Stand on the viewing tower at the top of Gasing Hill and the whole of Petaling Jaya spreads out below you, with Kuala Lumpur on the horizon. It is the only remaining forest reserve in the city, and the climb is the quickest way to understand how PJ sits between the capital and the rest of Selangor.
Petaling Jaya suits travellers who are based in Kuala Lumpur or Shah Alam and want a half-day or full day of green space, temples, markets and food without crossing the city. The Light Rail Transit Kelana Jaya Line runs through the major residential and commercial sections, so you can move between the stops at Taman Jaya, Asia Jaya, Taman Paramount, Taman Bahagia and Kelana Jaya without a car. A leisurely drive outside peak hours is another good way to see the area.
This guide covers the sights and experiences worth your time, then strings them into a single-day plan. Bring an umbrella: Petaling Jaya is one of the wettest cities in Malaysia, with heavy rainfall all year and thunderstorms common.
Top things to do in Petaling Jaya
1. Gasing Hill
Gasing Hill is the only remaining forest reserve in Petaling Jaya, covering approximately 100 acres of rare fauna and flora. Trails, a viewing tower and a resting area make it manageable for nature lovers, and from the top you get views of both Petaling Jaya and Kuala Lumpur. Over 100 species of birds have been recorded in this green lung.
Take the turnoff towards Gasing Hill along the same road as Wat Chetawan Temple, so you can pair the two in one outing.
2. Wat Chetawan Temple
Wat Chetawan is one of the main Thai Buddhist temples in the Klang Valley, with a towering main prayer hall surrounded by shrines and statues. It began as a small temple in Jalan Raja Bot in 1957, and the present temple was built in the early 1960s. It draws large numbers of devotees during Thai festivals such as Songkran and Loy Krathong, as well as Wesak.
You can see the temple in full glory either from Jalan Gasing or from the Kelana Jaya Line LRT; the nearest station is Taman Jaya.
3. Kelana Jaya Lake Park
One of the largest parks in Petaling Jaya, Kelana Jaya Lake Park has seven scenic lakes on the site of a former mining area that was rehabilitated in the 1980s. A jogging track runs around the lakes, and the Kelana Jaya Sports Complex nearby has two Olympic-sized swimming pools plus tennis and badminton courts. The modern MBPJ Stadium is also in the vicinity.
The nearest LRT station is Kelana Jaya, which makes this an easy stop on the Kelana Jaya Line.
4. Taman Jaya
Taman Jaya is a recreational hub for residents, with shady trees and a lake, and it suits jogging and cycling. It is a short walk from the similarly named LRT station, as well as from Amcorp Mall and Dataran PJ Field.
Combine it with the Petaling Jaya Museum and the MBPJ Tower, both of which are in the same part of town.
5. Petaling Jaya Museum
The Petaling Jaya Museum sits on Jalan 10/7 in Seksyen 10, Taman Jaya. It is open Saturday to Thursday, 9AM to 5PM, and entry is free.
It pairs naturally with Taman Jaya and the MBPJ Tower, all within walking distance of the Taman Jaya LRT station.
6. MBPJ Tower
The MBPJ Tower is the headquarters of the Petaling Jaya City Council and a prominent landmark, a 27-storey building officiated by the late Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah, on 16 March 1987. It stands in the middle of a pit-like sunken plaza, surrounded by shops and commercial areas.
The nearest LRT station is Taman Jaya, so it fits easily into a walk around Taman Jaya and the museum.
7. Kota Darul Ehsan Arch
This huge marble arch is the gateway into Petaling Jaya, erected to mark the cession of Kuala Lumpur to the Federal Government to form the Federal Territory. Construction began in 1974 and the arch opened in 1981.
It is most spectacular at night, when the lighting creates a golden illumination for motorists on the highway.
8. 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. Its design stands out as aesthetically pleasing and unique in a highway project in the country.
It is a landmark to look out for while driving rather than a stop in itself, so note it on the way between the northern and southern parts of the city.
9. Hilton PJ
The Hilton PJ has been a hallmark of good food for the people of Petaling Jaya since its opening in 1984, and it is the longest-operating Hilton in Malaysia. Its Paya Serai coffee house has long been known for its daily hi-tea buffet, and the popular Chili's Bistro was given a facelift.
Most people know the PJ State area by the mention of the Hilton or its famous neighbour, Menara MBPJ, so use it as a landmark when orienting yourself.
10. PJ Exchange
PJ Exchange is a 35-storey office tower at the doorstep of the Taman Jaya LRT Station, next to the Federal Highway and Amcorp Mall. With its 30-metre spire, it became the tallest office tower in Petaling Jaya and a prominent landmark upon completion in 2010.
Its position next to the Taman Jaya LRT station and Amcorp Mall makes it a convenient reference point when planning a walk in that area.
11. Damansara Jaya central park
Damansara Jaya central park offers morning or evening recreational activities, making it a simple option if you are staying in the Damansara Jaya part of the city.
Go in the morning or evening, when the park is used for recreation.
12. DJROA community centre
The DJROA community centre in Damansara Jaya offers line dancing and Wai Dan Gung, so it is a way to join a local activity rather than simply look at a sight.
It sits in the same Damansara Jaya area as the central park, so the two can be done together.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start at Gasing Hill, taking the turnoff along the same road as Wat Chetawan Temple, and walk the trails up to the viewing tower for views over Petaling Jaya and Kuala Lumpur. Come down and visit Wat Chetawan Temple while you are on Jalan Gasing.
Afternoon: Take the Kelana Jaya Line to Taman Jaya. Walk through Taman Jaya, visit the Petaling Jaya Museum on Jalan 10/7, and look at the MBPJ Tower and its sunken plaza. Then head to Kelana Jaya Lake Park for the jogging track around the seven lakes, with the Kelana Jaya Sports Complex and MBPJ Stadium nearby.
Evening: Have a hi-tea buffet or a meal at the Hilton PJ in the PJ State area, then drive past the Kota Darul Ehsan Arch to see it lit up at night, noting the LDP Cable-Stayed Bridge at Persekutuan Interchange on the way.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get around Petaling Jaya without a car?
Use the Light Rail Transit Kelana Jaya Line, which covers major residential and commercial sections of the town. From Kuala Lumpur the stations run through Taman Jaya, Asia Jaya, Taman Paramount, Taman Bahagia and finally Kelana Jaya.
When is the best time to see the Kota Darul Ehsan Arch?
At night, when the lighting creates a golden illumination for highway motorists.
What can I do in Petaling Jaya when it rains?
Rainfall is heavy all year and thunderstorms are common, so plan indoor stops. The Hilton PJ has its Paya Serai coffee house and Chili's Bistro, and the Petaling Jaya Museum is open Saturday to Thursday, 9AM to 5PM, with free entry.
Is there a park for jogging or cycling?
Yes. Taman Jaya has shady trees and a lake and is a favourite recreational hub for residents, and Kelana Jaya Lake Park has a popular jogging track around its seven lakes.
Decide which LRT stop to start from, pick your day, and the rest of Petaling Jaya falls into place.