Kuala Lumpur’s richly layered history provides countless opportunities for sightseeing and taste testing.
From pristine mosques to soaring skyscrapers, from colonial mansions to colorful temples, Kuala Lumpur has it all and Mandarin Oriental is at the heart of the city For more than 150 years, visitors have rushed to this thriving town, whether to make a fortune from tin mines or to trawl for bargains in the teeming street markets.
Visitors come back to Kuala Lumpur time and again not just because KL is a hub for business in Asia, but also because it offers a unique mixture of cultures, cuisines, arts, and architecture. Of course, they could just be coming back for those spicy kway teow noodles and a cup of “pulled” tea.
Go Sky Walking – 2 Minute Walk Soaring 452 metres into the sky, the 88-storey Petronas Twin Towers have become the best-known symbol of Kuala Lumpur. Learn about the Islamic and Malaysian influences of their architecture; then, if you’re feeling brave, take a walk on the sky bridge that connects the twin towers.
Musical Marvel – 3 Minute Walk Home to the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra, the Dewan Filharmonik Petronas, is a venue as prized for its architectural beauty as the world-class music performed there – and that can be anything from opera or jazz to symphonic or traditional Malay.
Urban Retreat – 3 Minute Walk Wander the tree-lined paths and flowering gardens of Kuala Lumpur City Centre Park and you’ll soon forget you’re in a major metropolis. The 1.3-kilometre jogging track and the Symphony Overture fountains are just two of the reasons this park is truly loved.
Feed the Monkeys – 20 Minute / 12.43 Miles or 20 Km Malaysia’s Hindu population considers the Batu Caves, located north of the city, to be sacred. The most famous is the Temple or Cathedral Cave, which houses a Hindu shrine beneath its 100m-high vaulted ceiling. Don’t forget to buy some bananas and peanuts for the monkeys!
Things to See
Dataran Merdeka – 10 Minute / 1.55 Miles or 2.5 Km Once a cricket pitch, Merdeka Square is where Malaysia claimed its independence. It is also home to the famed copper minarets and domes of the Sultan Abdul Samad Building, where the Supreme Court sits, and boasts the world’s tallest flagpole.
National Museum – 15 Minute / 2.17 Miles or 3.5 Km The palatial mosaic-covered building on the corner of Lake Gardens is home to a complete history of Malaysia. Exhibits include mechanical displays, nature dioramas, musical instruments, weaponry and much more. Don’t miss the bookstore.
National Art Gallery - 7 Minute / 1.24 Miles or 2 Km With a permanent collection of more than 2,500 works, ranging from indigenous sculptures to contemporary paintings, the Gallery is an introduction to Malaysia’s artistic heritage. Look for exhibitions by international artists and interactive
Kuala Lumpur Lake Gardens – 10 Minute / 3.73 Miles or 6 Km Spread over 91.6 hectares and built around an artificial lake, the Gardens are the city’s most popular park. Dating back to the 1880s they include a butterfly park, deer park, the National Monument, orchid and hibiscus gardens, playgrounds and much more.
Islamic Arts Museum – 10 Minute / 1.55 Miles or 2.5 Km Art lovers will appreciate the magnificent collection of Islamic art exhibited at the IAMM, (should this be IAM?) which boasts an impressive array of objects, architectural renderings, ceramics, jewellery and textiles. The museum is closed on Mondays.
Where to Shop
Suria KLCC Shopping Centre – 3 Minute Walk More than a mall, this premiere shopping destination boasts an array of international luxury brands and specialty stores. It also has fine dining options, entertainment, an impressive art gallery and a science discovery center for the kids.
Petaling Street – 7 Minute / 1.24 Miles or 2 Km Located in the heart of Chinatown, Petaling Street is a must-see in the early evening when countless street stalls are set up. From Chinese teas and textiles, to chic sunglasses and shoes, this is a bargain-hunter’s dream. And the food’s great, too.
Central Market – 10 Minute / 1.55 Miles or 2.5 Km This famed two-storey Art Deco building is home to a bustling market where visitors can find everything and anything, including trinkets, toys, food, figurines and fortune tellers.
Little India – 7 Minute / 1.24 Miles or 2 Km Jalan Masjid India is Little India’s main street, where you can explore shops selling colorful bangles and earthenware, wander the jasmine-infused temples, and indulge in the flavourful cuisine of the subcontinent.
The Golden Triangle – 4 Minute Walk An array of shopping centres all within walking distance of each other – offers everything from designer clothes (Starhill Gallery) to bargain basement deals (Sunghai Wang Plaza) with plenty of sidewalk cafes in between.
Where to Dine
Pacifica Grill & Bar – At the Hotel Bright colours, an open kitchen, fine music and exciting dishes all add up to award-winning dining at Pacifica Grill & Bar, home to contemporary European cuisine with Asian influences, it is the signature restaurant of Mandarin Oriental,Kuala Lumpur.
Lai Po Heen Chinese Restaurant – At the Hotel An elegant Chinese restaurant specialising in contemporary Cantonese delicacies and sumptuous dim sum. The décor is reminiscent of the grand ancestral homes of Chinese-Malaysian tycoons from the turn of the century.
Bombay Palace Restaurant - 5 minutes drive / 2km Offering Classic Northern Indian fare, The Bombay Palace Restaurant is well known for its authenticity. House favorites include the tandoori and sheared leg of lamb.
Asian Heritage Row – 20 Minute Walk / 0.93 Miles or 1.5 Km The restored Art Deco buildings that line Jalan Doraisamy boast a myriad of trendy restaurants, bars and clubs including the popular Bar Savanh & Cochine, the contemporary barBlonde, The Ivy and the versatile The Loft.
Jalan Alor – 15 Minute Walk / 0.62 Miles or 1 Km When in KL, do as the locals do – head for the hawker stalls and small restaurants on Jalan Alor. Here you can sample countless curries, noodles, teas and other local specialities in a vibrant, outdoor setting.
Seafood Nasi Kandar Pelita – 15 Minute Walk Quaint is the perfect word for this neighbourhood of restored pre-war buildings - home to an range of dining options, including causal pubs like The Green Man and Hemingway’s, cosy eateries such as Sao Nam and La Bodega, and upscale restaurants like Frangipani Bar & Restaurant.
