Happy 61st Independence Day, Malaysia! As you celebrate, see how many of these vibrant Instagram-worthy locations in Kuala Lumpur you’ve been to (or can add to your future checklist).
#1 Batu Caves
The famous 272 steps of Batu Caves, a Hindu temple set in a limestone hill in Gombak, has been given a colourful makeover. In gradient tones, no less!
Find it here: Gombak, 68100 Batu Caves
#2 Putra Mosque
Putrajaya’s famous pink mosque was built from rose-tinted granite and looks good in pictures inside and out.
Find it here: Persiaran Persekutuan, Presint 1, 62502 Putrajaya
#3 KL Forest Eco Park
A forest in the city? That’s reason enough to whip out your cameras.
Find it here: Lot 240, Jalan Raja Chulan, Bukit Kewangan, 50250 Kuala Lumpur
#4 The KL Journal
No guesses why this boutique hotel is beloved by many a keen Instagrammer. The revamped Swimming Club on the rooftop is really popular, too – again, no guesses why.
Find it here: 30, Jalan Beremi, Off Jalan Sultan Ismail, 50200 Kuala Lumpur
#5 Petronas Twin Towers
Well, obviously. They were only the tallest skyscraper in the country for a solid two decades before The Exchange 106, which is still in construction, surpassed it in height.
Find it here: Kuala Lumpur City Centre, 50088 Kuala Lumpur
Read also: 10 hidden photo spots in Asia you won’t find in any guidebook
#6 Kuala Lumpur Tower
The 7th tallest tower in the world (not to be confused with tallest buildings or structures in the world) gives you sweeping views of the city from way up high. Visit the Sky Box if you have guts.
Find it here: 2, Jalan Puncak, 50250 Kuala Lumpur
#7 Vertigo at Banyan Tree
At two floors higher than the nearby Marini’s on 57, Vertigo is Kuala Lumpur’s highest rooftop bar.
Find it here: 2, Jalan Conlay, 50450 Kuala Lumpur
#8 APW Bangsar
You probably know a few people (if not yourself!) who have a photo on the stairs leading up to Makirito at APW, but every corner in the grounds of the defunct commercial printing factory is Instagram-worthy, really.
Find it here: 29, Jalan Riong, 59100 Kuala Lumpur
#9 Moroccan Pavilion Putrajaya
Pictured: That moment when you floored because you never knew this beautiful tribute to Moorish architecture was right here in the Klang Valley.
Find it here: Persiaran Sultan Sallahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah, Presint 1, 62000 Putrajaya
#10 Thean Hou Temple
Built by Hainanese living in Malaysia, this temple is easily KL’s most prominent Chinese temples, and is dedicated to the sea goddess Mazu.
Find it here: 65, Persiaran Endah, Off Jalan Syed Putra, 50460 Kuala Lumpur
#11 Jalan Alor
Food is one of the most popular subjects of Instagrammable content, and Jalan Alor is full to the brim with KL’s best street food (we will always be thankful that its iconic name was kept).
Find it here: Bukit Bintang, 50200 Kuala Lumpur
Read also: 10 more hidden photo spots around Asia
#12 Sultan Abdul Samad Building
Ah, right in front of Dataran Merdeka itself. Just imagine, this heritage building was just known as ‘government offices’ in its early days. What an understatement.
Find it here: Jalan Raja, 50050 Kuala Lumpur
#13 National Textile Museum
Designed in Indo-Saracenic Revival architecture, this historical building once housed various governmental bodies and commercial banks before being converted into the textile museum.
Find it here: 26, Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin, 50000 Kuala Lumpur
#14 Titiwangsa Park
Say hello to your next picnic destination, also known as Lake Gardens.
Find it here: Tasik Titiwangsa, 53200 Kuala Lumpur
#15 Zhongshan Building
Deep in a quiet corner of Kampung Attap is this independent creative arts hub, which was formerly occupied by the Selangor Zhongshan Association. There’s a tiny pigeonhole café, a bakery, bookstores, music collectives… you get the vibe.
Find it here: Jalan Rotan, Kampung Attap, 50460 Kuala Lumpur
Read also: Instagram bucket list: Popular spots around the world for a ’gram