People enjoying morning activities at Taman Bandaran Kelana Jaya. — RAJA FAISAL HISHAN/The Star
Trade traffic noise for tranquility at these parks across the country – a compilation of our favourite destinations to unplug and recharge
IN THE midst of Malaysia’s urban sprawl, there are still places that offer weary folk an idyllic respite from the day-to-day hustle and bustle.
The spots – from parks, reservoirs and forests to seafront promenade – provide a quick escape and some much needed “me time” surrounded by nature, including the occasionally mischievous monkeys.
If you are looking for some green healing, check out these spots suggested by the StarMetro team.
Most are within easy reach and offer a variety of recreational activities including book kiosks, picnics, flora appreciation, fishing as well as walking and biking.
Picturesque stop: A park-goer posing for a photo at Taman Botani Perdana, Kuala Lumpur with Menara Merdeka 118 in the background. — ESTHER CHANDRAN/The Star
Taman Botani Perdana, Kuala Lumpur
There is no shortage of things to do at this expansive city park, which dates back to 1888 as Kuala Lumpur’s Lake Gardens.
The park is alive from before sunrise until nightfall, drawing walkers, joggers and families alike.
Visitors can stroll, jog or run along shaded paths, lay out a picnic, practise yoga, relax beneath a gazebo or simply soak in the tranquillity of the surroundings.
This 91ha park, often regarded as Kuala Lumpur’s green pride, is home to landscaped gardens, towering trees, native and rare species, a wide variety of herbaceous plants, as well as man-made waterfalls and picturesque lakes.
Squirrels, birds, butterflies and lizards have made the park their home, adding to its charm.
Among the park’s attractions are its Sunken Garden, Orchid Garden, Bamboo Playhouse at Cycad Island and Hibiscus Garden, while nearby are parks where you can enjoy seeing deer, birds and butterflies.
Each visit promises something new to discover in this vast tropical sanctuary, making for a rewarding nature escape. — ESTHER CHANDRAN
Taman Rekreasi Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur
My favourite green space is the recreational park in Bukit Jalil, near my home.
The area, in the vicinity of the National Stadium, features a lake with lots of fishes, walking trails, playgrounds and outdoor gyms.
There are also reflexology paths and a number of gazebos where visitors can sit and rest.
The sound of gurgling streams from surrounding water features makes these gazebos a good place for meditation.
There are also monkeys here, and watching them at play is quite therapeutic.
However, one boldly snatched an ice-cream right out of my hand!
I must admit that this happened after I asked “do you want an ice-cream?”.
So a word of advice to all visiting green spaces: Enjoy them but keep an eye on your food! — GRACE CHEN
Taman Dusun Bandar, Kuala Lumpur
I prefer smaller parks like Taman Dusun Bandar, situated in Jalan Bellamy, behind the former Istana Negara that has been turned into Muzium Diraja.
The 7.7ha park, created within an orchard setting, is an underrated space that offers quiet idyll in a cacophonous capital.
Popular for jogging and picnics, the park also plays a role in fostering education about landscaping and horticulture.
However, it could do with improvements such as better signage and labelling of trees, while amenities like toilets, drinking water facilities and benches also required attention.
The last time I was there, some of the plants seemed not to be in good health and there were visible signs of neglect in parts of the orchard, so I hope to see the park bloom again soon. — BAVANI M
Walkers on a hiking trail at Bukit Kiara. — File photo
Bukit Kiara, Kuala Lumpur
Bukit Kiara’s green expanse encompasses three sections and plenty of options for nature enjoyment.
The small Taman Awam Bukit Kiara at its south has walking paths around ponds, and a field the size of a football pitch where children can run to their hearts’ content.
Closer to the Taman Tun Dr Ismail residential area is Taman Persekutuan Bukit Kiara with gazebos, jogging tracks, reflexology path, picnic spots and open areas for group exercise around streams and a lake.
