Golden Triangle- Expensive shops, up market restaurants and five star hotels are all a part of the Golden Triangle. Here you'll find the steel and chrome Petronas Towers (the tallest building in the world), and the Menara KL , or Kuala Lumpur Tower, the fourth highest communications tower in the world. A visit to the observation deck at the top is a must to take in the superb panoramic views.Lake Gardens - For a green retreat within the city, head for the Lake Gardens with seventy hectares of magnificent trees and flowering plants. The main attraction here is the Tasik Perdana or Premier Lake. Apart from the lake, you'll also find the Bird Park, a massive walk in aviary containing about 200 species of birds; the Orchid Garden, which boasts more than 800 species of flowers and the walk-in Butterfly Park with more than 6,000 butterflies flitting around in a natural habitat.
Here you'll also find the Parliament House - the National Monument built to commemorate those who died in the struggle against Communist insurgency in the 1950's, and the Cenotaph erected by the British in honor of those who died in the two World Wars.
Merdeka Square- formerly known as Padang, is the heart of downtown KL. This is the site of the Proclamation of Independence in 1957. It's still used as a venue for national events, and the National Day Parades start here. Spend some time here, and you'll soon be taken back to the colonial days of cricket and tea, as this was once the center for the British community. Look around and you'll see many buildings of historical interest, including the Royal Selangor Club where KL's elite meet, the Sultan Abdul Samad building which once was the core of colonial KL and now houses the Supreme Court.
Masjid Negara (National Mosque) - This is an impressive building, completed in 1965, with a jagged 18-point star roof and 70 meter tall minaret. The points represent the 13 states of Malaysia and the 5 pillars of Islam. It's one of the largest mosques in the region, with 48 smaller domes, cool marbled halls, long galleries and reflecting pools in the courtyard...all set in 13 acres of gardens.
Chinatown - In the heart of the old city, the best way to see Chinatown is on foot. A crowded, noisy, vibrant area of KL, Chinatown is a paradise for those interested in curios and exotic oddities. You'll find old shophouses selling everything from traditional Chinese herbs and medicines to jewelry and baskets. Fortune tellers, flower sellers, sign painters, haberdashers all display their wares on the pavements. A good place to start would be the central section of Jalan Petaling, which is especially active at night when the pasar malam (night market) begins.
Brief History