Elongated along the eastern edge of Kuala Lumpur, Ampang is a sprawling town in Malaysia. During the 1950s, it became home to one of the largest Chinese settlements in the Klang Valley and is famed for the Nine Emperor Gods Festival, which takes place each year at the Kau Ong Yah Lam Thian Kiong Temple.
Things to do in Ampang
Encompassing 45 hectares is the National Zoo of Malaysia, which is home to around 5,000 animals representing 500 different species. You can get up close to Asian elephants, Humboldt penguins and brown bears before spotting Aldabra giant tortoises and green anacondas in the Reptile Park. In the Mammal Kingdom, you’ll find Indian leopards, pumas and Malayan porcupines while Bornean and Sumatran orangutans are a highlight of the Ape Centre.
For a retail fix, head to the Ampang Point Shopping Centre, which is clustered with retail stores selling clothing, cosmetics and books. You can grab a bite to eat at the Taiwan Noodle House or the Manhattan Fish Market before enjoying a sweet treat at Dunkin’ Donuts. Nearby are the lakeside walking trails of Taman Tasik Ampang Hilir.
Golfers can hit the greens and fairways of the Darul Ehsan Golf Club, which boasts one of the top 9-hole courses in Malaysia. It encompasses 26 hectares in the heart of Ampang and is framed by towering walls of rock. In addition to the practice green, there’s a two-tier driving range with 40 bays where you can practice your long-range game.
Getting around Ampang
Ampang is around 15 minutes’ drive from the centre of Kuala Lumpur and one hour from Kuala Lumpur International Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. The area is served by light rail stations on the Ampang Line, as well as an extensive network of buses.