The free-flight aviary
Walk among the birds under a net over the forest, no cages.
Ural Anonymous — Public domain · Thomas Quine — CC BY 2.0 · Frostpolar — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Frostpolar — CC BY-SA 4.0
You do not look at the birds through cages here; you walk among them. The park sits under a huge net stretched over a wide area of forest, so birds fly freely overhead while peacocks and storks stroll the paths in front of you. It is counted among the largest free-flight aviaries in the world, with thousands of birds from hundreds of species. The highlight is the hornbills, the emblem of the Malaysian state of Sarawak, which have a zone of their own. There are daily bird shows and feeding sessions, some of which children can join, along with colourful parrots, ostriches and pelicans around a small lake. Be ready for two things. The paths slope steeply in many places and walking in the heat and humidity is tiring, so allow at least two hours and bring water. And foreign adults pay RM 90, far more than the local rate, so choose the right category when booking; children aged three to eleven pay RM 70. The park is inside the Perdana Botanical Gardens, within walking distance of the Islamic Arts Museum and the National Mosque. Arrive at opening at nine, when the birds are most active and the air coolest; it closes at half past five.
Walk among the birds under a net over the forest, no cages.
A dedicated zone for the emblem bird of Sarawak.
Daily shows and feeds, some open to children.
Jalan Kebun Bunga, inside the Perdana Botanical Gardens, Kuala Lumpur
Islamic Arts Museum MalaysiaThe largest museum of Islamic art in Southeast Asia, and arguably the finest thi3 minutes walk4.6
Royal Malaysian Police MuseumA small free museum telling the history of policing in Malaysia, from the guards3 minutes walk4.6
Kuala Lumpur Butterfly ParkA netted butterfly garden in the heart of the Perdana Botanical Gardens, coverin4 minutes walk
National Mosque of MalaysiaInstead of the usual dome, this mosque is crowned by a roof shaped like a folded5 minutes walk4.7
National PlanetariumMalaysia's national planetarium, a building crowned by a large blue dome on a hi5 minutes walkYes if they love animals: the free-flight aviary is a different experience from an ordinary zoo. With very young children the walking in the heat can outweigh the fun, so go first thing in the morning.