Petronas Twin Tower – Kuala Lumpur’s Crown Jewel

Kuala Lumpur has come to be identified by Petronas Twin Tower, an iconic twin tower structure soaring to a height of 451.9 metres. It has been named after Petroliam Nasional Bhd or Petronas, Malaysia’s national petroleum corporation. Petronas Twin Tower is considered Kuala Lumpur’s crown jewel and is the tallest twin building in the world. The 88-storey twin structure was inspired by Tun Mahathir Mohamad’s vision for Malaysia to be a global player and is a major tourist attraction in the itinerary of all the tourists visiting Kuala Lumpur.

Designed to mirror the country’s ambitions, the planning for Petronas Twin Tower started in January 1992, led by distinguished architect Cesar Pelli along with Deejay Cerico, J.C. Guinto and Dominic Saibo. In April 1994, the construction of Petronas Twin Tower commenced. After the final encasement in steel and glass, the structure was finally completed in June 1996. In fact, from 1998 to 2004, Petronas Twin Tower were the tallest buildings in the world.

For reaching Petronas Twin Tower, it is best to first access Kuala Lumpur via air. After that, in order to reach Petronas Twin Tower, the best suggestion is to board a train from any station within Klang Valley area and then make your way to KLCC Station (KJ10). Visitors should note that the visiting days of Petronas Twin Tower are Tuesday to Sunday from 9.00 am – 9.00 pm. Also, the sale of tickets is limited. Thus, visitors ought to plan their visit accordingly as Petronas Twin Tower remains closed on Monday.

As far as the climate in Kuala Lumpur is concerned, where Petronas Twin Tower is situated the temperature is more or less constant throughout the year. From October to March, Kuala Lumpur usually experiences warm and sunny climate along with abundant rainfall. The maximums temperature is usually in the range between 31 and 33 °C. June and July are relatively dry months in Kuala Lumpur. Travel enthusiasts suggest that it is best avoid the months of April, September, October and November. Other than these months, Kuala Lumpur and Petronas Twin Tower can be visited any time of the year.

The floor plate of the Towers is based on geometric patterns frequently observed in the architecture of Islamic heritage. The entrance lobbies have been tastefully decorated using contemporary Malaysian motifs such as ‘songket’ and timber carvings. The floor design has been laid in a traditional ‘mengkuang’ weave mat design.

The moment you enter Petronas Twin Tower, there will be a 3-d auditorium where Polaroid spectacles will be loaned to you. Here, you will be acquainted about the construction and concept of Petronas Twin Towers. After the security check, the in-house Petronas guide will give you a short introduction about your visit. A guide is allotted to every group who stays throughout the stay at the bridge to answer any questions you may have. If you happen to visit Petronas Twin Tower on a windy day, it is likely that you get to experience the sway of tall buildings.

For Indians in particular, planning a trip to Malaysia for a vacation is a convenient option as compared to any other destination. And when you visit Kuala Lumpur, make it a point to visit Petronas Twin Tower!