Thean Hou Temple
Thean Hou Temple is a magnificent six-tiered temple situated on top of Robson Hill. Thean Hou Temple is dedicated to the Goddess of Heaven, Tian Hou. The goddess said to protect fishermen.
The temple is definitely a go-to for tourists that enjoys Chinese culture as the temple is beautifully decorated with dragon-inspired columns and immaculate rooftops. Tourists are welcomed to take pictures in a respectful manner, as long as the tourists don’t cause any disturbance to the other Buddhists praying in the temple. Tourists are free to explore the temple.
This Buddhist temple is a must-visit especially during special occasions such as the Chinese New Year and Mid-Autumn Festival (Mooncake Festival). Buddhist activities such as Wesak Day celebrations and Dharma Prayers are also held in the Thean Hou Temple. The sight of Thean Hou Temple is especially extraordinary during the nights of these activities and festivals as it is well-lit with thousands of lights decorated across the temple.
The Thean Hou Temple has no admission fees and is open daily from 8am – 9pm; devotees of Buddhist should take their time to come visit the Thean Hou Temple during their trip to Malaysia as it is one of the largest temple in the Southeast Asia, it is also one of the most beautiful ones in the world.
National Mosque of Malaysia
Malaysia is an Islamic country with a majority of its population practicing Islam, thus it is not surprising that Malaysia has numerous world-known mosque not only for its size, but also for their beauty. The National Mosque of Malaysia is located within a 13 acres Kuala Lumpur Lake Gardens, it has a main prayer hall with 48 smaller domes, a 73-metre minaret and a 16-pointed star concrete main roof.
Although it is free for the public to visit, non-Muslims visitors are only allowed to visit at certain times: Mon – Sun 09:00 – 12:00, 15:00 – 16:00 & 17:30 – 18:30, Fri 15:00 – 16:00 & 17:30 – 18:30. Visitors are also expected to be dressed appropriately, failing to do so will result to a no-entry pass from the security guards situated at the mosque’s entrance gate. However, visitors can borrow robes and headscarves from the desk at the mosque’s entrance gate to cover their body.
Batu Caves
Batu Caves, one of the most popular Tamil shrines outside of India dedicated to Tamil God Murugan and focal point of Hindu festival of Thaipusam in Malaysia. To reach the Temple Cave, there are 272 concrete steps that are recently repainted by the locals and devotees of Hindu, introducing a new look to the Batu Caves. It is a photography hotspot for locals and tourists all around the world, many locals has travelled a long way just to take a picture of the stunning view especially after the stairs are repainted from a dull concrete colour to a rather colourful one.
Hindus worldwide travel to Batu Caves during the yearly Thaipusam festival to devote themselves to Lord Murugan by carrying container containing milk either by hand or in huge decorated carriers on their shoulders called ‘kavadi’. It is an eye-opening event even to the locals to see tens of thousands of devotees to carry a kavadi that may weigh as much as a hundred kilograms on their shoulders and climb the stair to the Cave Temple. Tourists should definitely come and experience the Thaipusam festival in person as the festival is not only limited to devotees but everyone from different religion and different origin.
Batu Caves is also the centre of rock climbing development in Malaysia for the past 10 years. Offering more than 160 climbing routes, it is definitely one of the hotspots for rock climbing lovers from all around the world. The climbing routes are easily accessed and climbers are definitely rewarded by the stunning view from atop the mountain of Batu Caves.
KLCC Park
KLCC park is a 50 acre garden just outside of Suria KLCC shopping centre, it consists of a huge man-made lake with a 43m bridge that cuts across it. Lake Symphony is the name if the man-made lake with a square area of 10,000 meters. It is a sanctuary for visitors and shoppers to come and enjoy the lush greenery, allowing them to take a moment of break from whatever that is on their mind and enjoy the peace.
There is a playground and many water features around the park, children love those and parents can enjoy their break from being a parent by letting the kids play around. After a tiring day of shopping, you can sit down near the Symphony lake and watch the fountain put up a musical fountain performance in the evening that starts every 1 hour or so at 8pm, 9pm, and 10pm. You are also allowed to bring your food and have a picnic around the park but keep in mind to clean up the food waste and leave a clean environment, no one wants to visit a park littered with plastic and food scraps.
KL Forest Eco Park
The KL Forest Eco Park is a natural rainforest located in the center of Kuala Lumpur, making Kuala Lumpur to be the only city with a natural rainforest right at its center in the world. Commonly known as Bukit Nanas (Pineapple Hill), it is also one of the oldest protected jungles in Malaysia to preserve its wildlife.
There is a free-for-all canopy walkway that spans around 200 meters and also hill trails that are exremely child-friendly. It is not a serious hiking destination so just relax and take your time to enjoy the nature while you’re at it. The canopy walkway takes about half an hour for you to walk to and back whilst the hilly paths might take a little longer.