10 must see parks in Kuala Lumpur

Diverse, picturesque, and full of life, Kuala Lumpur is blessed with many exciting attractions, like the 400-year-old Batu Caves, Merdeka Square, and the majestic Petronas Twin Towers, the world’s tallest twin skyscrapers. It’s a large and densely populated city with millions of tourists each year, so it’s easy to get lost in the crowd and be overwhelmed with so many things going on around you.

Suppose you’re a local looking for a quiet escape from your chaotic city life or a visitor who wants a different perspective on this magnificent Malaysian capital. In that case, there’s no better place to go than the gardens and parks in Kuala Lumpur.

Many KL parks are within the city centre, and though they’re close to the buzz of the city, they offer a perfect balance of natural greenery and modern features for a stylish yet serene atmosphere. As you venture further, you’ll find more peaceful and quiet parks in Kuala Lumpur for a much-needed retreat to nature.

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KL Forest Eco Park

Formerly known as Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve, KL Forest Eco Park is Kuala Lumpur’s only naturally occurring rainforest and one of Malaysia’s oldest forests. It covers an area of around nine hectares, with interwoven walking and jogging trails. It’s located in the heart of the city, offering a place of rest, fresh air, and a natural refuge for small mammals and birds.

Visitors frequent the Forest Eco Park for a quick hike or stroll. It’s conveniently located near several major tourist spots, including the renowned Menara Kuala Lumpur Tower, which stands 421 meters tall. Recently, a canopy walk opened at the park, allowing locals and tourists to experience the beauty of nature and its lush greenery even in the wee hours.

The park also serves as the city’s green lung, home to diverse flora and fauna you’ll only find in the nation’s tropical forest. If you plan to come here during your trip to Malaysia’s capital, you must take precautionary measures because some slops along the trails are pretty steep.

Perdana Botanical Garden

Founded in 1888, Lake Gardens Park is the most popular and oldest park in Kuala Lumpur. In 2011, it was revamped as Perdana Botanical Garden, with more rare and exotic plants and trees. Despite its vastness at 91.6 hectares and central location in the city’s beating heart, many haven’t ventured into this huge park.

Close to KL Sentral, the park is set around a large lake and contains manicured and sculpted gardens, a playground, and a host of other interesting attractions. The newly added waterfall will give you an authentic tropical rainforest feel. It’s easy to spot as you enter the Fernarium and walk among the ferns on both sides of the boardwalk. At the edge of the Heliconia Garden is a fish pond and a small waterfall, offering a cooling spot to rest from your walks.

Perdana Botanical Gardens is undoubtedly a plant lover’s paradise with themed gardens, tropical flower collections, fruit trees, hybrid flowers, and walking paths between lush greenery. It also has an amphitheater for cultural performances and rehearsals that can accommodate up to 300 people, equipped with basic facilities like a speaker, stage, theater seating and lighting.

KL Deer Park

Are you intrigued by the fascinating deer but don’t see many of them in the wild? Head to Deer Park, which is part of the Botanical Garden. The two-acre park is home to different types of deer, including axis deer, sambar deer, and fallow deer. There are also walking paths built with the visitors’ convenience in mind.

The park’s main attraction would be the mousedeer, the world’s smallest hoofed animal. Also known as the chevrotain, the mousedeer is an incredibly interesting species. It’s free admission, so you have no reason to skip this on your tour.

Kuala Lumpur Bird Park

If you’re already visiting Deer Park inside the expansive Perdana Botanical Garden, Bird Park is also worth a tour to enter the world of flying creatures. KL Bird Park is a tropical paradise for visitors and winged creatures, featuring four zones that offer different experiences.

The free-flight walk-in aviary consists of Zone 1 and 2, connected by bridges, where you’ll be greeted by various bird species flying freely and living in harmony. Witness the Indian Blue peacock’s courtship display and get a glimpse of the world’s largest pigeon species. Zone 3 is called the Hornbill Park, home to the majestic Rhinoceros Hornbill and other smaller hornbill species. The World of Parrots in Zone 4 is a crowd favorite, especially among kids, as they can interact with and feed the colorful parrots.

Check the schedule for the activities to make the most of your trip. The activity starts at 9:30 AM at Zone 4, where you can take photos with birds, and ends at 4 PM in the Waterfall Aviary for the Milky Stork Feeding. There are also food kiosks for refreshments and a gift shop for unique items and souvenirs.

KL Butterfly Park

Just beside Bird Park is another much-loved destination for residents and tourists. Kuala Lumpur Butter Park is a lovely paradise where colorful butterflies dance in clumps of fern in the middle of flowering vines and scented flowers. It’s one of the world’s largest butterfly gardens covering over 80,000 square feet of landscaped garden. It is home to more than 5,000 butterflies, ferns, buttery-host plants, and exotic plants.

As you wander the garden, you’ll be fascinated by the butterflies of all colors, shapes, and sizes flying around the netted enclosure. Most of the park’s inhabitants are endangered or rare species transported from the country’s jungle habitats for preservation and protection. Outside the enclosure, you’ll find a small museum with key details on the preserved insects and butterfly species from around the world.

