Kuala Lumpur National Planetarium was built in 1994. We went there once back in year 2000. What we can say, it is getting much better now! The planetarium cannot be considered as very attractive, but might serve as a touch and go point. At least, we gained information about the involvement of Malaysia in space programmes there. A full trip without watching planetarium shows, more or less one hour.
Stairs.... that's the price to pay before you can visit KL National Planetarium (left). The planetarium is complemented with an observatory tower, which can be reached through the lift inside the main building.
As we visited the planetarium in the middle of the day, we skipped all the outdoor Ancient Observatory Park. The exhibition galleries were a mix of everything. Anyway, we try to categorise them into the Solar System right after the entrance, the history of space exploration, the history of Malaysia space project, and the observatory tower.
This is the statue that welcomed us at the entrance of the planetarium. Who is he? Al-Khwarizimi, perhaps.
Your weight at different planets in the Solar System (upper left). The robots that mimic the vehicles for Mars exploratory (upper right). One of the robot is capable to take your picture. The composition of the stars (lower left) and photo gallery of the space from earth.
Viking engine used in Ariane 4 launcher (left), and our photo with replica of Soyuz Capsule for Soyuz spacecraft by Russian.
The exhibition shows the space science experiments done by the first Malaysian Angkasawan (astronout), Dr. Sheikh Muszaphar.
The lift to the observatory tower is not easy to notice from the main building. The way that leads to the lift is just between Red Planet (with robots) and Made of Stars. High above the rest, the tower promises great view over the Lake Garden and KL area. The binocular is provided free of charge during our visit (middle).
Our photo at the observatory tower, backgrounded with KL city center.
The planetarium opens daily from 9.30 am to 4.30 pm (except on Monday, Hari Raya Puasa and Hari Raya Haji). The admission for the gallery is RM1 per adult, while free for child under 12. If you wish to watch the planetarium shows (which is off on every Friday), the maximum fee is RM3 for adult and RM2 for child under 12.
We went there with our own car, ample of free parking space available. Anyway, the planetarium is about 20 minutes walking from KL Central Station. You can take taxi from KL Central as well. If you take KL Hop-On Hop-Off, the station is number 14 (share with KL Bird Park). For more information about KL National Planetarium, you can visit the Official website of the planetarium.
Our suggestion, do not visit the planetarium alone in a single trip. You can visit the attractions nearby, including National Museum (just 200 m away), KL Bird Park (approx. 400 m away), while the National Mosque, Merdeka Square, Sultan Abdul Samad Building, and Malayan Railway Station just 20 minutes away by foot.
For our sharing on the attractions nearby, please visit:
Thanks for the info. Going there tomorrow and found your blog when searching for info.
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