Best Free Street Spot to Photograph the Petronas Towers – Jalan Yap Kwan Seng
TL;DR
Skip the rooftop bars - one of the best (and free) places to photograph the Petronas Towers is right on the street at Jalan Yap Kwan Seng & Jalan Ampang. It’s crowded, chaotic, and alive - but that’s what makes your shots unique. Perfect for both cityscapes and dramatic portraits.
Petronas Towers view from Jalan Yap Kwan Seng and Jalan Ampang intersection.
My Favourite Free Street Spot to Shoot the Iconic Petronas Towers
Every photographer who comes to Kuala Lumpur dreams of capturing the Petronas Towers. Some pay for rooftop bars, others book hotel stays with a view. But one of my personal favourites? It’s not hidden, it’s not expensive - it’s right out in the open, completely free, and very Kuala Lumpur.
The spot I’m talking about is the intersection of Jalan Yap Kwan Seng and Jalan Ampang, directly in front of NZ Curry House.
Why This Spot Works
Stand here, and the Petronas Towers rise straight ahead, framed beautifully by the bustle of the city. It’s not polished or curated like a park - it’s raw street photography at its best. You’ll see locals heading to dinner, taxis pulling up, and tourists stopping in their tracks to snap the same view.
Twilight at Petronas Towers - view from Jalan Yap Kwan Seng and Jalan Ampang intersection.
The Street Experience
I won’t sugarcoat it — the traffic here is crazy, especially during rush hour. Cars, bikes, buses, everyone’s honking. Add tourists into the mix and it feels chaotic. But that chaos? It’s what makes the shot unique. You’re capturing the towers in their real environment, the heartbeat of KL.
Best Time of Day
Petronas Towers and busy traffic - viewed from NZ Curry House street corner.
Sunset (6–7.30 PM): The golden hour here is unbeatable. The towers light up while the sky still holds color, and the street glow adds life to the frame. Although this is not Sunset spot, but if luck is on your side, you’ll get to experience the colours.
Night (8–9 PM): The towers sparkle against the dark sky, while car trails from traffic create stunning light streaks.
Petronas Towers at sunset viewed from NZ Curry House street corner. Although this is not a Sunset Spot, but when you are in luck, the sunset colours light up the building.
Portraits With the Towers as Your Backdrop
This spot isn’t just for landscapes. It works beautifully for portraits too - whether you’re a tourist, hobbyist, or even someone wanting a professional business portrait with an urban vibe.
Yes, you can shoot dramatic portraits here too - with nothing but streetlights, car trails, and the towers towering over you.
It proves you don’t always need a studio to create impactful images. Sometimes, the energy of the street does half the storytelling for you.
Gear & Tips
Behind the scene video of photographing the Petronas Towers at Sunset and Twilight
Lens Recommendation: Wide-angle lens (16–35mm) to capture both towers plus street context.
Tripod: Tricky to set up with the crowds, but worth it for long exposures at night.
Shutter Speed: Experiment with slow shutter to catch light trails from traffic.
Street Safety: Stay aware of your surroundings — it’s a busy junction.
Accessibility
This spot is easy to reach. The NZ Curry House is a well-known eatery, just a short walk from KLCC. You’ll often find other tourists and photographers here, so don’t be surprised if you’re not alone waiting for that perfect shot.
You can find the exact location in Google Map by searching NZ Curry House, Kuala Lumpur.
A Quick Word of Caution
If you’ve been around KLCC, you might come across photographer touts who approach tourists offering cheap, quick snapshots. While it might seem convenient, many visitors and locals have raised complaints about this hustle turning into a nuisance. You can read more in this Malay Mail report.
If you want photos that tell your story properly, it’s always better to work with someone who understands how to balance light, timing, and composition - not just someone waving an iPhone.
Final Thoughts
Petronas Towers and Light Trail from moving cars
Photographing the Petronas Towers isn’t only about symmetry and polish. Sometimes the best images come from the street — where the city’s energy meets the skyline. For me, the Jalan Yap Kwan Seng and Jalan Ampang intersection is one of those places.
If you want the authentic KL vibe in your photos — with the towers glowing above the rush of traffic and people — this is the spot to be.
Map showing Petronas Towers photography spot at Jalan Yap Kwan Seng & Jalan Ampang intersection.
If this helps you plan your next photo outing, make sure to follow me for more tips and hidden photography spots.
