The Top 10 Things To Do And See In Kuala Lumpur's Golden Triangle

Bukit Bintang
Bukit Bintang | © Phalinn Ooi/Flickr
Sameer Ghurye

The Golden Triangle is the shopping, entertainment and commercial hub of Kuala Lumpur, the capital city of Malaysia. The Triangle is defined by three arterial roads – Jalan Imbi, Jalan Sultan Ismail and Jalan Raja Chulan. Besides being a shopping destination, the place is also a great location for indulging in food, and the area has numerous entertainment avenues as well. Here are the top 10 things that you should be doing if you happen to find yourself in the Golden Triangle.

Bukit Bintang

1. Bukit Bintang Street

Bukit Bintang Street

Thanks to its central location, Bukit Bitang street is the hub of Kuala Lumpur’s shopping and entertainment, with sleek shopping centers, all-day restaurants and nightclubs all vying for attention alongside five-star hotels. Connectivity from anywhere across the city is very good. Pavilion LK is a premium shopping destination housing many of the well-known European brands like Versace, Coach, Dolce & Gabbana and many more. Restaurants abound in the area, and nightlife is varied an interesting with live music, open-air rooftop bars and posh clubs spread across the area.

Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur

Petronas Towers |© Karl Baron/Flickr

2. Petronas Towers

Petronas Towers

A landmark and symbol of Malaysia, the twin Petronas Towers dominate the landscape of Kuala Lumpur’s Golden Triangle. The buildings became the world’s tallest structure at 452 meters when built in 1998 and held the title until 2004, when they were upstaged by the Taipei 101, which was again topped by the Bhurj Khalifa in 2010. The Petronas Towers still remain the world’s tallest twin structures, and are accessible to visitors, though only a limited number of passes are issued each day.

Petronas Towers, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, +60 3-2331 8080

3. Suria KLCC

Shopping Mall

The Petronas Towers, Kuala Lumpur
© Sean Pavone / Shutterstock
Situated at the foot of the Twin Towers, Suria KLCC is part of the same Kuala Lumpur City Center (KLCC) complex that houses the towers. It is a six-storey structure that encompasses entertainment, shopping and exhibition centers. The complex is divided into three malls, Ampang, Park and Ramlee, and contains over 320 high-end international and local retailers, including Jimmy Choo, Louis Vuitton, Versace and Banana Republic.

4. Menara KL Tower

Restaurant

Menara KL Tower

Besides the Petronas Towers, the Menara KL Tower is the largest free standing structure in Kuala Lumpur, and is easily recognized. The observation deck of the 421 meter tower is in fact 100 meters higher than that of the Petronas Towers, giving an even more spectacular view of the city. Sitting atop Bukit Nanas (Pineapple Hill), the tower reflects Malaysia’s Islamic heritage. It also has a revolving restaurant at the top, where international and local cuisine is served.

Menara KL Tower, Jalan P Ramlee, 50250 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, +60 3-2020 5499

F1 Sauber Petronas | © Simon Clancy/Flickr

5. Petrosains

Museum

Petrosains

Located in a 7,000 square meter area within Suria KLCC, the Petrosains is a science exhibition center dedicated to the history of hydrocarbons. A treat for children and grown-ups alike, the interactive exhibits here make for great story telling and are updated regularly. The museum is run by Petronas, the Malaysian oil company and their Sauber Petronas F1 racing car is also on display here. With two IMAX 3D cinemas and an iWerks theatre, the center is a good source of information and entertainment.

Petrosains, Suria Klcc, Suria Klcc, Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, +60 3-2331 8181

Aquaria KLCC | © chleong/Flickr

6. Aquaria KLCC

Aquaria KLCC

At the concourse level, the KLCC Aquaria covers nearly half a million square meters, with over 150 species of marine life. While some dismiss it as just a tourist destination, the exhibitions are definitely worth a look and locals love them to. They take visitors through a variety of landscapes, all filled with a variety of fish and sea-life, including tiger sharks, stingrays and more.

Aquaria KLCC, Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre Complex, Jalang Pinang, Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, +60 3-2333 1888

7. Lake Gardens

Park

Lake Gardens

An oasis in the city, Lake Gardens is spread around the Tasik Perdana or Lake Perdana, and includes places worthy of a visit, such as the Orchid Garden, Hibiscus Garden, Bird Park, Butterfly House and the National Monument, not to mention the Parliament House. The park’s landscaping has been made spectacular over the last 20 years, and is truly a place worthy of spending time.

Kebun Perdana, Jalan Kebun Bunga, Tasik Perdana, Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Jalan P Ramlee|© AS/Flickr

8. Jalan P Ramlee

Jalan P Ramlee

Like the Bukit Bitang, Jalan P Ramlee is host to a vibrant night life. Listen to local bands, enjoy indie rock and stroll through the various restaurants and bars present along this stretch. Food is available in various cuisines and the variety will leave you spell-bound. There are all the ubiquitous holes-in-the-wall, along with plenty of lively open-air beer joints to enjoy.

Jalan P Ramlee, Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

9. El Cerdo

Restaurant, Malaysian, European

Various pork dishes are available at the restaurant
© Pixabay

Dedicated to the consumption of pork and other meat products from the animal, El Cerdo (The Pig) is a restaurant that you will enjoy if you love your bacon! Though the menu has other items besides pork, the focus is on the weiner, and has a selection of mouth-watering options from across different cuisines. They also have a great selection of wines, beers and cocktails.

10. Jalan Alor

Bar, Restaurant, Malaysian

10. Jalan Alor
© McKay Savage / Flickr
The hub of local cuisine in the city, Jalan Alor just off Bukit Bintang is the most famous destination for hawker fare. A string of air-conditioned Chinese restaurants sit in the background, while the locals sample a variety of cuisine spanning the various ethnic groups that make up the country. The tantalizing aroma of chicken and beef skewers, the clang of woks and the sight of an array of noodles, sides and desserts are sure to get the taste buds tingling!

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

Culture Trip Spring Sale

Save up to $1,100 on our unique small-group trips! Limited spots.

X
Edit article