Parts of the park are still accessible despite ongoing upgrading works, so visitors should be aware of their surroundings at all times.
Making up the larger part of this precious green lung is Bukit Kiara Hill Walk that offers some 100m of ascent on the tarred path, and more if you are keen enough to take to the trails.
Hiking and trail running are popular pastimes within this dense forest area, with major paths clearly marked out snaking around the hills.
There are loops from as short as 3km and longer routes that hit Penchala in the north, while the intrepid ones can take a hike all the way to Sri Bintang near Desa Parkcity.
These are shared paths, so do watch out for mountain bikers, especially on the fast downhill sections. — EZANOR MK
Taman Bandaran Kelana Jaya, Petaling Jaya, Selangor
I’m fortunate to live right next to this 42ha oasis in Petaling Jaya’s SS7.
It features a jogging track that runs all the way around the seven lakes.
There are also several sports facilities, including a small skate park.
A permit is needed if you want to fish at the lake, which also hosts remote-control boat races.
Situated right by the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) stadium and municipal pool, the park is very popular on weekends, especially with families.
The best part is the low-key atmosphere in this green space – no one gives a second look if you are not in branded athletic attire or if you’re not very fit.
Everyone here is just out to get some exercise.
Just be aware of the mosquitoes, and the lake water tends to rise quite a bit during the rainy season. — N. SHASHI KALA
Taman Rekreasi Wawasan, Puchong, Selangor
Spanning about 8.09ha within the township of Puchong, this park is a place joggers love.
The 1.5km loop winds around a calm lake, with the air offering fresh scents of grass and water.
There are also sports facilities like basketball courts and futsal court, while the park is also known for woodball, a sport played on 12 fairways, or gates, with a dedicated course laid out across the open grass.
Around the park are small wooden libraries built by retired headmaster Lee Kim Siew, filled with books from his own collection and those of his late wife.
Each site bears the stamp “Lee & Gan Library Kuala Lumpur”, keeping alive her presence and sharing the couple’s love of reading with the public. — MEGAT SYAHAR
Taman Jaya Park, Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Growing up next to this green lung in Petaling Jaya, which everyone called the “garden”, was wonderful.
The park, framed around a large lake with plenty of trees, wide pathways and lots of play equipment, gave me my happiest memories.
Running around the undulating terrain with the evening breeze against my face was sheer fun.
I will never forget the thrill of getting a kite up in the air or just lying on my back under the tree canopy listening to the birds or seeing a squirrel jump from branch to branch.
The park has since undergone upgrade works and topography changes, but it still captivates with its tranquil atmosphere, offering a peaceful urban escape for relaxation, exercise and a place for family picnics.
It is a beloved green oasis in the city. — EDWARD RAJENDRA
Maya Park in Eco Ardence, Setia Alam, Selangor
A green space with a manmade lake complete with a fountain at its heart, the 800m-long path surrounding the body of water is a favourite with residents for evening walks and jogs.
Not only does this park feature Instagrammable spots with art installations, gazebos and a flock of ducks roaming around, there are also shops just steps away to take a break, grab a bite or a cuppa or do a grocery run before heading home. — EVELYN TEO
Tranquility in immense doses within Taman Negeri Rompin. — VICKY OOI/The Star
Taman Negeri Rompin, Pahang
This Pahang state park, which shares forest cover with Johor, is where you can disconnect from the world, because there is no Wi-Fi even at the resort-style accommodation!
You can’t help but be immersed in the wonders of the 130-million-year-old rainforest here, and indulge in philosophical reflection, even when you’re picking leeches off you after a trek. — VICKY OOI
Hutan Bandar Mutiara Rini, Iskandar Puteri, Johor
This 25ha urban forest is popular among the young and old for exercise and recreational activities.
It also has book kiosks, allowing visitors to pick up reading material for their downtime.
