Putrajaya

Relatively few travelers choose to stay in Putrajaya overnight, preferring to visit on a day or night tour from nearby Kuala Lumpur. The city’s sights are spread out over a large area, and for many the ease of a tour is preferable to the hassles of driving. Putrajaya tour options range from Segway adventures and car excursions to lake cruises and balloon flights: The city’s architecture is at its most impressive when seen from the air.

• Putrajaya is a popular choice for architecture fans.

• Putrajaya is a conservative Muslim city. Although robes are available to borrow at the Putra Mosque, it’s worth covering up more than you might in Kuala Lumpur.

• The Perdana Putra, Malaysia’s answer to the Capitol, has a strict dress code. Men need to wear collared shirts, closed shoes, and long pants, while women should cover shoulders, knees, and décolletage.

• Although far from perfect, Putrajaya is one of Malaysia’s most wheelchair-accessible cities.

Putrajaya is about 20 miles (32 kilometers) south of Kuala Lumpur and easy to reach from both of Kuala Lumpur’s international airports on the KLIA Transit rail service. However, most visitors prefer to base themselves in Kuala Lumpur, which has broader food, accommodation, and nightlife options. The KLIA Transit connects the two cities in under 20 minutes.

Putrajaya is hot and steamy all year round, with slightly more rain in the rainy season (roughly November through March). Visiting in the evenings can provide a visual feast, with the city’s signature architecture lit up; weekends can be eerily quiet. As with Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, smoke pollution (“haze”) is occasionally an issue between June and August.

Whether you’re floating on the lake or gliding high in a hot-air balloon, it’s Putrajaya’s architecture that makes the city what it is. Landmarks not to miss include circular Putra Square, rose-pink Putra Mosque, alien-looking Putrajaya Convention Centre, sail-shaped Seri Wawasan Bridge, and the Perdana Putra, home to Malaysia’s government.

Some of the main attractions in Putrajaya include Putrajaya Lake (a popular spot for fishing and water sports) and Perdana Putra (which houses the Prime Minister of Malaysia's office). Religious buildings include Puta Mosque, the city's main house of worship, and the Masjid Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin (Masjid Besi).

Putrajaya is south of Kuala Lumpur, about a half-hour drive from the city (depending on traffic). You can also take KLIA Transit from Putrajaya Sentral to KL Sentral in around 20 minutes. Tours from Kuala Lumpur to Putrajaya are particularly convenient and typically include hotel pickup and drop-off.

Yes, there are lots of dining options in Putrajaya. Here, you'll find everything from street food vendors to upscale restaurants serving cuisine worldwide. Head to the Masjid Putra area for street food, or go to Prsint15 to try Chinese halal fare at Mohd Chan.

Yes, guided tours of Putrajaya are available. Tours typically depart from Kuala Lumpur and last a few hours to a full day. Some tours include a boat ride on Putrajaya Lake. Many tours to Putrajaya also involve visiting the UNESCO-listed Batu Caves north of central Kuala Lumpur.

Sort of. While you can wear whatever you want to Putrajaya, you must follow specific rules for visiting many of its attractions. The Perdana Putra requires victors to wear smart attire (collared shirts for men and modest clothes for women), while mosques expect you to remove your shoes and cover up before entering.

The best time of year to visit Putrajaya is between April and October, outside the rainy season when you're less likely to get caught in a downpour. However, remember that Putrajaya is muggy year-round, so dress accordingly. Note that pollution is often at its worst from June until August.