HomeAsiaSouth East AsiaMalaysiaPutrajaya, Malaysia Sunset & Night Shots By Marcos Detourist on November 15, 2011Our short visit to Putrajaya was one of the most memorable moments during our Singapore – Malaysia overland trip last year.The first time I saw a photo of Putrajaya’s Seri Wawasan Bridge, I was instantly drawn at the asymmetric design and elegant lines of its cable stays.Why was there such a magnificent structure “hidden” at an unfamiliar place in Malaysia? My curiosity and lack of awareness inadvertently led me to discover this city called Putrajaya.First view of the Seri Wawasan Bridge on the taxi ride to PutrajayaPutrajaya is a place unrivaled anywhere else in South East Asia. From scratch, the Malaysian Government built a master planned city to serve as the administrative center of their federal government.This set-up is similar to Canberra in Australia and Brasilia in Brazil wherein the administrative capital is located separately from the congested principal urban cities (Sydney and Melbourne for Australia and Rio de Janeiro for Brazil).Getting to PutrajayaPutrajaya was located a good length between the city centre of Kuala Lumpur and the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). The plan was to visit Putrajaya getting to the airport for our return flight back to Manila.Our aunt arranged a taxi to pick us up at KL Sentral, take a short stop at Putrajaya, and then drive us all the way to KLIA. Taking the taxi was a much better option than my original plan, which involved taking the KLIA Rail link and going around Putrajaya by bus. Since there were four of us in the group, we ended up paying a cheaper fare (per person) by taking the taxi … this aside from the convenience of having a hired transport.We boarded the petite Proton (Malaysia’s local car brand) taxi and was greeted by the taxi driver. It was already around a quarter to 6pm. We still had enough time for the 1-hour travel to Putrajaya before nightfall thanks to the late sunset hours in Western Malaysia.The highways getting out of Kuala Lumpur were spacious and efficient. The scenario was such a contrast to the crowded streets of Manila and Bangkok. The biggest delight was actually spending time with the charming taxi driver. During the ride, he would point out major landmarks along the way, make interesting remarks, and answer numerous queries that popped in my mind.Surprisingly, he knew a lot about Malaysia. I could get a sense of his great pride for his country. It was refreshing to encounter a deep national pride from him. It’s a trait I hoped more people back home could also embrace.National Museum BuildingKL Tower and highrisesArrival at PutrajayaThe sun was already starting to touch the horizon when we arrived in Putrajaya. The sky was very cloudy, I wasn’t expecting a really good sunset. I was just happy to have seen the Seri Wawasan Bridge upclose.The city centre of Putrajaya was completely surrounded by a huge lake and accessible through nine bridges. There were a lot of very interesting and massive structures within the government complex. Almost all major structures have remarkable architectures that were designed to impress curious visitors, like me :)Seriwawasan Bridge during sunset. Not the best angle.View of the Masjid Putra (Pink Mosque) and the Perdana Putra (Prime Minister’s office) from the Seriwawasan BridgeMinistry of Finance complexPerdana Putra (Prime Minister’s office)As we were crossing the Putra Bridge, the bland bluish-grey sky suddenly turned an orange glow. It was so mesmerizing to see the golden glow of the sunset kiss the delicate pink exteriors of the Masjid Putra. The perfect light only lasted for a few minutes … just enough for a few snaps.Masjid Putra at DuskWe were only allowed to enter until this pointPerdana Putra (Prime Minister’s office)Istana Kehakiman (Palace of Justice)Masjid Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin (Iron Mosque)View of the Putrajaya Lake from the Iron Mosque areaSeriwawasan Bridge and Pink Mosque at NightPerbadanan Putrajaya. The local authority which administrates the Federal Territory of Putrajaya.Cool view with the Iron Mosque in the backgroundUFO-like Putrajaya International Convention CentreSeri Gemilang BridgeSeri Gemilang Bridge and U/C highrises Seri Sauajana Bridge at nightSeri Sauajana Bridge at nightThe side trip to Putrajaya was a success! I felt so ecstatic to have had a nice experience before leaving Malaysia.From KL the taxi ride took 45 minutes to get to Putrajaya, where we spent one hour for the limited photo stops. From Putrajaya, the airport was another 30 minute drive away. The driver used the taxi meter the entire time. The fare totaled a bit under RM100, which was cheaper than all four of us taking the KLIA Rail Link. I wasn’t able to get the contact number of the taxi driver, unfortunately.Don’t