Urban Forest Public Park~ Taman Tugu

I've been waiting for this 650mil estimation cost Taman tugu project to be complete since I first find out about it from a news article in 2016 when I was writing a post for my visit to Tugu negara. It's a non profit initiative lead by Khazanah - turn this illegal dumpsite or future commercial land which was once governments quarters into urban forest park. Finally, official open to the public in September 2019 and before I knew it, pandemic hits at the end of the year. After lockdowns unlock and life slowly back to normal, I am here during the long break of Raya holidays. Its a public park so entry and parking is FOC. Park open at 7am and close at 6.30pm. The hiking trails begins from the concrete slab wall with Taman Tugu words (refer to 1st and 2nd picture) before reaching the carpark~ a few meters walk away from the carpark. However the exit point is at the public rest area with the yellow arch next to the carpark. 

There are a few spots in the jungle to be discover along the hike. First one is this concrete retaining wall that look a water dam from far. After a 15 mins hike in the jungle, the jungle trail turn into concrete path that required to ascend in order to cross over to the otherside then descend and back to jungle path again. The bonus point of this path is able to see the city view while standing at the highest point. There's a little bit of KL Tower and Petronas twin towers view from certain angle but I did not stop to take more photos after taken one photo.

The second spot is the bamboo trail after walk across the stream via a wooden bridge, which also my favourite spot in the jungle. Here you can slow down your steps a little and enjoy the tranquil moment listening to sounds of bamboo leaves swaying in the wind, and the crunch sound from slow gravel walk. 

 

Third spot is the concrete slabs from former government quarters (homes to Malaysian government officials including Malaysia’s 1st Lord President, Malaysia’s 1st Director of Agriculture and Finance Minister Tun Tan Siew Sin) which also was home to British residences before independence.

And last spot is this observatory, few minutes hike away after these swings where I enjoyed swinging in the middle of nowhere in the jungle. Seeing this observatory also means that exit point (the yellow arch) is not far away. Don't miss to climb up to the top of this steel observatory to see the old trees that is taller than the observatory before the hike come to an end. 

Total time spent approx. one hour including those longer stops at the attraction spots. Trails are well-marked, easy route with low difficulty, even parents come with their children to enjoy the jungle park. Worth to pay a visit if you looking for a easy hike or a walk in the jungle without have to travel out from KL city.