Taman Tugu Forest Trail Highlights

Taman Tugu is another new add-on for the hikers' spot. Even though it has been open since 2018, many trails are not yet completed at that time. The only available green trail is only 1.5km. In 2019, the 1.6km yellow trail is opened. Two years later, in 2021, the 1.2km white trail is opened. The 66-acre land located in the city centre was once home to British officials prior to independence and later turned into government quarters of prominent leaders such as former Finance Minister Tun Tan Siew Sin. However, it became an illegal dumping ground after the residents left in 1970s. This "hot spot" was then proposed to be used as a theme park or commercial development purpose. After getting some voices from the community, Khazanah group decided to convert the site into a public park while conserving the secondary forest in the area.

For our first visit, we could not find this place. It's my bad 😅 I thought Taman Tugu should be attached together with Tugu Negara, but it's not. You still need to walk up some narrow road to the entrance from Tugu Negara.

This is the right entrance to Taman Tugu. You have to pass by the security post to the parking area. The parking is free of charge.

The entrance of the forest trail of Taman Tugu is located next to the security post.

The trail map is printed on the wall. It is recommended to take a picture of it for reference in case of emergency. Nevertheless, there are trail maps along the checkpoints.

Forest trail (linked):

• Green trail- 1.5km
• Yellow trail-1.6km
• White trail-1.2km
• Orange trail - 1.2km (opening soon)

Nursery trail- 1km

 

Taman Tugu forest trail is gated and guarded. The last entry is 5.45pm. If you are a first-timer there, it is advisable to come before 5pm.

This secondary trail at CP 2 is linked to CP 28. This is the first U-turn for those who have issues to finish the remaining trail. To prevent the spread of Covid-19, all trails are one-way direction paths.

There are a lot of signboards along the path. It would be great for the kids to come over here to learn about nature.

Wondering before the invention of an umbrella, was our ancestor using such kind of leaf to shelter from the rain and sun?

Checkpoint (CP) 8 is connected to CP 9 and CP 25. 

There are about 5-6 swings along the forest trail. The first swing is placed at CP 9. At CP 9, there are 2 routes to CP 10.

At CP 10, we arrived at the landslide area that has been covered with cement. 

CP 11 is another U-turn. It is connected to CP 12 and CP 20. From CP 20 to CP 21, you still have to go back to the landslide area.

River Open Environment Centre is an initiative by Taman Tugu with the collaboration of the Global Environment Centre. It is an open area designed to be an engaging, interactive and educational classroom for the public to learn about river conservation as well as the importance of the local waterway.

The gazebo is located at CP 13.

The manmade river

CP 15 is an instagrammable spot. The trail is grown with bamboo shoots on both sides.

The lady was waiting for others to go down the ruins with her. She pointed at the side of the trail saying that there is a bunch of human hair-like items on the ground. She was scared to go down alone.

The door entrance is relatively small.

The ruin was once a British official residence. This is another instagrammable spot (CP 16).

The badminton/basketball court in front of the ruins is covered with bushes and trees.

The monitor lizard is commonly found in Malaysia. Even though monitor lizards will bite when threatened but most of the monitor lizards I encountered before are scared of humans and run away when we chase them. Kids don't try.

Between CP 18-19, there are a few more remnants of the British colonial buildings. 

After independence, the ruins site was used by Malaysia government officers including:

• Tun Tan Siew Sin (1st Minister of Commerce and Industry; Finance Minister)
• Tun Syed Sheh bin Syed Hassan Barakbah (1st Malaysian Lord President)
• Tan Sri Haji Mohammad Noah bin Omar (1st Speaker of Dewan Rakyat)
• Tan Sri Mohamed bin Jamil (1st Malaysian Director of Agriculture)

The old well has been sealed, perhaps for safety purposes?

This big tree is found between CP 20-21.

Baccaurea fruit tree is found between CP21-CP 25 (CP 21-22-23-24 is not available at the moment). The current trail is jumped from CP 21 to CP24.

Perhaps the secondary trail is leading to CP 29 (according to the map).

Checkpoint 28 Taman Tugu

We skipped CP29 as we did not dare to go near a group of fierce long-tailed macaques climbing and running on the trail from CP 28 - 29. CP 28 is a Y-junction connected CP 29 and CP 30 respectively.

At the last checkpoint, CP30, we have another gazebo again. 

The wild mushrooms

From CP 30, we climbed up a flight of stairs to the Taman Tugu rest area.

By the time we reached the rest area, my watch showed that I have walked 10k steps on that day! The trail could be finished in 1 hour as been told by others, but we spent like 2 hours on the forest trail alone. We took time on observing the surroundings, taking pictures, and of course, enjoying nature. 

The rest area is equipped with a few long tables and benches as well as ceiling fans. You can switch on/off and adjust the fan speed at the control panel box without having to ask someone to open it for you. This rest area could be converted into an event space and a great venue for parties, dinners and corporate events. For those who are interested in holding an event here, you could contact them via http://tamantugu.my.

Upcoming events in July at the rest area of Taman Tugu

Opening hour:

7am- 6.30pm (A fine of RM50 will be imposed for any exits after 6.30pm.)
 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/friendsoftamantugu