Pavements and pedestrian footpaths. It was a treat to walk. Yes, to walk from Putra Square in the north to Gemilang Square in the south. Continuously, without any encumbrances. Through a magnificent boulevard – 4 km long and 100 meter wide[1] – lined with plants, trees, parks, kiosks and Government offices. My husband and I marvelled at Putrajaya, the federal administrative centre of Malaysia.

Putrajaya is conspicuously different from any other place that we have visited and stayed – locally. It’s a city that is, dare I say, people-friendly. At least the bits that we saw and walked about. Which is why for the first time in many years, my husband and I actually considered moving from Kuala Lumpur (KL) to live in Putrajaya or at least commute between these two very dissimilar cities.

Admittedly, we got caught up in the moment. We visualized living in a house facing the Putrajaya Lake. We imagined opening the front door and windows to a lake, albeit a large and meandering 650-hectare man-made one[2]. Sold on having the stress relieving body of water, cool breeze and apparently temperature reducing benefit it offers, right on our front yard. A bonus walk in the morning by the lake, shielded by trees, before the start of the work day. Plus that expansive, open feeling sans high rise buildings hemming in on us, and people everywhere. Nice. 

Also nice was the accessible parks. From Zenith Putrajaya, our accommodation for two nights, we walked to Wawasan Park bar a single hindrance. Seriously, not one U-turn or cul-de-sac. This park was seamlessly connected by pavements. Even under the Putra Bridge, which allowed us to casually saunter, watch a sampan or a small boat whizz past us, before arriving at our destination.

As KL-ites, the first thought that came to mind when we saw Putra Bridge was this had to be the end of the road or pavement. It was almost an automatic cue to look up Waze to help us navigate our way to the park. And, possibly dodge some cars along the way. What a happy surprise it was when none of that happened. Honestly, pavements in Putrajaya were built with considerable consideration and thought not to inconvenience or surprise amblers like us, walkers, joggers and cyclists with an unwelcome dead end.

Wawasan Park is a delightful place to walk off afternoon tea or spend an evening, just being. By chance, we started at the tiered or hilly end of the park. Walking up to one of the levels required a little effort but from then on it was quite easy. We strolled past a myriad of plants and trees that were pruned and well cared for. We recognised many but didn’t know their botanical names. The pathways were neat and tidy. Our walk along the lake side of the park, which included a pebble beach (a nice idea) was equally delightful. We spotted many beautiful little birds and a kingfisher, which always manages to make us feel happy and lucky. Nice. There are several other parks in Putrajaya. Among them are the Putra Perdana Park, Botanical Garden, Agriculture Heritage Park and Wetlands Park.

I just couldn’t, and still can’t get over the condition of the pavements. They were mostly all flat, not slippery and well maintained. No open manholes to accidentally fall into. No broken tiles to stub our toes or trip over. The few that were broken were cordoned off, and had notices that read they were being maintained. OMG. How nice is that?  It was like being in pavement-heaven. And, no cars were parked on the pavements, like some selfish drivers do in KL. Forcing pedestrians to walk on the main roads, and dodge traffic.

Our walk along the Putrajaya Boulevard was an interesting experience. Particularly as it was graced by non-identical Government buildings. Towers, domes, imprints, twinkle lights resembling the Malaysian map and a long and wavy canopy gave the buildings and facades identity and uniqueness.  It had us oohing and aahing. Impressive.

The return journey along the lake, which seem to traverse the entire city, was equally interesting. We walked past the Seri Saujana Bridge – a stunning construction that demands many photographs especially at dusk when its reflection begins to be mirrored in the lake,  Monorail Suspension bridge – a grand but stalled construction, a children’s playground, a traditional Malay house on stilts and a Chinese temple, the brilliant architecture of the Iron Mosque or the Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin Mosque, The Millennium Monument, McDonald’s (I like) and the Seri Wawasan Bridge – another magnificent structure that is further enhanced by the changing coloured lights at night.

So many pavements. So easy to walk about. We shall return.