KL Tower, Kuala Lumpur
KL Tower (Menara Kuala Lumpur) is a 421-metre telecommunications tower on top of Bukit Nanas, a small forested hill in the middle of the city. Because it stands on a hill 94 metres above sea level, the tower's Observation Deck at 276 metres gives a view level with or above most of Kuala Lumpur's skyscrapers, and it looks straight across at the Petronas Twin Towers. Opened in 1996, it is still a working broadcast tower, an official site for sighting the new moon that marks the start of Ramadan, and one of the city's main viewpoints, with an open-air Sky Deck, a glass Sky Box and a revolving restaurant.
This guide covers the history of KL Tower, the viewing levels and what else is on the hill, 2026 ticket prices and hours, how to get there and tips for visiting.
| Location | 2, Jalan Puncak, off Jalan P. Ramlee, 50250 Kuala Lumpur |
|---|---|
| Hours | Daily 9 am โ 10 pm (last entry 9:30 pm) |
| Observation Deck | RM80 (non-Malaysian adults) / RM50 (children); MyKad RM30 / MyKid RM20 |
| Sky Deck + Sky Box | RM140 (non-Malaysian adults) / RM80 (children); MyKad RM50 / MyKid RM28 |
| Height | 421 m total. Observation Deck 276 m. Sky Deck / Sky Box 300 m. |
| Nearest transit | Bukit Nanas Monorail station, about 10 minutes' walk uphill via Jalan Puncak |
| Take me here | |
| Official site | menarakl.com.my |
| Verified | Verified October 2026 |
History of KL Tower
Menara Kuala Lumpur was built as a telecommunications and broadcasting tower and was run for decades by a Telekom Malaysia subsidiary. Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad officiated at the ground-breaking on 1 October 1991 and construction began a few days later. The main contractor was the Japanese firm Hazama Corporation, which also built one of the Petronas Twin Towers.
The foundation alone set a Malaysian record at the time: about 50,000 cubic metres of concrete poured continuously over 31 hours. The structure topped out on 13 September 1994, the tower opened to the public on 23 July 1996 and it was formally inaugurated on 1 October 1996. At 421 metres to the top of its antenna (the concrete roof is at 336.5 metres) it was among the tallest telecommunications towers in the world and is still ranked in the top ten.
The tower was designed by Achmad Moerdijat of Kumpulan Senireka, who gave it an Islamic character. The main lobby has glass-clad domes and muqarnas (honeycomb-like vaulting) made by craftsmen from Isfahan in Iran, along with patterned tile work. Inside the base you will find displays on the tower's construction and other famous towers of the world.
The tower is also remembered for a tree. During construction the builders protected a jelutong tree (Dyera costulata), then estimated to be more than 100 years old, by building a retaining wall around it, at a reported extra cost of RM430,000. The hill itself, Bukit Nanas, has a longer history: it is one of the oldest settled spots in Kuala Lumpur, where a stockade was built in the 1860s during the Selangor Civil War, and its name ("pineapple hill") is said to come from the pineapples grown around it. The forest on the hill was gazetted as a reserve in 1906 and is the last patch of lowland rainforest in the city centre.
Because it stands high above the surrounding city, the tower also serves as an Islamic falak (astronomy) observatory for rukyah, the sighting of the crescent moon that marks the beginning of Ramadan, Syawal (Hari Raya Aidilfitri) and Zulhijjah.
For most of its life the attraction was run by Menara Kuala Lumpur Sdn Bhd, a Telekom Malaysia subsidiary. In late 2022 the government awarded the concession to a new company, which led to a public dispute, legal action and an investigation by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission. The previous operator's concession ended on 31 March 2025 and a 20-year concession for LSH Service Master Sdn Bhd took effect on 1 April. The tower then closed for nine days while the outgoing operator was removed and restoration work was carried out, and it reopened at 9 am on 26 April 2025 with cheaper tickets for Malaysians. Before the closure it was receiving roughly 1,000 to 1,500 visitors a day, most of them international tourists.
What to See at KL Tower
Observation Deck (276 m)
The enclosed, air-conditioned Observation Deck sits in the tower head at 276 metres. The lift ride up takes about 54 seconds. Windows run all the way around, so you can see the Petronas Twin Towers, Merdeka 118, the old city around Merdeka Square and, on clear days, the hills on the edge of the Klang Valley. This is the level to choose if the weather is uncertain, as it stays open in rain.
Sky Deck and Sky Box (300 m)
Above the Observation Deck is the open-air Sky Deck at about 300 metres, the highest open-air viewpoint you can reach in the city. With no tinted windows between you and the view, it is the better level for photography. The Sky Box is a glass cube with a glass floor that projects out from the edge of the Sky Deck; visitors take turns to step in for photos. The Sky Deck and Sky Box close in rain, lightning or strong wind, and Sky Box access is sold on site.
