Originally home to the Orang Asli people, Puchong is a residential town and commercial hub in Kuala Lumpur’s south-west. Immigrants from China and India were lured here by the booming tin mining industry before the development of Puchong as an urban town when the mining licenses expired in the 1980s.
Things to do in Puchong
On the eastern edge of Puchong is Taman Wawasan Recreational Park, where you’ll find tree-lined trails for walking or running. In addition, there is a basketball court, exercise equipment and futsal facilities, as well as a children’s playground. If you’re feeling less energetic, you can just relax on one of the benches overlooking the central lake and watch the world go by.
Taman Wawasan Recreational Park lies on the edge of the Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve, a rare tract of lowland dipterocarp forest amidst the urbanised landscapes of Selangor. It functions as a living laboratory for students at the University Putra Malaysia and provides a playground for hikers wanting to escape the “concrete jungle”. You can follow the Wawasan Hill Trail that leads to the peak or explore along the side waterfall trail.
For a taste of rural living in the suburbs, pay a visit to the Farm In The City, which offers up-close animal encounters in scenic surroundings. You can pet and feed alpacas, interact with a giant tortoise and watch native Malaysian birds in flight. Otters and meerkats also call the Farm In The City “home” and there are pony rides available for young kids.
Getting around Puchong
Puchong is around 30 minutes’ drive from the centre of Kuala Lumpur and an hour from Kuala Lumpur International Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. Subway, light rail and bus services all travel through Puchong, connecting most of its attractions.