KUALA LUMPUR
THOUGH the Federal Government administration offices have been
moved to her younger sister, Putrajaya, Kuala Lumpur, or KL as it's fondly
referred to, will always have her place of prominence. KL is likely to be the
most important city in Malaysia and an increasingly important international
city for a long time to come.
GOING BACK
TO OLD KL
Follow the
city's heritage trail that will take you back to the very confluence of the two
rivers - Gombak and Kelang - that gave KL its name.
* Masjid
Jamek: It is located exactly at the convergence of the Kelang and Gombak
rivers. The stately mosque is the oldest in the city.
* Dataran
Merdeka: The square has a special place in the hearts of all Malaysians. For
this was where the Union Jack was lowered for the last time in 1957.
Surrounding the area are historical buildings like Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad
and the Old City Hall and the tallest flag pole in the world.
* Central
Market (Pasar Seni): The centre is a popular spot for those who want to get a
glimpse of Malaysian art and craft. Craft demonstrations are held occasionally.
* Istana
Negara: The palace is the official residence of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the
constitutional monarch and paramount ruler of Malaysia. It was built in 1928 by
a Chinese millionaire and occupied by Japanese officers during the Japanese
occupation of Malaya. Visitors can witness the changing of the guards daily at
the main gate. The palace is not open to the public.
* Kampung
Baru: Founded in the late 19th century, Kampung Baru is KL's oldest residential
area. And it is also the only original Malay enclave in the heart of
the city. Though KL has been modernised, the kampung still maintains a strong
rural-like charm with its many traditional Malay houses. Come here
for the Pasar Minggu (weekend market), which starts from late afternoon on
Saturday and finishes early on Sunday morning.
* Petaling
Street (Chinatown): For whatever reasons, Petaling Street is a good place to
start shopping and looking around. The busiest spot in town, Petaling Street
preserves its shopping ambience the same way it was done and built decades ago.
Walk through the rows of pre-war buildings and you might just bump into
something interesting - all kinds of goods or hawker food.
*
Brickfields: The place is a bustling shopping haven for everything Indian -
from food to textiles, spices to ceremonial offerings.
OGLING AT
MODERN KL
Amid its
old-world charm, KL is a modern sophisticated city. Its modern buildings and
transport and road systems make it a real joy to just wander around, while
sightseeing, shopping and eating can be done anywhere.
* National
Science Centre: It is located in the quieter outskirts of KL at Bukit Kiara.
This national landmark has more than a thousand interactive exhibits to help
visitors gain and appreciate a love for science.
* Tasik
Perdana: This is a huge green lung for KL folk. The Lake Gardens is the oldest
in the city and is a big area to cover in a day. There is a handful of tourist
attractions around the lake, so much so that there is a tram service provided
for visitors' convenience. Come and plan your day to cover all. There are:
* Masjid
Negara: The National Mosque is the start of your tour around the Lake Gardens.
* Tugu
Negara: This immense bronze structure was built as a memorial to the soldiers
who gave up their lives for their country. This sculpture depicts seven
soldiers holding the Malaysian flag, each symbolising one of seven qualities -
unity, strength, leadership, sacrifice, courage, suffering and vigilance.
* Muzium
Negara: The majestic Malay-influenced building has been the landmark in
the area for a long time. It exhibits everything about Malaysian culture and
lifestyle.
* National
Planetarium: The planetarium houses space science and astronomy exhibits, a
theatre screening 3-D movies, a viewing gallery and an observatory.
* Parks and
gardens: There are several parks here, including the KL Bird Park, Orchid
Garden, Hibiscus Garden and Herbal Garden. The KL Bird Park is said to be the
largest walk-in free-flight aviary in the world.
IRRESISTIBLE
KL SHOPPING AND DINING
Shopping is
simply great in KL. Just choose one area to suit your budget and preferences.
Either go to the full-blown shopping malls around town or the typical Asian
markets - night markets or flea markets, which are usually open during
weekends. Shopping areas are the ever-busy Bukit Bintang which has malls like
Berjaya Times Square, Lot 10, Starhill and others; Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman -
the oldest street in the city with unique shopping offerings; Bangsar with Mid
Valley Megamall and Bangsar Shopping Centre; and Petaling Street. In KL, food
shouldn't be any problem for anybody. Regardless of your palate, budget or
location, there is always something to eat. Go for high-end fine dining at the
many restaurants or choose humble open-air roadside stalls.
PUTRAJAYA
Putrajaya
may well become the country's most attractive city to live, work or visit. The
city is a stunningly well-planned combination of delightful landscapes and
buildings with scenic water features and parkland. Created as
Malaysia's first Intelligent Garden City, Putrajaya has the best potential to
be a city you will want to visit over and over again.
ARCHITECTURAL
WONDERS
Architecturally,
Putrajaya is an indigenous city with a modern look. Go around the city and ogle
at the structures - beautiful buildings, bridges, monuments and even street
lamps!
* Dataran
Putra: The 300-metre circular Dataran Putra serves as a unique transition
between the ceremonial area and the parks. It has concentric stars representing
the states of Malaysia and is adorned with light and water features. The
highlight here is the Chahar Baghs or the recreation of Eden with its four
quadrants and four rivers. The Chahar Baghs is a carefully arranged interplay
of paths, water channels, trees and flowerbeds.
