Putrajaya
From World travel guide
Putrajaya, an "Intelligent Garden City" and the federal administrative capital of Malaysia, is a showcase city under construction some 30 km south of the 'real' capital Kuala Lumpur. Adjacent sister city Cyberjaya is built along the same lines, but is aimed at attracting the IT industry.
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Introduction
Putrajaya sits on a magnificent 4,931 hectares spread. Its Masterplan is designed along an axial tangent which runs from the northeast to southeast taking full advantage of the natural surroundings. Its undulating terrain treats visitors and residents to commanding vistas of the environment. About 40% of Putrajaya is natural. Lush greenery, botanical gardens are spread across the landscape enhanced by large bodies of water and wetlands. Five confluences meet at the north forming a main waterway which flows across the city area.
The site is named in homage to Malaysia's first prime minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra.
Get in
By train
For public transport your sole choice is the KLIA Transit connecting Kuala Lumpur's Sentral train station to its airport, which stops halfway in between at Putrajaya. Trains run every 30 minutes, take 20 minutes and the list price is RM 9.50 one-way, although daytrippers will want to opt for the RM 10 Visit Putrajaya ticket.
Note: KLIA Ekspres services do not stop at Putrajaya.
By taxi
A taxi from KL will set you back around RM 30-50 depending on your bargaining skills. Expect to pay more at night.
Get around
Public transportation within Putrajaya is woefully inadequate, as distances are long and you need wheels to get around. Occasional Nadiputra buses putter about from the train station at random times in random directions, but your best bet is probably to enquire at KLIA or KL Sentral about organized tours. If not, you'll be at the tender mercies of Putrajaya's price-gouging taxis; in particular, beware of hotel limousine services. Call (03) 5512 2266 for bookings and considering chartering one for the day.
Construction of the Putrajaya Monorail has been halted until the occupancy of the Core District becomes higher.
See
Putrajaya's main sights are the colossal showcase buildings put up in this future capital, all in the central Core District.
- The magnificent Perdana Putra, the Prime Minister's Office building complex.
- Pink-colored Masjid Putra (Putra Mosque) has a capacity of 15,000 worshippers.
- Wisma Putra houses the Malaysian Foreign Ministry.
- The Millennium Monument.
- Putrajaya International Convention Center.
- Istana Melawati and Istana Darul Ehsan, the official residences of the Paramount Ruler of Malaysia and the Sultan of Selangor respectively.
- Putrajaya Boulevard, a 100-meter wide, 4-kilometers long boulevard flanked by government offices and the mainstage for National Day parade.
- Various bridges and parks.
- The Diplomatic Enclave, housing foreign embassies and missions.
- Alamanda, literally 'Your World', Putrajaya's premier shopping center.
- The Perdana Leadership Foundation, holding the offices of previous Prime Ministers, currently occupied by Tun Sri Mahathir Muhammad.
- Cruises and boatrides throughout Putrajaya lake.
Sleep
Suffering from acute overcapacity, Putrajaya's luxury hotels offer some of the best deals on the planet. All the hotels are brand new and near-empty, unless there happens to be a big convention in town.
Luxury
- The Shangri-La Putrajaya is undoubtedly the pick of the pack, centrally located in the Core District (right next to the King's palace!) and featuring Shangri-La's renowned service and an Infinity Edge pool looking out over the best bits of Putrajaya. Rates US$70 and up, a steal for a place like this.
- The Marriott Putrajaya is a stupendously huge 500-room hotel with a grandiose marble-columned lobby, out in the middle of nowhere at the rather lackluster IOI Resort. Best quick description: "Looks like Saddam Hussein's palace." Maybe not bad for a cheap round of golf, as room rates go as low as US$25 (green fees not included).
- The IOI Palm Resort Putrajaya (formerly Renaissance), also in the IOI Resort, is a slightly more humanely sized hotel and probably the better choice.
