Bukit Kiara

Bukit Kiara is an affluent suburb of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The area is in proximity to the suburbs of Bukit Damansara, TTDI, Mont Kiara, Sri Hartamas and Bangsar. Bukit Kiara has often been described as the 'green lung' of Kuala Lumpur, boasting many jungle trails through its characteristic hills. Despite rapid housing and commercial development in the area, the area is still known as an enigmatic and exclusive area of Kuala Lumpur. The Securities Commission Malaysia headquarters, the National Science Centre and the Educational Technology Division (Bahagian Teknologi Pendidikan) are located here.

History

The area was once a rubber estate until it was acquired by the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur in 1980^[1].

Recreation

Bukit Kiara is well equipped for recreational purposes as the area is home to Bukit Kiara Equestrian & Country Resort, Selangor Club, Sime Darby Convention Centre, Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club and Bukit Kiara Sports Complex. Private facilities for members include a swimming pool, spa, gym, indoor and outdoor tennis, basketball, and badminton courts, a bowling alley, horse riding and polo facilities, restaurants, golf, fishing and billiard rooms.

For avid hikers and bikers within the confines of Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, Bukit Kiara's routes and technical trails are just about the best in the area. The trail roads stretch 15 kilometers but these trails are diminishing. Owned and maintained by Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur, many segments of Kiara's lush greenery have been compromised for development, mostly attributed to the manifestation of Vision 2020. Many of such cases include the deforestation of previous trails such as "Dogs", "Banana Ridge" and "The Creek" for what Malaysians now know as the Penchala Tunnel^[2].

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