* Putrajaya
International Convention Centre: PICC has state-of-the-art conference
facilities at par with other international conference centres, such as in
London, Tokyo and Paris. The design is based on the traditional pending perak
(a silver Malay royal belt buckle) and wau bulan (moon kite). The
walls are mainly made of glass to allow in more sunlight.
* Perdana
Putra: This is the main administrative office of the Prime Minister, Deputy
Prime Minister, Ministers and Deputy Ministers in the Prime Minister's
Department, Chief Secretary to the Government as well as the Special Units.
This majestic structure has a combination of Islamic and Mogul architecture
featuring striking green domes.
* Seri
Perdana: The official and private home of the Prime Minister. The public are only
allowed on a guided tour to the reception and banquet block, which serves the
formal guest areas. The residence block is the private home of the Prime
Minister and his family.
SIGNATURE
BRIDGES
* Seri
Perdana Bridge: It connects Precinct 2 on the Core Island to the residential
area of Precinct 8. Looking like a sail ship, the bridge is designed with eight
rest areas for visitors to enjoy the breathtaking scenery of the surrounding
lake area that includes the Prime Minister's Office and Masjid Putra.
* Seri
Gemilang Bridge: It connects Heritage Square with Putrajaya Convention Centre.
It is also known as a ceremonial bridge.
* Seri
Saujana Bridge: It is a new concept of the cable-stayed arch bridge, which connects
the Core Island (Precinct 4) to the Precinct 7.
* Seri
Bestari Bridge: It is a large bridge in Putrajaya, spanning the lake and the
promenades and connects Precinct 16 and Wisma Putra on the west side on Core
Island.
MAN-MADE
NATURAL WONDERS
Intelligent
Garden City as it is, Putrajaya has placed around its boundaries vast parks of
special interest.
* Taman
Botani: It is the largest botanical garden in the country, divided into three
sections - flowers, ornamental plants and preservation/research - over 92ha. It
has been designed as an arcadia or a national sanctuary for the Malaysian
living collection of plant taxonomy as well as a centre for education and
research. Taman Botani has over 700 species of local plants as well as those
from African and Asia Pacific regions.
* Taman
Warisan Pertanian: The park is designed to showcase Malaysian commercial
agricultural development, featuring more than 170 plant and tree species,
including crops such as rubber, cocoa, oil palm as well as fruits, herbs and
spices. You should come during fruit seasons, or otherwise try rubber tapping,
latex collection and many other activities. It also has a Rubber, Pepper and
Coffee Processing Demonstration Centre and a visitor's complex housing souvenir
shops, cafe and fruit stalls
* Taman
Wawasan: Taman Wawasan is a recreational park located in Precinct 2 and
bordered by Putrajaya lake and a canal. Among its attractions are the Aviary,
Park Promenade and Three-Theme Adventure Playgrounds (park, water and forest).
Other facilities include light beacons, wakaf and shelters and jogging tracks.
* Taman
Rimba Alam: The park is a display of urban forestry combining tropical forest
eco-system with a metropolitan recreational park. There are a Forest Education
Centre, camping ground, look-out tower, jungle trail and mounted police stable.
* Taman
Wetlands: The Wetlands Park and the wetland areas here form the largest
artificial freshwater wetlands in the tropics and is the first of its kind in
the country. The park has a nature interpretation centre, wetlands plant nursery,
flamingo pond and nature trails.
* Taman
Putra Perdana: It is located at the highest point in Precinct 1 and surrounded
by Persiaran Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah. This is among the best places
to enjoy a panoramic view of Putrajaya.
* Taman
Selatan: The park has been developed as the green gateway from the south of
Putrajaya, incorporating cemeteries for Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus and
Christians. On the ground are religious pavilions, a memorial centre housing a
Memorial Wall and Exhibition Area and Challenge Park, among others.
SHOPPING AND
DINING AT THE INTELLIGENT CITY
Shopping and
dining at Putrajaya are done in a modern fashionable way. Shop at Alamanda
Shopping Centre, Putrajaya's one-stop shopping complex. Located at Precinct 1,
this lifestyle mall has a variety of shops, restaurants, bowling alleys and
food court. For something exotic, head to Anjung and Lanai where restaurants,
bookshops, convenience stores and handicraft shops are located.
Eating out
is another affair in Putrajaya. There is a unique blend of indoor and outdoor
dining experience for diners. You can choose to dine and shop at Souq, which is
located at the lower level of Putra Mosque. It has more than 50 stalls offering
food items, accessories, exotic gifts, handicraft and souvenirs of Putrajaya.
Modern and contemporary dining can be had at Selera Putra food hall located at
the Promenade, Dataran Putra in Precinct 1.
MUST-DO'S
* Walk
across the Skybridge of Petronas Twin Towers
Be part of
the famed towers. But you have to start queuing at the checkpoint which is
located at the lower ground floor of Suria KLCC to get a ticket. Only a limited
number of visitors are allowed per day. So, go with an open heart (even to
accept disappointment)!
* Walk on
the walkways of Water Villages
* Cruise Tasik Putrajaya
The best way
to see and experience the splendour of Putrajaya is on a cruise boat or the
gondola-like vessels. The vessels are uniquely designed in the style of
local Malay traditional perahu. Take a leisurely cruise to see and
marvel at the city's many stunning landmarks and experience the breathtaking
sights of Putrajaya from a unique perspective.
www.kualalumpur.gov.my
www.labuantourism.com.my
www.ppj.gov.my
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