A New Landmark for Durian Lovers

KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia has strengthened its reputation as the home of the “King of Fruits” with the launch of the Kuala Lumpur Durian Experience Centre (KLDEX), Asia’s first integrated durian experience centre. Officially opened on July 4 during the Malaysia Durian Festival 2026, the attraction offers visitors an immersive journey into the history, culture, science, and future of Malaysia’s most iconic fruit.

Developed by MyBolehBoleh with the support of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia (MOTAC), KLDEX is expected to become a major tourism destination that celebrates the country’s rich durian heritage while promoting Malaysia’s agricultural excellence to local and international visitors.

A One-Stop Destination for Durian Experiences

Situated along Jalan Ampang in Kuala Lumpur, the 1,900-square-metre centre combines education, entertainment, and culinary experiences under one roof. The attraction features a durian museum, immersive theatre, interactive exhibits, workshops, food and beverage outlets, and specially curated durian tasting sessions that are available through pre-registration.

The museum welcomes visitors daily from 10.30am to 10.30pm on a ticketed basis. Guests can explore historical collections, interactive displays, and educational exhibits before enjoying live performances that bring Malaysia’s beloved fruit to life.

Exploring the History and Science of Durian

KLDEX offers far more than a typical museum experience. Visitors are introduced to the fascinating journey of durian through historical manuscripts, plantation replicas, and modern scientific innovations.

The museum showcases rare records documenting observations made by medieval European explorers and Chinese seafarers, including references to Admiral Zheng He’s encounter with durian during his 15th-century visit to Melaka. Interactive exhibits also explain the development of Malaysia’s durian industry and the cultivation techniques that have made the country one of the world’s leading producers of premium durian varieties.

A specially designed orchard experience allows visitors to understand plantation ecosystems while highlighting the important roles played by farmers, exporters, researchers, and tourism operators in expanding Malaysia’s global durian reputation.

Bringing Durian Stories to Life

One of KLDEX’s key attractions is its immersive theatre production, which stages four performances every day. The original show tells the entertaining story of two rival durian traders whose fierce competition eventually develops into friendship.

Blending comedy, rap music, and cultural storytelling, the performance celebrates Malaysia’s famous durian varieties while introducing audiences to the traditions and values surrounding the fruit. The production is designed to appeal to visitors of all ages, making the centre a family-friendly cultural destination.

Preserving Malaysia’s Durian Heritage

Chief museum curator Enzo Sim explained that documenting Malaysia’s durian history required extensive research because much of the country’s durian heritage exists through oral traditions rather than written records.

To accurately preserve these stories, Sim travelled to Penang and Kelantan to interview farmers and descendants responsible for registering famous varieties such as Musang King and Black Thorn with Malaysia’s Department of Agriculture. The museum also features paintings, sculptures, recreated market scenes, and historical displays that illustrate the deep emotional connection Malaysians have with durian.

These exhibits help visitors appreciate not only the fruit itself but also the generations of growers and communities that have contributed to its worldwide recognition.

Celebrating Malaysia’s Most Famous Durian Varieties

According to KLDEX co-founder Ang Kean Wee, the centre aims to safeguard the cultural legacy of Malaysia’s best-known durian varieties, including D24, Musang King, and Black Thorn.

Through guided tasting sessions, visitors can discover the distinctive aromas, flavours, and textures that make each variety unique while learning the stories behind their development and growing popularity around the world.

Ang noted that although Malaysian durians enjoy an international reputation for exceptional quality, many people remain unfamiliar with the rich history behind these celebrated fruits. KLDEX seeks to bridge that gap by combining education with memorable visitor experiences.

Strengthening Kuala Lumpur’s Cultural Tourism

The opening of KLDEX reflects Kuala Lumpur’s growing focus on cultural tourism. Joining several new attractions opening across the city, the durian experience centre adds a unique dimension to Malaysia’s tourism landscape by transforming one of the nation’s most famous agricultural products into a world-class cultural attraction.

By blending heritage, innovation, entertainment, and gastronomy, KLDEX offers visitors a deeper understanding of Malaysia’s beloved “King of Fruits” while reinforcing the country’s position as a leading destination for food, culture, and experiential tourism.