Central Park

Located in Desa ParkCity, one of Kuala Lumpur’s trendy developing townships, this recreational park is a preferred destination among residents and tourists looking to stay active. Central Park features tree-lined walkways and jogging paths surrounding a tranquil water feature in the middle.

Central Park in Kuala Lumpur welcomes everyone from different communities and all walks of life to go out and chill on the manicured lawns, breathe fresh air, and jog around the central lake. Besides the glorious lake scenery, there are park benches and a children’s playground with child-proof play equipment, so you can let your little ones be entertained for hours while you soak in the relaxing atmosphere at the park.

From a dead site for quarrying, the area was transformed into a scenic green space full of laughter and energy. Dog owners will also love its pet-friendly features, so you can take your furry friend for a walk, socialize, and make new friends. Adjacent to the park is The Waterfront, a retail and entertainment hub offering exciting shopping and dining opportunities.

KLCC Park

Of course, no visit to the capital of Malaysia is complete without visiting KLCC Park, one of the best recreational parks in Kuala Lumpur. Nestled among the soaring skyscrapers in the bustling Kuala Lumpur City Centre, the park is an interesting contrast that creates a calm environment in the middle of the chaos of the city. It boasts a unique combination of natural elements like stones, woods, trees, and shrubs and manmade features, like an artificial lake, water fountain, children’s playgrounds, and other features that attract tourists and residents.

The KLCC Park is ideal for those who need a quick break from sightseeing or shopping at nearby malls and shopping centers. With gigantic buildings and remarkable architecture around you, you won’t be far from all the modern conveniences while still feeling close to nature.

The park’s prominent feature is the Lake Symphony, a 10,000-square-foot manmade lake. It is especially gorgeous at night as the musical fountains display more than 150 programmed animations in enchanted sound and water performances. The As-Syakirin is another remarkable attraction, considered the park’s architectural jewel and a welcome addition to its cultural vibrancy and serenity. Other park features include a children’s playground, resting benches, a jogging track, and waterfalls.

Taman Bukit Jalil

Drive 15 kilometers south of the central city, and you’ll find one of the best parks in Kuala Lumpur for outdoor activities like jogging, walking, running, and working out. This recreational park includes an outdoor gym, steep hills, and lengthy jogging trails for visitors to exercise outdoors and explore the local ecosystem.

Taman Bukit Jalil covers an 80-acre site with a gently sloping terrain. The steeper slopes are suitable for those looking for more vigorous exercise, but if you’re not here to sweat, you can always picnic with loved ones or have a romantic walk along the shorter trail. There’s also a heliconia garden, a play area for children, lakes, a reflexology path, and a dedicated space for those with mobility issues. But one of its best offerings is the international garden with show gardens that represent ten countries.

Permaisuri Lake Garden

Permaisuri Lake Gardens (Taman Tasik Permaisuri) is another beautiful park featuring 14 acres of lake with small islands within. It’s about fourteen minutes from the city center, making it the perfect getaway from your monotonous city life. Here, you can enjoy clean air and unwind before returning to your hectic schedules.

The area is filled with shrubs and low trees, beautifying the park and providing shade from the sun. The shady spots around the lake are perfect for picnics and relaxation while admiring the surroundings and the lilies and lotus flowers. There are also jogging tracks, a synthetic grass football field for those who want to play sports, exercise stations, open field areas, and a playground.

Besides the lake, its major attraction is Laman Iskandar Puteri, a charming garden characterized by the Malay Royal Parks tradition. It has lovely flowers and a fountain.

Kepong Metropolitan Park

Located near Batu Caves, north of central Kuala Lumpur, Kepong Metropolitan Park is a favored destination for runners and joggers. It has long off-road jogging paths and a 2.4-mile loop around the 250-acre lake, allowing you to run and jog with water views. There are also other shorter offshoot paths for beginners or those who just want a leisure stroll around the water feature.

But what makes it even more popular among locals are the kite-flying activities it offers daily. It’s common to spot locals and kite enthusiasts showing off their skills in flying massive kites of all colors, shapes, and designs; some are even as big as thirty feet. It has a vast field parallel to the main road designed for kite flying. More trees and barriers have even been removed to achieve a clearance of at least 100 meters for colorful kites to take off.

Don’t have a kite on a windy day at the park? Don’t fret, as there are kite sellers outside the park. Other facilities here include a football field, a pavilion, a playground, a viewing tower, and a remote control car track.

Visit the best parks and natural wonders of Kuala Lumpur

No matter what part of the city you go to, you’ll only be a few steps away from stunning parks, forests, and other natural wonders. Besides the flowers, trees, and shrubs, most parks in Kuala Lumpur are built around a lake, whether natural or man-made, which adds to the soothing and peaceful atmosphere.

Do you want to do more activities on your remaining days in Malaysia’s buzzing capital on a budget? See our guides on 6 beaches near Kuala Lumpur and the top 12 free things to do in Kuala Lumpur, and choose your favorite adventures.