It’s not usual to encounter giant sharks and electric eels right in the heart of a modern metropolis. But Kuala Lumpur is unusual. It is one of the few cities that has a huge oceanarium in its central district. The Aquaria in the capital city of Malaysia takes you on a journey to a different world where you can plunge into water, explore the mysteries of marine life, and encounter weird creatures. The moments you spend inside the 90-m-long underwater tunnel will be etched in your heart forever.
History
Construction of this state-of-the-art oceanarium started in 2003. It was thrown open to public in August 2005. Ever since then, it has been visited by millions of enthusiasts.
Things to Do
Observe the weird marine creatures: Spend some time at the ‘Weird & Wonderful’ zone that exhibits mysterious creatures like Pot-bellied Seahorse, Crocodile Fish, and Moon Jellies. This is where you can ride a glass-bottom boat. It is a simulated boat deck that lets you discover the underwater wonders.
Explore Flooded Forests: Be it the Malaysian Flooded Forest or the Amazon Flooded Forest, there are tanks in the aquarium that have been recreated as marine forests where thousands of fish could be seen swirling.
Try Underwater activities: Cage Rage is a thrilling activity wherein you go underwater in a cage and get close to resident sharks. If you are little more daring and have the tag of a certified diver, you can take the plunge into the oceanarium tank and encounter five different species of sharks.
Visit the Electric Zone: You may have heard about electric catfish and electric eel, but you may not know that these fish actually discharge electricity in order to protect themselves. Elephant-nose fish is another member of such a league that you would see here.
Host Personal Events: Have you ever thought of hosting a birthday part at the Aquaria? If yes, then it’s time you translated that thought into action. It will be a one-of-a-kind birthday party wherein the birthday boy or girl will be greeted by the divers and mascots will appear to grace the occasion. You can also propose someone for marriage in this wonderful venue. Your partner would remember this romantic gesture for lifetime as you take the plunge in the water and seek her consent for marriage.
Aquaria KLCC Location
The Aquaria KLCC is within walking distance from the Petronas Twin Towers in the heart of Kuala Lumpur.
How to Reach?
By Air: The city is served by two airports. While the Kuala Lumpur International Airport is about 37 miles (59 km) away from the Aquaria, the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport is about 19 miles (30 km) from this major attraction.
By Train: You can either avail the KL Monorail service and get down at Raja Chulan station or take the Light Rail Transit (LRT) and travel to the closest station – KLCC station.
By Road: Both locals and tourists depend on RapidKL Buses to get around the city. Moreover, cabs are plenty on the streets on Kuala Lumpur.
Best Time to Visit
Most travelers prefer to visit the Aquarium between January and February. Moreover, February is the time when the entire country celebrates the festival of Thaipusam.
Facts
- The Aquaria KLCC spans over an area of 60,000 sq. ft. It showcases over 5,000 marine and terrestrial creatures.
- The Aquarium is home to Sand Tiger Sharks, Giant Stingrays, and cat fish that is known for eating monkeys.
- It is consistently ranked among the top five aquariums in the world.
- It is the only place in entire Malaysia that can exhibit Red-bellied Piranha.
- Among other exhibits, there is a 10-ft-long Arapaima, which is the world’s largest and arguably the oldest freshwater fish.
- The 90-m-long transparent tunnel with a moving walkway was a collaborative effort of Germany, New Zealand, and Malaysia.
- The star attractions of the Aquarium include tiger sharks, sea snakes, seahorses, and bright coral fish.
- The vegetarian fish Black Pacu, whose teeth resemble that of a human, is a star resident of Aquaria KLCC.
- It is a disabled-friendly destination.
Aquaria Opening Hours
- The aquarium is open daily from 10.30 AM – 8.00 PM. It remains open even during weekends and public holidays.
- The feeding shows start at 10:45 AM every day and happen at regular intervals till the last show at 5:30 PM.
Aquaria KLCC Ticket Price
Entry fees for adults and children (3-12 years) are $15 (RM64) and $12.5 (RM53) respectively. Senior citizens have to pay $10 (RM43).
Accommodations
For luxurious stay, you can count on JW Marriott Hotel, Shangri-La Hotel, Mandarin Oriental, and Intercontinental Kuala Lumpur. Mid-range accommodations such as Hotel Ambassador, Hotel Istana Kuala Lumpur City Centre, and Le Apple Boutique Hotel are slightly easier on your pockets. They strive to offer the same level of comfort you expect in 4-star and 5-star properties. Names such as Lodge Paradize Hotel, Apple Hotel, and Hotel Soleil are quite popular among budget travelers.
Restaurants
Marble 8 is a fine-dining restaurant near the Aquaria. It has won the hearts of thousands of steak lovers. Casual diners prefer to settle down at Acme Bar & Coffee. From grilled lamb to cheese hot dogs, every item on the menu is lip-smacking good in this award winning restaurant. Marini’s On 57, regarded as the highest rooftop bar in Malaysia, is just a couple of blocks away. Hard Rock Cafe, the world’s favorite theme restaurant, is also located in proximity.
Nearby Attractions
Petronas Towers, Perdana Botanical Gardens, Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur Tower, Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpur Bird Park, and Thean Hou Temple.
Image credit : Phalinn Ooi
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