When in KL, you should visit Malaysia’s holiest Hindu shrine, the Batu Caves. It’s only 13km from Central KL, and best of all, you can get there by train!

For a memorable excursion, schedule your Batu Caves visit during Thaipusam in either late January or February—this is a Hindu festival honouring Lord Murugan (also known as Lord Subramaniam), the deity of youth, power, and virtue. On this occasion, thousands of Hindu devotees will walk from KL’s city centre to escort various religious figurines all the way to the Batu Caves! As penance, some devotees will carry a kavadi (load or burden), and they may also pierce their skin with needles, pins, and hooks.

Prefer to avoid crowds? Head to the Batu Caves on a weekday, early in the morning or in the late afternoon. The caves are open daily from 7.00am to 9.00pm. Highlights include the much-photographed Temple Cave, guarded by a 42.7m statue of Lord Murugan, and the Ramayana Cave, featuring fascinating dioramas from Ramayana, the ancient Indian epic.

To enjoy a satisfying meal during your visit, the Lonely Planet recommends Restoran Rani, which is located along a stretch of eateries on the right of the Temple Cave.

Get directions to Batu Caves (22-minute drive from PARKROYAL Serviced Suites Kuala Lumpur)

Eager to experience the lush splendour of a tropical rainforest? Take a half-day tour to explore the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM), located on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur. During the tour, you will learn about Malaysia’s indigenous people at a quick museum visit, before setting off on a hike with your guide to discover the area’s rich flora and fauna—bird watchers in particular will be thrilled by the variety of birdlife here! 

You can either join a group outing to meet other nature lovers, or upgrade to a private tour. For your convenience, the tours that we’ve listed in this guide include round-trip transfers from selected hotels, including PARKROYAL Serviced Suites Kuala Lumpur. 

Book Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM) Tour (with transport from/to PARKROYAL Serviced Suites Kuala Lumpur)

Known as the “Land of Fish and Rice” in Malaysia, the Sekinchan village is a popular day trip option for both KL locals and tourists. Visitors head there to marvel at the beautiful padi fields (best viewed from March-April or September-October), enjoy slow living while tucking into a deliciously fresh seafood meal, or make a wish at the iconic Sekinchan Wishing Tree.

For a full-day itinerary, pair your Sekinchan visit with a tour of the nearby town Kuala Selangor, where you will stop at Bukit Melawati (Melawati Hill) to see the endangered Silvered Leaf Monkey, as well as take a scenic evening river cruise to view glowing fireflies. 

If ease of travel is a priority, choose a tour that offers a hotel pick-up and drop-off. Guests at PARKROYAL Serviced Suites Kuala Lumpur should have no issues arranging for transportation.

Book Sekinchan Paddy Fields and Fishing Village Tour (with transport from/to PARKROYAL Serviced Suites Kuala Lumpur)

Book Sekinchan and Kuala Selangor Full Day Tour (with transport from/to PARKROYAL Serviced Suites Kuala Lumpur)

Although Kuala Lumpur is Malaysia’s capital city, there is actually a ‘shadow’ capital city in the country that not many visitors know about. Putrajaya serves as Malaysia’s administrative and judicial capital, and this is where many of Malaysia’s government offices are located. 

One of Putrajaya’s highlights is its Islamic architecture, and a must-visit attraction is the iconic pink mosque Masjid Putra, one of only a few pink mosques in the world. Like Singapore (which is branded as a “City in a Garden”), Putrajaya is similarly known as a “Garden City,” with beautiful urban green spaces such as the Putrajaya Botanical Garden and the Rimba Alam Park. 

If you join a Putrajaya day tour, you can visit the Agriculture Heritage Park, where you’ll learn how to grow traditional crops such as rubber, and even get to see the process of rubber tapping!

Book Putrajaya Day Trip (with transport from/to PARKROYAL Serviced Suites Kuala Lumpur)

Happy to take a longer drive of about 2.5hrs each way? Do visit the popular Malaysian resort destination of Fraser’s Hill. This charming mountain village is named after Louis James Fraser, a Scotsman and tin prospector who discovered tin on Fraser’s Hill in the late 1800s. 

A trip to Fraser’s Hill is particularly refreshing because of the cooler climate—with average temperatures of 20°C or 68°F—making it a great place for hiking while in Malaysia. You can view a nature and hiking guide to Fraser’s Hill here. 

Prefer to be driven around? A typical Fraser’s Hill tour will take you to picturesque spots such as the Sungai Selangor dam and Allan’s Water, a pretty boating lake. If you are keen to do some bird-watching while hiking, do consider an itinerary that includes a nature tour, so that you can spot colourful birds such as the Orange-bellied Leafbird. 

Book Fraser’s Hill Bird-Watching Nature Tour (with transport from/to PARKROYAL Serviced Suites Kuala Lumpur)