Petaling Jaya, universally referred to as PJ, is a satellite city in the state of Selangor to the south of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It attained city status in 2006 on the auspicious day of June 20th. Founded only in 1954 as Malaysia's first planned town, PJ has become a busy commercial and residential hub in its own right with over 450,000 inhabitants. In the later years, further expansion to the north saw the rise of the posh Damansara area that gave birth to such housing estates as Bandar Utama, Kota Damansara, Damansara Perdana,
Bandar Sri Damansara and Damansara Impian.
Bandar Sri Damansara and Damansara Impian.
The Kelana Jaya LRT Line (formerly PUTRA LRT) snakes from central Kuala Lumpur to the center of Petaling Jaya and is a good way of avoiding the traffic jams between the two, especially at rush hour. The KTM Commuter electric trains also have several stops in Petaling Jaya, albeit not as convenient as the LRT as it stops a slight distance away from the PJ State CBD.
For out-of-towners, specifically Singaporeans, the luxury Aeroline double-deck coach service stops at two PJ hubs, which are the Menara Axis in PJ State (opposite the Asia Jaya LRT) and One Utama. The buses run between Singapore, KL, and PJ on a daily basis. For further information, check out www.aeroline.com.my.
PJ is quite spread out and you pretty much need your own wheels to get around. Feeder bus services to LRT stations tend to be a little spotty, but most stations also have taxi queues. However, should you be staying in the major hotels (Hilton, Sunway Resort, Eastin, Crystal Crown, Royale Bintang, and Armada), all of them have shuttle bus services that take guests into KL City and PJ State as well as local landmarks such as Sunway Lagoon, One Utama, and The Curve Shopping Center.
Unlike other towns, there is actually nothing much to notice here, except for the occasional oddities here and there. However, the PJ City Council is compiling a guide on the attractions around the city in conjunction with the upcoming Visit Malaysia Year in 2007.
If you must take the public transport, try the Light Rail Transit (LRT) via the Kelana Jaya Line which covers major residential and commercial sections of this town, starting with stations (from KL City); Taman Jaya, Asia Jaya, Taman Paramount, Taman Bahagia and finally Kelana Jaya.
The best way to see this area is to take a leisurely drive during non-peak hours. Some of the major attractions around the Greater PJ area are listed below:
Kota Darul Ehsan Arch
This huge marble arch, the gateway into Petaling Jaya, was erected to mark the commemoration of the cession of Kuala Lumpur to the Federal Government to form the Federal Territory. Construction commenced in 1974 and the arch was officially opened in 1981. The arch is most spectacular at night when the lighting creates a "golden" illumination to highway motorists.
Wat Chetawan Temple
One of the main Thai Buddhist temples in the Klang Valley, the Chetawan can be seen in full glory either when driving on Jalan Gasing or traveling on the Kelana Jaya Line LRT. With a towering main prayer hall and surrounded by shrines, the temple has been around for more than 40 years, having started as a small temple in Jalan Raja Bot in 1957. The present temple was built in the early 1960s. Today, it is the main attraction for devotees and visitors alike because of its intricate design and statues within the temple grounds. The temple attracts huge numbers of devotees during Thai festivals like Songkran and Loy Krathong, as well as Wesak, and hosts Thai royal visitors during auspicious festivals.
MBPJ Tower
The headquarters of the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) and a prominent PJ landmark, the 27-storey building which cost RM50m was officiated by the late Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah on March 16, 1987. The building is unique in the sense that it stands in the middle of a pit-like "sunken plaza" and surrounded by shops as well as commercial areas.
Gasing Hill
Along the same road from the Chetawan Temple is the turnoff towards the Gasing Hill. The Hill, which is the only remaining forest reserve in PJ, covers approximately 100 acres where rare fauna and flora could be found. There are also trails, a viewing tower and resting area for nature lovers. From the top of Gasing Hill one gets breath-taking views of PJ and Kuala Lumpur. Over 100 species of birds are to be found in this green lung.
