Eko Rimba Kuala Lumpur is the only remaining rainforest smacked in the middle of the capital of Kuala Lumpur. It is located just 5 minutes drive from Jalan Bukit Bintang, the golden triangle of Kuala Lumpur. Within the same compound of Eko Rimba is the landmark Kuala Lumpur Tower with the revolving restaurant. As a permanent forest reserve, Eko Rimba Bukit Nanas covers an area of approximately 11 hectares.
I was excited as I got to the entrance. I followed the forest guide down to the herbal garden. It seemed that the herbal garden is divided into herbs used for health and beauty. Some of the herbs I still remember are lidah mertua (tongue of in law), derhaka mertua (stubborn in law), gajah berang (angry elephant a.k.a malllotus repands), Tongkat Ali Hitam (polyalthia bullata) and many more. As the translations suggest, some herb names given by the Malay community are funny names. The forest guide later explained about the history of Eko Rimba Bukit Nanas.
The forest guide later explained about the history of Eko Rimba Bukit Nanas. Known as Bukit Gombak in mid 19th century, it was a fort defended by Raja Asal, a warlord during the Selangor civil war. According to the history, Raja Asal and his followers planted pineapple trees surrounding the fort to injure intruders who were at that era, barefooted. Hence, the name Bukit Nanas or pineapple tree. In modern day Eko Rimba Kuala Lumpur, no pineapple trees can be found.
Before I proceed further, some words of advice :- Wear long sleeves, long pants, mosquito repellant. Everything covered else you will be kissed by the tropical mosquitos.
Canopy Walk of Kuala Lumpur
I continued the journey to one of the latest additions to Eko Rimba Kuala Lumpur. The canopy walk where you can see the skyscrapers at eye level. Our group was warned only 10 people could be on one canopy walk section at one time. Just when I thought the canopy walk had ended, I had to climb the connecting tower to another section of the canopy walk. If you think a canopy walk in the city will not make you sweat, then think again! It is pretty cool to do the canopy walk, anyway.
Other attractions are the Sky Deck, F1 Simulator, Pony Ride, KL Tower Animal Zone and 1 Malaysia Cultural Village.
How to get Eko Rimba Kuala Lumpur
ROUTE A:
Getting off from Dang Wangi LRT Station and head towards Bukit Nanas Monorail Station. Once you have arrived the bottom stairs of the station, where it is located at the traffic light junction, turn right and walk straight. You will see some prominent landmarks such as Concorde Hotel and Hard Rock Cafe (on your left) and if you walk further down, you will see Shang-Ri La Hotel (on your right). Once you have arrived another traffic light junction, where you will a police booth stationed on your left, turn right and walk straight. You will see Menara Hap Seng on your left and keep on walking further until you reach the 3rd right junction of Jalan Punchak off Jalan P.Ramlee. Turn right and walk up the hill until you see a Guard House with Menara Kuala Lumpur free shuttle service waiting to take you up to the tower!
ROUTE B:
Getting off from Masjid Jamek LRT Station and you may take the taxi available around the area. Or if you prefer to walk, from Masjid Jamek LRT Station, walk straight along Jalan Raja Chulan, where you will find Muzium Telekom (on your left). Walk straight further down and you will see St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church (on your right). As you continue walking straight, there is Forestry Department Peninsular Malaysia to your left (Jabatan Perhutanan Semenanjung Malaysia) and later on Shell station to your right. Walk on until you a traffic light junction, turn left. Walk a few metres ahead, then turn left into the Jalan Punchak off Jalan P.Ramlee. Walk up the hill until you see a Guard House with Menara Kuala Lumpur free shuttle service waiting to take up to the tower!
No entrance fee is applicable.
The visit to Eko Rimba Kuala Lumpur is part of the Eat Travel Doodle, which is a joint collaboration between Gaya Travel Magazine and Ministry of Tourism Malaysia. For more info, visit Menara Kuala Lumpur.
3 Comments
Kuala Lumpur is quite the sight… I’d love to go there someday..
I have visited KL for many times but never know about this place, so sometimes I have no idea what to do while transit here. I am going to KL again and this place will be one of list to do in KL
Nana, there’s a lot of new places to discover in Kuala Lumpur. I’ll bring you around the next time you come to KL.