Visit Kuala Lampur and see the Petronas Towers

Photos by Jann Segal

One of the most interesting things to observe and explore on any trip are the landmarks. Some are unmistakable, some are magical, and some make it in movies and become the hallmark of the film. Kuala Lampur's Petronas Towers are all three in one. They are one of the first things you see when you enter the city, and one of the last sights you behold as you leave.

They are formally called the Petronas Towers, with the primary tenant being Petronas Oil. Malaysia is, after all, an oil-rich OPEC nation. They were built in 1998, and designed by an Argentine American, the architect Cesar Pelli. They featured prominently in the Millennium- ending movie Entrapment, starring Sean Connery and Catherine Zeta-Jones. They were the tallest buildings in the world from 1988 to 2004, and remain the tallest twin towers in the world today. Their design includes a sky bridge which connects the two towers together. They became the second largest towers in the world when Taipei 101 was built in Taiwan just six years after their completion. This author saw both towers during the same Asian trip.

Tours bring you to the towers, and even up to the top of the towers. They are primarily office space like the New York World Trade Center was, so there is not much to see once you get there unless you want to take in the sights of Kuala Lampur from on high and get the bird’s eye view, or take a stroll in the beautifully manicured park which is part of the property. The real enjoyment is in seeing them from any vantage point, and when lit up at night they are spectacular. Many hotels in Kuala Lampur make a point of showcasing them at various angles since they are stunning any time of day, at any angle. The Hilton Doubletree Hotel in the Intermark is one hotel that that is nicely priced, is in a great location, and which allows for wonderful views of the Towers all throughout.

The best way to see them is with a full day tour of the city, either booked there through any hotel, or in advance using an online booking tool like Viator.com.But if you want to just enjoy them as part of the city and not as a tourist on a tour, just have lunch in one of the many great eateries in the area, take in the sounds and fantastic food in Malaysia, and casually enjoy seeing one of the world’s great tower complexes and its exquisitely modern architecture.