Orbit revolving restaurant and Hemisfera
The tower's revolving restaurant, now run as Orbit Revolving Dining, turns slowly so that diners see the whole city during a meal. Hemisfera Luxury Sky Hall, billed as the highest banquet hall in Kuala Lumpur, hosts weddings and events. Both reopened after the 2025 handover and are booked separately from viewing tickets.
Bukit Nanas forest (KL Forest Eco Park)
The tower stands inside the Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve, now branded KL Forest Eco Park, with jungle trails, a canopy walkway between the trees, a visitor centre and a small forestry museum. It protects the only virgin rainforest left in central Kuala Lumpur, and even a short walk on the trails is a cool, shady contrast to the city. The trails link the tower area with Jalan Ampang and Jalan Raja Chulan below.
KL Tower Tickets and Opening Hours
- Hours: daily 9 am to 10 pm, with last entry about half an hour to an hour before closing.
- Observation Deck: international adults RM80 and children RM50; MyKad RM30 and MyKid RM20.
- Sky Deck (with Sky Box access): international adults RM140 and children RM80; MyKad RM50 and MyKid RM28.
- Weather: if the open-air levels are shut by bad weather, ask at the ticket counter about a revisit ticket rather than a refund.
- How long to spend: about 1 to 1.5 hours for the viewing levels, more if you add a meal at the revolving restaurant or a walk in the forest park.
Tickets are sold at the counter at the base of the tower and online through the official site, menarakl.com.my, and authorised resellers. Prices are those set at the April 2025 reopening and were still listed in October 2026.
How to Get to KL Tower
- Monorail: Bukit Nanas station is the closest. From there walk up Jalan Puncak, the road off Jalan P. Ramlee that climbs to the tower; it takes about 10 minutes and is steep in places.
- LRT: Dang Wangi station on the Kelana Jaya Line is linked to Bukit Nanas monorail by a short walkway; allow about five minutes more.
- From KLCC: walk along Jalan P. Ramlee (about 20 minutes), or take the forest trails if you want shade and a short hike.
- Grab or car: set the destination to "KL Tower" or "Menara Kuala Lumpur, Jalan Puncak". Cars can drive up to the tower, which has parking at the base.
Tips for Visiting
- Late afternoon is the most popular time, so you can see the city in daylight and then watch the lights come on; arrive by about 6:30 pm for sunset, which falls at around 7 to 7:30 pm all year in Kuala Lumpur.
- Check the sky before choosing the Sky Deck. Afternoon and evening thunderstorms are common in Kuala Lumpur, and the open-air levels close when they hit.
- If you are choosing between towers, KL Tower is the better place to photograph the Petronas Twin Towers themselves, and its tickets are not tied to a fixed time slot.
- Wear shoes with grip if you plan to walk up Jalan Puncak or use the forest trails, and bring water.
- For food, the restaurants along Jalan P. Ramlee and around Changkat Bukit Bintang are 10 to 15 minutes away by foot or a short Grab ride.
Location
Photos
Nearby
- Petronas Twin Towers โ 15-minute walk east through the forest reserve
- Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve โ KL's oldest permanent forest reserve, trails start at the tower base
- Heli Lounge Bar โ 10-minute walk down Jalan Sultan Ismail
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does KL Tower cost in 2026?
The Observation Deck costs RM80 for international adults and RM50 for children (MyKad RM30, MyKid RM20). The open-air Sky Deck with Sky Box access costs RM140 for international adults and RM80 for children (MyKad RM50, MyKid RM28).
What is the difference between the Observation Deck and the Sky Deck?
The Observation Deck at 276 metres is enclosed and air-conditioned and stays open in rain. The Sky Deck at about 300 metres is open-air, has the glass-floored Sky Box and closes in bad weather.
Is KL Tower taller than the Petronas Twin Towers?
No. KL Tower is 421 metres to the tip of its antenna and the Petronas Twin Towers are 451.9 metres. But KL Tower stands on Bukit Nanas hill, so its viewing levels are about as high above the city as the Twin Towers' Level 86 deck.
When was KL Tower built?
Construction began in October 1991, the tower topped out in September 1994, opened to the public on 23 July 1996 and was officially inaugurated on 1 October 1996.
How do I get to KL Tower by public transport?
Take the KL Monorail to Bukit Nanas station and walk about 10 minutes uphill along Jalan Puncak. Dang Wangi LRT station on the Kelana Jaya Line is a few minutes further away.
Is KL Tower open now?
Yes. After a short closure during the change of operator, KL Tower reopened on 26 April 2025 under LSH Service Master and is open daily from 9 am to 10 pm.