Free Things To Do in Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia,  is a fun city, with lots of activities, night life and shopping. Of course, most activities cost money, but I found several things to do for free or at a very low cost! Here are the highlights of 10 free things to do in KL.




Galeri Petronas

The two giant Petronas Towers are a majestic site to see, and you can get a free view from the sky-bridge 1400 feet up. After soaking in the view, ride the elevator back down to ground level and take a separate elevator to our destination: the Galeri Petronas at level 3. Here you'll see many works of art from all over southeast Asia. They also have lectures and art classes, so check the schedule at Galeri Petronas. They also offer a collection of art books and resources. Open daily (except Monday) from 10am to 6pm, and until 8pm on holidays. Admission is always free.

Royal Malaysia Police Museum
An unusual Free museum dedicated to the collection and study of weapons, uniforms, armored vehicles, and other items relating to crime prevention. Examine old documents and photos, and a variety of artifacts. Many exhibits have interactive touch screens. Located on Jalan Perdana near the Lake Gardens area, the museum is easy to get to by bus or taxi. Open 10am to 5:30 daily, but closed on Fridays.

Bukit Bintang Walk
This is a fun street with many cafes and shops, night clubs and restaurants. There's a lot of foot traffic here, which is why they call it the Bintang Walk. Spend some time walking along Bukit Bintang, and enjoy the great view of the towers and the city. Go window shopping and eat some New Zealand ice cream. Stop into a cafe and try the cham (a mixture of coffee and tea). Despite the busy environment, it's a relaxing street, with lots of people reading books at the outdoor cafes.

Batu Caves
Just north of KL are the Batu Caves, a beautiful landscape of limestone that protects several sacred Hindu temples. It's not far by taxi, and there are shuttle buses from the center of KL. Many hotels also offer tours. At the caves, a lot of walking is required, so make sure you're in good shape. It's worth the effort to see these beautiful temples and their surroundings. I found them to be breathtaking! Be careful of the monkeys in the area, and feed them bananas so they won't try for your camera and purse.

Lake Gardens and Orchid Park (Taman Orkid) are free on weekdays. Take a taxi or bus to either, they are right next to each other. Enjoy the peaceful gardens and the beautiful orchids, take some photos and have a pleasant walk. You can even buy baby orchids for your own garden. The baby orchids will keep in special jar for a month if you're traveling long distance.

Craft Complex
This complex covers a few blocks and includes the Craft Museum and a network of Malaysian craft stores. Silk, pewter, silver, and wood crafts are displayed, along with unique Malayan Batik paintings. The wood craft complex is the largest, comprising a small village. You can also learn about the history of songket weaving. Located on Jalan Conlay, the craft center is easily accessed by bus, taxi or monorail. The Museum is open every day from 8 am until 5pm. Some stores stay open later.

Train Station
Tour it! It's a beautiful building, not far from Orchid Park. Many history buildings in KL are functional, so they are free to visit. (see photo to right)



Temples
You can your many Chinese, Hindi, and other temples for free. These structures are amazing. Just be respectful of those who are there for religious purposes.  Some of the KL oldest temples are near Petaling Street.


Free Light Show at Petronas Towers
Every night at 8pm there is an orchestra and a 20 minutes light show that changes the colors of the Petronas Towers.  The fountains in front also perform a show.  Stand at the bridge across the plaza for a better view.


Additionally, the Maybank Numismatic Museum is a Coin Museum on the first Floor of the Maybank Tower in the center of Kuala Lumpur. Take the sky-train to the Pudu LRT stop and walk a few minutes to the Tower. You'll get to see a good history of Malaya currency.

Now you have a few days of free fun in KL. Take your time and enjoy ... inexpensively.