Putrajaya Landmark on the Hill

Time capsules are a curious concept because it encapsulates a piece of history and throws it under the ground like dead corpses, like open secrets. Yet monuments are constructed above it to make sure they aren't forgotten. The Putrajaya Landmark - aka Putra Perdana Landmark or Mercu Tanda (whew!) - is such place. It was built to commemorate the birth of Putrajaya, an "Intelligent Garden City" with an intended population of 300,000 (but currently running 70,000). This was implanted by the visionary former Prime Minister - Tun Dr. Mahathir, the brains responsible for the economic upturn of Malaysia.

This hilltop garden complex is part of the Taman Perdana Putra (Garden of the Prime Minister's Office) located down the hill, just across the street. I have to say that this garden has excellent winding tracks at the top, but the way down to the Waiting Shed (where you can hail your bus or taxi) and the Prime Minister's Office is through unmarked grassy downhill, and isn't particularly easy for seniors and the unfit adventurers.

The landmark proudly stands at the end of an avenue of stairs and stately fountains; at the peak of which is the enviable 5-star Shangri-La Hotel where, I can only imagine a seasonal good occupancy. Click here for an image of the hotel: http://www.shangri-la.com/assets/C41BCF3E-1E23-4CFC-84FD-5156D1E68D5B.jpg

The garden is well maintained despite the fact that there isn't a lot of people navigating this hilltop complex. In fact, for 30 minutes, I was the only one there (except for a gardener who was unmindful of my presence). There are benches strewn all over the area and when you just wanna sit back and think of nothing, you could think of thousands of places worse than this.

This is the Eye in the Sky!

Shangri-La Hotel, a 5-star boutique hotel, rises at the end of this boulevard.

Up next: Rolling greens and winding tracks around Putra Perdana Garden.