Petronas Towers: The Monumental Bling Bling of Malaysia

If there was one sight / monument / building / attraction that people tend associate with Malaysia, it would undoubtedly be the iconic Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur.

the petronas towers during blue (more like purple) hour

Though no longer the tallest buildings in the world, the twins still never fail to make an impression to those who visit the city, no matter how many times it’s been. It was my fourth visit to Kuala Lumpur when I took the photo above and I was still awed by the Middle Eastern motif, particularly the cross section of the towers which was based from the Islamic Rub el Hizb symbol. It’s especially picturesque at night when it’s lit up very brightly like crystal with spotlights and can be seen from several miles away.

The towers are a fine testament to how much Malaysia has progressed in the past four decades. It is hard to imagine that just fifty years ago, Kuala Lumpur was off the radar compared to cities like Bangkok, Rangoon (now Yangon) and Manila. This was mainly due to its much smaller population back then and its relatively young age.

Now, Malaysia is the second most prosperous country in Southeast Asia on a per capita basis, and Kuala Lumpur serves to showcase this status. On my most recent visit, I found its city center to have changed quite a bit, and actually reminded me very much of Singapore and even Hong Kong in certain parts.

Where to get a great unobstructed view of the Petronas Towers:

The best place to do so is still the Skybar located in Level 33 of Traders Hotel. I went there on my recent visit and was not disappointed. An indoor swimming area by day, it turns to a stylish bar for those who want to see and be seen in KL. I was there just for the view. If you’re there to take photos, the best time to go up there is during blue hour. Depending on the time of the year, this occurs between 7 to 7:30PM in Kuala Lumpur.

Sky Bar, Traders Hotel
Kuala Lumpur City Centre
50088
Malaysia
T: (60 3) 2332 9888