9 Things to Do in Lake Gardens Kuala Lumpur

Perdana Botanical Gardens, located within Tun Abdul Razak Heritage Park, provides a peaceful retreat for those seeking a respite from the city. The air is fresh and invigorating, and if you visit in the mornings, you'll encounter joggers and people practising Tai Chi (which you can join in as well!). We recommend an afternoon picnic to fully appreciate the scenery, or if you prefer to stay active, take a stroll through the lush greenery.

If you're enamoured with the park's verdant landscape, head over to the Orchid and Hibiscus Gardens to admire thousands of species of plants blooming in various colours and sizes. Entrance is free on weekdays and a small fee applies on weekends and public holidays.

The Islamic Arts Museum is one of Kuala Lumpur's most popular attractions and is also Southeast Asia's largest museum of Islamic art. The building features a huge turquoise dome atop, glass walls that allow natural light to flow in, domed ceilings adorned with intricate Islamic patterns, and an exhibition space spanning 30,000 sq metres.

The stunning building is located on the fringe of Lake Gardens and is accessible within a 5-minute walk from the National Planetarium and National Mosque. It houses extensive collections of Islamic decorative arts from around the world, including exhibitions of clothing, furniture, weaponry, and detailed models of famous mosques, notably Masjid Al-Haram in Mecca and Masjid Nabawi in Medina.

Tugu Negara, otherwise widely known as the National Monument, was built in 1966 to honour the lives of 11,000 people who perished during the First World War. Located at the northern end of the Lake Gardens, this 15-metre-high bronze statue provides excellent views of Kuala Lumpur Parliament House and is regarded as the world's tallest freestanding bronze sculpture grouping. 

The monument features 7 soldiers standing and supporting their fallen comrades, symbolising courage, leadership, sacrifice, strength, suffering, unity, and vigilance. It also includes the inscription "To Our Glorious Dead of the First World War (1914-1918), Second World War (1939-1945), and the Emergency (1948-1960)".

The National Planetarium, also known as Planetarium Negara, is dedicated to all things related to science and astronomy. It's a fun and educational place for kids to learn about the planet and universe. Set on a hill to the east of Lake Gardens, it is topped by a blue dome that is easily visible from nearby roads. It may not be as high-tech as the planetariums in New York or London, but it still merits a visit. 

The main entrance is evocative of a teleport chamber, which leads into a series of halls containing 2 planetariums that have interactive exhibits, touch-screen interactive computers, and hands-on experiments, as well as the Space Theatre.

The National Museum, known locally as Muzium Negara, provides an excellent introduction to Malaysia's history, economy, geography, arts, crafts, and culture. Built in 1963, the museum's displays are spread out over 3 floors and it features a sweeping, traditional Minangkabau-style roof. The museum is located near the southern end of the Lake Gardens and past the National Art Gallery. Its main entrance is flanked by 2 large murals made of Italian glass mosaic that portray the country's major historical events and cultural activities. 

Visitors can enjoy free guided tours, which take place throughout the week. The English tours are held on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at 11 am, while the French-language tour is held every Thursday at 9 am and at noon.

Take part in a Lake Gardens Segway tour by Eco Ride Malaysia for a fun and environmentally-friendly way to see the park! It's also a good option for those who don’t fancy walking through the heat and humidity but still want to see all that Lake Gardens have to offer. 

Available by appointment, Eco Ride Malaysia can easily arrange for a pickup from your hotel in KL. Alternatively, you can meet up with your guide at a specific location in the park. The 2-hour tour covers a 10 km sightseeing route within the expansive park, including Perdana Botanical Gardens, Kuala Lumpur Butterfly Park, and Kuala Lumpur Bird Park.

The Butterfly Park, also known as Taman Rama-Rama Kuala Lumpur, is located in Lake Gardens, Kuala Lumpur and houses more than 6,000 butterflies from 120 species. Landscaped like a bushy garden with lots of flowers, these colourful creatures are known to alight on your shirt and hand, sticking like badges.

Check out the nursery and breeding area where you can see butterfly larvae emerging from their cocoons. Besides the butterflies, a wide range of insects such as rhinoceros beetles and praying mantises are on display. There's also a souvenir shop where you can purchase frames of preserved butterflies, scorpions, and other insects.