Here’s why the Ecological Haven of Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve is worth a visit!
Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve has always had a spot in my heart, as it’s one of the places that my family and I frequently visited during my childhood. As much as I want to gatekeep it to preserve my nostalgia, I can’t help but want to spread the word about this park.
Fast forward to today, and I still get giddy when talking about this park, so to release all my pent-up excitement, I’m taking you on a virtual tour of Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve. Here, I’ll help you plan the perfect day in the park like we used to back in the day.
From the best time to go to activities to try and other important stuff to know, I’ve compiled everything you need to know here! I’ve also included some hotels and restaurants that I’ve been keeping an eye on for quite some time now that you can check out while you’re there!
Best Time to Go
Personally, we think that the best time to go to Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve is early in the morning (7:00 AM to 9:00 AM). During this time, crowds will be more sparse, allowing you to experience a more peaceful exploration of the forest reserve.
We also wanted to note that Kuala Lumpur experiences hot and humid weather all year round so visiting early in the morning lets you enjoy more pleasant weather. This makes walking and overall exploration much more bearable!
Lastly, make sure to visit no later than 4:30 PM, as this will be your last chance to purchase your tickets.
Things to Know
Currency: Malaysian Ringgit (Check the current exchange rate)
Language: Malay, English
Calling Code: +60
Address: No. 2, Jalan P.Ramlee, 50250, Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan, 50250 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Phone: +60 3-2026 4741
Entrance fee:
- MyKad Holder:
- Adults: RM10
- Children (6 to 12 years old): RM1
- Children (under 6 years old): Free
- Senior citizen (60 years old and above): RM1
- People with disabilities: Free
- Non-MyKad Holder:
- Adults: RM40
- Children (6 to 12 years old): RM5
- Children (under 6 years old): Free
- Senior citizen (60 years old and above): RM40
- People with disabilities: Free
Operating hours: Saturday to Thursday: 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
How to Get There
Bus: If you want to cut back your costs on transportation, we recommend riding the bus. Luckily, KL features the KL Hop-On Hop-Off, which stops at some of the most iconic landmarks in the capital, including the KL Tower, which is a stone’s throw away from the forest reserve.
You can also take the definition of a frugal traveller to the next level by hopping on the purple GOKL buses, which don’t charge anything!
Train: There are three ways you can get to Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve via train. The first one is by riding the MRT and dropping off at MRT Pasar Seni, which is only a 20-minute walk away from the forest reserve.
The second way is to take the KL Monorail line to drop off at the Bukit Nanas Station, which is only 18 minutes away from the park on foot.
Lastly, you can take the Ampang Line LRT and drop off at the Masjid Jamek station. From there, you can take an 18-minute walk going to Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve.
Car: Kuala Lumpur is one of the few places where we don’t consider car rentals as the best way to get around, mostly because of traffic. But if you want to be in charge of your itinerary and make as many stopovers as you want, don’t be shy to check out our top car rentals in KL.
Taxi/Grab: Taxis are found in almost every corner of Kuala Lumpur, and they provide travellers with a relatively comfortable and convenient way to get around the capital. The only downside here is that you’ll have to pay a pretty penny to ride them.
Alternatively, you can book a ride through the Grab app, which lets you pin your pick-up and drop-off destinations with ease through your smartphone.
Where to Stay near Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve
Oasia Suites Kuala Lumpur
Address: 10, Lorong P Ramlee
Phone: +60 3-2726 6788
Pricing: $$-$$$
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Oasia Suites ticks all the boxes of what you’d want from your hotel. For starters, it’s situated in a prime location by being near Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve as well as other points of interest like shopping malls, restaurants, cafes and other attractions like the Menara Tower.
Speaking of the Menara Tower, you can admire it in its full glory while you’re enjoying the cool waters of its roof deck pool! In fact, you can catch stunning panoramic views of the entire KL skyline while you’re here.
As for the hotel rooms, you can expect premium quality as well! Equipped with huge beds, lavish en-suite toilets and baths and other modern amenities, these rooms will make you feel like royalty.
Pacific Regency Hotel Suites
Address: Jalan Punchak Off, Jalan P. Ramlee
Phone: +60 3-2332 7777
Pricing: $$$
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Pacific Regency Hotel Suites is one of the premier places to stay in Kuala Lumpur that’s also near Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve. It’s not hard to see why too because as soon as you enter its lobby, you’ll be greeted by a luxurious interior and world-class customer service!
One of the things we absolutely love about staying here is its abundance of facilities that are geared towards pampering guests. A perfect example of this is the Thai Paradise Spa, where they offer massages, mani and pedi, body scrubs and more.
