My wife and I were initially not really interested to travel to Putrajaya. At the first visit , this city does not impress us much. The city look deserted and chilly . The city looks city something out of DAY AFTER TOMMOROW scene. Quiet and spooky. Perhaps it was our unplanned stopover at this city and we found no activities here. However, one day we had planned to visit this city again after watching a TV program about Putrajaya. What a surprise ! We did not notice a lot of things on the first visit. Now , this is something Im working out to tell the world about this futuristic city. We found out that it is always changing and you would need 3 days 2 nights to explore the place. How Putrajaya become a city ? Putrajaya has been in the government planning for almost 20 years. So, I guess it is unfair to think that it was recently a pop up idea by the leader. Interestingly the government of that time was searching for a new administrative centre in the 1980s to disperse some development away from Kuala Lumpur. A site called Prang Besar in the district Sepang was chosen for this purpose. The project is named after the countrys first Prime Minister, YTM Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra al-Haj. Construction of the new city began in August 1995, and is now targeted for completion by 2015 It is expected that most of the Federal Government agencies will have moved to Putrajaya by 2010. Putrajaya Corporation was set up and has been given this mammoth task to develop this city from merely a palm oil plantation and forest . When the city is fully developed, it will have a population of around 320,000 and 64,000 housing units ( trust me, I love the real estate there). While Kuala Lumpur will remain as the countrys capital city as well as premiere financial and commercial centre, Putrajaya will play the role of the new Federal Government Administrative Center. Where is Putrajaya ? Putrajaya sits on a magnificent 4,931 hectares of land within the Multimedia Super Corridor. It is located 35km south of Kuala Lumpur and 20km north of the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). Being served by a network of highways, it is highly accessible from all parts of the country. As you can see from this Putrajaya location map * add Google map here You can reach this city from here in about half an hour by car. If drive from south of Malaysia or the city of Johor Bharu. It might take you 3 hour which means about 300km. This city is in the district of by Sepang; remember f1 and Kuala Lumpur International Airport? Cyberjaya the city of Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC), the Bukit Jalil Commonwealth Sport Complex are a few prominent names to visit if you are planning to go to Putrajaya. The Putrajaya itself have a few interesting place to visit. About 40% of Putrajaya is natural. Lush greenery, botanical gardens are spread across the landscape enhanced by large bodies of water and wetlands. You would need 1 to 3 days to really enjoy the place and its surrounding. I recommend to put up a stay for a day or two at Putrajaya Marriot or Shangri la Hotel Putrajaya. You could rent some other hotel in Sepang area too. Getting to Putrajaya Well... there are a few routes to Putrajaya. If you have never been to this city, I will suggest to follow the normal route which used by most of the driver. ~Drive towards south into North-South Expressway (aka PLUS Highway) heading and entering the Sg Besi Toll Plaza. ~approximately 20 minutes, you will find a green signboard read "SERDANG/ UPM. ~drive toward and exit at Serdang /UPM toll plaza. ~follow the Putrajaya signboard on the left hand side. You will found a very beautiful research farm of UPM (Universiti Putra Malaysia) on your left side on the way to Putrajaya. Headline: Cruise Tasik Putrajaya.... Venice and Paris of Malaysia with local taste. Ok....the address: Cruise Tasik Putrajaya, Jetty Putra, Jambatan Putra, Presint 1, 62000 Putrajaya, Malaysia. According to info I have here .This is a 400 hectare man made lake which act as climate moderator. Amazing! Located at opposite the Prime Minister ( Perdana Putra) office or beside the Putrajaya Mosque. Just take the staircase down to the lake area. You will find this cruise centre with restaurant. The restaurants serve international and local food. I noticed some franchise outlet open here too. If you like spicy chicken, try Nando's Peri-Peri while enjoying the lake view. The photographer favorite spot. Facing the lake , you could enjoy the view of one of the magnificent suspension bridge here. And on your right is the majestic Putra Mosque.

• published: 28 Nov 2008
• views: 7817