For over 30 years, Sunway Lagoon has stood as a beloved local icon, made by Malaysia for Malaysians and the world. As one of Southeast Asia’s longest-running theme parks, it embodies the Malaysian spirit through its home-grown attractions, reflecting Sunway Group’s vibrant diversity and steadfast ambition in building world-class attractions.
Sunway Lagoon’s achievement is its ability to cater to diverse audiences, from families seeking bonding experiences to corporations fostering teamwork and international travellers craving unique moments. The park has consistently delivered unforgettable and awesome experiences that keep guests returning year after year. This enduring success is further underscored by its numerous accolades and prestigious partnerships, including being named Asia’s Best Attraction by the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) for four consecutive years. Such recognition speaks volumes about Sunway Lagoon’s excellence and is proof of Malaysia’s ability to compete and excel on the global stage.
Founded by Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Sir Dr Jeffrey Cheah KBE AO, founder and chairman of Sunway Group, Sunway Lagoon tells a story of vision and perseverance. The driving force that is the philosophy of sustainable development came to the visionary founder after witnessing first-hand the environmental, social and economic degradation resulting from unchecked industrial activity. Thus, began the rehabilitation of a barren tin mining land.
“The idea of a water park came from the belief that joy should be a part of everyday life. We wanted to create a community where fun and wonder were as essential as roads and rooftops. Because a good life isn’t just about comfort, it’s also about laughter, adventure, and just moments that keep you feeling alive. This theme park was created to fulfil that belief,” says Professor Calvin Ho, executive director of Sunway Theme Parks.
Cheah firmly believes that “doing well by doing good” is the cornerstone of lasting success. This principle has guided Sunway Lagoon’s growth, driving every innovation to enhance guest experiences while embedding education, cultural preservation and environmental stewardship into the foundations of the theme park. Over the years, this commitment has cemented Sunway Lagoon as an enduring symbol of Malaysia’s excellence in tourism and hospitality.
Unlike global franchises, Sunway Lagoon represents something uniquely Malaysian, envisioned and realised by Malaysians for Malaysians and the world. And as Malaysia has grown, so too has Sunway Lagoon.
Nestled in the heart of Sunway City Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s first green integrated city, Sunway Lagoon first opened its doors back in 1992 with only two parks, the Water Park and the Dry Park (now the Amusement Park). Over the years, new attractions were introduced with the earliest addition being Extreme Park (now the X Park) in 2006 and the latest being the reintroduction of the Sunway Lagoon Night Park, Captain Quack Land in 2024. Sunway Lagoon now spans 88 acres and features more than 120 attractions across a total of seven park experiences.
Every new attraction introduced at Sunway Lagoon was done with the aim of enriching guest experiences. Sunway Lagoon has always been envisioned to be more than just an entertainment hub and in recent years, it has effectively evolved into an edutainment hub, inculcating the spirit of learning and heritage appreciation, which leaves guests with not only unforgettable memories but also knowledge and an appreciation for Malaysia’s rich culture.
“Our guests are very eager to learn. They’re always asking our Wildlife Rangers questions about the animals. Their eyes seem to sparkle during times like these,” shares Timothy, a veteran presenter who has been spearheading the interactive tours in Wildlife Park.
The Wildlife Hospital is one of the latest educational attractions introduced in the theme park and is a fully functional facility where guests can observe live procedures and learn about animal care and conservation. The crown jewel of Sunway Lagoon’s educational offerings, the Explorer Rangers Programme, is an exclusive, children-only educational membership programme that sets learning against the backdrop of a theme park. In this programme, kids learn about wildlife and nature with content curated by in-house zoology professionals. In April 2025, the programme introduced a new segment: the Discovery Class, which diversified learning topics into the industries that make up our world.
The programme has formed prestigious partnerships with esteemed organisations, including Bomba dan Penyelamat, Polis Diraja Malaysia, Universiti Malaya, FarmFresh, as well as some of Sunway’s business units, Sunway XFarms and Sunway Medical Centre. Encouraging children to interact with industry professionals helps them envision themselves as future leaders, fostering a generation capable of driving positive change and shaping Malaysia’s tomorrow.
This year, Sunway Tiny Toys will take the vision further by reimagining Malaysia’s rich heritage through a modern retail experience. From ideation, manufacturing, and retailing, this project celebrates home-grown ideas and craftsmanship, transforming iconic local scenes, landmarks, and artifacts into collectible pieces of culture and history. This is not just nostalgia, this is preserving Malaysia’s stories for future generations. Poised to represent Malaysia in the global toy industry, Sunway Tiny Toys will demonstrate how entertainment can also be meaningful.
“The vision for Sunway Tiny is for it to [not only] be more than just a simple toy store, but for it to also be a collector and chronicler of Malaysia’s history. Every piece is meant to be a reminder of where we came from and a gift to the next generation,” shares Kong Beng Kuin, chief financial officer and head of business development of Sunway Theme Parks.
In the last three decades, Sunway Lagoon has been a storyteller, a teacher, and a keeper of memories. Like an intricately woven songket, its legacy is stitched into the fabric of the nation’s history, with past and present connected through moments created. It is a place where childhood dreams are made, where bonds are strengthened, and where lifelong memories are created. Sunway Lagoon has remained a constant in an ever-changing Malaysia, uniting the people through joy, laughter and a deep sense of belonging.
“As a PJ [Petaling Jaya] kid, Sunway Lagoon has always been part of my life,” shares Cellina, a membership owner for more than 10 years. “I came here as a child and it’s grown so much, just like me! Still, that excitement I felt as a kid, I feel it even when I visit nowadays.”
The people are the heart of Sunway Lagoon and have been keeping its spirit alive across generations. From wide-eyed kids experiencing their first ride to parents passing on the tradition of a family day visit to the theme park. As Malaysia marches confidently into the future, Sunway Lagoon will continue to stand as a celebration of Malaysian identity, honouring tradition while embracing the future.
“Sunway Lagoon is alive because the people keep it alive,” emphasises Ho. “Our team embodies Malaysia’s warm hospitality; the same kindness we show guests in our homes, we extend here, to a family from Johor Bahru but also visitors from overseas. We want everyone to feel at home here, to feel the heartbeat of Malaysian culture. We’re weaving heritage into every experience we offer because Sunway Lagoon isn’t just a theme park, it is a celebration of who we are.”