If you arrive by cruise ship, take a coach from Port Klang to Kuala Lumpur. It’s about a scenic 90-minute scenic drive. Once you are in Kuala Lumpur, embark on a walking tour to some of the city’s best sights.
- Masjid Jamek: Learn about the history of this mosque, the oldest in the city, built in 1907. It is the site of Kuala Lumpur’s first Malay burial ground. If you are an architecture buff, you’ll enjoy this mosque with its graceful arches and domes. It features arched colonnades topped by a series of minarets and domes. The courtyard and surrounding area was recently done up with a few water features to complement the 2 iconic rivers which flow beside the mosque. The greater area around the mosque and the banks of the 2 rivers namely the Gombak and the Klang river were also upgraded in a project called ‘The River of Life’. Dress conservatively if you want to enter the mosque. Robes and head scarves are available at the main entrance. The bazaar outside is also well worth a visit.
- Merdeka Square: This square is also known as “Independence Square.” While you are here, make sure you stop by the Royal Selangor Club, site of the 1957 proclamation that declared Malaysia’s independence from Britain. There is a nice café inside of this museum. Shop for traditional pewter products at the Royal Selangor Visitor Center, before taking a workshop to learn how to become a craftsperson yourself. You’ll also take home a certificate recording your accomplishment. Don’t expect it to be a square like in many European towns and cities with shops and cafes surrounding it, but there are a few interesting buildings nearby.
- Sin Sze Ya Temple: Make sure you leave time to explore Sin Sze Ya Temple, Kuala Lumpur’s oldest Taoist temple. You’ll notice that the temple was constructed on the principles of feng shui, an ancient belief about how surroundings balance yin and yang.
- Sri Mahamariamman Temple: Don’t miss this extravagantly decorated temple tucked away in a side street of Chinatown. It is the oldest Hindu temple in the city, built in 1873. Check out the Gopuram, a tower decorated with colorful Hindu gods. Take note of the hundreds of intricate carvings that adorn the exterior.
- Petronas Twin Towers: No trip would be complete without a visit to the world’s tallest twin towers. The tickets to visit Petronas Twin Towers and Sky Bridge must be purchased days before your visit because there are limited tickets per day and time slot selected. First you visited the Sky Bridge for 10 minutes and then take the elevator to the highest observation floor for 15-20 minutes. Then you have another 15 minutes on the lower observation floor.
- KLCC Park: You can get some great pictures of the Petronas Twin Towers from the park. This park is surrounded by tall buildings but it is well managed and preserved for visitors and tourist. Often, there are water fountain shows with colorful lights as main attraction in the evenings. The park is walking distance to the Suria Mall. While on the subject of malls, if you enjoy shopping, we recommend visiting the high end Pavilion KL. For a taste of locals foods, vendors and crafts, walk through Bukit Bintang.
You’ll have plenty of opportunities to take photos. Make sure that you bring
your camera along with comfortable walking shoes. Pack sunscreen and a cap for
protection from the sun’s rays. Bring along an extra pair of socks, as shoes
must be removed when entering the Sri Mahamariamman Temple.
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