Largest urban parks in Southeast Asia

A list of the largest urban parks in Southeast Asia.

Urban parks in Southeast Asia map

[Map of urban parks in Southeast Asia.]

Notes about the urban park list

This is an ongoing list that I am collating, so if I have missed a park then let me know.

I am listing parks of any size, so pocket parks are welcome on the list.

Parks at the bottom of the list are unconfirmed sizes.

Definition of an urban park

I have used the Wikipedia definition of urban park:

“An urban park or metropolitan park, also known as a city park, municipal park (North America), public park, public open space, or municipal gardens (UK), is a park or botanical garden in cities, densely populated suburbia and other incorporated places that offers green space and places for recreation to residents and visitors. Urban parks are generally landscaped by design, instead of lands left in their natural state. The design, operation and maintenance is usually done by government agencies, typically on the local level, but may occasionally be contracted out to a park conservancy, “friends of” group, or private sector company.”

This definition doesn’t mention that an urban park should be free. I consider free entry as a condition to qualify as an urban park.

The Wikipedia definition includes botanical gardens, which is another grey area. For example, the Singapore Botanic Gardens is free, except for the National Orchid Garden. I have listed some botanic gardens in the notes below that have been excluded from the list because they have an admission fee. I might make a separate list for botanical gardens.

Size measurements

All sizes are measured in hectares. A hectare is equal to a square with 100-metre sides, that is, 10,000 square metres (10,000 m2). There are 100 hectares in one square kilometre.

There are differences in quoted park sizes on different websites, so this list is a general guide and not for precise measurements.

Notes about urban parks

Indonesia

Bogor Botanical Gardens has an admission fee, so it is not listed.

Malaysia

National Botanical Garden Shah Alam is a botanical garden that resembles a national park. It has a entrance fee as well, so this park is not included in the list.

Myanmar

Kandawgyi Nature Park (45 ha) surrounds Kandawgyi Lake (61 ha), but the two are listed separately. Should lakes and bodies of water be listed separately from urban parks? If I was to apply this principle, then Lumphini Park would have to be reduced in size.

General Aung San Park is next to Kandawgyi Nature Park, but it appears to be referred to separately. It’s on the list but there is no size listing.

National Kandawgyi Botanical Gardens (177 ha) in Pyin U Lwin has an admission fee for foreigners.

Thailand

Nagaraphirom Park (0.48 ha) in Bangkok has been turned into a car park.

Vietnam

The river park of Vinhomes Central Park in Ho Chi Minh City is technically for residents of the Vinhomes Central Park residential area. It’s an unusual site to see a private park on riverfront land.

Yen So Park official website lists the size of 102 ha. The master planners website list it as 150 ha, while a local news site lists it as 323 ha.