Backpackers sometimes overlook Kuala Lumpur and even Malaysia; however, a visit to Kuala Lumpur is, in our opinion, a ‘must-do’ for anyone traveling in Southeast Asia. Apart from Singapore, it’s easily the most modern city in the most developed country in the region, though it still has some of the other loved characteristics of the area. Thus, we gathered 15 fun things to do in Kuala Lumpur in 3 days, including the new, the modern, the cultural, the traditional, and much more!
While Malaysia is an old nation that has significantly influenced world history, Kuala Lumpur is a recent city. Malacca and Georgetown were the center of the lucrative spice trade for centuries and attracted the attention of the colonial powers (Portugal, the Netherlands, and England). However, Kuala Lumpur was founded only in 1857 as a mining town, but quickly rose in importance, becoming a major urban center, and was named the capital in 1896.
In this article, we will first describe 15 fun things to do in KL in 3 days. We think three days in Kuala Lumpur is the perfect amount of time to see the most important attractions, but you could easily spend a week or more there without feeling bored.
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15 Fun Things To Do In KL In 3 Days
1. Climb the Petronas Twin Towers
Since its construction in 1998, the Petronas twin towers have been the crown jewel and the most striking feature of Kuala Lumpur’s skyline. Soaring to a height of 452 meters (and 88-story), they were the tallest buildings in the world from 1998 to 2004 and remain the tallest twin towers in the world.
The distinctive postmodern style and the double-decker Skybridge connecting the towers (the world’s highest two-story bridge) make the Petronas unique.
Building the Petronas towers was a colossal engineering and architectural success for Malaysia, embracing its heritage and culture, evoking Islamic arabesques, and employing repetitive geometries characteristic of Muslim architecture while proclaiming its modernization. As per Cesar Pelli, the Petronas Twin Towers’ architect, “it’s a monument that is not specifically Malaysian, but will forever be identified with Kuala Lumpur“!
The Petronas towers are the first place to go, whether you have three days in KL or only a few hours.
The tour to the towers includes a visit to the Skybridge (the 58-meter-long connecting structure between the towers) and then to level 86, where you can take on the breathtaking views of Kuala Lumpur. Obtaining tickets for the tours can be challenging, so we recommend purchasing them in advance.
2. Stroll around the KLCC Park
KLCC Park has been designed to provide greenery to the Petronas Twin Towers and the surrounding areas. The park attracts not only tourists but also city joggers and corporate people as it is directly situated in front of the Petronas Twin Towers! It features water fountains that can shoot water up to a height of 42 meters every hour, as well as a water show with music and lights called the Lake Symphony.
The park is excellent for families, featuring a large children’s playground and a public swimming pool for children. It also includes waterfalls, fountains, and a jogging/walking path! However, like every other park in Malaysia, the fauna and flora make it really amazing, particularly the fascinating trees and flowers. Moreover, the view of the Petronas towers makes a pretty spectacular sight.
3. Visit Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown
Kuala Lumpur Chinatown is very much in the city center; it’s the area of KL that never sleeps. It’s full of colors, stores, restaurants, and shops, and definitely, one of the most fun things to do in Kuala Lumpur is wandering through it!
The center of Chinatown is Petaling Street, which becomes a bustling market at night. Here, you can buy everything and anything at dirt-cheap prices, and you can even lower the prices by haggling a little. Remember, haggling is expected – it’s almost a way of life. Electronics (and their accessories), clothes, and sneakers were particularly cheap and abundant; thus, it’s an excellent place for some shopping fun!
4. Visit the Sri Mahamariamman Temple
This iconic Indian temple is situated right in the middle of… Chinatown (obviously 🙂 ), only 50 meters from our hostel, so we went to take a look. The temple’s main feature is the impressive 5-tiered gopuram (tower). This 23-meter-high gate tower is decorated with depictions of Hindu gods and offers an awe-inspiring view from the outside.
Although it’s not the most obvious place to visit in KL, we had a really good time. Luckily, we were there when a ceremony took place, and I have to say it was something quite… let’s say, unique! Imagine live Indian music, prayers, food offerings, and bathing the gods with water and milk… We knew very little about Indian culture and religion; thus, everything was new to us, and we understood nothing of what was happening around us. Yet we loved it!
5. Enter the Batu Caves
The Batu Caves are an iconic and popular tourist attraction in Kuala Lumpur. They are also a Hindu temple and a shrine that attracts thousands of worshipers.
At the entrance is a 43-meter statue of Murugan (the world’s tallest statue of Murugan) and then a 272-step staircase to the actual caves. We get an incredible view of Kuala Lumpur’s skyline from the top of the staircase. Usually, you can find monkeys on the stairs, and tourists often feed them, but be aware that these are wild animals.
Very close to the Batu Caves, we enjoyed the paintings and scenes of Hindu Gods that can be seen in the Ramayana Cave. We know very little about Hindu mythology, which made it even more interesting. Although the caves are actually roughly 20 km from the city center, they are very easy to reach because a metro station (KTM Komuter) is very close to them.
