Petronas Towers Kuala Lampur

Petronas Towers: More Than a Skyline Photo

The Petronas Twin Towers held the title of world’s tallest buildings from 1998 to 2004, when Taipei 101 surpassed them. At 452 metres including the spires, they are still the tallest twin towers in the world and the defining feature of Kuala Lumpur’s skyline. They were designed by Argentine-American architect Cesar Pelli and built by two separate construction consortia - one South Korean (Tower 1), one Japanese (Tower 2) - racing to finish simultaneously.

The Islamic geometric patterns worked into the structural cross-sections - eight-pointed stars formed by two overlapping squares - are the most distinctive architectural feature and are visible throughout the buildings’ design from facade to lobby to floor plates.

Getting to the top

The observation experience includes two levels: the Skybridge at floors 41-42 (connecting the two towers) and the Observation Deck at floor 86. Tickets cover both and cost MYR 80 for adults (about USD 17). They sell out: book online at petronastwintowers.com.my up to three months in advance. Same-day tickets are occasionally available at the ticket office (lower concourse, Tower 2) from 08:30 but sell out within the first hour. Go on a weekday.

The Skybridge visit is about 10 minutes. The floor 86 observation deck is higher and clearer, with the Klang Valley stretching to the horizon. On clear days the highlands are visible to the northeast.

KLCC and the surrounding area

The towers sit within the KLCC development, which includes Suria KLCC (a large mall with generally better food than its tourist-facing reputation), KLCC Park (50 acres of landscaped parkland with a jogging circuit and wading pool), and the Aquaria KLCC aquarium. The park is the better free option: the towers are most impressive from below, looking straight up, and the park gives you the angle.

The KL City Centre area is well-connected by LRT (the KLCC station is directly below the mall) and taxi/Grab.

Where to eat in KL

The Petronas area is the expensive part of KL for food. Walk into Chow Kit or Jalan Alor for better value. Jalan Alor in Bukit Bintang (15 minutes by taxi from KLCC) is KL’s most famous street food strip: open-air tables, grilled chicken wings (about MYR 5-8 each), stingray in banana leaf, char kway teow. It operates primarily in the evenings from 17:00 onwards.

For a serious lunch, Babe in Bangsar (south of the city centre) is the Malaysian restaurant that appears most often in best-in-city conversations. It is not cheap (MYR 200-300 per person at dinner) but is technically accomplished.

Nasi lemak (coconut rice with anchovies, peanuts, boiled egg, and sambal) from a hawker centre will cost MYR 6-10. Village Park Restaurant in Damansara Uptown is the version that food writers recommend - arrive before 11:00 or after 14:00 to get a table.

Staying in KL

The Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur directly faces the towers and has the best room views in the city (MYR 600-1,000 per night). For a mid-range option, Traders Hotel at KLCC has smaller rooms facing the towers from MYR 350-500. Budget travellers find good options in Bukit Bintang - the Rainforest Hostel runs MYR 50-80 for a bed - with the Bukit Bintang nightlife and Jalan Alor food strip walking distance from the door.

The KLIA2 low-cost terminal at Kuala Lumpur International Airport is 55km from the city centre; the KLIA Ekspres train takes 28 minutes and costs MYR 55.