Lastly, the hotel also features a roof deck pool, where guests can enjoy basking in the rays of the sun while cooling down at the same time. It’s also worth noting that the pool overlooks the KL Tower and the rest of the city skyline.
Holiday Inn Express Kuala Lumpur City Centre
Address: 84, Jalan Raja Chulan
Phone: +60 3-2028 8888
Pricing: $$
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The Holiday Inn Express should be at the top of your list if you value location above all else. It stands tall in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, so you can easily walk or ride a taxi towards the capital’s best offerings, from its hidden restaurants to its attractions and more.
Location aside, this hotel is still a solid option because of its simple yet high-quality rooms. Each room is well-maintained, spacious and complete with all the modern amenities you need—the three pillars of a good space.
As a foodie, we also love this hotel because of its free buffet breakfast. The in-house restaurant features one of the most impressive buffet spreads we’ve seen in a hotel, featuring dishes from different kinds of cuisines—food coma, anyone?
The Bed, KLCC
Address: G1 Vortex KLCC, 12, Jln Sultan Ismail
Phone: +60 1-6355 3584
Pricing: $
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If you’re looking for something more budget-friendly, then The Bed, KLCC should be on your radar! It’s one of those capsule hotels, but we like to think that it’s more of an elevated version of the ultimate budgetary option.
For starters, the capsules themselves don’t feel cramped at all! Plus, they’re not designed like your usual space-themed capsule hotel but instead feel more like one of those nature retreat spots in the country.
Overall, it’s perfect for those travellers who’ll be spending most of their time outside exploring everything that the city offers
Suasana Suites Bukit Ceylon
Address: 2, Persiaran Raja Chulan, Bukit Bintang
Phone: +60 3-2630 7770
Pricing: $$
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For those times when you want to stay somewhere homier, you should book a stay at Susana Suites Bukit Ceylon. Instead of featuring traditional hotel rooms, this place lets its guests stay in condo-like rooms that come complete with dining areas and kitchens.
Having access to cooking facilities is a game changer, as it allows you to prepare your own food, cutting back your costs on food delivery and room service. Furthermore, the room still comes with everything you can expect amenity-wise like free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs—the works.
Lastly, Suasana Suites is within walking distance from Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve, making it a perfect choice for those who dread public transportation. It’s also located near the KL Tower, which by the way is visible from the hotel’s outdoor swimming pool.
Where to Eat near Suasana Suites Bukit Ceylon
Pampas Steakhouse at Old Malaya
Address: Old Malaya, 66-68, Jalan Raja Chulan, City Centre
Phone: +60 11-2367 4581
Pricing: $$$
Website
If you’re planning on celebrating something special or just want to take your partner somewhere fancy, you should check out Pampas Steakhouse at Old Malaya. As you may have gleaned from its name, this restaurant offers some of the most high-quality slabs of meat in the city.
They offer everything from Angus steaks to burgers, lamb shanks and more—a meat lover’s paradise, indeed! It’s also worth noting that these pieces of meat are cooked perfectly, as they’re not too rubbery when well done and not too raw when cooked medium rare.
The overall classy ambience of the restaurant itself is also worth highlighting. It allows people to enjoy candle-lit dinners while basking in classical music and luxurious interior decor.
Pier 12 Seafood Tavern
Address: 12, Lorong Raja Chulan, Wilayah Persekutuan
Phone: +60 1-6926 1317
Pricing: $$$
Website
You can always count on Pier 12 Seafood Tavern for those times when you’re craving some fish, shellfish and other delicacies of the ocean. Whether you’re looking for salmon, cod, prawns, crabs or anything in between, you can expect them to deliver!
We’re not gonna lie, the place is a bit pricey, but you’re getting your money’s worth! Their seafood dishes are as fresh as they come, and they’re prepared in the most unique and delicious ways.
One of our favourite items from their menu is the fried calamari, which is made unique by their homemade sauce. They also serve an amazing version of a soft-shell crab, which is usually partnered with their garlic prawns—we’re salivating just thinking of it!
Mollagaa Restaurant
Address: 50A, Lebuh Ampang, City Centre, Wilayah Persekutuan
Phone: +60 16-552 6777
Pricing: $-$$
Website
Mollagaa Restaurant should be one of your top choices if you’re craving authentic Indian delicacies. It offers an array of Indian cuisine staples that have been prepared home cooked style, and the best part is that they use zero MSG!
Dining here is an experience in itself as well, as everything is made authentic. For instance, the dishes are presented on a banana leaf, which is a typical way of serving a traditional South Indian feast.
They offer a wide array of Indian dishes so it’s easy to get overwhelmed just by looking at their menu. If you want our advice, we recommend going for the fish curry, chicken rice, mutton chukka or nandu rasam.
