Guide To KL Tower: Malaysia’s Landmark With Panoramic City Views, A New Revolving Restaurant & Hiking Trails

KL Tower in Kuala Lumpur

Even as a local, you’ve probably glanced up at Kuala Lumpur Tower, or Menara KL, and wondered “what’s so special” about the building. It isn’t the tallest tower in KL – the 5th, to be precise – nor does it contain a shiny mall with rows of branded shops to magnet visitors on its ground floor.

But it stands next to Petronas Twin Towers as an iconic symbol of the city for multiple reasons beyond just providing telecommunication services. It boasts several attractions that both the adults and kiddos will enjoy – from an observation deck with a “glass box”, to KL’s highest revolving restaurant.

Here’s all that you need to do before you head over to KL Tower.

Soak up views of KL’s skyline at the observation & sky decks

Kuala Lumpur Tower, also known to locals as KL Tower or Menara Kuala Lumpur, comprises three zones in its building. First, there’s the upper ground level, or lobby, where you’ll find souvenir shops, ticketing counters, and elaborate glass-clad domes overhead.

Image credit: @aereonwong via Instagram

Then there’s the 22-storey tower shaft, which holds 4 high-speed elevators and stairs with a whopping total of 2,058 steps. These take you up to the tower’s head, where you’ll find the skyscraper’s main attractions – the Observation Deck and Sky Deck.

Image credit: @siva_wwc via Instagram

Now, you’re probably wondering what the difference is between the two decks – they’re both panoramic platforms after all. The answer is: they offer unblocked city views from different levels of the tower’s head, at different price points.

Observation Deck

The Observation Deck at KL Tower is set 276 metres – about 84 storeys – above ground level. It’s an indoor and air-conditioned zone that encircles the tower’s head, with wide windows and free binoculars for a zoomed in view of the surrounding Klang Valley.

If you have a fear of heights, but still want to enjoy the views, we recommend this panoramic platform over the next platform.

Opening hours: 9am-10pm, Daily

Sky Deck

The Sky Deck, on the other hand, is located 300 metres above ground level and is set outdoors – so there’ll be no windows standing between you and the 360° skyline view. KL Tower is open daily from 9am-10pm, so you can opt to come up here in the evenings to get one of the best unblocked sunset views in the city.

Tickets to the Sky Deck will include access to the Observation Deck and also a Sky Box. The latter is an area that protrudes from the Sky Deck, with glass floors and walls that – you’ll feel like there’s literally nothing between you and the city below and around you.

Opening hours: 9am-10pm, Daily

Face your fear of heights at Tower Walk 100

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If you have a craving for a heart-racing activity in the city, there’s Tower Walk 100 at KL Tower.

It’s a newer attraction in the building that offers the same unblocked views of the city from the observation decks. The main difference is that you’ll be harnessed in and stepping out onto a glass and metal platform at the edge of KL Tower, with no barriers around you whatsoever.

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There are some things that you should take note of if you’re coming by to try this activity. First, all guests must wear flat, laced-up footwear and pants. Kids under the age of 4 years old will have to sit this activity out, while those under 18 years old must be accompanied by an adult.

You’ll also have to book your tickets for this at least 1 day in advance.

Opening hours: 9am-10pm, Daily

Dine at KL’s highest restaurant, ARAS

Image credit: Headout

We Malaysians love our superlatives. Here’s a new one for us to check out – ARAS, the highest and only revolving restaurant in KL. This newly-opened restaurant inside KL Tower replaces Atmosphere 360, with the same revolving concept located 282 metres above ground level.

You’ll get to dine on a buffet spread of traditional Malay dishes, as well as Japanese and Chinese cuisines, on a rotating platform that gives you a true 360° view of KL’s skyline, including the Petronas Twin Towers.

Image credit: Headout

The restaurant now welcomes diners for high-tea and dinner buffets. The first is available between 3pm and 5.30pm, with dinner served after. Do note that there is an additional fee of RM50 to fork out if you want to snag one of the coveted window seats during dinner service.

The prices for the buffets at ARAS are as follows:

Opening hours: Fri-Tue, 2.30pm-11pm (Closed Wednesdays & Thursdays)

Go on a hike at KL Forest Eco Park

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It’s not all views of KL’s skyscrapers at KL Tower. If have your walking shoes on, here’s another activity for you to check out while you’re here – KL Forest Eco Park, or Taman Eko Rimba KL, which has a forest trail with an entrance at the foot of the tower.

The park is the last piece of tropical rainforest in downtown KL and a habitat for local wildlife such as long-tailed macaques and silver leaf monkeys. Inside, you’ll also find a 200m-long and 20m-high canopy walkway, where you can get some of the best views of the surrounding greenery and also KL Tower.

Image credit: @voyageandsoul via Instagram

Exploring the park will take you around 30 minutes tops. If you’re up for a more serious, yet still beginner-friendly, trail, there are two main forest trails here – Jelutong, which is around 300m in elevation, and Merbau, which stands at around 361m.

Opening hours: 8am-5.30pm, Daily

What you need to know before heading to KL Tower

How much does it cost to go up to KL Tower?

The main lobby of KL Tower is open to all to explore. But if you’re looking to check out the tower’s various attractions at its head, they come with individual admission fees. We rounded them all out below:

If you’re a Malaysian, be sure to bring along your Identity Card as you can get special prices for tickets.

How do I get to KL Tower?

There are several ways to get to KL Tower, if you’re opting for public transportation.

If you’re coming by train, you can get on the Kelana Jaya Line and alight at Dang Wangi LRT station. It’s an approximately 20-minute walk to KL Tower from there. You can also opt for an e-hailing vehicle from the LRT station – you can skip the walk uphill to the tower this way.

By bus, the GoKL City Bus stops at KL Tower on the Purple Route. This bus services both Malaysia residents for free and visitors for a small fee of RM1 per ride.

Those coming by private vehicle can find a parking spot at the foot of KL Tower. There are indoor and outdoor parking bays, with fees starting from RM4/hour.

Is there a dress code for KL Tower?

There’s no dress code to enter KL Tower’s panoramic platforms. Shorts and slippers are usually permitted to the decks. But if you’re opting for the Tower Walk 100, be sure to come in with proper covered shoes and long pants for safety reasons.

To enter the revolving restaurant at KL Tower, you’ll want to consider ditching the casual mamak ‘fits for more smart casual attire, as it is a fine dining restaurant.

Marvel at KL’s beauty at the city’s iconic KL Tower

When it comes to exploring KL’s must-visit attractions, KL Tower shouldn’t be left out of your itinerary. Whether you’re here to experience a revolving restaurant or just ogle at KL’s skyline and landscape, you can get a piece of it all here.

Address: 2 Jalan Punchak, Off, Jalan P. Ramlee, 50250 Kuala Lumpur, WPKL
Opening hours: 9am-10pm, Daily
Contact: 03-2020 5421 | KL Tower’s website

For more recommendations around Kuala Lumpur, here’s our ultimate guide to exploring KL.

Cover image adapted from: @travelwallacom via Instagram, Headout, @imariaaseed via Instagram