Attractions in Kuala Lumpur

Royal King's Palace (Istana Negara)

The Royal Kings Palace (Istana Negara) serves as

the official residence of the supreme King of
Malaysia. The king relocated to a newly built
Istana Negara in 2011, and while you cant enter,
its possible to see the beautiful architecture of the
palace from afar and watch the hourly changing of
the guards.

Before 2011, the Royal Kings Palace occupied

another mansion. The structure was originally built
in 1928 by a wealthy Chinese immigrant on a plot
overlooking the Klang River. During the Japanese
Occupation during World War II, the mansion
became the home of the Japanese Governor before becoming a British military office after the Japanese
surrendered in 1945. In 1950, the Sultan of Selangor moved into the residence and lived there until
Malaysian independence in 1957.

Today, the former Istana Negara houses the Royal Museum, where visitors can tour the grounds and get a
sense of the opulence of Malaysian royal life.

National Mosque (Masjid Negara)

The majestic National Mosque, or Masjid Negara, was
built in 1965 as a symbol of Malaysias recently won
independence. It is one of South East Asias largest and
can hold up to 15,000 people.
It is situated in Kuala Lumpurs Lake Gardens in the
center of the city and surrounded by swathes of beautiful
gardens near the bird and orchid parks.
It was designed by a group of three architects and the
eighteen-pointed star dome is said to represent the
thirteen states of Malaysia and the five pillars of Islam.
The main dome is covered in thousands of blue and green tiles and there are 48 smaller green domes dotting
the courtyard inspired by the grand mosque in Mecca. The 240ft (74m) minaret sounds the call to prayer
that can be heard across Chinatown.
Practical Info
Non-Muslims are welcome to visit outside prayer times. You must remove your shoes and if not properly
attired women will be lent a robe and headscarf.
The mosque is diagonally across from Kuala Lumpur railway station and there is an underground walkway
that goes underneath Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin.
Kuala Lumpur Railway Station

The Kuala Lumpur Railway Station is a gracefully

designed colonial building that combines Eastern and
Western architectural influences, including Moorish
and Indian. Visitors have described its style as unique
and stunning. The station was built in 1910 at a cost of
$23,000 and served passengers bound for Singapore
and other Southeast Asia destinations up until 2001
when it was replaced by a more modern station. While
long-distance operations mostly have moved to the
Sentral Station, commuter trains still use the station as
do some long-distance companies.

Batu Caves

The Batu Caves are a very sacred spot for Hindus in Malaysia.
Hundreds of thousands of Hindus gather here every year to
celebrate Thaipusam in which Hindus carry large items, such
as jugs, and have body piercings with hooks to attach to other
things. This is a form of penance for them, as if climbing up the
272 steps to the caves isnt penance enough.

At the top of the stairs, visitors will find three huge limestone
caves plus smaller ones filled with Hindu art and statues
Visitors may want to bring peanuts or bananas for the monkeys
that will greet them upon arrival.

Petronas Twin Towers

Whether visiting by day or night, the views from the Petronas

Twin Towers are a highlight of a trip to Kuala Lumpur. While
the view from the ground looking up at the gleaming 88-story
twin towers is stunning, it's the panoramic vistas seen from the
skybridge and observation deck that draw so many visitors. The
double-decker skybridge joins the two towers between the 41st
and 42nd floors, while the 86th-floor observation deck provides
a close-up look at the spires.
The 1,482-foot (452-meter) towers are so popular that just 1,700 passes are distributed each morning on a
first-come, first-serve basis, and most are gone by 9am. While advance tickets are also available, visitors
can avoid waiting in long lines to view Kuala Lumpurs dramatic cityscape from above by booking a tour
that includes a skip-the-line ticket. Some tours center entirely around the towers, providing in-depth
immersion in the history and architecture, while many city tours combine a quick stop at the towers with
visits to Kuala Lumpur's other landmarks, such as the National Monument, the Sultan Abdul Samad
Building, the National Museum and the famous KL Tower.
Practical Info
The easiest way to reach the Petronas Twin Towers is by taxi or as part of an organized tour. If using public
transportation, take the LRT to the KLCC (Kuala Lumpur City Centre) station and walk from there.

Did You Know? The floor plan for the towers was designed with the Islamic eight-point star in mind, and
the five sections of each skyscraper are said to represent the five pillars of Islam.

Thean Hou Temple

Visitors to Thean Hou Temple will find a little bit of

China in Kuala Lumpur, since it is one of the largest
Chinese temples in Southeast Asia. Opened in 1989 by
Malaysias Chinese community, it is a stunning example
of Chinese architecture, with its four levels of orange-
tiled pagodas. The temple honors Thean Hou, the goddess
of the sea. With a spectacular view of Kuala Lumpur as a
backdrop, the temple is a popular spot to take wedding
photos; the temple even has a marriage registration office,
with about 5,000 couples a year choosing to get married
here.

Links:
https://www.viator.com/Kuala-Lumpur/d335
http://www.touropia.com/tourist-attractions-in-kuala-lumpur/