Menara Kuala Lumpur: High-Tech Views from the Sky | Malaysia Purple Travel Guide
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Backpack and Snorkel Purple Travel GuideThe Menara Kuala Lumpur (KL Tower) is a communications and observation tower that stands as the seventh tallest freestanding telecommunications tower in the world. Rising 1,381 feet (421 meters) above the city, it is a dominant feature of the skyline. Unlike the Petronas Towers, which are office skyscrapers, the KL Tower was purpose-built on a hill within the KL Forest Eco Park (formerly Bukit Nanas). This strategic elevation allows the tower to offer truly unobstructed, 360-degree panoramic views of the entire Kuala Lumpur metropolitan area.
Here at Backpack and Snorkel Travel Guides, we promote self-guided walking tours.
But we realize that not everybody likes to walk by themselves in a foreign city. So, just in case that you rather go with ab guide: NO PROBLEM! Please see the GuruWalk and Viator tours below.
free GuruWalk tours
paid Viator tours
Why You Should Visit
The KL Tower is widely considered the superior choice for panoramic photography in Kuala Lumpur. Because it sits on Pineapple Hill, you are positioned at a vantage point that looks down upon almost every other major skyscraper, including the Petronas Twin Towers. This makes it the perfect place to orient yourself to the layout of the city. The open-air Sky Deck and the famous Sky Box provide a high-adrenaline viewing experience that glass-enclosed observation decks cannot match.
What is Special About It?
- Observation Deck (276 meters): This is an enclosed, air-conditioned viewing gallery situated at 905 feet (276 meters). It features high-powered binoculars and informative displays that identify key landmarks across the horizon.
- Sky Deck (300 meters): Located at 984 feet (300 meters), this open-air platform allows you to feel the breeze and hear the distant hum of the city. It is the highest public viewing point in the tower.
- The Sky Box: Extending out from the ledge of the Sky Deck are two transparent glass cubes. Standing in a Sky Box gives you the sensation of floating 984 feet (300 meters) above the ground with nothing but thick glass beneath your feet.
- Tower Walk 100: For extreme thrill-seekers, this activity allows you to walk along a transparent glass platform on the external edge of the tower while wearing a safety harness.
Architecture and History
- Islamic Geometric Design: The architecture of the tower is a tribute to the Islamic heritage of Malaysia. The main lobby features elaborate glass-clad domes arranged in the form of Muqarnas (honeycomb vaulting). These were designed by Iranian artisans from Isfahan and represent a transition from the physical world to the spiritual realm.
- Songket Patterns: You should look closely at the exterior of the main shaft; it is clad in intricate patterns that reflect the traditional Malaysian Songket weaving style, blending modern engineering with local textile art.
- Nature Preservation: During construction, special care was taken to protect the surrounding rainforest. A retaining wall costing over RM 430,000 (US$100,000) was built specifically to save a 100-year-old Jelutong tree (Dyera costulata) located near the tower base.
- The Falak Observatory: The tower serves as a crescent moon observatory to determine the start of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan and the festivals of Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Hari Raya Aidiladha.
Self-Guided Information
Category |
Details |
|---|---|
Opening Hours |
Daily, 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM. The last admission is at 9:30 PM. |
Admission Fee |
International (Sky Deck + Sky Box): Approx. RM 127 – RM 157 (US$29 – US$36). |
Duration |
Allow 1.5 to 2 hours. Note: The Sky Box uses a numbering system; you may have to wait 30 to 60 minutes for your turn during peak times. |
Dress Code |
Sky Deck: Casual is fine, but you must wear flat, secure footwear. High heels and loose sandals are discouraged for safety on the glass floors. |
Weather Policy |
The Sky Deck and Sky Box will close immediately during rain or lightning. If this happens, you will be moved to the enclosed Observation Deck. |
Traveler Tip
You should combine your visit with a walk through the KL Forest Eco Park at the base of the tower. There is an entrance to the Canopy Walk just a short distance from the tower lobby. Walking across the suspension bridges through the jungle canopy with skyscrapers in the background provides a unique ‘urban jungle’ photo opportunity before you head up the tower for the sunset.
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Author: Rudy at Backpack and Snorkel
Bio: Owner of Backpack and Snorkel Travel Guides. We create in-depth guides to help you plan unforgettable vacations around the world.
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