The Petronas Twin Towers are the symbol of Kuala Lumpur, a pair of steel and glass skyscrapers joined by a two-storey skybridge high above the street. Designed by the architect César Pelli and completed in the late 1990s, they were the tallest buildings in the world for several years and remain the tallest twin towers anywhere. You can admire the Petronas Twin Towers for free from the park below, or book a visit to the skybridge and the observation deck near the top.
Why visit the Petronas Twin Towers
Each tower has 88 floors, and the floor plan is based on an eight-pointed star, a pattern drawn from Islamic geometry. The stainless steel cladding catches the sun during the day and the towers are lit up after dark, so they look different every few hours. Petronas, Malaysia's national oil company, has its headquarters in one tower.
The towers stand over Suria KLCC, a large shopping mall, and next to KLCC Park, a landscaped garden with a lake, walking paths and a children's play area. Even without going up, the area is one of the most pleasant places in the city to spend an evening.
Getting to the Petronas Twin Towers by LRT
The nearest station is KLCC on the LRT Kelana Jaya Line. From the platforms, follow the signs for Suria KLCC through an underground concourse that leads straight into the mall below the towers. It takes only a few minutes and is air-conditioned all the way.
If you are staying around Bukit Bintang, an elevated, covered pedestrian walkway links the Pavilion area to the KLCC precinct. The walk takes roughly 15 to 20 minutes and avoids traffic and rain.
Petronas Twin Towers tickets
Going up requires a ticket for a timed tour that includes the skybridge on the 41st and 42nd floors and the observation deck on the 86th floor. Visitor numbers are limited each day and popular slots, especially around sunset, can sell out, so book ahead on the official site, petronastwintowers.com.my. Prices differ for Malaysians and foreign visitors, and there are concession rates for children and seniors.
The visitor centre is closed on some days of the week and during certain holidays, and hours can change, for example during Ramadan. Check the official site for current times and the entry point for ticket holders. Arrive a little before your slot for the security check.
Best time to visit and how long to allow
For photos from the ground, the best time to visit the Petronas Twin Towers is at dusk, when the sky turns blue and the towers light up. The fountains in front of the towers, on the lake in KLCC Park, run in the evening with music and lights. Weekday mornings are the quietest time for the observation deck tour.
The tour itself lasts under an hour. Allow two to three hours if you add KLCC Park and some time in the mall.
Highlights of a visit
- The skybridge: walk across the link between the two towers and look down at the city.
- The observation deck: the highest point of the tour, with views over Kuala Lumpur Tower and the hills beyond.
- KLCC Park: the best place for a photo of both towers in full, especially from the far side of the lake.
- The evening fountain show: free to watch from the park esplanade.
Tips for the tour
Keep your booking confirmation handy and bags small, as large items may not be allowed on the tour and there is a security check. Tripods are not usually permitted. The tour moves at a set pace with a guide, so there is time for photos but not for lingering long at each stop. On a hazy day the view can be limited, so if your plans are flexible, check the weather before you book.
Nearby around KLCC station
- Aquaria KLCC: an aquarium with an underwater tunnel in the convention centre across the park.
- Petrosains: an interactive science centre inside Suria KLCC, popular with families.
- Dewan Filharmonik Petronas: the concert hall at the base of the towers, home of the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra.
- Bukit Bintang: the shopping and food district, reachable by the covered walkway.
For more, see the Petronas Twin Towers page or browse every stop on our Kuala Lumpur metro map.