Kuala Lumpur is a fun, vibrant and exciting city with an interesting mix of Asian culture ingrained in the shiny modern exterior of the developed world. Malaysia’s capital is definitely a rival to other great Asian cities, and it has a lot to offer as a tourist destination. The city is an exciting place to visit at any time of the day, however it is at night, after the sun goes down, when Kuala Lumpur truly comes to life. Its dining and nightlife scene is excellent, and the lights of the city really add to the beauty of the place as people come out to wander its vibrant streets. Here is what to do when the sky gets dark in Kuala Lumpur.

Petronas Towers

The Petronas Twin Towers is without a doubt the most iconic structure in Kuala Lumpur. The tallest twin towers in the world, this amazing structure is architecturally magnificent and well worth visiting at any time of the day, however it really comes to life at night when the lights turn on. The entire building is illuminated against the dark night, towering way up into the sky. You can also head up to the sky bridge which connects the two towers on the 41^st and 42^nd floors to enjoy amazing views out over the city. At 170 metres above the ground, this is the highest two story bridge in the world.

Sky Bars

One of the best ways to enjoy Kuala Lumpur’s nightlife and also get the best views of the city is to visit one of Kuala Lumpur’s amazing sky bars. These bars, situated at the top of some of the city’s tall skyscrapers, make for an amazing place to get a drink at night when the city is all lit up. Head to the Sky Bar at the top of Traders Hotel to get a direct view of the Petronas Towers while sipping a cocktail. There is even a pool here where you can take a night time dip.

For a unique experience, head to the Heli Lounge in Bukit Bintang where one of the city’s rooftop helipads is transformed into a rooftop bar in the evenings. There are amazing views of the city from here and you can do it all while enjoying a beverage on a helipad.

Jalan Alor Street Food

Kuala Lumpur is world renowned for its amazing hawker food. This style of dining is definitely the best way to try some of the best food in Kuala Lumpur and all at very affordable prices. One of the best places in Kuala Lumpur to try hawker food is on Jalan Alor in Bukit Bintang. This entire street is filled with hawker style restaurants, and in the evening these restaurants and hawker stalls spread out into the street, making for an amazing and lively street dining experience. There is so much on offer that your biggest problem will be deciding what to have. If you want to get a real taste of Kuala Lumpur, don’t miss out on a night dining on Jalan Alor.

Chinatown

Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown is an interesting part of the city where you can get a taste of the old KL. The area is filled with old crumbling buildings and narrow streets with some amazing restaurants, eateries and street food on offer. The centre of the action is gathered around Petaling Street, where a thriving night market packs out the entire street with stalls selling all kinds of items, from clothing to fake Louis Vuitton handbags. Heading down the side streets and along Jalan Sultan, you will find some amazing hawker stalls that cook up many different Chinese style dishes.

Shopping

Kuala Lumpur is a true paradise for shopaholics, and the city’s many amazing shopping malls tend to stay open until 9 or 10pm every night. For your more upmarket shopping, head to the Pavilion in Bukit Bintang or KLCC at the Petronas Towers. There are some great happy hour bars and restaurants just outside on the ground level of the Pavilion Mall for a break in between shopping. For bargain shopping head to Sungei Wang in Bukit Bintang or barter for a bargain at the Petaling Street Night Market in Chinatown. For electronics, head to Low Yat Plaza just next to Sungei Wang. Berjaya Times Square, the fifth largest building in the world in square metres, offers a good mix of retail stores, from well-known brands to cheap bargain shopping. There is also an indoor theme park inside the shopping mall itself.

KL Tower

Menara KL offers one of the best views in the city from its amazing sky deck. At 421 metres above the ground, KL Tower offers a view from far higher up than anywhere else in the city, and a lot higher than the sky bridge at the Petronas Towers. At night, you can also enjoy a unique dining experience at Atmosphere 360, the revolving restaurant situated 282 metres above the ground. Enjoy some excellent buffet style dining with a cocktail, while enjoying some of the best views of the city.

Kuala Lumpur truly is an amazing city with some excellent night life. Whether you are looking to splurge on luxury dining, get a cheap budget street food fix or to shop well into the night, you won’t be disappointed in Malaysia’s exciting capital.