Pusat Sains Negara, Science museum in Bukit Kiara, Malaysia
The National Science Centre is a science museum on a hilltop in Bukit Kiara, distinguished by its cone-shaped building topped with a geodesic dome. The structure spans multiple levels and houses interactive exhibitions, laboratory spaces, workshops, and auditoriums designed for diverse visitors.
Plans for a national science centre began in 1978 as a private-sector contribution to national development, and the concept was revived in the early 1980s by the National Council of Scientific Research and Development. A temporary centre opened on 6 April 1986 in a converted government bungalow at Jalan Kelantan. Construction at Bukit Kiara started in November 1991, and Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad officially opened the building on 29 November 1996.
The center serves as a learning hub for schools and families who regularly visit to conduct hands-on experiments and explore scientific phenomena together. The space draws visitors of all ages who engage with interactive stations and share in the discovery process.
The museum sits on Jalan Persiaran Bukit Kiara and opens daily from morning until early evening. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes since the terrain is hilly with several flights of stairs connecting different levels.
The cone-and-dome design was drawn up by the Public Works Department (Jabatan Kerja Raya), the agency that carried out the project; the sources present it as evidence of the department's creative and innovative approach. The building was completed in November 1993, and the geodesic dome is capped over a truncated cone rather than a cylinder.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 92,593 contributors worldwide.
