Kuala Lumpur Grand Full-Day Guided Tour with 25 Attractions

Batu Caves

Batu Caves is a limestone hill north of the city that holds a series of cave temples and one of the most important Hindu shrines outside India. A steep staircase of 272 steps, painted in rainbow colours, leads up to the Temple Cave, guarded by a gold statue of Lord Murugan about 43 metres tall, one of the tallest of its kind in the world.

The caves are the site of the annual Thaipusam festival, which draws hundreds of thousands of worshippers. Long-tailed macaques live around the stairs, so keep food and loose items out of sight. Dress modestly: women should not wear shorts or short skirts, and men's shorts must cover the knees. Allow about an hour, and note that your guide can advise you on the best time to climb.

The Petronas Twin Towers

The Petronas Twin Towers are Kuala Lumpur's icon. Completed in 1998, the two 88-storey towers reach about 452 metres and were the tallest buildings in the world until 2004. Their steel and glass design draws on Islamic geometry, and a sky bridge links the towers at the 41st and 42nd floors.

On this tour the towers are a photo stop, with time to take pictures from the park and the lake in front of the complex. Tickets for the observation deck and sky bridge are not part of this tour and need to be booked separately. If you are searching for the best time to see the Petronas Towers, the lit-up view in the evening is spectacular, but the light in the late afternoon is also good.

Merdeka Square and the Colonial Core

Merdeka Square, or Independence Square, is where the Malayan flag was raised for the first time on 31 August 1957. Around the lawn stand the Sultan Abdul Samad Building, with its copper domes and Moorish arches, the Royal Selangor Club and one of the tallest flagpoles in the world. The square sits at the heart of the colonial-era district.

Nearby, the Kuala Lumpur City Gallery explains the city's development with a large model of the capital, and the River of Life marks the meeting of the Klang and Gombak rivers, the spot that gave the city its name, which means muddy confluence. The tour also passes the National Monument and the National Museum, which tell the country's story.

Chinatown, Central Market and the Temples

Chinatown is a busy quarter of shophouses, street stalls and temples around Petaling Street. Nearby, Central Market is an art deco building that sells crafts, batik and souvenirs. Two temples anchor the area: Sri Maha Mariamman, the oldest Hindu temple in Kuala Lumpur, founded in 1873, with a towering carved gateway, and the Guan Di Temple, dedicated to the Chinese god of war and loyalty.

Lunch is a break at your own expense, with local and international dishes to choose from. Chinatown is hot and crowded, so bring water and a hat. It is also a good place to look for gifts such as batik, tea and handicrafts, and your guide will suggest where to go.

Thean Hou Temple, Little India and the National Landmarks

Thean Hou Temple sits on a hill overlooking the city and is one of the largest Chinese temples in Southeast Asia. The six-tiered temple, completed in 1989, is decorated with red lanterns, dragons and colourful roofs, and it is dedicated to the sea goddess Mazu. The view of the skyline from its terraces is a fine way to end the day.

Earlier in the route you pass Little India in Brickfields, with its garlands, spice shops and sari stores, and drive by the National Palace, the National Mosque, Parliament House, the Perdana Botanical Garden and the KL Tower. Some of these stops are drive-by or short photo stops, and a few may be replaced depending on capacity or weather.