SELANGOR

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Selangor



Located on the west coast of Malaysia, Selangor Darul Ehsan covers an area of 125,000 sq. km. Dubbed the "Industrial Hub of the Nation", Selangor is the country's premier state with its huge resources, well developed communications network, industrial estates, and skilled manpower. Here lies Klang Valley - the heart of the nation, which stretches from Port Klang to the foothills of Ampang, Bangi, and Gombak.

A pleasing potpourri, Selangor has a fascinating diversity of creeds, cultures, and races in its population. Malay, Chinese, and Indians mingle freely with other minorities such as the Eurasians. Home to more than 2.74 million, Selangor is also the most populated state in the country.

Selangor's history dates back to the 15th Century when the discovery of tin deposits opened the floodgates for miners and other immigrants who rushed in looking for instant wealth from the soils. By the middle of the 18th Century, the Bugis had begun to dominate the state, both politically and economically, in large numbers. Their skills as navigators, traders, and warriors allowed them to extend their sphere of influence, ultimately establishing the present Sultanate of Selangor. However, fighting between the Bugis, Chinese, and Malay nobility paved the way for British rule, which lasted until the country gained independence in 1957.

As tin and rubber became prime commodities in the world market, Selangor's wealth grew, thus laying the foundation for activities, which thrusted the state into industrialization. Many of the country's largest industrial operations are found in the various industrial zones. They range from commercial activities to manufacturing, tourism, and industrial.

Once a prolific producer of tin-ore, Selangor today is renown for the world famous Royal Selangor Pewter. Pewter items are made from refined tin, antimony, and copper. Royal Selangor pewter is considered original and the best of its kind. Its factory, located in Setapak, is opened to public.

Shopping in Selangor is an experience in itself. There are bustling "pasar malam" (night markets), bazaars, quaint little shops, department stores, and modern multifaceted shopping malls, each providing its own unique shopping experience.

Eating out will be no problem in Selangor. The state has evolved into a gourmet's paradise with its varied offerings of Malay, Chinese, Indian, and international cuisine. Selangor abounds with high classed restaurants of every imaginable cuisine. However, the cheapest and therefore most popular places are the roadside hawkers who offer a full range of local delicacies. The visitor may also find that coconut and sugarcane juices are great thirst quenchers, as well as easily available!

Home to the new Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) at Sepang, which opened on June 27th, 98, Selangor is set to lead the nation's development into the next millennium.

Getting Around

Moving around the state is hardly a problem as Selangor has an extensive highway and road system linking it to other parts of the country. Selangor also has effective bus and taxi services, most of which are air-conditioned. Or you may prefer to proceed via train networks such as the electric KTM Komuter Train and the Light Rail Transit (LRT).

Klang

A former capital of Selangor, Klang was once the old royal capital where the British had placed their first Resident in Selangor in 1874.

Gedung Raja Abdullah : One of the oldest Malay buildings in the country, it was once used by the Sultan to store tin from the mines in the area. It is currently a museum with displays of local history and tin that was once important to Malaysia.

Sultan Sulaiman Mosque : A classic Islamic architecture that blends colonial with Asian features, it is a unique and memorable image in Klang. The mosque was presented to Sultan Sulaiman by the British colonial administration in the 19th Century.

Shah Alam

Shah Alam, Selangor's state capital, is a modern township surrounded at its periphery by Kuala Lumpur, Petaling Jaya, and five other major townships including Klang, Bangi, and Kajang. It enjoys a vantage location being ideally located halfway between the national capital, KL, and the viable Port Klang.

• Note: Please visit Shah Alam under Cities.

Kuala Selangor



A riverine coastal town situated 64km northwest of KL, Kuala Selangor is an intriguing blend of history, local flavor, nature, and wildlife. Once a thriving port, Kuala Selangor was the first state capital of Selangor.

Bukit Melawati : Atop Melawati Hill, the highest point in the area, is the site of the 200-year-old Fort Altingsburg. Here, one can enjoy the panoramic view of the Straits of Malacca and the surrounding areas. It was from this spot that the Dutch surveyed the surrounding countryside before capturing it in 1794. In the past, the hill lured only the hardy and determined visitor as it meant a stiff climb. Today, there is a tram car service that takes you to the top. In the vicinity is a royal mausoleum where past Selangor sultans were buried.

