NOVEMBER 2018 businesstraveller.comBeautiful
butterflies
and sleek
skyline
bars are
the order
of the
day in
Malaysia’s
vibrant
capital(^1) Perdana Botanical Garden
Perfect for shaking off the cobwebs
after a slew of morning meetings, Kuala
Lumpur’s oldest public park (1888)
offers the opportunity to lose yourself
amongst tropical f lora and fauna.
Wander the Hibiscus Garden and
Herbarium, passing the central enclosure
where a herd of deer roam freely. From
there, it’s a short walk through Perdana’s
lush gardens to the Bird Park, a public
aviary containing more than 3,000 birds,
with peaceful coffee breaks available
on the Hornbill Café’s veranda.
Alternatively, head over to the famous
Butterf ly Park, a tranquil spot where
vividly coloured insects live in harmony
with Japanese koi and freshwater
turtles within a lush landscaped
plantation.klbotanicalgarden.gov.
my;klbirdpark.com(open 9am-6pm
daily; admission RM67/US$16);
klbutterf lypark.com(open 9am-
6pm daily; admission RM24/US$5.8)
WORDS KATE FARR AND RACHEL READ
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(^2) Masjid Negara,
National Mosque of Malaysia
Leaving the Botanical Garden,
continue along Jalan Lembah until
you come to the Masjid Negara, on
your left. Opened in 1965 and since
restored in contemporary style,
this imposing building has capacity
for around 15,000 worshippers.
Known for its green-and-blue tiled
roof and 73-metre-tall minaret,
the country’s national mosque
is also notable for its 18-point
star-shaped dome, representing
all 13 of Malaysia’s states plus the
five pillars of Islam. Its sizeable
prayer hall is adorned with intricate
tiled mosaics, as well as colourful
stained-glass windows and
elaborate chandeliers. The mosque
welcomes non-Muslims outside
of prayer times, and robes and
headscarves are available to borrow.
masjidnegara.gov.my
Kuala Lumpur
1
(^3) Central Market and
Sin Sze Si Ya Temple
Crossing Jalan Kinabalu and the Klang
River, ten minutes’ walk brings you
to the art-deco Central Market, a
recognised heritage site. Built in 1928,
this former wet market was reinvented
as a hub for artisans and craftsmen
in the 1980s, and today is a major
independent shopping hub. Offering
traditional souvenirs such as batik and
decorative carvings, alongside original
Malaysian artworks and handmade
jewellery, there’s something here for
every taste and budget. The market’s
first f loor is the ideal spot to sample
Malay snacks, including the delicious
putu bambu, made from rice f lour,
pandan and coconut, steamed in a
hollowed-out bamboo stem. A short
distance farther along Lebuh Pudu
is the Sin Sze Si Ya Temple. Built in
1864, this is the oldest Taoist temple
in KL. centralmarket.com.my