Kuala Lumpur Things to Do Tips by idy

Visitors to the Batu Caves will first have to climb up 272 steps to reach the caves. After all that hard work, they may be disappointed to find ... just a large cave.

The caves are actually a religious site for Hindu worshippers, and visitors will find prayer altars and statues or images of Hindu gods around the cave. There is also a temple at the foot of the cave.

The caves become the site of a colourful religious procession during the annual Thaipusam, which is "a day for penance and atonement". As part of the procession, Hindu devotees will carry kavadis (wooden steel yokes with longspikes and metal hooks) pierced into their bodies, as well as perform fire walking, where they walk across hot coals barefooted.

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Phone: +60 3 2287 9422
Address: Gombak district
Directions: Board the Intrakota bus 11 or 11D from that city. 13km north of Kuala Lumpur, approximately an hour by bus.

20.9 acres, 3000 birds, 200 species. Most of the birds are free to roam in aviaries resembling their natural habitat. Watch out for the hornbills and peacocks and don't miss the waterfall aviary!

Daily activities include bird feedings and bird shows. It is a nice way to spend the day just strolling and snapping pictures of the feathered residents of the park.

The bird park is located in the scenic KL Lake Gardens area, which also boast the Deer Park, Orchid Garden, Hibiscus Garden and Planetarium Negara. If you want to visit all these places in a single day, keep in mind that not all are open on public holidays.

The bird park is open from 9am to 7.30pm daily. Admission charges are on the steep side, but cheaper for locals, so if you are not a local but look like one, say you are one!

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Phone: +603 2272 1010
Address: No 920 Jalan Lembah Taman Tasik Perdana
Directions: From Kota Raya, board Intrakota bus 21C or 48C.
From Chow Kit, board Intrakota bus 18 or 21A.
By light rail, alight at the station nearest the old KL railway station.
Website: www.birdpark.com.my

KL's Chinatown bustles with activity, with both locals and visitors thronging the streets and narrow lanes for good bargains and tasty food.

The area is easily accessible due to its close proximity to Pudu Raya Bus Terminal and Plaza Rakyat station on the light rail line. However, it is also rather congested (and polluted!), especially during peak hours.

There are heaps of hawker stalls here - go in search of a cooling longan drink on a sweltering day or some spicy assam fish noodles on a cool rainy day! The food's excellent - just don't expect a high level of service, cleanliness and ambience or you might be disappointed ...

Why not purchase some Chinese food products? Meat floss, barbecued pork, local biscuits and cakes, prawn crackers, preserved and/or fresh tropical fruits and ... bubble gum? *_*

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Address: Petaling Street
Directions: Alight at either Plaza Rakyat or Hang Tuah Light Rail station.

It is free of charge to go up to the skybridge level of the Petronas Twin Towers, but visitors will have to queue for a ticket. Groups are allowed to go up in timed sessions, with the first at 9am. Only 1300 tickets are given out per day, starting at 8.30am.

The towers are 88-storey high, but the double-decker skybridge is only halfway up, at level 41 and 42, so don't expect too much. The skybridge is open 9am to 5pm, Tuesdays to Sundays and is closed on selected public holidays.

Petronas is one of Malaysia's leading oil and gas companies.

The towers adjoin Suria (meaning 'sunshine') KLCC (Kuala Lumpur City Centre), a 6-level shopping paradise. Its tenants include Marks & Spencer, Parkson Grand, Isetan, Mango, and a slew of luxury brand outlets.

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Address: Kuala Lumpur City Centre
Directions: Alight at KLCC Light Rail station.

The communications tower is built atop a hill and stands at 421 metres.

From the viewing platform, visitors have a panoramic view of the city. There are several KL landmarks or areas that can be identified from here, including the Independence Square, Bukit Bintang and the National Mosque.

Audio guides are available in several languages at a fee (to be paid with admission). These are very informational and are worth the fee.

The viewing platform is open daily from 9am to 10pm.

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Phone: 603 2020 5446
Address: Jalan Bukit Nanas
Directions: It's a relatively long walk from the nearest light rail station Masjid Jamek to Bukit Nanas and then up the hill.
Website: www.menarakl.com.my

Dataran Merdeka, or Independence Square, is "an immaculately turfed 8.2-hectare area" featuring a 100-m high flag pole. The flag pole marks the spot where the Malayan flag was first hoisted in 1957, when the country became free from British rule.

At the other end of the square are water fountains and flower beds, a nice spot for a rest.

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Directions: The square is a short walk from Masjid Jamek Light Rail station.

With its unique multi-fold umbrella-like brightly-coloured roof, the National Mosque presents a contemporary image of traditional Islamic art and culture.

The building serves as the principal mosque for city dwellers.

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Address: Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin

This stately building opposite the Independence Square is a major landmark of the city.

Built in 1897 to house several important government departments during the British administration, the building is now occupied by the Supreme Court and the Textile Museum.

With its Moorish-inspired structure, shiny copper dome and a 40m high clock tower, the landmark also serves as a backdrop for important events such as National Day and New Year celebrations.

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The mosque was built in 1909 and features graceful arches and domes, creating a startling contrast against the backdrop of the city's skyscrapers.

Located where the Klang and Gombak Rivers meet, the mosque is open to the public. However, visitors must be appropriately attired, especially the ladies.

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Like the Sultan Abdul Samad Building, the KL Railway Station reflects the influence of Moorish architecture.

The original structure was built in 1910, and saw extensive renovations in 1986 to incorporate modern facilities.

From here, passengers can catch a diesel train to most cities and towns in Peninsular Malaysia, and also to Singapore and Thailand.

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Address: Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin