KLCC Park - Around the Petronas Twin Towers

Most tourists make the mistake of solely focusing on the Petronas Twin Towers the moment they reach KL. This is understandable as the towers – the world’s tallest twin towers reaching the heavens at 452 meters - are a beauty to behold! What is easily overlooked is the pleasantly navigable KLCC Park surrounding this shopping complex. I have been to KL countless times, but until this last visit, I haven’t really thought of roaming around the park. This time, my main destination was KLCC Aquaria (their own version of Ocean World – which shall be featured here in the next few days). But after the stuffy, claustrophobic visit at the Aquaria, KLCC Park provided (literally) a breath of fresh air!

The park is a sprawling 50 acre (about 20 hectares) tropical landscape with lush greenery, a jogging trail, tranquil sheds, symphony fountains within a pond, a 2-acre children’s playpen, and a shallow wading lagoon for kids. The late Brazilian landscape artist Roberto Burle Marx was commissioned to conceptualize the recreational landscape, which further boasts of 1,900 indigenous trees and palms. The Lake Symphony situated at the esplanade just outside Suria KLCC has 2 fountains programmed with 150 animations which is spotlighted to gregarious and dramatic effect in the early evening. My favorite pastime is just sitting at the esplanade, facing the “lake”, and watching people go by.

The esplanade.

The bridge is 58.4m (192f) long, weighs 750 tons and is open to the public.It is situated between 41st and 42nd floor, out of the 88 floors.

Could this be our very own Philippine National Bank (PNB) at the heart of the KL's financial district?

The tower is designed by American-Argentine architect Cesar Pelli. Thornton Tomasetti is the structural engineer.

Getting There

TAXI or HIKE

A taxi from Bukit Bintang will cost you between 15-20 ringgit, depending on the need and greed of the driver. If you love a long walk, it is also possible, although this will take you about 30 minutes, but if you’re in no hurry, you will discover the capital better. At night - even without a map, you can follow the direction of the glistening towers!

TAKING THE TRAIN

If you plan on taking the train, the eastern Pasar Seni station (near Central Market, Chinatown and the Main Post Office) directly takes you to the KLCC station (4 stops) at just 1 ringgit! The western Bukit Bintang station, on the otherhand, is a trickier route. From Bukit Bintang (KL Monorail, red line), you head to KL Sentral (5 stops), then walk out of the building and change trains (Putra LRT, pink line). Head north (station Terminal Putra) and it has 4 stops to KLCC. This train change involves getting out of the whole KL Sentral Complex, walk towards the Putra LRT line by crossing the street, then purchase your ticket for KLCC. As I mentioned earlier, riding trains is more economical (and faster) than taking the taxi, but it will involve walking between stations, which can be fun if you’re into hiking.

Site map. I started my walk at the red dot below. I failed to visit the mosque at the northeast corner as it was starting to rain.

Visit their website for updates: http://www.suriaklcc.com.my

For further information call: (603) - 2380 9032 / 2.

This is the Eye in the Sky!

Up next: More of KLCC Park and the "waters" surrounding it. - http://eye-in-the-blue-sky.blogspot.com/2010/01/more-of-klcc-park-oasis-around-petronas.html