Taman Jaya
A spot for those in search of outdoor activities like jogging and cycling is Taman Jaya, a favourite recreational hub for residents with its shady trees and lake. It is a short walk away from the similarly-named LRT station as well as the Amcorp Mall and Dataran PJ Field.
Kelana Jaya Lake Park
One of the largest in PJ, with its 7 scenic lakes, this park was formerly a mining area that was rehabilitated in the 80s into what it is today. Other than a popular jogging track around the lakes, the Kelana Jaya Sports Complex is located nearby and it contains two Olympic-sized swimming pools as well as tennis and badminton courts. The modern MBPJ Stadium is also in the vicinity and it was one of the venues used for the KL 1998 Commonwealth Games.
LDP Cable-Stayed Bridge
The LDP (Damansara-Puchong Highway) Cable Stayed Bridge at Persekutuan Interchange crossing the Federal Highway is the first Cable Stayed Land Bridge in Malaysia. The bridge stands out as an aesthetically pleasing and unique design in a highway project in the country. The design and construction methods of the bridge allowed for the necessary traffic management required at the construction site (one of the busiest interchanges); a normal bridge design would have required for the removal of 2 traffic lanes to accommodate the construction of the piers.
Various Pasar Malam (Night Markets) can be found on the main streets in the suburbs around Petaling Jaya. It's the best way to get to know the 'true' Malaysian culture. There you can find fresh foods, quick snacks and it is also a popular target by the local triads to sell their contraband merchandise of anything under the sun. Let it be clothing, electronics, mobile phone accessories, pirated DVDs and Audio CDs etc. You get a very good bargain if you buy them in bulk or if you speak Malay or Cantonese.
But if it's air-con and fast food you want, PJ does have a few megamalls:
Amcorp Mall
Mall with lots of mini-anchor tenants including a three-screen cinema as well as Malaysia's best weekend flea market on the Lower Ground floor. Occupies the best location in PJ State as it is just 5 minutes walk from the Taman Jaya LRT Station (Kelana Jaya Line).
Digital Mall, Section 14
Located in the building previously occupied by Metrojaya, this colorful building with the mosaic-like facade, unique neon lights, and large TV screen opened its doors to PJ folk on August 9 as the city's first IT-lifestyle mall. The Digital Mall is located just across the street from Jaya SC.
Mutiara Damansara
A new commercial precinct that is home to Asia's largest IKEA store together with the adjoining IKANO Power Center. Other malls here include The Curve lifestyle and F&B mall as well as a large TESCO hypermarket and the Cineleisure Damansara Entertainment Complex. The precinct is served by an hourly free shuttle bus from Kelana Jaya LRT (at the entrance to IKANO Center).
One Utama (hourly free shuttle bus from LRT Kelana Jaya)
One of the largest and most popular malls in the entire Klang Valley, recently expanded with a brand new wing. Existing tenants Jusco, Marks & Spencer, and TGV Cinemas in the old block are now accompanied by those in the new wing such as U Parkson, MPH Megastore, Golden Screen Cinemas, Celebrity Fitness, and Giant Supermarket as well as Malaysia's largest rock-climbing gymnasium.
Eating is almost a national obsession with eateries available around the clock. Petaling Jaya is home to many restaurants and stalls serving all sorts of Asian and Western cuisine catering to almost all sorts of budgets.
Asian Food House, Damansara Utama. The sign unhelpfully proclaims that this restaurant specializes in "Asian food", but in reality it's mostly Taiwanese fare. The pork stew with rice (RM8.90) isn't bad.
Fatty Crab Restaurant, in Taman Megah. It's been over 30 years since Uncle Fatty set up his shop, but their famed sweet, sour and spicy crab still continues to draw the crowds. Roll up your sleeves and dig in, and figure on RM30/head with a few side dishes thrown in.
Mamak Restaurants, a veritable PJ institution, these 24-hour restaurants operated mainly by Indian-Muslims are popular amongst the young crowd for the live soccer broadcasts on weekends (and weekdays on occasion) as well as cheap food.
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