The best parks in KL to escape from the city

Dating back to 1888, Perdana Botanical Garden, previously known as Lake Gardens, is the city’s oldest and most popular public park. The garden, covering an area of over 200 acres, has a forest tree collection along with hundred-year-old heritage trees; manicured gardens with hibiscus and orchids; and lakes, where you might spot Japanese koi fishes, turtles, and otters. Within the grounds of Perdana Botanical Garden, the bird park is home to more than 3,000 birds of over 200 species. Meanwhile, the butterfly park, one of the largest in the world, spans over 80,000 sq ft of landscaped gardens with over 5,000 butterflies and butterfly-host plants.

Free tai chi and yoga sessions take place early most mornings. At the panggung, you might catch a cultural performance or a gig. The trails attract joggers and runners. There are cafés and gazebos, but most prefer relaxing on the green or with a picnic in the mornings or late afternoons.

Free tai chi and yoga sessions take place early most mornings. At the panggung, you might catch a cultural performance or a gig. The trails attract joggers and runners. There are cafés and gazebos, but most prefer relaxing on the green or with a picnic in the mornings or late afternoons.

After independence, the 66-acre Taman Tugu site was once home to Malaysian government officials including our longest-serving finance minister Tun Tan Siew Sin. Today, it is a not-for-profit public green space initiative led by Khazanah Nasional with easy forest trails suitable for beginners and all age groups. Along your trail(s), you’ll see 5,000 indigenous trees and 1,000 species of flora and fauna, including Malaysia's national tree, Merbau, and Jelutong and Tembusu, many measuring more than one meter in diameter and are possibly hundred-year-old.

Sign up for a two-hour nature education program guided by Free Tree Society; the session includes a talk, gardening workshop, and a jungle walk. On weekends, even if you’re not up for a walk or a hike through the trails, the nursery area with green lawns, tables and benches is ideal for taking in nature. There are buskers, community yoga and zumba, and pop-up stalls.

No list of best parks is complete without a mention of KLCC Park. In the heart of the city lies the green oasis KLCC Park, a sprawling space where visitors can while away weekends. 

It’s beloved by many for its amenities across an expanse of 50 acres: a children’s playground, a wading pool and jogging track, plus benches, shelters, and plenty of areas to pull up on a patch of grass and indulge in some people-watching or a picnic. In the early evening, crowds — locals and tourists alike — gather on the esplanade surrounding the 10,000 sq ft man-made lake to catch a magical symphony of sound, light and water. Time Out tip: The park has the perfect vantage point to take in the iconic Petronas Twin Towers.

At Taman Subang Ria, PARC is a community hub developed by Sime Darby Property in collaboration with the social enterprise, Epic Communities. A 7 ½-acre project with a built-up area of 19,400 sq ft, there’s something for everyone at PARC: multi-functional event spaces like huddle rooms for small meets, an open-air hall, and a lawn; cafés and eateries; calisthenic circuit and playground; and lakeside, lots of picturesque picnic spots. 

On-site, as a testament to its commitment to sustainability, PARC is finished with eco-friendly furnishings and features such as 114kW solar panels, recycled art and rainwater recycling systems. Beyond that, PARC has played host to bazaars, pop-up events and markets, workshops, and more. It’s the perfect park for morning sunrise jogs or yoga, followed by coffee at Unfold with views of the lake (where otters have occasionally been spotted too!).

It’s a 45-minute drive from Kuala Lumpur. Make a full day of it with mother nature at Taman Botani Negara Shah Alam, a national institution covering 817 ha to showcase the assemblage of plant species in Malaysia. Among the collections and themes on display are agricultural plants from cocoa and coffee to paddy fields and rubber trees; fruit trees; an ornamental garden; herbs, spices and medicinal gardens; an animal park with deers and ponies; lakes with fly-fishing and jogging tracks, and more. 

If you’re keen to discover more, a bicycle is the way to go; the paths are paved, and if you don’t have your own, the park has bicycles for rent. Aside from fly-fishing, one can canoe, kayak or paddle boat on the lake. Chalets are also available for overnight stays.

Bukit Jelutong Eco Community Park is one of Shah Alam’s best-kept secrets. Yes, it’s a bit of a distance from the city, but with an abundance of animals to pet, a lake, green and grassy expanses, hiking trails, and even a café, it rates pretty high on any nature lover’s list. Set up a spot to spread out a picnic; your little ones can run free with the park’s four-legged residents including ducks and geese, goats, and peacocks. Avid fishers should bring their rods as fishing is allowed at the lake. 

It’s a private park with free entry; you don’t get a lot of those around here, so be respectful of the environment i.e. don’t litter, help keep the park clean, and only feed the animals food pellets that are available for purchase at the entrance.

Known only as a terraced flower garden in the ’80s, the park has blossomed into a full-fledged 40-hectare recreational park, which now includes a massive lake, fountains and three outdoor gyms. Marathon workshops sometimes pitch up here because of the hilly, thigh-numbing terrains and a labeled trail that tracks your running distance. The park gets very packed on weekends but walk through the foresty bits to avoid the crowd.

