Kuala Lumpur tours, sightseeing, things to do

Kuala Lumpur

Trip Planning & Itineraries

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Kuala Lumpur is an Asian tiger that roars: in almost 150 years, it has grown from nothing to a bustling city of almost two million people. It's a modern city of gleaming skyscrapers, but it retains much of the local color that other Asian boom-cities have lost.

Kuala Lumpur has plenty of colonial buildings in its center, a vibrant Chinatown with street vendors and night markets, and a bustling Little India. More fun and easier to negotiate than Bangkok, grittier than Singapore and more eclectic than Hanoi, the buzz about KL is as palpable as its intoxicating aromas of sizzling satay, sweet incense and tropical flowers.

Best of Kuala Lumpur: Top 3 Must-Do Experiences

Best of Kuala Lumpur: Suggested Itineraries

Kuala Lumpur's ethnic mix means you can eat Malay food for breakfast, Chinese for lunch and Indian for dinner. The numerous night markets scattered around the city are crowded and atmospheric, buzzing with the sounds of haggling and Asian pop. When it's time to move on to indoor entertainment, the Golden Triangle and Bangsar areas are the places to head for bars and dancing. For more ideas on what to do in Kuala Lumpur, head over to the Viator blog.

Day One: Kuala Lumpur Sights

Kuala Lumpur Tours and Activities

There's plenty to see in KL alone, without venturing out of the center. Sample the city's highlights on a morning tour of Chinatown, mosques and grand public buildings - you can also do this as a private tour with your own English-speaking guide. Or take the full-day private tour to really get to know this vibrant Asian city. Discover the tropical green side of KL on a morning tour of the city's nature parks to see butterflies, birds, hibiscus and orchids. And in the glitter of neon lights, see Kuala Lumpur by Night with dinner and Chinatown's night markets included, or from the revolving restaurant atop KL Tower.

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Day Two: Kuala Lumpur Day Trips

Kuala Lumpur Day Trips

Some of Malaysia's top attractions are just an easy half-day trip from the capital. In the morning, take a privately guided walk through Malaysian Rainforest, following a tree-top canopy walkway, shady nature trails and spectacular jungle tracks. Then spend the afternoon with the famous monkeys and temples of the Batu Caves, and discover Malaysia's fine pewter ware and batik textiles. One of the most popular ways to spend an evening is visiting Kuala Selangor to dine at a riverside restaurant and take an after-dinner boat ride to see the amazing fireflies sparkling in the mangroves lining the river. If you'd like to be personally guided, you can also do this as a private tour.

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Day Three: Kuala Lumpur Private Tours

Kuala Lumpur Private Tours

Leave Kuala Lumpur for the day to explore Malaysian attractions further afield. The private elephant sanctuary tour tops most visitors' must-do lists. Who'd want to miss a fully personalized wildlife encounter, playing with and caring for orphaned elephants in the tropical rainforest outside KL? Visiting Malacca, Malaysia's oldest port, is a fascinating day of multicultural history, colonial ruins, shopping and local food. If you want to delve deeper into Malacca's rich Portuguese, Dutch and English influences, visit Malacca on a private tour for a more personal experience with a private English-speaking guide.

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Best of Kuala Lumpur: Top 3 Hotels

Hotel Equatorial

Hotel Equatorial

Ideally located in Kuala Lumpur's premier commercial district, the Equatorial is a well-known business hotel. The emphasis here is on efficiency and comfort, and rooms and suites are subtly and tastefully designed. The hotel has six award-winning restaurants, a fully equipped fitness centre and an outdoor swimming pool.

Grand Millennium Hotel

Grand Millennium Hotel

Downtown luxury in KL's prime business, shopping, and entertainment district. Facilities include a spa and fully equipped fitness centre, an outdoor swimming pool, business centre, and vibrant restaurants and bars. The public areas are drop-dead gorgeous and rooms have plenty of cosmopolitan flair.

Sunway Pyramid Tower

Sunway Pyramid Tower

This luxury hotel in the Sunway Lagoon Resort on the edge of KL is the perfect pampering retreat. Lavish furnishings and landscaped gardens create a suitably decadent atmosphere, and the lagoon theme park and shopping mall are just a click of your fingers away.

Best of Kuala Lumpur: Top 3 Restaurants

Chinatown Night Markets

While scouring the night markets for bargains, snack on tasty street food - maybe a spicy bowl of laksa soup or mee goreng noodles. Or rest your weary legs and drop into one of the market's many Malaysian and Chinese restaurants for some authentic KL-style dining.

Bon Ton

Locals and visitors alike love Bon Ton for its colonial-era charm and seductive, low-lit atmosphere. Malay-style fine dining is also the attraction, combining traditional dishes with innovative culinary flair, plus there's a well-rounded Western menu.

Seri Angkasa

Stunning panoramic views and gourmet cuisine come together at Seri Angkasa, a revolving restaurant atop the KL Tower. As well as the lunch and dinner buffets, there are set meals for brunch and high tea at weekends, plus a full à la carte menu. The dress code is formal so put on the glitz rather than shorts and sandals.

Kuala Lumpur: featured traveler photos
Batu Caves Step Number 16

Photo by: Leiza C, Australia

Doing what: Batu Caves and Temple Tour from Kuala Lumpur

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