Kuala Lumpur is one of the most visited cities in the world, but have you heard of Malaysia’s “other” capital? Let’s learn more about Putrajaya, the country’s second most important city hidden from plain sight.

Putrajaya has modern buildings with traditional Islamic designs in the heart of the city. Tourists are rewarded with its shiny high-rise buildings of Arabesque patterns with geometric or floral decorations. Although Putrajaya only has 120,000 residents, the city’s main feature is its greenery. Parks and open spaces occupy 37% of Putrajaya’s land. The Putrajaya Botanical Garden has more than 700 groups of tropical plants and the Rimba Alam Park is home to a successfully growing city-based forest filled with native plants. Residents can also grow fruits and vegetables in the capital’s 10 shared gardens.

Putrajaya Corporation’s Communications Director Tengku Aina Ismail hopes Putrajaya to be a significant eco-tourism destination. “To make that city from nothing, just out of some old palm plantations, it’s pretty amazing.” says Kuala Lumpur resident Ramakrishna. “Hopefully more tourists come and see what Malaysia managed to achieve there. It’s something special.”