leave yet. There’s more!Singapore and Malaysia DIY Overland in 5 DaysPlanning a trip to Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaSingapore to Melaka, Malaysia Bus via Johor Bahru5 Days Singapore and Malaysia Itinerary - DIY Travel Tips3 Weeks Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia Itinerary5 Days Borneo Itinerary — Kota Kinabalu & BruneiComments Christine saysNovember 15, 2011 at 9:19 pmI love Putrajaya! I went here 2009 and was drawn because of its name which I saw from a hostel’s brochure. When I got there, I was so amazed. It’s so clean! Haha! Ganda ng mga structures. I enjoyed staring at the Perdana Putra. It was morning then and your photos make me wish I visited at night. :) Merci Coloso saysNovember 15, 2011 at 9:22 pmLove your photos a lot. I envy your job. All the best to all your upcoming ventures! Marcos saysDecember 20, 2011 at 11:17 pmThanks Merci :D Gladys | ByahengBarok.com saysNovember 16, 2011 at 8:49 ami love your night shots. i wish i could shoot as many night shots as you did when i travel. problem is, my friends complain for waiting too long. hehehe! Marcos saysDecember 20, 2011 at 11:19 pmThanks Gladys. Was actually hurrying when taking these shots also since we had a flight to catch. I’d be really happy if I had a travel buddy who has the same passion as me also ^_^ Allen Trottier saysNovember 16, 2011 at 2:33 pmBeautiful photos. Love the architecture there. Marcos saysDecember 20, 2011 at 11:24 pmThanks Allen :) Seair saysNovember 16, 2011 at 10:35 pmthe pink mosque is gorgeous! i love anything pink! gayE @ pinaytraveljunkie saysNovember 22, 2011 at 4:39 amThat bridge is wayyy prettier than the other famous bridges I’ve seen! Marcos saysDecember 20, 2011 at 11:35 pmI’d like to see more of those famous bridges also, hehe :D EDMARATION saysDecember 7, 2011 at 7:01 pmnaiingit ako sa ganda at prosperity ng Malaysia Marcos saysDecember 20, 2011 at 11:48 pmgrabe sila!? I also admire the pride of Malaysian for their country. Brenna saysDecember 8, 2011 at 5:30 pmGorgeous sunset photo! Super heart warming siguro nyan in person. Ganda ng buildings, architecture is just so elegant! and the lights! Grabe! HUNGGANDA! Philippine Made saysDecember 15, 2011 at 10:35 pmnice photos! You deserved to be the winner of PBA – Best Travel Blog. Marcos saysDecember 20, 2011 at 11:03 pmThanks. That would have been awesome, hehe. Joseph Reyes saysDecember 17, 2011 at 7:43 pmI was only able to go to Melaka, Malaysia as a side trip to our Singapore Tour 2 weeks ago. I like the nice photos above especially those taken in the evening.. Maybe on my next trip I could visit this place. Thanks for providing the info about this place. Marcos saysDecember 20, 2011 at 11:00 pmOh. Yes Putrajaya is a good place to visit also :) Posting of new comments is disabled temporarily.Connect with Marcos on:Detourista.comMarcosDetourist.comFacebookInstagramTwitterDetourista.comDiscover more travel guides and blogs about the Philippines and beyond by Marcos DetouristChoose your next destination: Cambodia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam
Christine saysNovember 15, 2011 at 9:19 pmI love Putrajaya! I went here 2009 and was drawn because of its name which I saw from a hostel’s brochure. When I got there, I was so amazed. It’s so clean! Haha! Ganda ng mga structures. I enjoyed staring at the Perdana Putra. It was morning then and your photos make me wish I visited at night. :)
Merci Coloso saysNovember 15, 2011 at 9:22 pmLove your photos a lot. I envy your job. All the best to all your upcoming ventures!
Gladys | ByahengBarok.com saysNovember 16, 2011 at 8:49 ami love your night shots. i wish i could shoot as many night shots as you did when i travel. problem is, my friends complain for waiting too long. hehehe!
Marcos saysDecember 20, 2011 at 11:19 pmThanks Gladys. Was actually hurrying when taking these shots also since we had a flight to catch. I’d be really happy if I had a travel buddy who has the same passion as me also ^_^
gayE @ pinaytraveljunkie saysNovember 22, 2011 at 4:39 amThat bridge is wayyy prettier than the other famous bridges I’ve seen!
Marcos saysDecember 20, 2011 at 11:48 pmgrabe sila!? I also admire the pride of Malaysian for their country.
Brenna saysDecember 8, 2011 at 5:30 pmGorgeous sunset photo! Super heart warming siguro nyan in person. Ganda ng buildings, architecture is just so elegant! and the lights! Grabe! HUNGGANDA!
Philippine Made saysDecember 15, 2011 at 10:35 pmnice photos! You deserved to be the winner of PBA – Best Travel Blog.
Joseph Reyes saysDecember 17, 2011 at 7:43 pmI was only able to go to Melaka, Malaysia as a side trip to our Singapore Tour 2 weeks ago. I like the nice photos above especially those taken in the evening.. Maybe on my next trip I could visit this place. Thanks for providing the info about this place.