KL Bird Park

KL Bird Park is one of the most popular family attractions in Kuala Lumpur and a good reason to spend a morning in the Perdana Botanical Garden, the city's historic Lake Gardens. It opened on 15 November 1991 and covers about 8.5 hectares of sloping, wooded ground, much of it enclosed under a huge netted canopy so that birds can fly freely above and around visitors rather than sitting in small cages.

The park is home to roughly 3,000 birds from more than 200 species. Around nine in ten are local species, which makes it a useful introduction to the birdlife of Malaysia and the wider region, while the rest come from countries such as Australia, China and Thailand. The park is divided into zones, and in Zones 1, 2 and 3 the birds live free in the aviary, so you can walk along the paths with birds overhead and around you. The website also lists a fourth zone as part of its education programme. Take your time: many of the most interesting species are easy to miss in the foliage until you stop and look.

The park suits families with children, photographers and anyone with an interest in wildlife. The park is spread over sloping ground, so wear comfortable shoes and bring water, as it can be hot and humid under the netting. Allow two to three hours to see the zones without rushing. Mornings are the best time to visit, when the birds are most active and the temperature is lower. There is a cafe and shops on site, and tickets can be bought online through the park's website, where promotions are sometimes offered. For questions, the park lists a WhatsApp contact number on its website.

The bird park lies inside the Perdana Botanical Garden, about ten minutes' drive from the city centre, and most visitors arrive by taxi or ride-hailing car. The garden itself is worth exploring before or after your visit, with its lake, orchid and hibiscus gardens and the Kuala Lumpur Butterfly Park nearby.

Other neighbours include the National Mosque, the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia and the Royal Malaysian Police Museum, so the park combines easily with half a day of sightseeing in this green, quieter part of the city. Muzium Negara MRT station and Kuala Lumpur railway station are within walking distance of the garden, though the walk up to the bird park is uphill and hot in the middle of the day.