Its strategic location – in the middle of the Taman Mutiara Rini development area in Skudai and next to the main route to Gelang Patah and Iskandar Puteri – makes it a popular spot for residents in the surrounding housing estates.
The park houses more than 200 species of forest trees and is equipped with facilities such as playgrounds, remote-control car tracks, indoor and outdoor gyms, artificial lake with a floating stage, jogging track and wide spaces for recreational activities like zumba. — Nelson Benjamin, Johor bureau
Tourists taking wefies at one of the installations in Putuo Village. — THOMAS YONG/The Star
Putuo Village, Kulai, Johor
Once a modest Buddhist sanctuary, Putuo Village has grown into a tranquil green retreat set within a bamboo forest in Kulai.
Today, visitors can unwind along shaded walkways, enjoy the calm temple surroundings or take a quiet break at the cafe, making it a popular weekend escape from the city.
Its scenic bamboo backdrops have also made it a popular spot for photo shoots, especially wedding portraits. — VENESA DEVI, Johor bureau
Gurney Bay in Penang is popular for family and recreation-oriented facilities as well as views. — File photo
Gurney Bay, Penang
Formerly open sea, this site on reclaimed land has been transformed into Malaysia’s largest seafront city park, now a well-loved venue for family recreation and casual strolls.
Gurney Bay will eventually cover 40ha.
Phase 1, opened in February last year, spans 11.2ha and features an elevated viewing deck, children’s playground, skate park, retail kiosks and a long waterfront promenade.
Beyond recreation, visitors come for the sweeping views of Penang’s northeastern coastline.
Phase 2 is under construction, with future plans including a hawker centre, multi-level carpark, lookout points, a water-taxi jetty, beach, boardwalk and water garden.
It is a welcome space to get away from the stress of city life. — TAN SIN CHOW, Penang bureau
Bulatan Sultan Azlan Shah, a popular space for events and recreational activities. — Courtesy of Perbadanan Kemajuan Negeri Perak
Bulatan Sultan Azlan Shah, Ipoh, Perak
Opened to the public in 2016, this park within a roundabout has grown into one of Perak’s most recognisable urban spaces, anchoring the modern township of Bandar Meru Raya.
Designed to serve as both a major traffic node and recreational green space – a combination still relatively rare in Malaysian city planning – the 7.3ha area features jogging and cycling loops, open spaces for workouts and casual sports, children’s play areas and pop-up recreational features.
A vibrant food truck scene offering popular Perak street fare has also become a defining feature, alongside a growing picnic culture, particularly on weekends and during festive seasons.
The park also serves as a major venue for large-scale events and community programmes, with bazaars and fireworks among the highlights.
With its blend of recreation, culture, events and community life, the area plays a central role in shaping Bandar Meru Raya as a functional yet people-focused township. — MANJIT KAUR, Perak bureau
Taman Rekreasi Sultan Abdul Aziz, Ipoh, Perak
This park, more popularly known as the Polo Ground from its origins for the sport in the 1960s, is one of the more popular green lungs and recreational spots for Ipoh folk of all ages.
Named after the 31st Sultan of Perak, the park off Jalan Brash features a lake surrounded by trees, with facilities including pavilions, exercise equipment, a futsal court, a jogging track and play area for children.
Mornings will usually see people exercising while enjoying the fresh air.
There is also ample parking in the surrounding area, making it perfect for a weekend outing or picnics. — IVAN LOH, Perak bureau
Eye-catching red bridge at Reservoir Park in Kuching. — ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE/The Star
Reservoir Park, Kuching, Sarawak
This park in the heart of Kuching city is surrounded by greenery, making it a wonderfully serene spot for walking, jogging or just relaxing amid nature.
It has two small lakes filled with koi and turtles, and a distinctive red bridge that is a popular spot for photography.
With jogging paths, shady trees and gazebos perfect for picnics, it is a family-friendly green expanse that offers a balm for harried senses. — SHARON LING, Sarawak bureau
