The SkyBridge
A walkway between the towers on floors 41 and 42, with the twin tower filling the window.
AwOiSoAk KaOsIoWa — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Marcin Konsek — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Marcin Konsek — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Marcin Konsek — CC BY-SA 4.0
From 1998 to 2004 these were the tallest buildings in the world, and at 452 metres they are still the tallest twin towers on earth. The architect César Pelli drew them on an eight-pointed star plan taken from Islamic geometric ornament, which is why, from the ground, they read less like office towers than like a pattern carved in steel. The visit itself is short and tightly run. A timed ticket takes you first to the SkyBridge slung between the towers on floors 41 and 42, then up to the observation deck on floor 86. The bridge is the better view of the two, precisely because the other tower fills the window in front of you. Arrive at least fifteen minutes before your slot with your passport: ID is checked at the door and latecomers can lose the booking. Foreign adults pay RM 127 on weekdays and RM 137 at weekends; children aged two to twelve pay roughly half. Slots sell out in summer and in Gulf holiday seasons, so book on the official site a few days ahead. The towers are closed to visitors on Mondays except the second, fourth and fifth Monday of the month, and they stay open through Friday prayers. If you want the photograph rather than the ride up, KLCC Park at the foot of the towers is free, and the classic shot is taken from there at dusk when the steel facade lights up. The Suria KLCC mall underneath is air-conditioned, has a prayer room and plenty of halal restaurants.
A walkway between the towers on floors 41 and 42, with the twin tower filling the window.
The highest point open to visitors, looking over the whole city and KL Tower.
From the free KLCC Park you get the classic shot as the facade lights up.
Kuala Lumpur City Centre, Jalan Ampang
Petrosains, The Discovery CentreAn interactive science centre inside the Suria KLCC mall at the foot of the Petr1 minute walk4.7
KLCC ParkA green oasis of around twenty hectares at the feet of the Petronas Towers, desi5 minutes walk4.6
Aquaria KLCCA ninety-metre glass tunnel you ride through on a moving walkway while sand tige6 minutes walk4.4
KL TowerThis telecoms tower is shorter than the Petronas Towers, but it stands on a hill13 minutes walk4.5
National Art Gallery (Balai Seni Negara)If you want to see how Malaysians see themselves, this is the place. The Nationa24 minutes walk4.4If you pick one, KL Tower is cheaper, sits higher above sea level because it stands on a hill, and has the Petronas Towers in its view. Go up Petronas for the SkyBridge and the experience rather than for the view alone.