Jalan-jalan in Putrajaya
I was going to write about Putrajaya at a later date but my tracker revealed that someone from Australia searching for "from singapore to kl shopping tour", visited this blog recently and stayed a decent amount of time in the Kuala Lumpur day trip write-up.
I was really excited to see an organic search engine traffic that I felt compelled to write an article about my fave tourist destination near Kuala Lumpur (KL), one which most KL visitors fail to visit. This one's for you, aussie reader--I just couldn't let you go to KL/Malaysia without ensuring you see Putrajaya!¹ :-)
The first time I saw Putrajaya, I was blown away, transported to a different place. I'm not really sure how to put it in writing; the quiet, the scenery, the light, and the wind--it all blended and created a surreal moment for me and it felt like I was in foreign land.²
To put it in a less dramatic way, I've never been exposed to Islamic architecture, and seeing a concentration of mosque, domed buildings, intricate Islamic-influenced details in one place, created a surreal moment for me err, was really, uhm... awesome! Seriously, though, I've been enchanted by the place since the first time I saw it, so much so, that I bring family and friends there whenever I'm asked to be their KL guide.
What exactly is Putrajaya??
Good question. As Naz, a Malaysian friend who introduced me to Putrajaya, explained years back, Putrajaya is supposed to be the new center of government in Malaysia³, seating, among others, the prime minister's office and foreign embassies. Alhough the place is busier now (visited in July 2007 and again in Nov 2008) than when I first saw it in 2002 or 2003, the target residents have been slow in moving in. Streets and parking lots are nearly empty, and it seems that there are more tourists in the area than residents.
If you're like me, though, less crowd is actually a boon, especially that the infrastructures, such as wide roads, hotels, some restaurants, are already in place, and there's little convenience-wise to want for.
Things to do in Putrajaya
To me, the Islamic-influenced architectures is the best thing about Putrajaya, and the main attraction that draws me to the place. If you get tired of taking photos and looking at buildings, however, you can spend some time on the lake, canoeing or cruising. If you need some shade and nourishment, there's a food court near the mosque that offers a good selection of local food, desserts, and drinks. You can also drop by the seafood restaurant beside the lake or visit some of the posh hotels such as Marriott and Shangri-la, that have built fabulous accommodations in the area.
I'm probably not doing the Putrajaya justice by mentioning the places above so fleetingly. The truth is, I've canoed on the lake only once, and, though I've been there a few times, I've been to the same places that I've been to in 2002/2003. Before this article, I didn't even know that there were restaurants and hotels in the area. As I said, I was there for the buildings and structures! And you've got to trust me when I say, the buildings are enough!
Reading through various articles, however, it is obvious that there are many things that you can do in Putrajaya should you choose to do more. Different businesses have set up shop and more attractions and facilities will definitely spring up as the city matures and grows.
How to get to Putrajaya from Kuala Lumpur
By private car is the easiest of course. My Kuala Lumpur day tour article explains how you can get a car and a "free" tour guide to tour you around KL and Putrajaya.
If you have time, another option is to take the train from KL Sentral to the airport. This train leaves every 30 minutes and stops at Putrajaya. For RM9.50 one-way and RM15.00 return, the train can be a cheaper alternative to hiring a cab. From the Putrajaya station you can either hire a cab or take one of the intra-city bus services that ply the area.
I'll update you when I get a chance to explore Putrajaya more. In the meantime, here's the unofficial official Putrajaya website. It's a great site and will tell you everything you need to know to enjoy your Putrajaya trip, including Putrajaya intra-city bus services, routes, and schedules; details of buildings, parks, and other places to visit; and daily happenings and events in the new city. Have fun!Related Posts
Footnotes
¹ I would have written about KL shopping tour if I was a shopper. But I'm not, and shopping memories don't really stick. It's probably too late to make me a shopper but I'll try to impress (upon myself) those shopping experiences better!
² Well, technically, I was in a foreign land, BUT one can be in a foreign land and not feel "transported!"
³ Isn't this set-up a little risky, security-wise?? Just thinkin.
Filipinos don't need a tourist visa to enter Malaysia, Philippines and Malaysia being ASEAN members.
Fare is 50% cheaper when you buy it from Malaysia. To save, buy a one-way ticket from Singapore for the Singapore-Kuala Lumpur leg of your trip, and buy the return ticket in Kuala Lumpur. If you're returning via the train, take note that sleeping berths sell out fast so you may want to secure your sleeping berth tickets while in Singapore.
