall). With such prestigious credentials, it is no surprise that Suria KLCC plays host to millions of tourists and shoppers from all over the world.

Like the most iconic malls in the world, Suria KLCC is home to leading and unique international brands. This six-floor shopping haven is exclusive yet relevant, making it the shopping destination of choice for the discerning shopper.

Suria KLCC with its wide range of fashion, food, and entertainment has something for everyone. It is easily accessible through the Rapid KL Light Rail Transit (LRT) transportation system and self-sufficient with more than 5,000 parking bays within its premises.

How to get there:

From KL Sentral (KJ15), buy a ticket for KLCC (KJ10). Current cost is 1.60 RM ($0.50). Get off the train at KLCC.

5.) Kuala Lumpur Tower

The Kuala Lumpur Tower (Malay: Menara Kuala Lumpur; Chinese: 吉隆坡塔;abbreviated as KL Tower) is a tall tower located in Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia. Its construction was completed on 1 March 1995. It is used for communication purposes and features an antenna that reaches 421 metres (1,381 feet). The roof of the pod is at 335 metres (1,099 feet). The rest of the tower below has a stairwell and an elevator to reach the upper area, which also contains a revolving restaurant, providing diners with a panoramic view of the city. 

Races are held annually, where participants race up the stairs to the top. The tower also acts as the Islamic falak observatory to observe the crescent moon which marks the beginning of Muslim month of Ramadhan, Syawal, and Zulhijjah, to celebrate fasting month of Ramadhan, Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Aidiladha. The tower is the highest viewpoint in Kuala Lumpur that is open to the public.

The KL Tower is the seventh tallest telecommunication tower in the world (after Tokyo Sky Tree in Japan, the Guangzhou TV & Sightseeing Tower inChina, CN Tower in Canada, the Ostankino Tower in Russia, the Oriental Pearl Tower in China, and the Borj-e Milad in Iran). Built to enhance the quality of telecommunication services and the clarity of broadcasting, KL Tower is a symbol of Kuala Lumpur.

How to get there:

Take a monorail and stop at Jalan Raja Chulan station. Then walk up to road leading to Shangrila hotel and turn in to Bukit Nanas park. It is where the KL Tower is located.

6.) KL Sentral

Kuala Lumpur Sentral (KL Sentral) or Sentral Kuala Lumpur is a transit-oriented development that houses the main railway station of Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia. Opened on 16 April 2001, despite its name it is actually even less central than the old Kuala Lumpur Railway Station, a colonial-era landmark that now remains open for local commuter trains only. KL Sentral is the largest railway station in Malaysia and indeed the largest in Southeast Asia. 

KL Sentral was designed as an intermodal transport hub. Most of Kuala Lumpur's passenger rail lines serve KL Sentral, while many intercity trains serving Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore start there. All the railway components of the scheme have been completed, but some other parts such as shopping malls, offices and apartments are still under construction and are expected to be complete by 2015. It was also designed to be a new business and financial hub for Kuala Lumpur.

7.) Perdana Putra

The Perdana Putra is a building in Putrajaya, Malaysia which houses the office complex of the Prime Minister of Malaysia. Located on the main hill in Putrajaya, it has become synonymous with the executive branch of the Malaysian federal government.

The structural design is influenced by Malay, Islamic and European cultures as such Palladian and Neoclassicism. It was designed by a aQidea Architect (Ahmad Rozi Abd Wahab being the principal architect) with inspiration from the former prime minister, Tun Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad.

How to get there:

Take the KLIA Transit Train to Putrajaya Sentral. From Putrajaya Sentral you can take the Nadi Putra Bus no 601 or 701. Stop at Precint 2 in front the of the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumers or KPDNKK (abv. in Malay).

8.) Masjid Putra

The Masjid Putra or Putra Mosque, is the principal mosque of Putrajaya, Malaysia. Construction of the mosque began in 1997 and was completed two years later. It is located next to Perdana Putra which houses the Malaysian Prime Minister's office and man-made Putrajaya Lake. In front of the mosque is a large square with flagpoles flying Malaysian states' flags.

The pink-domed Putra Mosque is constructed with rose-tinted granite and can accommodate 15,000 worshippers at any one time. The basement wall of the mosque resembles that of the King Hassan Mosque in Casablanca, Morocco. 

The mosque consists of three main functional areas - the prayer hall, the Sahn, or courtyard, and various learning facilities and function rooms. The prayer hall is simple and elegant, supported by 12 columns. The highest point below the dome is 250 feet above ground level. 

The Sahn, landscaped with several decorative water features and bordered by colonnades, provides a huge yet welcoming and beautiful prayer space. Its impressive minaret is influenced by the design of the Sheikh Omar Mosque in Baghdad. At 116m, it is one of the tallest minarets in the region and has five tiers, representing the Five Pillars of Islam.

How to get there:

Masjid Putra is just beside the Perdana Putra. Take the KLIA Transit Train to Putrajaya Sentral. From Putrajaya Sentral you can take the Nadi Putra Bus no 601 or 701. 

Until next time...Kuala Lumpur...