Putrajaya is the new Administrative Centre of the Federal Government of Malaysia taking the capital city away from Kuala Lumpur (population 1.8mn), leaving Kuala Lumpur as the country's financial and commercial capital. Moving the national administrative machinery from Kuala Lumpur to Putrajaya is in line with the Government's policy to provide a more balanced development away from Kuala Lumpur. It is a decision motivated by life in Kuala Lumpur and ensure continued growth in the Klang Valley. However, Kuala Lumpur still serves as Malaysia's national and legislative capital.

The city is located at 2°55' North, 101°40' East (2.91667, 101.667).Situated along the South Growth Corridor within the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC), the development of Putrajaya marks a new chapter in the history of modern city planning in Malaysia. It is set to be a model garden city with sophisticated information network base on multimedia technologies. Termed as Malaysia's first Intelligent Garden City, Putrajaya will become a vital development catalyst due to the role it will assume as a model city - as the nerve centre of the nation and an ideal place to live, work, conduct business and engage in sports and recreational activities.

The city is named after the first Malaysian Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra. "Putra" also means prince in Bahasa Melayu while "Jaya" means excellent or success. The city has only been raised recently and it is still undergoing massive development.

To the west is Cyberjaya a cyber city, also located within the Multimedia Super Corridor.

History

Putrajaya was founded on October 19, 1995 and is located in the middle of the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC). Putrajaya is the third Federal Territory of Malaysia; the other two being Kuala Lumpur and Labuan

The land on which Putrajaya now stands was formerly known as Prang Besar, part of the state of Selangor. The Federal government negotiated with the state on the prospect of another Federal Territory and in the mid-1990s, the Federal government paid a substantial amount of money to Selangor for approximately 11 320 acres (46 km²) of land. As a result of this land purchase, Selangor now completely surrounds two Federal Territories within its borders, namely Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya.

In 2002, a high speed rail link called KLIA Transit was opened, linking Kuala Lumpur and the Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang, Selangor to Putrajaya. Construction of a monorail system is also underway.

Places of Interest

Perdana Putra Perdana Putra houses the main administrative offices of the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, Ministers and Deputy Ministers in the Prime Minister's Department, Chief Secretary to the Government as well as the Special Units. It features striking green domes and its main block is decorated with stone carvings and wrought iron with motifs of the bunga raya or hibiscus, the national flower. A combination of islamic and Mogul architecture, this majestic structure overlooks the picturesque Lake Putrajaya.

Seri Perdana The official residence of the Prime Minister, Seri Perdana comprises the main reception and banquet blocks as well as the residence block-a private home for the Prime Minister and his family. It incorporates Malay and islamic architecture as well as contemporary elements and is attractively landscaped. The building is used for official receptions and banquets as well.

Putra Mosque The stately Putra Mosque is one of Putrajaya's most famous landmarks. It has a unique pink dome which is constructed from rose-tinted granite and comprises of a prayer hall, the sahn or courtyard, learming facilities and function rooms. The mosque accommodates 15,000 worshippers and boasts a 116-metre, five-tiered minaret, the tallest in the region.

Putrajaya International Convention Centre The design of the convention centre was inspired the traditional pending perak (silver royal belt buckle) and wau bulan (moon kite). It covers a total floor area of about 135,000m2 over nine levels and its Plenary Hall can accommodate approximately 3,000 delegates. Equipped with modern facilities, it has all the required facilities to host international and regional conventions, exhibitions and private functions.

Datarn Putra The 300-metre circular Dataran Putra has concentric stars representing the states of Malaysia and is adorned with light and water features. The highlight here is the Chahar Baghs or the recreation of Eden with its four quadrants and four rivers. Serving as a unique transition between the ceremonial area and the parks, the Chahar Baghs is a carefully arranged interplay of paths, water channels, trees and flowerbeds.

The Millenium Monument Located on a 25ha park in Precinct 2, it is the first national monument to be built in Putrajaya. A prominent pillar towers above the monument which takes the shape of a hibiscus. It contains a wealth of information on the country's history as well as its achievements.

Taman Botani The largest botanical garden in the country, it extends over 92ha and is divided into three sections-flowers, ornamental plants and preservation/research. Taman Botani has over 700 species of local plants as well as those from the African and Asia Pacific regions. Other attractions include the Visitors' Interpretative Centre, sun and floral gardens, Explorer's Trail and palm hill.

Taman Wetland The Wetland Park and the wetland areas here form the largest artificial freshwater wetland in the tropics and is the first of its kind in the country. It house a Nature Interpretation Centre, wetland plant nursery, flamingo pond and nature trails, picnic areas as well as public amenities. Visitors can obtain information on the wetland system, its conservation and the uses of its products at the park.

Taman Warisan Pertanian This agricultural park showcases more than 170 plant and tree species including crops such as rubber, cocoa, oil palm as well as fruits, herbs and spices. Visitors can sample fresh fruits and observe activities such as rubber tapping, latex collection, crop maintenance, fruit preservation and many others. Among the attractions here include the visitors' complex, an orchard, a herbs and spices track, clonal rubber plot and viewing deck.

Taman Putra Perdana Taman Putra Perdana is situated at the highest pointing in Precinct 1 and affords visitors a scenic view of Putrajaya. Of particular interest here is Putrajaya Landmark, a unique metal sculpture which is the centrepiece of the park. Other nearby parks include Taman Wawasan, Taman Rimba Desa, Taman Rimba Hijau and Taman Saujana Hijau.

Signature Bridges When fully completed, eight unique and distinctive bridges featuring six varieties of designs-beam, arch, suspension, cable-stayed, truss and cantilever-will link the various precincts in Putrajaya. Bridges which connect to the Goverrnment Precinct serve ceremonial purposes and are decorated with regalia, flags and lighting during official state functions. Among the seven bridges which have been completed are the Putra Bridge, Seri Wawasan Bridge, Seri Gemilang Bridge, Seri Bakti Bridge, Seri Saujana Bridge, Seri Setia Bridge and Seri Bdstari Bridge.

Cruise Tasik Putrajaya Take a relaxing cruise on Lake Putrajaya and view the city's various landmarks from the comfort of an air-conditioned passenger cruise boat or gondola-like vessels designed in the style of traditional Malay boats. 

Shopping, Dining and Entertainment Visitors can shop at Souq, a bustling middle eastern-style bazaar offering a bewildering range of souvenirs, accessories, clothes, food items, or Alamanda Putrajaya, a popular one-stop shopping complex. Alternatively, visitors can also head for Anjung and Lanai where restaurants, bookshops, convenience stores, pharmacies and handicraft shops are located. A wide variety of local and international cuisine can also be sampled at various restaurants and food courts in the city. 

Getting There
Putrajaya is located 25km from Kuala Lumpur and 20km from the modern Kuala Lumpur international Airport (KLIA)-the main gateway into the country which is served by over 45 international airlines. Getting to the city is convenient as it is well served with a comprehensive network of public transportation comprising taxi, bus as well as rapid transit services and linked to major road and railway networks.