Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
SIGHTS
URBAN PUTRAJAYA
Monumental buildings, each a different design, line the main boulevard Persiaran Perdana,
which runs from the elevated spaceship-like
Putrajaya Convention Centre
( 8887 6000; Presint 5)
,
worth visiting for the views, to the circular
Dataran Putra
(Putra Sq). Look out for the
Mughal-esque
Istana Kehakiman
(Palace of Justice), the modernist Islamic gateway fronting
the
Kompleks Perdadanan Putrajaya
(Putrajaya Corporation Complex) and steel-clad
Tuanku Mizan
Zainal Abidin Mosque
, also known as Masjid Besi (the Iron Mosque).
Framing Dataran Putra on two sides are
Perdana Putra
, housing the offices of the prime
minister, and the handsome
Putra Mosque
( for non-Muslims 9am-1.30pm & 3-6pm Sat-Thu, 3-6pm Fri)
,
which has space for 15,000 worshippers and an ornate pink-and-white-patterned dome, in-
fluenced by Safavid architecture from Iran.
There are nine bridges, all in different styles. The longest, at 435m, is the
Putra Bridge,
which mimics the Khaju Bridge in Esfahan, Iran. Also worthy of a photo is the futuristic
sail-like
Wawasan Bridge
connecting Presint 2 and Presint 8.
NEIGHBOURHOOD
PUTRAJAYA LAKE
Putrajaya's bridges and buildings look their best when viewed from this 400-hectare,
human-made lake.
Cruise Tasik Putrajaya
( 8888 3769;
www.cruisetasikputrajaya.com
; 10am-6pm Mon-
Thu, to 8pm Fri & Sat, to 7pm Sun)
, located just beneath the Dataran Putra end of the Putra Bridge,
offers two main options: the gondola-like Perahu Dondang Sayang boats (adult/child
RM20/12), which depart any time for a 30-minute trip around the lake; and a 45-minute
air-con cruise on the Belimbing boat (adult/child RM50/35), which leaves hourly.
LAKE
TAMAN BOTANI
( 8888 9090; Presint 1; 9am-noon & 2-5pm Sat-Thu, 9am-11am & 3-5pm Fri)
S F
North of Perdana
Putra, near the prime minister's official residence, this 93-hectare site features attractive
tropical gardens, a visitors centre, a beautifully tiled Moroccan pavilion and lakeside res-
taurant. A tourist tram (RM4) trundles between the flower beds and trestles, and you can
hire bicycles (RM2 per hour).
GARDENS
TAMAN WETLAND
( 8887 7773; park 7am-7pm, nature interpretation centre 9am-6pm)
S F
Further north is this se-
rene, contemplative space with peaceful nature trails, aquatic animals and water birds, flut-
PARK
