PUTRAJAYA
Putrajaya is Malaysia's third and latest Federal Territory. Built on an expansive marshland and former oil palm estate in Selangor, the city spans an area of almost 5,000 hectares and lies 25 km from Kuala Lumpur. Putrajaya takes over the administrative functions of the capital city Kuala Lumpur and is part of the Multimedia Super Corridor project of the Malaysian government.
From marbled minarets to the trim gardens, it's immediately clear that Putrajaya is a planned city – a marvel of engineering that is rather missing a soul. At its heart is a 6-sq-km artificial lake fringed by landscaped parks and an eclectic mix of buildings and bridges, best viewed when illuminated at night.
Things to do in the city:
1. Putra Mosque
Putra Mosque is the main mosque of the Federal Territory of Putrajaya. Opened to the public in 1999, Putra Mosque is located in a strategic area in Putrajaya, near the current Prime Minister’s office, the Putra Square and Putrajaya Lake.
Although it is not as shiny as the Crystal Mosque in Kuala Terengganu, the architecture of the Putra Mosque is eye-catching, and it’s complete with minarets, domes and interior patterns. The mosque was built using rose-tinted granite. Its minarets, on the other hand, are influenced by the design of Iraq’s Sheikh Omar Mosque. The minarets are among the tallest in the region.
There are three main functional areas throughout the Putra Mosque complex. They are the function rooms and learning facilities, the prayer hall, and the Sahn (courtyard). At any time, the mosque can accommodate up to 15,000 worshippers.
2. Putrajaya Lake
Enjoy the magnificent scenery of the lake on foot, rent a bicycle, or take a boat ride around the lake. It is a popular jogging and picnic spot for locals staying nearby, most of whom are civil servants working in Putrajaya. From time to time, you might even have a chance to watch some water sports activities like water surfing, jet skiing, boat races and many others.
3. Putrajaya Wetlands Park
If you’re looking for a place to cycle, spot birds, or have a picnic, then Putrajaya Wetlands Park is the place to be. The wetlands park is not just a top attraction for birdwatchers and researchers but also a main Ecohydrology Demonstration Site as recognised by UNESCO.
Putrajaya Wetlands Park is one of the largest man-made freshwater wetlands in the tropics. Climb up the observation tower at the park to get a better view of the entire area. Remember to bring your binoculars to see the different type of birds. Over 100 species of birds can be found here and among them are Buffy Fish Owls, Purple Swamphen, Swans and Jungle Fowls. Also, drop by the plant nursery nearby if you’re curious to learn more about various species of rare plants.
4. Millenium Monument
What do Washington Monument and Millennium Monument have in common? Well, both monuments have similar architecture. The Millennium Monument in Putrajaya is shaped like an obelisk. For history lovers, this is a significant monument which speaks volumes about the country’s milestones and important periods from Post-Independence up to present times.
Millennium Monument also plays an important role to the cruise boats at the lake nearby. The lights from the monument are the main guide for the cruise boats at night. Built using solid metal structures, this is a monument out of the ordinary and you need to get a 360° view of it.