Secret Trees of KL

When you think of KL's Chinatown, you might not think of its greenery. But in the very heart of the city, there are hidden corners where trees are quietly thriving — shading footpaths with their leafy boughs, offering a breath of fresh air and providing spiritual relief and refreshment for the eyes and heart. And for the birds, insects and wildlife that call it home, every tree is a lifeline.

Some of these trees have been planted; some planted themselves. Some were once cherished and worshipped, and have now been abandoned. Some are native, while others have come from the opposite ends of the earth.

The trees of Chinatown give us a unique perspective on the history and culture of our capital city, from its muddy origins, through its colonial past, to today's crowded urban jungle and glowing national pride.

Join us on an easy walk around Chinatown, to meet these leafy survivors. Learn to recognise a few common roadside tree species, celebrate the pockets of biodiversity that trees sustain, and see the city from a tree's point of view.

The tour ends with a special chance to take home and nurture your own living example of Malaysia's trees. Free Tree Society will provide free native trees saplings or shrubs for all tour participants.

ABOUT THE TOUR GUIDE

The guided tour will be conducted by Bilqis Hijjas, director of Rimbun Dahan, a rewilding experiment and accredited arboretum outside Kuala Lumpur. Although her degrees are in social studies, anthropology and the arts, Bilqis is an amateur naturalist with a desire to encourage Malaysians to notice and appreciate the richness of their natural environment. She is in charge of documenting wildlife at Rimbun Dahan, which, at last count, included 113 species of birds, 44 species of dragonflies and damselflies, 86 species of butterflies, numerous reptiles, amphibians and mammals — and over 500 species of trees.

ABOUT FREE TREE SOCIETY

Established in 2012, Free Tree Society is a homegrown environmental organisation dedicated to changing how we interact with our planet. Through awareness and empowerment, it inspires people to protect natural environments and promote native plants as a vital tool for supporting local biodiversity.

PLEASE NOTE:

The walking tour starts outside Entrance A of Pasar Seni MRT Station (opposite Chagee). The route follows Kuala Lumpur pavements, and involves crossing roads, and standing in populated areas. Although the organisers will take all possible care to guide the participants carefully, to warn them of risks, and to cross roads at designated crossing points, all participants are responsible for their own safety on the tour. This tour is not wheelchair accessible. As the tour primarily involves standing and listening, it may not be suitable for young children. Please wear comfortable walking shoes; you may wish to bring a hat or umbrella, and a bottle of water. The tour will end close to where it begins.