10 Fun Facts About Kuala Lumpur

We gathered 10 fun facts about Kuala Lumpur (KL for locals) highlighting its mix of modern and historical architecture, its shopping scene and diverse cultural heritage.

I visited Singapore’s largest city, situated on the Malay Peninsula, during my backpacking trip through Southeast Asia a couple of years ago. Three words that immediately come to mind when thinking about my stay in KL are: green, diverse and high.

• Green because the city is filled with parks and trails that provide a refreshing escape from the busy streets (see fun facts about Kuala Lumpur #8).
• Diverse because the mix of Malay, Chinese, Indian and other influences made every neighborhood and meal feel new and exciting (see fun facts about Kuala Lumpur #6).
• High because the Petronas Twin Towers were the tallest, most impressive buildings I’d ever seen (see fun facts about Kuala Lumpur #1).

Though my time there was short, there’s so much more to explore. Read on to learn more about Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s capital and the 6th most-visited city in the world in 2024!

1. The Petronas Towers are the world’s tallest twin buildings

The Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur.

The Petronas Towers, the world’s tallest twin buildings, are a must-see in Kuala Lumpur. While they already looked cool in the movie Entrapment, they’re even more impressive in person.

Designed by Argentine architect César Pelli, the towers stand at 1,483 feet (452 meters) and were the world’s tallest buildings from 1998 to 2004 before being overtaken by Taipei 101. Today, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai holds the record for the tallest building at 2,717 feet (828 meters).

Though the Petronas Towers no longer hold the overall height record, they still stand out as the tallest twin towers featuring one of the highest double-decker sky bridge in the world.

For comparison here’s a list of the world’s tallest twin towers:

2. Kuala Lumpur hosted the Commonwealth Games as the first Asian city

In 1998, Kuala Lumpur became the first Asian city to host the Commonwealth Games in its 68-year history.

The Commonwealth Games, held every four years, brings together athletes from countries that were once part of the British Empire, now linked by shared history and the English language. Along with Malaysia, participants include nations like India, Pakistan, Tanzania, Bangladesh, Australia, Canada and many others.

3. Kuala Lumpur was officially granted city status in 1972

Kuala Lumpur was officially granted city status in 1972 and became a Federal Territory in 1974, making 2024 its 50th anniversary as a Federal Territory. But the city’s history goes way back. Here’s a quick recap:

• 1857: Kuala Lumpur was founded as a tin mining hub by Chinese miners.
• 1880: The city became the capital of Selangor under British rule.
• 1957: Malaysia’s independence was marked by the raising of the flag at Merdeka Square.
• 1974: Kuala Lumpur became a Federal Territory, gaining administrative autonomy.
• 1990s: The Petronas Twin Towers were built, highlighting the city’s modernity.

Kuala Lumpur’s modern skyline.

4. The Malaysian government isn’t based in Kuala Lumpur

The Malaysian government isn’t based in Kuala Lumpur, even though it’s the country’s capital city and home to the royal palace, Istana Negara. Yet, the seat of the Malaysian Federal Government is located around 15.5 (25 kilometers) away in Putrajaya. In 1999, the government moved to Putrajaya to ease overcrowding in KL. The Prime Minister now works from the Perdana Putra, a striking building with a mint-green dome.

A colorful staircase leads up to the Batu Caves near Kuala Lumpur.

5. The Batu Caves house Hindu temples

The Batu Caves, just a short train ride away from Kuala Lumpur, are one of the biggest tourist attractions featuring three limestone caves: the Cathedral Cave, the Museum Cave and the Art Gallery Cave. Some of these caves are over 400 million years old and house Hindu temples, mythological paintings and statues.

For other religious landmarks, the National Mosque of Malaysia in KL is worth a visit, along with many other colorful mosques, temples and shrines throughout the city.

Extra fact: The majority of Malaysians are Muslims, but there are also significant communities practicing Buddhism, Christianity and Hinduism.

6. Kuala Lumpur is a melting pot of cultures, languages and religions

Kuala Lumpur is a melting pot of cultures, languages and religions. This diversity is reflected in:

• The city’s neighborhoods, such as Chinatown, Little India and Kampung Baru.
• Malay, Mandarin, Tamil and other languages are commonly spoken.
• Religious harmony is evident in landmarks like the National Mosque, Batu Caves and Thean Hou Temple.
• Festivals such as Hari Raya, Chinese New Year and Deepavali highlight the city’s traditions.

A street in Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown with colorful shops and street food.

7. Kuala Lumpur translates into “muddy confluence” in Malay

Kuala Lumpur translates to “muddy confluence” in Malay, the official language of Malaysia. The name derives from Kuala Lumpur’s location at the meeting point of the two rivers – Klang river and Gombak river. This geographical feature has historically caused frequent flooding during heavy rains.

8. Kuala Lumpur is a city of parks

Despite its urban setting, Kuala Lumpur is a city of parks, including the Kuala Lumpur Butterfly Park and the Kuala Lumpur City Centre Park, rivaling the beauty of Malaysia’s Kinabalu and Gunung Mulu National Parks in Borneo.

Here’s an overview of five top parks in Kuala Lumpur, starting with my personal favorite from my trip:

1. KL Forest Eco Park: Explore medicinal plants and wildlife by walking along canopy walks.
   

   Canopy walk surrounded by green trees at Kuala Lumpur Forest Eco Park.

2. KL Bird Park: Home to around 3,000 birds, KL Bird Park features spacious aviaries with a variety of exotic and migratory species.
3. KLCC Park: Nestled beneath the Petronas Twin Towers, KLCC Park boasts a manmade lake, jogging tracks and a children’s playground.
4. Perdana Botanical Garden: This one is known for its extensive orchid collection and impressive free-flight aviary.
5. KL Butterfly Park: Spanning 80,000 square feet, this park showcases 5,000 butterflies fluttering among fragrant flowers, along with turtles, insects and a small museum.

9. Kuala Lumpur is a shopper’s paradise

Kuala Lumpur’s markets offer a variety of fresh fruits like bananas, kiwis, apples, dragon fruits and mangos.

Kuala Lumpur is a shopper’s paradise with plenty of malls, shopping centers and boutique stores. Here’s where to go:

• The city’s malls are modern, clean and well-stocked with local and international brands at reasonable prices. One of the most popular spots is Bukit Bintang.
• Kuala Lumpur has plenty of street markets. For traditional items and souvenirs, Chinatown’s weekend markets, Little India, Central Market or the ones in Medan Pasar are worth visiting.
• Pudu Wet Market is the place for fresh meat like vegetables, meat and fish.

10. Kuala Lumpur was named as one of the New 7 Wonders Cities

In 2014, Kuala Lumpur was named one of the New 7 Wonders Cities, a title determined by a global online poll. The New 7 Wonders Foundation started the poll in 2007, initially including over 1,200 cities from 220 countries. A panel, led by former UNESCO Director-General Federico Mayor Zaragoza, narrowed the list to 28 cities. After public voting, Kuala Lumpur joined Beirut, Doha, Durban, Havana, La Paz and Vigan as winners.

It’s no wonder Kuala Lumpur is one of the most visited cities in the world!