Putrajaya : Fia Formula-E Championship

Round 2|22 November 2014

Putrajaya, Malaysia

Location: West coast of Malysia, South East Asia
Currency: Malaysian Ringgit (MYR)
Official Languages: Malay
City population: 80,000

Circuit:	Formula E Putrajaya ePrix
Location:	Persiaran Perdana
Date:	Saturday, November 22 2014
Length:	2.5km
Turns:	12

Circuit Guide

The Putrajaya Formula E race, or ePrix, takes place on November 22 and forms the second of 10 races for the inaugural 2014/2015 season. At 2.5km and featuring 12 turns, the street circuit is located just south of the Perdana Putra housing the Prime Minister's Office using much of the main high street and passing several of the city's most recognisable skyscrapers. Drivers will tackle a mixture of straights, slow to medium speed corners, a hairpin plus a tight first-corner chicane that will see them decelerating from 200kph (sixth gear) into a breaking g-force of 1.9.

It has been designed by British architect Simon Gibbons who boasts nine years' experience as a circuit planner for Formula One and more recently played a significant role in the rowing and canoeing venue for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The circuit has the full backing of Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Razak and has been put together by the FIA, Formula E and local promoter Formula E Malaysia (FEM).

Destination Guide

Malaysia boasts a rich, diverse landscape with lush land and ancient rainforests, together with white sandy beaches making it a popular place with tourists. The city of Putrajaya is located around 30 minutes south of the capital Kuala Lumpur which has been recently modernised and is now a cultural melting pot. In Malay, 'putra' means 'prince' while 'jaya' translates as 'success' and despite being a relatively new city, it is growing all the time with many new landmarks and a thriving population.

Getting there

By far the best gateway into Putrajaya is via the main airport of Kuala Lumpur International (KLIA). From there, the KLIA Express is a non-stop train from the airport to Kuala Lumpur with journey times around 30 minutes, with the KLIA Transit train service then ferrying passengers onto Putrajaya and the neighbouring Cyberjaya. There are also many buses which travel between the airport, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, so getting to your destination shouldn't be a problem. Alternative options include flying into the smaller Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (SZB).

Getting around

One of the best and greenest ways to get around the city is by bike which can be rented for very little. Bus and trains are also available through the city but are still being developed and so do not cover all areas. As such you could opt to rent an electric car from the airport which will also give you the chance to explore further out of the city and into the rich countryside.

Where to stay

Putrajaya is blessed with some of the most amazing luxury hotels such as the Putrajaya Marriot Hotel, Pullman Putrajaya Lakeside Hotel and Putrajaya Shangri-la Hotel. But don't be put off just because they are luxury, many are not as expensive as you might think and offer some great deals. Of course, if you do prefer something a little cheaper then some mid-price options include the Cube Hotel Bukit Bintang, My Hotel at KL Sentral, the Hotel Sentral or the Prescott Inn Hotel. 

What to do

Tours & attractions - One of the best places to start your trip is a cruise on the Putrajaya lake where you'll also be able to see the numerous bridges that occupy Putrajaya's landscape and boast incredible designs. For those with little ones, then why not head to the city's giant indoor rock climbing centre or Putrajaya's equestrian centre. Of course you'll also find plenty to do in Kuala Lumpur such as a visit to the Petronas Twin Towers offering fantastic views of the city or the elephant Orphanage Sanctuary and Aquaria - one of the largest in the world.

Architecture - As Putrajaya is the federal administration capital of Malaysia, it's worth paying a visit to the Prime Minister's office and its official residence Seri Perdana. From there you can visit the Putrajaya International Convention centre and the National Millennium Monument.

Culture & traditions - Kuala Lumpur has three dominant ethnicities: Malays, Chinese and Indian. As such, there are a great many temples to enjoy such as the Mosque Masjid Jamek, the Batu Caves temple and the Thean Hou temple. And of course don't forget the amazing Putra Mosque and the Sri Mahamariamman temple - just remember to be respectful to those visiting to worship.

Shopping - If you want to indulge in some retail therapy during your trip then you have to go to Alamanda Putrajaya Shopping Centre - one of the biggest and most impressive you will see. There's also the Pavilion KL Shopping Mall, Suria KLCC, the Mid Valley Megamall, the Berjaya Times Square or the Petaling Street night market.

Landscape - One of the most impressive things about Putrajaya is its landscape, best illustrated at its Botanical Garden, the largest in the country. There's also the Wetlands Park, Agriculture Heritage Park or the Taman Wawasan.

Eating out / Night life

One of Putrajaya's most famous restaurants is the Kelab Tasik beside the lake. You can also enjoy great traditional cuisine at restaurants such as the Old Town Café, the Black Canyon or the Palm Hill Café with many cool bars nestled in between.

When it comes to night life, it's best to head into Kuala Lumpur which is 30 minutes away where, as well as bars and clubs, you'll also have an array of restaurants at your disposal serving all manner of national and international cuisine. Two of the most famous spots for night life though are Jalan Bukit Bintang and the Bangsar area where partying never stops. In addition, bars such as the SkyBar, the Asian Heritage Row and the Rootz Rooftop Bar are great places to hang out.

Climate

Putrajaya, as with the rest of Malaysia, has an equatorial climate with hot and humid weather throughout the year, with temperatures rarely falling below 18°C/64°F. The monsoon season can make the waters to choppy for watersports so try to avoid these which are generally between November and March on the east coast and April to May, and again from October through to November, on the west coast. There are two peak holiday seasons between December and January and again between June and July.