Forest Research Institute Malaysia Forest Park Selangor

By Teja

What is the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) Forest Park Selangor?

The Forest Research Institute Malaysia Forest Park Selangor is the site of a restored tropical rainforest. Spanning 589ha (1,455 acres or 2.3 square miles), it also includes the campus grounds of Malaysia’s oldest forestry research institute, more commonly referred to with its acronym ‘FRIM’ by locals.

Originally comprising just the forest and the on-site colonial-era forestry quarters and offices, FRIM has since grown to encompass broader botanical research, hosting a herbarium, biotechnology research and horticulture, with public-facing facilities for forestry education. 

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Why is FRIM Forest Park Selangor a UNESCO World Heritage site?

FRIM Forest Park Selangor, according to UNESCO, “represents a pioneering reforestation effort, successfully transforming barren land into a mature lowland tropical forest, showcasing early ecological restoration and sustainable land rehabilitation practices.”

By the 1920s, the site had been rendered completely barren due to tin mining. At the time, there was no knowledge on tropical rainforest restoration, let alone on totally devastated mining land. Nevertheless, the British forester F.W. Foxworthy began the first recorded attempt to accomplish the feat, combining knowledge about temperate forest elsewhere with local Malay and forest indigenous peoples’ cultural knowledge of tropical forestry.

The foresters helping restore the forest lived within it in structures that resemble those on the colonial British-Malay rubber estates of the time, which have remained intact. They reflect a combination of cultures, showing both British and Malay influence in their design. The Forest Research Institute inherited the work following independence, and continued to live on-site, making FRIM the only tropical forest research institute with on-site staff and offices. 

Today, the FRIM Forest Park in Selangor has achieved full rainforest restoration, the earliest such example in the world. Moreover, this accelerated result was accomplished solely through human forestry knowledge and effort, without the use of machinery or chemicals. In less than 100 years, its biodiversity and soil quality are now indistinguishable from virgin rainforest, capable of reproducing and regenerating like a natural forest, and able to provide the full range of ecosystem services of a tropical rainforest. 

What can you expect on a visit to the Forest Research Institute Malaysia Forest Park Selangor? 

The visitor experience in FRIM Forest Park can be split in two, each with its own park entrance. 

Forest Research Institute Malaysia

The original entrance (which is what locals have in mind with “FRIM”) goes to the original forested campus grounds. If you’re looking for wilder forest activities, such as jungle trekking, camping, birdwatching, etc., go to this side of the park. Guided forest walks take you through forest landscapes, along with some rainforest education. My personal favourite was the towering stand of kulim trees, with their garlicky scent. 

There is a nominal fee to enter. Visitors can wander through the nearby grounds on their own, which many people do as a weekend activity. However, if you want to enter the forest, you have to hire a guide at the ranger office. Other activities such as camping also require prior permission. 

Kepong Botanic Garden

The second FRIM entrance is newer, and is normally referred to as the Kepong Botanic Garden. However, it does connect to the older part.

As the name suggests, this part of the park is more horticultural. There is a small lake with a jogging trail around it; in fact, visitors who wish to come to FRIM to jog are now encouraged to go to this side rather than the campus side. Around the lake are various species gardens, such as pitcher plants and gingers. There are also hiking trails in this section, but the trails are less wild, with boardwalk sections. 

The most prominent part of the botanical garden, though, is the Forest Skywalk. The Forest Skywalk is a series of catwalks above the tree canopy which gives you a view of the nearby restored forest, as well as panoramic views of the city.

This stand-alone metal construction was a replacement for the original wood-and-rope canopy walkway within the old part of the park. That was a research platform to study the forest canopy, which later became popular with the public. However, a storm damaged some of the trees that supported the walkway, so it is now closed to allow the trees to recover. 

Kepong Botanic Garden also has a nominal fee to enter. The Forest Skywalk tickets are separate, which you can buy from a ticket counter near the lake. 

Is Forest Research Institute Malaysia Forest Park Selangor worth visiting?

If you’re already visiting Malaysia to see virgin rainforest, I don’t think it’s worth visiting FRIM as well. Unless, that is, you’re especially interested in comparing the natural forest with a man-made forest.

However, if you’re only visiting Kuala Lumpur or other urban locations like Penang or Malacca, then FRIM is probably your best option for a convenient rainforest experience. It’s not as conveniently located as Kuala Lumpur Eco Park, but it is larger and feels more like a living rainforest despite being man-made. Make sure you go to the campus side, and not the botanical garden side, which is more suited for local regulars and casual visitors. 

What sorts of travellers would like FRIM Forest Park Selangor?

FRIM Forest Park Selangor would appeal most to travellers who love nature and the tropical outdoors, or those seeking to do a bit of forest bathing after the noise and bustle of city travel.  

Tips for visiting the Forest Research Institute Malaysia Forest Park Selangor

Forest walks through the park go through proper rainforest. Therefore, you will need suitable footwear for jungle trekking, the same as you would if you were visiting natural rainforest (not slippers or city shoes). You may also have to cross shallow streams. There will likely be insects and possibly leeches, so it is best to wear long sleeves and long pants. 

If you want more jungle hikes on your own, there are other recreational forests nearby. They are less convenient to reach without a car, but in these forests you can just go hiking on a trail independently. For example, FRIM Forest Park’s buffer zone is contiguous with Bukit Lagong Forest Reserve, which is the nearest alternative. A trailhead into this forest is slightly north of the FRIM Forest Park.

Book a day trek at FRIM, leaving from Kuala Lumpur. Or book this private day trip from Kuala Lumpur, which includes FRIM and Batu Cave.

For hikes to waterfalls and streams, go further north to Taman Eko Rimba Kanching or Taman Rimba Templer. Note: Never stray from the trails. 

Other UNESCO sites in this part of Malaysia are a group of archaeological sites in the Lenggong Valley in the north as well as George Town in the north and Melaka in the south, both of which are colonial-era towns.

Book accommodations in Kuala Lumpur or stay right nearby FRIM in Selayang.

Where is the Forest Research Institute Malaysia Forest Park Selangor? 

FRIM Forest Park is in Selayang, which lies right at the border between Selangor and Malaysia’s capital city, Kuala Lumpur. It is 10 minutes from the iconic Batu Caves by road, though the two places are not conveniently connected by public transit.

Compare rental car prices here.

By car, it is about a half hour’s drive from central Kuala Lumpur, depending on traffic. There is a paid parking area for both the FRIM entrances. 

To get there by public transport, the most convenient option is via the MRT Putrajaya (PYL/Yellow) Line. The Metro Prima stop is nearer the campus side, whereas the Sri Damansara Timur stop is nearer Kepong Botanic Gardens. However, it doesn’t matter too much since the MRT feeder bus will stop near both on its route. 

You’ll want to get off the bus at one of the stops in the residential suburb of Taman Ehsan for the Botanic Gardens, and then walk about 10 minutes the rest of the way. For the campus side, get off at the FRIM bus stop. 

It takes a little over an hour to get to the FRIM Forest Park Selangor via public transport, if you’re already close to an MRT station on the PYL line. If you have to make a connection from another line, then the journey will take about 1.5 hours.

For more information about FRIM Forest Park, its opening hours and admission fees, see its official website.

Have you been to FRIM Forest Park Selangor? If so, do you have any additional information or advice about this UNESCO World Heritage site? Please add your comments below!