Kepong Botanic Gardens, maintained by FRIM, are some of the loveliest in the Klang Valley. Its gardens are home to all sorts of Malaysian plants, such as a showcase of ginger species in the ginger garden, bamboo, and a collection of indigenous plants used for cultural and medicinal purposes. In the middle of the park is a lake swimming with koi fish and tortoises. There’s a trail for jogging and running, tranquil picnic areas, and verdant stretches of grass. 

Nearby, conquer your fear of heights at the forest skywalk. It’s a canopy walkway made up of 11 towers — the tallest built at 141m above sea level — and eight bridges, offering elevated views of forest.

Shah Alam Lake Gardens is host to a man-made lake surrounding lush greenery perfect for a sunset stroll or a late evening picnic. Lucky visitors will be able to see peacocks, forest chickens, geese and storks, all of which are reared here. And if all that walking tires you out, dine at the floating seafood restaurant, serving Malaysian delicacies.

Built in ’80, two lakes make up the 46-hectare Taman Tasik Titiwangsa only three kilometers from the city center. The bigger lake was an abandoned mining pond, while the smaller one is man-made. Today, both are centres for boating, fishing, and water sports. Aside from that, there are tracks for cycling and jogging, plus a children’s playground, exercise equipment, tennis and squash courts, and a splash park. On weekends, try your hand at horse-riding at the stable or set up a picnic at one of the many gazebos and pavilions dotting the park. At the edge of the lake sits a restaurant in which one can dine while drinking in scenic views. 

It’s no wonder that Taman Tasik Titiwangsa is a popular spot for photographers; this good-looking park boasts sweet views of the city’s most famous skyscrapers, with fountain features and serene green gardens.

We’ve covered the running track at Bukit Jalil’s Majlis Sukan Negara elsewhere on this list, but aside from the national stadium, there’s also a neighbouring 80-acre park managed by the city hall. Bukit Jalil Recreational Park is the ideal ground for many due to its gently-sloped terrains as well as some steeper trails and stairs for those looking for a challenge. Also find fitness circuits like balance beams and body curl stations set up all around the park. Parking is free, but rest rooms are not. 

In the middle of affluent neighbourhood Desa Park City is The Central Park, which acts as a hub for neighbourhood residents and visitors to carry out outdoor activities. The park is best known for being pet-friendly; in the evenings and weekends, expect to see many dog owners running with their pets on the track, while picnickers can relax on park benches and beneath shady trees. Need a bite to eat? Check out The Waterfront, which houses F&B joints like The Fat Fish, Rakuzen, The Social, Three Little Birds Coffee and more.


Photo: Bryan Ong

Taman Dusun Bandar offers a peaceful respite from the hustle and bustle of the city without actually being too far away. Located in Seputeh, the park’s centrepiece is its narrow man-made lake, which adds to the overall serenity of what is essentially a big orchard. If you find yourself on the bridge to cross the lake, take a moment to look around and take in the view of KL’s skyscrapers juxtaposed by the greenery in the foreground.


Photo: Bryan Ong

One of the oldest permanent forest reserves in the country, visitors to Taman Eko-Rimba Kuala Lumpur (formerly known as KL Forest Eco Park) get to experience nature right in the middle of the teeming metropolis. A clearly labelled pathway marks your route through rainforest millions of years old where you’ll see no shortage of flora, fauna, insects and birds. There is a host of activities along the way to entertain the kids. Guided tours start at 10.30am, 12.30pm, 2.30pm and 4.30pm.

Tucked away in Kepong is a 95-hectare park filled with lush greenery and a huge lake in the middle. While the park has an excellent jogging track and a cycling lane around the lake, the main attraction here is its large open field. Also known as ‘Taman Layang- Layang’, the park plays host to everyone from children to experienced kite enthusiasts looking to fly kites in the evenings. Don’t worry if you don’t have a kite, there are kite sellers dotted around the park offering plenty of options. Parking can be a problem so we recommend coming in the early evening.


Photo: Bryan Ong

This is not the largest park in KL but it may just be the cleanest. Everything here is in tip top condition, thanks to a refurbishment project. The planners have made excellent use of the limited square footage – you’ll find everything you need in a park, starting with the workout facilities and extending to a futsal court, children’s playground, lake and walking track. There’s also a large expanse of open field – a simple luxury not often found these days – perfect for children or impromptu cartwheeling. Taman Tasik Datuk Keramat is particularly popular with joggers in the evening.


Photo: Amir Rashid

Divided into five different themes (Explorer's Trail, Palm Hill, Floral Gardens, Sun Garden and Lakeside), take a walk along the Canopy Bridge and feast your eyes on the abundant tropical blooms of the garden. The Floral Gardens are a sight to behold with a vast collection of plants from Africa, America and the Asia Pacific region.

Get in some exercise by renting a bicycle or paddle boat and stretch those muscles (available only from Tuesday to Sunday). Entry is free, except for a RM3 fee to enter the Visitors’ Interpretive Centre.