Kuala Lumpur Attractions - from treks in deep nature to modern retail therapy

Like any major city, Kuala Lumpur has its fair share of attractions. Thanks to its wide variety of tourist attractions—from indoor to outdoor activities, and from modern urban attractions to adventures in deep nature—it’s not difficult to find activities and attractions that personally appeal to you.  

Given the many different attractions in Kuala Lumpur, it’s best to first decide which types of activities you’ll be most interested in, and then try to stick to a list—especially if you have limited time to explore the city.

If you’re a bird lover, you might consider spending a couple of hours at the Kuala Lumpur Bird Park. Here you can take a walk and view many different and exotic bird species. Marvel at the colorful and majestic peacocks that walk the grounds freely. While you can purchase food and drinks within the park, you can also bring along your own picnic lunch. Just be prepared for some birds to join you!

However, if the weather is too hot for a walk in the park and you’re in the mood for some culture, cool off in the Islamic Arts Museum instead. As the largest museum of Islamic art in Southeast Asia, this attraction houses a wide variety if Islamic artifacts and artwork ranging from jewelry, pottery and textiles to armory. The museum also organizes special events and exhibitions, so be sure to check the official site for the latest updates. Another bonus is that children younger than six years old get in free.

If you’re in the mood for some retail therapy, then Bukit Bintang is a must-see attraction. This busy street is dotted with shopping malls, great restaurants and hotels. This is also a great place to people-watch during the day or night as the street is filled with locals and tourists alike and is buzzing with life.  

If you prefer a more authentic and local flavor to your shopping excursions, visit the flea markets found in Jalan Masjid India (Little India) and Jalan Petaling (Chinatown) instead. In Jalan Masjid India, you’ll find a plethora of Indian goods on sale, such as brightly colored sarees and textiles as well as traditional gold jewelry. 

Meanwhile, Jalan Petaling offers a wider variety of cheap goods and local food. It is better by night when the stall lights are turned on, and is an excellent place to purchase low-priced souvenirs. You’ll also be able to bargain and negotiate with the friendly local sellers. With some luck, you just might find some unique and interesting items you can't find anywhere else.

While Kuala Lumpur has too many attractions to list them all here, no article on this city’s attractions would be complete without mentioning the Kanching Rainforest Waterfall.   Take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city and escape deep into nature by making your trek up the slopes. The scenic beauty of this nature reserve explains why this spot is a favorite among the locals. On your way up, you can take a refreshing soak in four waterfalls, each one located at a different height.

If you have the stamina, try to make it up to the fourth and largest waterfall as the crowd will have significantly thinned out there—allowing you to truly relax and rejuvenate yourself before continuing on your adventure in discovering more of Kuala Lumpur’s amazing attractions.