North Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur's Northern Suburbs is the huge area running north of the City Center and Tuanku Abdul Rahman's Chow Kit area. It is largely residential and industrial and will not be of particular interest to the visitor, except for the famous limestone cave temples of Batu Caves.

Other attractions which may draw visitors are the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM) which has a huge green reserve with a canopy walk, and the National Zoo (Zoo Negara). For something more unusual, there is also the Orang Asli Museum in Gombak which showcases the culture and lifestyle of Peninsular Malaysia's Orang Asli or indigenous groups.

See

What else can you do with 300 litres of gold paint from Thailand: Lord Murugan guards the entrance to the Batu Caves

• 1 Batu Caves, Jalan Batu Caves, Gombak (13 km north of the city on highway MRR2; next KTM Komuter train station Batu Caves (on the red line). Trains (RM1 - 2) run every 15 - 30 minutes). Hindu priests have used these caves as temples since their discovery in 1878 by William Hornaday. Crowds of Hindus visit the caves in January/February for the spectacular Thaipusam festival, when devout Hindus skewer portable shrines to their bodies and carry them all the way from central KL. They contain a large number of beautiful and fascinating statues of the Hindu Gods. Beware of the thieving monkeys (long-tailed macaques), discarded rubbish on the steps, and bat droppings in the cave. 272 stairs lead up to the cave. Free admission.  
• 2NOT EXISTING LISTING IMAGE Dark Caves (Near Batu Caves station), ☏ +60 3 61867011. Temporarily closed. Just off to the side of the entrance to the Batu Caves is the Dark Caves. The Dark Caves is a conservation site showcasing the endemic animals and insects that live in the cave ecosystem. Times for tours depend on the number of visitors but maximum waiting time is 20 minutes. Beware the monkeys. Guided tours cost RM35 (adult), RM28 (child). (updated Sep 2023)
• 3 Muzium Orang Asli (Indigenous Peoples Museum), KM24, Gombak (Bus 201 from Chow Kit passes along the museum; ask to stop at museum, indicated by brown signages along the road. Then enter the steep road that leads to the museum), ☏ +60 361 868 796. Open 10:00-16:00; closed on Fridays. A quaint museum situated on Orang Asli land that showcases the culture of the different indigenous peoples from Peninsular Malaysia. With over 3,000 artifacts that tell the history, practices and lifestyle of the many indigenous tribes who occupied Malaysia before the advent of urban society. Definitely worth the journey, especially for those interested in indigenous cultures. Free admission. (updated Feb 2020)
• 4 Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM), Jalan Foxworthy, Kepong, ☏ +60 3 62797000, feedback@frim.gov.my. 05:00 - 19:30 (joggers); 08:00-17:00 (office). Guided tours through the rainforest. Includes a canopy walk and a little museum. (updated Jun 2017)
• 5 Kepong Metropolitan Park (Taman Metropolitan Kepong), Kepong. Located at the northern side of Kepong 6 km from Sri Hartamas, this place features a lake and is ideal for flying kites. Jogging/cycling tracks, remote control car track, football field and observation tower are among the facilities provided. (updated Aug 2015)

Do

Sport

• Rock climbing at Batu Caves - This limestone outcrop 13 km from the city centre offers a great variety of climbing on steep limestone routes. Over one hundred bolted lines contain features similar in nature to those found in Rai Leh, Thailand. Easy access from downtown and a simple street-level approach makes for a convenient and challenging day of climbing.
• Vertical Adventure, Batu Caves, ☏ +60 16-3320122. Day trip outdoor rock climbing at Batu Caves suitable for every fitness, age and gender. RM80. 

Cultural

• 1 The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (KLPac). Sentul West - KLPac, set up by YTL, one of Malaysia's biggest companies, is a noted centre for performing arts, notably theatre and music (it can also host film screening). It has housed many local productions and has been a supporter of local and regional independent performance artists.  

Buy

• 1 AEON AU2 Setiawangsa (JUSCO), No. 6, Jalan Taman Setiawangsa (Jalan 37/56), AU2, Taman Keramat, toll-free: +1300-80-2366. Su-Th 10:00 - 22:00, F Sa 10:00 - 23:00. (updated Aug 2015)
• 2 AEON Big Kepong (Carrefour), No.2, Jalan Metro Perdana, Taman Usahawan Kepong, toll-free: 1300-80-2366. Su 08:00-22:30, M-F 09:30-22:30, Sa 08:00-23:00. Huge supermarket, that has everything you possibly need. (updated Aug 2015)

Eat

• 1 Yu Ai Segambut Seafood Noodle, 42, Jalan Segambut Utara. 08:00-17:00. Truly a local's recommendation. Noodles come with three soup options: their famous curry laksa, tom yam or qingtang (clear soup). Air-cond seating upstairs. (updated Feb 2020)

Sleep

Mid-range

• 1 Midtown Villa, No. D23A Putra Majestic, Jalan Kasipillay, Batu 2 1/2 (off Jalan Ipoh). Check-out: 12:00. A conveniently located and quiet hotel. Standard rooms. Helpful and friendly staff. Unreliable internet connections. (updated Dec 2017)