A Family-Friendly Day in Kuala Lumpur

Most visitors to Kuala Lumpur seek out the exceptional shopping areas and the Petronas Towers; they neglect the cultural and natural beauty that can be found in this vibrant city. There are many family-friendly activities throughout the city. For a one-day tour, a family can enjoy the natural beauty of the Kuala Lumpur Bird Park and the cultural inspiration of the Islamic Arts Museum.

It is best to begin the day at the Kuala Lumpur Bird Park in the morning, when it's cooler, and walk downhill to the Islamic Arts Museum, where it's air conditioned. The entrance to the Bird Park is a long walk from the monorail station, but is easily accessible by taxi. It's a much shorter walk to the monorail from the Islamic Arts Museum.

The Kuala Lumpur Bird Park, which is the largest free-flight aviary in the world, covers almost 21 acres in Lake Gardens. Though it is enclosed with netting, most of the birds are allowed fly freely throughout the park. The only birds that are in separate cages are the birds of prey. The park also offers educational activities for families throughout the day, including photo opportunities and feedings.

The Bird Park is open daily from 9 am to 6 pm and admission is RM 42 for adults and RM 32 for children.

After walking around the Bird Park, visitors can stop for lunch at the Hornbill Restaurant & Café, located at the entrance to the park. The Hornbill Restaurant & Café offers visitors a wide selection of local delicacies to enjoy with a view from above the park. The open verandah is the best place to sit, assuming it's not too crowded. Some birds will perch themselves on the railing near the tables and often shock diners with their presence. Photos are encouraged while patrons enjoy their meals and the scenery.

The menu includes a lot of Western dishes for those who aren't adventurous enough to try Malaysian food. However, the local cuisine is much better and comes at a more reasonable price. The nasi lemak and mee mamak are highly recommended.

After lunch, visitors can walk down the hill to the Islamic Arts Museum, which is one of the most impressive museums I have ever visited. Opened in December 1998, the Islamic Arts Museum houses the largest collection of Islamic art in the world spread out on two floors of permanent exhibits. The main feature of this museum's interior architecture is its white inverted dome inscribed with the opening verse of the Qur'an.

The museum is well organized and labeled, allowing visitors to easily find the exhibits they want. The building houses artifacts from around the world-some dating back centuries. A large portion of the collection comes from Malaysia, Indonesia, India and China. There are elaborate tapestries and hand-printed Qur'ans, vast collections of silver work, scale models of mosques, as well as calligraphy and paintings throughout the museum's 12 galleries.

The Islamic Arts Museum is open daily from 10 am to 6 pm and tickets are RM 12.