The best parks in KL to escape from the city

Known only as a terraced flower garden in the ’80s, the park has blossomed into a full-fledged 40-hectare recreational park, which now includes a massive lake, fountains and three outdoor gyms. Marathon workshops sometimes pitch up here because of the hilly, thigh-numbing terrains and a labeled trail that tracks your running distance. The park gets very packed on weekends but walk through the foresty bits to avoid the crowd.

Shah Alam Lake Gardens is host to a man-made lake surrounding lush greenery perfect for a sunset stroll or a late evening picnic. Lucky visitors will be able to see peacocks, forest chickens, geese and storks, all of which are reared here. And if all that walking tires you out, dine at the floating seafood restaurant, serving Malaysian delicacies.

Lengthy jogging trails and steep hills make this picturesque recreational park a popular spot in the area for running and working out. There's also an outdoor gym, various stamina-testing stations, a reflexology path and a children's playground.

Conveniently located in the Taman Tun neighbourhood, this park features a wide, well-paved path many KLites flock to for a jog or hike in the mornings and evenings. It’s also a popular spot with thrill-seeking cyclists who don’t mind taking on steep trails – just remember to watch out for pedestrians while going downhill.

In the middle of affluent neighbourhood Desa Park City is The Central Park, which acts as a hub for neighbourhood residents and visitors to carry out outdoor activities. The park is best known for being pet-friendly; in the evenings and weekends, expect to see many dog owners running with their pets on the track, while picnickers can relax on park benches and beneath shady trees. Need a bite to eat? Check out The Waterfront, which houses F&B joints like The Fat Fish, Rakuzen, The Social, Three Little Birds Coffee and more.


Photo: Bryan Ong

Taman Dusun Bandar offers a peaceful respite from the hustle and bustle of the city without actually being too far away. Located in Seputeh, the park’s centrepiece is its narrow man-made lake, which adds to the overall serenity of what is essentially a big orchard. If you find yourself on the bridge to cross the lake, take a moment to look around and take in the view of KL’s skyscrapers juxtaposed by the greenery in the foreground.


Photo: Bryan Ong

Tucked away in Kepong is a 95-hectare park filled with lush greenery and a huge lake in the middle. While the park has an excellent jogging track and a cycling lane around the lake, the main attraction here is its large open field. Also known as ‘Taman Layang- Layang’, the park plays host to everyone from children to experienced kite enthusiasts looking to fly kites in the evenings. Don’t worry if you don’t have a kite, there are kite sellers dotted around the park offering plenty of options. Parking can be a problem so we recommend coming in the early evening.


Photo: Bryan Ong

KL Forest Eco Park is temporarily closed

One of the oldest permanent forest reserves in the country, visitors to KL Forest Eco Park (formerly known as Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve)  get to experience nature right in the middle of the teeming metropolis. A clearly labelled pathway marks your route through a rainforest millions of years old where you’ll see no shortage of flora, fauna, insects and birds. There is a host of activities along the way to entertain the kids. Guided tours start at 10.30am, 12.30pm, 2.30pm and 4.30pm.

This is not the largest park in KL but it may just be the cleanest. Everything here is in tip top condition, thanks to a refurbishment project. The planners have made excellent use of the limited square footage – you’ll find everything you need in a park, starting with the workout facilities and extending to a futsal court, children’s playground, lake and walking track. There’s also a large expanse of open field – a simple luxury not often found these days – perfect for children or impromptu cartwheeling. Taman Tasik Datuk Keramat is particularly popular with joggers in the evening.


Photo: Amir Rashid

Divided into five different themes (Explorer's Trail, Palm Hill, Floral Gardens, Sun Garden and Lakeside), take a walk along the Canopy Bridge and feast your eyes on the abundant tropical blooms of the garden. The Floral Gardens are a sight to behold with a vast collection of plants from Africa, America and the Asia Pacific region. Get in some exercise by renting a bicycle or paddle boat and stretch those muscles.