May 16, 2023 Putrajaya - The Intelligent City 9:00/9:15 4.5 hours $129.

 May 16, 2023  Putrajaya - The Intelligent City  9:00/9:15   4.5 hours  $129.

This is the description I used to choose this excursion.  Reality was a disappointment.  

Cruise around the massive lake that surrounds much of Putrajaya, a modern master-planned city developed as a high-tech communications center.  Named to honor Malaysia’s first prime minister, Putrajaya was constructed early this century to accommodate Malaysia’s administrative offices when the capital of Kuala Lumpur became too congested to operate effectively.  As you will see from the unique perspective of the lake, Putrajaya harmoniously blends contemporary and traditional architecture.  Highlights include the green-domed prime minister’s office complex known at the Perdana Putra and the rose-granite Putra Mosque, those five tiers represent the five pillars of Islam.  You can also expect to see the Putra Bridge, another gem of Islamic architecture with minaret-style piers.  Putrajaya is hailed as one of Malaysia’s most enviromentally friendly cities, as greenery, parks and wetlands blanket most of the land, which was once covered with rubber and oil palm plantations.  

Cruise the lake that surrounds the relatively new, master-planned city of Putrajaya.

Learn how and why eco-firiendly Putra Mosque was developed near Kuala Lumpur.  

Behold landmarks such as the Putra Mosque and prime minister’s office complex.  

Dress in weather-appropriate clothing and wear flat comfortable walking shoes.  

The tour is not available to wheelchair guests, as the sights are not wheelchair accessible.  The tour boat is air-conditioned.  

I signed up to go on the excursion Putrajaya - Intelligent Garden City.  I was expecting that the original description was accurate as I had not been told otherwise.  I expected to cruise a massive lake to see a modern master planned city, a high-tech communication center.  The city seen from the lake would be a blend of contemporary and traditional architecture.  Putrajaya is one of the most environmentally friendly cities…  

Instead an overview stated “Drive to Putrajaya botanical garden and visit. Drive to Putra square for a photo stop.  Drive back to pier.”  The botanical garden sounded good, but reality was disappointing. The garden map looked great, but the actual garden didn't have much to look at beyond lots of ferns and palm trees.  We did visit a mosque and we rode through the town where most of the things the guide called attention to were on the other side of the bus.  The city is very clean and green and the buildings are attractive.  It is quite a city.  I have filled out a Guest Tour Report (which I never knew existed) and will also complete my evaluation of this segment of our trip online today.  

The Federal Government Administrative Center planning began in the 1980's.  In 1999, Malaysia began to move the federal government from the congested Kuala Lumpur where offices were spread all over the city to the newly created Putrajaya.  The government offices were built within an efficient administrative hub.  Putrajaya was named for the first Prime Minister of Malaysia, Putra and jaya means success or victory.  

Close to forty percent of Putrajaya is devoted to green space.  

                             The rose-granite Putra Mosque, the five tiers represent the five pillars of Islam.  The Mosque can hold 15,000 worshippers.  The patterned dome is pink and white granite.  

                                   Picture taken in front of the Putrajaya International Convention Center (PICC).

                                        An example of open space and wide boulevards.

                                            Up to 40% of Putrajaya's land is green space or lakes. 

                                            Putrajaya's avenue with businesses and parades

                                            The Putrajaya International Convention Center (PICC), construction began in 2001 and was completed in 2003.  Three thousand people can assemble here and 2800 people can be served by the kitchen.  There are many meeting rooms of various sizes.   

Just over 97% of the population of Putrajaya is Muslim, about 1% Hindu and about 1% Christian.   Putra Mosque construction began in 1997 and was completed in 1999.

Seri Wawasan Bridge is a futuristic asymmetric cable-stayed bridge.  A forward-inclined pylon has a sailing ship appearance.  It passes over the artificial lake that was created to provide cooling.  

                            Perdana Putra houses the office complex of the Prime Minister.

Robes were available for people that had to cover their knees and women who needed to cover their shoulders and their hair.