Poblano KL
Address: Old Malaya, Lot 4, Lorong Raja Chulan, City Centre
Phone: +60 12-731 7336
Pricing: $$
Website
If you’re craving Latin American dishes, one of the best places you can go to is Poblano KL. It offers anything from tacos to quesadillas, chicken fajitas and other classics that you’d usually find in an authentic Mexican restaurant such as this.
We wanted to highlight the tacos in particular, as we could tell that the tortilla shells were made in-house. The crispness of this shell pairs perfectly with their delicious ground beef, which by the way, is perfectly seasoned!
Bijan Bar & Restaurant
Address: No.3, Jalan Ceylon, Bukit Ceylon
Phone: +60 3-2031 3575
Pricing: $-$$
Website
Of course, you also have to try some dishes from the diverse cuisine of Malaysia while you’re here. For this need, there’s no better place to check out than Bijan Bar & Restaurant, as it offers some of the most authentic and delicious Malay dishes in Kuala Lumpur.
They offer these dishes in a buffet style, and we must say, it’s hard to pick which dishes to put on our plate when presented with a spread like this. Some of the dishes we highly recommend you try are the masak lemak udang tempoyak, rendang tok and rusuk panggang.
You can also end your meal on a sweet note by trying out some of their homemade desserts! This includes some traditional Malay sweets like ice cendol, gula melaka cake, pandan cendol and more.
What to Do in Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve
Conquer the Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve Trail
Length: 1.8 kilometres
Estimated time: 30+ minutes
One of the main reasons why travellers visit the Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve in the first place is to go hiking, and we can’t blame them! There are tons of hiking trails across this massive ecological haven, featuring various terrains of twists and turns—a true hiker’s dream.
The best trail to check out, however, is the main Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve Trail. It’s an out-and-back hiking trail that will provide you with every view there is to see here, and the best part is it will only take half an hour for you to complete it—depending on your pace, of course.
This trail is also considered moderately challenging, but that’s particularly because of its length. But, we can still say that it’s fairly accessible since the trail mostly consists of well-maintained pathways.
Cross the iconic canopy walk
The Canopy Walk is the most iconic man made reaction inside the forest reserve, and quite frankly, a trip here wouldn’t be complete without crossing it! This 200-metre-long bridge will provide you with the most breathtaking views of the forest reserve.
Also, since it’s an elevated bridge, you’ll also catch a glimpse of the KL skyscrapers, giving new meaning to the term concrete jungle. Speaking of skyscrapers, the KL Tower, which is one of the most iconic buildings in Kuala Lumpur, is visible from this canopy walk.
Spot some amazing wildlife
Birdwatching folks will also get a kick out of visiting Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve, as it houses a diverse selection of bird species. There are too many species to mention here, but the most common birds you’ll find here include hornbills, eagles and kingfishers.
If you want our advice, we recommend going bird watching at the canopy walk so that you can be on their level. Be sure to keep a sharp eye on the branches of the surrounding trees to spot some of the most colourful birds in the reserve.
Aside from birds, you’ll occasionally spot some monkeys crossing the iconic canopy walk. Good luck taking a picture alongside them because they’re swifter than you think!
Enjoy a lovely picnic
If you don’t want to spend too much money on the restaurants we’ve listed above, you can also choose to prepare your meals or snacks at home and enjoy a picnic at the park! Aside from saving money, you’ll also get to enjoy one of the most serene dining experiences of your life!
You can either set up a picnic on the ground or use one of the benches and tables scattered across the forest reserve.
Trust us, there’s no other restaurant in the city that will provide you with spectacular views without charging you a fortune. So, you might as well pack your lunch and enjoy a one-of-a-kind dining experience with your loved ones in the middle of nature!
Camp underneath the stars
If you can’t get enough of the lush greenery of the rainforest and the serene sounds it produces, you can choose to camp overnight in Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve. There is a camping site available on the premises.
Get your heart rate pumping by jogging or cycling
The forest reserve is also a great destination for those looking to get their much-needed exercise for the day. If you don’t want to go hiking/trekking, you can also ride your bike or jog along the cemented pathways found across the forest reserve.
Apps to Download for a Trip to Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve
Travel Malaysia: A pocket travel guide to Malaysia
iOs | Android
Maps.me: Offline map of the world
iOs | Android
XE Currency App: Real-time currency exchange rate app
iOs | Android
Grab: Ride-hailing app of Southeast Asia
iOs | Android
Google Translate: word translation with offline capabilities
iOs | Android
CatchThatBus: Bus ticket booking app
iOs