Across Perdana Lake shimmers the sun. Lake Gardens in Kuala Lumpur beckons.
This isn’t just any park. It’s Kuala Lumpur’s first large-scale recreational area. Established in 1888 it was the brainchild of Alfred Venning. He was the British State Treasurer of Selangor. He envisioned a botanical garden in the Sungei Bras Bras valley. Frank Swettenham the British Resident approved. A small grant funded the project.
Venning’s plan was ambitious. He imagined 173 acres a lake and an experimental economic garden. He cleared scrub and lalang planting ornamental trees and shrubs. Towkay Chow Ah Yeok a prominent Cantonese figure donated chempaka and orange trees. A dam created Perdana Lake initially called Sydney Lake after Swettenham’s wife.
The project took almost a decade. The garden officially opened on May 13 1889. Sir Cecil Clementi Smith the Governor of the Straits Settlements presided. Carcosa Seri Negara the British government representative’s residence stood on a nearby hill. Venning also established the Lake Club later the Royal Lake Club an exclusive European social hub.
The park’s name changed over time. From Public Gardens to Lake Gardens then Taman Tasik Perdana. Tun Abdul Razak renamed it in 1975. It became Perdana Botanical Gardens in 2011. This reflected an ambitious transformation into a botanical garden.
Today Lake Gardens thrives. The Deer Park Hibiscus Garden and Orchid Garden delight visitors. The Kuala Lumpur Bird Park opened in 1991. It’s the world’s largest covered bird park boasting over 3000 birds. The Kuala Lumpur Butterfly Park opened in 1992. It’s one of the world’s largest butterfly houses.
Soak in the atmosphere. Feel the history. Explore the vibrant life of Lake Gardens. It’s more than a park. It’s a living testament to Kuala Lumpur’s rich past and thriving present. Enjoy the beauty and tranquility. Let the serenity of Perdana Lake wash over you. This is Kuala Lumpur’s green heart. This is Lake Gardens.