Kuala Selangor Nature Park : The Kuala Selangor Nature Park is approximately 2km from town below Bukit Melawati. The park consists of more than 250 hectares of coastal land and has well-marked trails for jungle trekking. With over 150 species identified, bird watching is a popular activity. Both local and migratory birds frequent the mangrove swamps along the coast. The rare spoon-billed Sandpiper and Nordmanns's Greenshank can also be seem in this nature park. Two watchtowers and hides have been constructed to aid in birdwatching. Visitors may be fortunate enough to spot leaf monkeys, otters, and nocturnal leopards, among many other animals.

Fireflies : Ever watched the scintillating display of fireflies? Fireflies are found mostly in groups of dozens to thousands in estuarine mangrove swamps. This unique nature's wonder can be seen at the lower reaches of the Selangor River banks, at Kampung Kuantan. As the sun sets, these fireflies begin flashing something akin to what glowworms do but at a rate of three flashes per second. In doing so, a fascinating spectacle similar to Christmas tree lights is created. Fireflies' shows can be seen at Kuala Kuantan, about 10km east of Kuala Selangor.

Batu Caves

First discovered over 100 years ago, Batu Caves have never ceased to attract visitors. Only 13km from Kuala Lumpur's central business district and just outside the city limits, these famous caverns are easily accessible. Formed within the framework of an imposing limestone outcrop about 400 million years ago, Batu Caves actually consists of three main caves and several smaller ones. The best known of these is Temple or Cathedral Cave.

Temple Cave has a ceiling looming over 100 meters overhead and features ornate Hindu shrines. To reach it, one has to climb 272 steps, a feat performed by many Hindu worshippers on the way to the caves to offer prayers to their revered deities.

During the annual Thaipusam (Hindu festival in honor of Lord Murugan) between January and February, as many as 800,000 devotees and other visitors throng the caves and make this climb. Chanting devotees carry a statue of the deity, Lord Murugan, up the 272 steps that lead to the shrine. As a form of penance or sacrifice, entranced worshippers carry a Kavadi, which is a large, elaborately decorated wooden frame. The Kavadi is attached to their flesh (e.g. skin, cheeks & tongue) with a variety of sharp skewers and metal hooks, to no apparent discomfort or pain! Accompanied by the incessant beat of Indian drums and shouts of encouragement, the procession is testimony to the power of religious conviction.

A little below the Temple Cave is the Dark Cave. It is a 2km long network of relatively untouched caverns containing a large number of cave animals, including several found nowhere else in the world. However, access to this cave is restricted. Permission must be obtained from the Malaysian Nature Society and guidelines must be strictly followed.

At the foot of the steps is the Art Gallery, in which statues and wall paintings depicting Hindu mythology are displayed. Access to this cave is via a concrete walkway spanning a small lake.
National Zoo

The National Zoo, or Zoo Negara as the locals call it, is a very popular attraction. It has very large grounds with facilities suitable for picnics. It also houses roughly 2,000 species of animals from all over the world, as well as an impressive aquarium and aviary. A large number of educational displays along with camel and elephant rides, and even a trolley train ride makes this an ideal place for a family outing.

Kajang

Some 26km south of Kuala Lumpur, Kajang is a town that is always remembered for its Satay, a favorite dish among Malaysians and foreigners alike. Satay is actually marinated pieces of beef, chicken, or mutton that is barbecued on skewers over a charcoal fore and served with peanut sauce. Those who have tried the Kajang satay will tell you that the difference is in the peanut sauce.

Carey Island

Located just off the mainland, this island is well known for its aboriginal community, the Mah Meri. Though the Mah Meri have assimilated into the modern life with jobs in nearby farms and plantations, they still retain their unique culture and way of life. Apart from exhibitions of their traditional dances and music, the Mah Meri people are particularly renown for their votive sculptures fashioned from Nyireh Batu (a kind of swamp hardwood).

Templer's Park



Set in a backdrop of lush green forest and limestone hills, Templer's Park is just 20km north of Kuala Lumpur. This park consists of 500 hectares of forest, rich in flora and fauna. There is also a cave in Anak Bukit Takun, a 100m high limestone hill near the edge of the park. Towards the north side of the park lies the many cascades of the Kancing Waterfalls, commonly known as Templer's Park Falls. Altogether rising a couple of hundred meters, the Park's falls offer endless spaces and opportunity for picnicking.