Or you can book a tour that includes the Batus caves – Check this one!
6. Go to the Merdeka Square
Merdeka (Independence) Square is significant to Malaysian people because it was there that Malaysia proclaimed its independence (thus the name) in 1957. It’s one of the most famous landmarks and one of the most exciting places in KL, though it isn’t particularly astonishing. It’s a large, green pitch with a giant flagpole and a few historic buildings surrounding it: St. Mary’s Church, the Sultan Abdul Samad Building, and the Royal Selangor Club.
It’s really missing shades, and under the hot sun of KL, it quickly became unbearable to stay there for long! In our opinion, it’s more historically significant than aesthetically appealing on its own.
7. Climb the KL Tower
The Kuala Lumpur Tower (also known as Menara Kuala Lumpur) is a communications tower measuring 421 meters, making it the 7th tallest free-standing tower in the world. KL Tower has become a significant landmark, a symbol, and a prominent point of interest in Kuala Lumpur.
Visitors to the KL tower enjoy breathtaking views of the Kuala Lumpur skyline at 276 meters above ground in the Observation Deck. If you are more adventurous, consider purchasing the Skydeck ticket, which allows you to ascend to the observation deck and then proceed to the Skybox. We ended up going only to the observation deck because it was significantly cheaper, and we were also going to the Petronas Towers, which was our priority.
Some people say that going up to the KL Tower is better than visiting the Petronas Towers, though we disagree! The view from the KL Tower is impressive, but the Petronas Towers are the Landmarks of Kuala Lumpur and one of the most famous buildings in the world. If you have to choose, Petronas is the obvious choice.
There’s an annual race where participants compete to reach the top of the stairs. Thus, if you are crazy (fit), maybe you can try it 🙂
Book your KL Tower tickets here
8. Walk in the KL Tower Forest Eco Park
Very close to the KL Tower, there’s a beautiful forest Eco Park with awesome canopy bridges and hiking trails. Why? How? The KL Tower is located within the Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve, one of the oldest forest reserves in the country. In fact, apparently, KL Tower is the only tower in the world located in a forest.
For those of you in the area, take a walk through a tropical rainforest and experience a diverse array of flora and fauna unique to Malaysia. This was a big surprise for us; we weren’t expecting it to be so beautiful, but Malaysian parks are truly something special. Additionally, it’s free, making it one of the best places to visit in KL and almost a must-visit if you spend three days in Kuala Lumpur.
9. Enjoy the Perdana Botanical Gardens
Perdana Botanical Gardens are the oldest and most popular park in Kuala Lumpur! This 92-hectare park is situated in the heart of the city and was established in 1888. This is one of the favorite places for locals to go for a walk or run. Still, there are also plenty of touristy sites to enjoy, such as the National Monument, Deer Park, Hibiscus Garden, Orchid Garden, Kuala Lumpur Bird Park, and Kuala Lumpur Butterfly Park.
Book a Lake Gardens segway tour here.
The day we visited was incredibly hot, so we really appreciated the shade and a slightly cooler breeze. In our opinion, it is a must-visit attraction, and again, the Malays demonstrate that they truly know how to create a beautiful and pleasant park/garden.
10. Visit the Kuala Lumpur Bird Park
KL Bird Park, located in the serene and bucolic lake gardens (now known as Perdana Botanical Gardens), is usually dubbed as the “world’s largest free-flight walk-in aviary.” However, this title is the least essential thing while there.
In this bird park, you can chase peacocks and hornbills, feed parakeets, watch ostriches, and be awed by soaring storks and flamingos in surroundings that hardly feel caged-in…
We thoroughly enjoyed our time at the bird park, particularly posing and feeding owls and parrots on our shoulders. This is one of the amazing KL attractions to visit as a family. If you are traveling to Kuala Lumpur with teens or children, be sure to visit the Bird Park.
11. Go to Little India
Little India in Brickfields, located near Kuala Lumpur Central Station, is a concentrated hub of Indian culture. The shops sell a wide range of Indian goods, including traditional items such as sarees, flower garlands, spices, and Bollywood music. It’s also possible to enjoy local delicacies such as vadai and thosai (Indian pancakes made from fermented rice flour), among many others.
The colors of the street are amazing. You can find sarees and glass bangles of any color and design. There are even shops that sell traditional Indian candies, savories, and so on. We stuffed our bags with souvenirs and spices to bring back home, and suggest you do the same.
Of course, don’t miss out on authentic Indian food. The traditional food stalls are also a must-try, especially for anyone who loves Indian food, and we certainly do!
12. Visit the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia
The Islamic Arts Museum is situated on the edge of the Perdana Botanical Gardens and is just a 5-minute walk away from the National Mosque. The building would be worth a visit in itself, with features such as a vast blue and turquoise dome on top, glass walls that allow natural light to flow in, and domed ceilings adorned with intricate Islamic patterns.
