Top 10 Facts about the KL Tower

KL Tower Kuala Lumpur photo By Salmiah La Suma Wikimedia

Top 10 Facts about the KL Tower.

The Kl tower (Kuala Lumpur Tower) is also known as the Menara Kuala Lumpur Tower. It is a 15-story and 421-meter tall telecommunications tower that provides a great view of the city. It’s recorded as the 7^th tallest building in the world, and also Southeast Asia and Malaysia’s tallest tower. It is located on Jalan Puncak which branches off from Jalan P. Ramlee.

The tower is the highest viewpoint in Kuala Lumpur that is open to the public. Races are also held in this tower annually where participants race up the stairs to the top. The amazing fact is that the tower acts as the Islamic Falak observatory to observe the crescent moon which marks the begging of the Muslim month of Ramadhan, Syawal and Zulhijah to celebrate the fasting month.

KL Tower construction began in 1991 and has a three-phase process towards its completion.  On 1 October 1991, the first phase began. It involved the widening of the Jalan Bukit Nana’s and the excavation of the soil from the construction site. This phase was completed on 1 August 1992.

On 1 July 1992, the second phase began, with the construction of the foundation and basement of the tower. The foundation work that required no pilling was completed on 1 April 1993. On May 1994 the third phase began, which was the construction of the superstructure. It started with the erection of the tower shaft.

As the finishing touches to the tower head were applied, the construction of the tourist building began. The Menara Kuala Lumpur was opened to the public on 23rd July 1996 and it was the tallest structure in Malaysia at the time of its completion. The Kuala Lumpur Tower has got many interesting facts. Some of the facts that make the KL tower an amazing, unique and interesting site for tourists are as mentioned below;

1. KL Tower is the 7^th Tallest Tower in the World

At its completion, it was the highest structure in Malaysia, the 7^th tallest tower in the world. It features an antenna that increases its height to 421 meters (1,381 feet).Its rooftop measures 335 meters (1,099 feet).

The other part of the tower below has an elevator and stairwell used to reach the upper area which contains a Revolving restaurant providing diners with a panoramic view of the city.

2. It has a Revolving Restaurant Rotating Atmosphere 360

The KL tower has a rotating food restaurant that has a height of over 280 meters. Although the restaurants are quite pricey the food is pretty good. They serve all types of food in the universe and so when you visit, you have all the choice of food you wish.

The section where the restaurant is located will give you a clear view of the city. So as you are enjoying your meals you will also get a chance to view the city from all corners without struggle.

3. KL Tower Architecture and Designs.

KL Tower Kuala Lumpur photo By Salmiah La Suma Wikimedia

 The tower was designed by Kumpulan Senireka and it’s now managed by Telekom Malaysia.  It has an Islamic architecture and design.

There are designs, tilling and other beautiful structural elements that reflect the culture of Malaysia and the religion of Islam. This is one of the remarkable facts that make the Kuala Lumpur Tower attractive to its visitors.

4. Great Sections of the KL Tower

KL Tower is divided into five sections; the antenna mast crowns the tower and it’s used for telecommunication and broadcasting transmissions, it also has a section that holds the Revolving restaurant, and the telecommunication and broadcasting stations.

The touristic building bears the administration office, Souvenir shops and a long pedestrian mall with cascading pools. The tower shaft has 22 levels with four elevators and flights of stairs. The other section is the foundation base houses with three basement floors for safety purposes, storage, and maintenance work.

5. It has Elevators to Ride up to the Observation Deck for a View of the City

Observation Deck at KL Tower Photo By Frostpolar Wikimedia

Visitors can ride elevators up to the observation deck for a view of the city. This makes it easy to reach the top and enjoy the great view and other activities that are placed high from the basement.

It is great how the tower has tour guides who guide and also translators making your visit worthwhile and enjoyable.

6. It Acts as the Islamic Falak Observatory.

The Islam’s use the KL tower as a  Falak observatory, to observe the crescent moon which marks the beginning of the Muslim month of Ramadan, Syawal and Zulhijjah, to celebrate the fasting month of Ramadhan, Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Aidiladha.

7. Jelutong Tree Monument Near KL Tower

When KL Tower was being constructed, builders were urged to take care to construct a retaining wall around a 100-year-old Jelutong tree.

 As a result, the tower had to be moved keenly to avoid harming the monumental tree which is located near the pedestrian mall and it cost RM 430, 000.

8. Serves as a Tourist Attraction

KL Tower Kuala Lumpur photo By Salmiah La Suma Wikimedia

Being the 7^th tallest tower in the world, tourists from other countries visit to enjoy various things such as the 360-degree view of the city. The tower provides a lift that takes passengers to the top to enjoy the view.

It takes 54 seconds to go up to the observation site and 52 seconds to come down. The touristic building bears the administration office, Souvenir shops and a long pedestrian mall with cascading pools.

9. Sports Activities held at KL Tower.

KL Tower holds annual races where participants race up the stairs to the top. It is all fun and people from other parts of the world visit to enjoy it. In May, the annual Towerthon event pits runners against the daunting 2,058-step ascent to the top of the tower.

In October, the KL Tower holds an international BASE jump event and sees 100 international lunatics leaping off the top of the tower and paragliding to the city below. Spectators sit at the top of the tower to watch.

10. KL tower Used for Broadcasting.

KL Tower is a member of the World Federation of Great Towers and is used by different organizations for broadcasting purposes. The purpose of its construction was to be used only for television broadcasting.

During the 3^rd face of its construction, Radio Antenna was constructed. The tower now broadcasts free-to-air terrestrial television station that uses the tower’s antenna. Some of the televisions include Radio Televisyen Malaysia, Media Prima Berhad and Alhijrah Media Corporation.