Kuala Lumpur Travel Guide: Petronas Towers, Merdeka 118 and Mobile Data Tips

2026-09-26

Photo: Elizabeth Xiong, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (cropped)

Kuala Lumpur is one of the most welcoming modern cities for Muslim travellers: futuristic towers, great-value shopping and food, and halal options everywhere. Here is how to plan your visit and stay connected.

A modern Muslim-majority capital

Malaysia's capital has grown into a dynamic metropolis of around eight million people in its wider region. Its skyline holds two of Asia's most recognisable buildings, public transport is modern and affordable, and Malay, Chinese and Indian cultures meet on every street. As Islam is the official religion, halal food and prayer facilities are available almost everywhere, which makes Kuala Lumpur especially easy for visitors from Uzbekistan.

The weather is hot and humid all year, around 24–33 °C, with frequent afternoon thunderstorms. There is no truly bad season — just plan outdoor sightseeing for the morning and evening.

Top modern places to see

• Petronas Twin Towers — at 452 metres they are the tallest twin towers in the world. Book a timed ticket to walk the Skybridge between the towers and visit the observation deck above it.
• KLCC Park — the green park at the foot of the towers has a free fountain show on Symphony Lake in the evening and the best photo spots of the towers.
• Merdeka 118 — completed in 2023, it is the second-tallest building in the world after the Burj Khalifa, and it has changed the city's skyline.
• KL Tower (Menara KL) — a telecommunications tower on a forested hill with an observation deck and a glass Sky Box that juts out from the top.
• Bukit Bintang and TRX — Bukit Bintang is the main shopping and street-food district with malls such as Pavilion; the new Tun Razak Exchange financial district next to it has The Exchange TRX mall and a rooftop park.
• Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia — one of the finest collections of Islamic art in the world, next to the National Mosque.

Getting around

From KLIA airport, the KLIA Ekspres train reaches KL Sentral in about half an hour. In the city, the LRT, MRT and monorail lines connect most sights. A rechargeable Touch 'n Go card, sold at stations and convenience stores, works on public transport and at many shops and car parks.

Ride-hailing with Grab is cheap and widely used; it is often easier than street taxis, and prices are shown in advance. Walking between some districts is hard because of highways and heat, so use covered walkways where available, such as the one between KLCC and Bukit Bintang.

Mobile data and eSIM tips for Kuala Lumpur

Mobile coverage in Kuala Lumpur is good, with 5G across much of the city centre. A travel eSIM means you can order Grab from the airport and use maps immediately, without buying a local SIM card at the arrivals hall.

• How much data? For a week of maps, Grab, messaging and social media, 5–8 GB is usually enough. Ride-hailing and food delivery apps use little data; video uses the most.
• Useful apps: Grab (rides and food delivery), Google Maps or Moovit for public transport, and a halal restaurant guide if you want certified places.
• Data-only is enough: messaging and internet calls work normally in Malaysia.
• Multi-country trips: if you also visit Singapore or Thailand, a regional Asia plan can be simpler than separate eSIMs.

Practical notes for travellers from Uzbekistan

• Visa: Uzbek passport holders can currently visit Malaysia visa-free for short tourist stays. Confirm the permitted length of stay with the Malaysian embassy or the Immigration Department before travelling.
• Payments: cards are widely accepted in malls, hotels and restaurants; carry some ringgit for street food and markets. Visa and Mastercard cards from Uzbek banks usually work.
• Halal food: most Malay restaurants are halal, and certified places display the JAKIM halal logo. Some Chinese restaurants are not halal, so check the certificate. Try nasi lemak, satay and roti canai.
• Prayer: the National Mosque (Masjid Negara), Masjid Jamek and the Federal Territory Mosque are all worth visiting. Malls, airports and many offices have prayer rooms (surau).