It’s the biggest of its kind in Southeast Asia and holds an impressive collection of Islamic arts, including the Quran, Manuscripts, Architecture, Ceramics, Jewelry, Metalwork, coins, and textiles. We particularly enjoyed the architecture gallery, which featured models of impressive mosques from around the world on display, with meticulous attention to the detail of each building.
In our opinion, the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia is a pleasant way to spend a morning/afternoon, offering a unique and mesmerizing insight into the Islamic world, which was new for us and will be for many of you. We strongly advise you to visit it together with the National Mosque, as it’s an important cultural aspect of Malaysia and one of the best things to do in KL in 3 days.
14. Go to the National Mosque (Masjid Negara)
Less than 5 5-minute walk from the Islamic Arts Museum and only 1 km from Lake Gardens, the contemporary-styled National Mosque is situated. It has a capacity of 15,000 people and is located within beautiful outdoor gardens with white marble reflecting pools and fountains. The 73-meter-high minaret (mosque tower) with its umbrella-style rooftop is one of the building’s main features. However, the Grand Hall is undoubtedly the most intricate part of the mosque, with verses from the Koran decorating the walls.
You can only enter the mosque when prayers are over, and visitors must be appropriately dressed (no sleeveless shirts, shorts, or other skimpy clothing). However, this isn’t a significant problem because if you (like us) come unprepared, robes and headscarves can be borrowed from the mosque’s entrance gate desk. They even helped and taught us how to dress it the right way, which was cool 🙂
You can also do a guided tour of the Mosque, check this.
15. Shopping in Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur is a renowned shopping destination for both tourists and locals, offering high-quality shopping, affordable prices, a vast array of options, and significant sales. In KL, you can find a little (I mean A LOT) of everything, from high-end shops with luxury goods to the fake branded products of Chinatown. It’s a shopaholic’s dream!
Central Market Kuala Lumpur
Our favorite shopping destination is the Central Market, where shops and kiosks offer a wide range of handicrafts, batik, souvenirs, antiques, and collectibles. The Central Market also features a few restaurants and eateries where we can savor very flavorful cuisine. Moreover, the adjoining Kasturi Walk features a diverse array of food stalls.
Plus, the Art Deco building is a good attraction by itself! Central Market is an easy 5-minute walk from Chinatown.
Shopping Malls
If you are interested in big shopping malls, be it high-end stores or mid-range, KL has more than its share of them! Suria KLCC is probably your best option, as it is conveniently located, occupying the lower six floors of the Petronas Twin Towers.
Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur’s most famous shopping street, is a great option, with Pavilion Kuala Lumpur (featuring high-end/luxury products) and Mid Valley Megamall (one of the world’s most significant shopping areas) being other options to consider.
Looking for another itinerary? Check this ultimate guide to Kuala Lumpur.
Where To Stay In KL?
Backpackers and budget hotels in Kuala Lumpur
If you are a backpacker or a budget traveler, there are a lot of hostels and guesthouses to choose from in Kuala Lumpur! Although most of them are located in Chinatown, choosing which one to stay in can be pretty challenging. So, we will help!
Should you stay in Chinatown? YES! It’s centrally located, full of stores and restaurants, and easily accessible by Metro.
We stayed at the Longhouse hostel and would genuinely recommend it to you! It’s ideally located, 50 meters from Sri Mahamariamman Temple, 100 meters from Pasar Seni Metro Station, 2 minutes from Petaling Street, and within walking distance of Central Market. It also includes breakfast, which was a great bonus. We liked it so much that we stayed there twice when we visited KL and only paid $12 USD per night! Unfortunately, this hostel is now closed!
However, this area is filled with affordable guesthouses offering great value for money. We suggest you take a look at the hotel 1000 miles away. Or any other you may find close by.
Luxury Hotel in Kuala Lumpur
Suppose you are looking for a high-end hotel in Kuala Lumpur. In that case, we have you covered: Mandarin Oriental is located between the famous Petronas Twin Towers and the lush gardens of Kuala Lumpur City Park. This hotel features stylish rooms with iPod docks and DVD players. The hotel offers an infinity pool and 10 dining options. It has an indoor golf area, tennis courts, a fitness center, and a spa.
Check actualized prices for your traveling dates
How Is The Kuala Lumpur Weather?
Kuala Lumpur has only two seasons: a wet season and a dry season. The wet season is from October to March, and the dry season is from May to September. The temperatures remain relatively constant, ranging from 28 to 32°C throughout the year. Kuala Lumpur is a year-round destination, though most people prefer to visit it during the drier months.
If you visit during the wet season, you can still visit most of Kuala Lumpur’s points of interest, but it is not the best time to go to Malaysia. We visited KL during the monsoon season, and despite the rain almost every day, it was only for one hour or so. It doesn’t prevent you from doing anything; in fact, it may help because the temperatures tend to be lower after the rainfall.
As we said in the beginning, we believe that three days in KL is the minimum time necessary to visit the best places. Less time means you’ll probably have to skip some of the fun things to do in KL in the 3 days mentioned above.
