South East Asian Trips

Selangor is the most populated and prosperous state of Malaysia. It is home to the largest port in the country, Port Klang. Selangor owes its prosperity to its advantageous geographical location and rich natural resources. Selangor, with an area of approximately 8,000 Sq. km, extends along the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia at the northern outlet of the Straits of Malacca.

Selangor surrounds the capital city of Kuala Lumpur with green suburban arms and industrial tracks and a large proportion of Selangor's population lives around the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur.

Selangor is dominated by fishing villages on the coast and the Kampung inland. It is also famous for the extraordinary Batu caves and the Genting Highlands-one of the finest hill stations of Malaysia.

All roads away from Kuala Lumpur lead to the state of Selangor, Malaysia's most populated and prosperous state. Selangor surrounds the burgeoning capital with green suburban arms and industrial tracks, but as the city is left behind, a different, older and more natural order quickly unfolds.

To the west is the Klang Valley, whose tin mines were inextricably linked to the history and development of modern Malaysia. It was here that much of Malaysia's Civil War was played out. Continuing past the city of Klang, one eventually comes to Port Klang, where sampans come and go. Both to the north and south, Selangor is dominated by fishing villages on the coast and the Kampung inland. Heading east from KL, it is not the ocean but hills and forests that dominate. This is the beginning of the lush Malaysian heartland, and the spiritual connection to the landscape first takes hold at the extraordinary Batu Caves. Even further inland are the Genting Highlands, one of Malaysia's finest hill stations.

Any direction one takes in Selangor eventually leads to some sight that is deeply connected to Malaysia's development; a tin mine, an oil-palm or rubber plantation - for this reason, the state is often called "the heart of modern Malaysia."

Location

Selangor, with an area of approximately 8,000 sq. km, extends along the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia at the northern outlet of the Straits of Malacca. Its advantageous geographic position and rich natural resources have made Selangor the most prosperous state in Malaysia. Today it has the distinction of being the most populated state in Malaysia, with about 3.75 million inhabitants. A large proportion of Selangor's population lives around the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, though the balance is now shifting towards its new capital, Shah Alam.

History

Selangor's history dates to the 16th century, when rich tin deposits were found in the region. The area's natural wealth, along with its relative freedom from the presence of the Dutch, attracted miners, immigrants and colonizers. One especially important group of settlers was the Bugis-Malay people from Macassar in Celebes. Bugis were renowned for their capabilities as sea traders and warriors and they soon rose to prominence in Selangor. By 1700 they dominated the state both politically and economically and had established the present Sultanate of Selangor.

Over the course of the eighteenth century, Selangor extended its sphere of influence to become a regional political power. As the western colonial presence increased over the following century, infighting between the Bugis, Chinese and Malay nobility forced Selangor to accept the presence of a British Resident in 1874. In 1896, the British included Selangor in the Federated Malay States, at about the same time that rubber cultivation began in Malaysia. In 1948 the state joined the Federation of Malaya.

In 1957 the Federation became an independent state within the Commonwealth of Nations. In 1974, the country's capital city of Kuala Lumpur and some of the surrounding areas were ceded to the Federal Government for the establishment of Wilayah Persekutuan, a Federal Territory.

Climate

Selangor's climate is characterized by warm, sunny days, and cool nights all year round and occasional rain in the evenings. Temperature ranges from 23°C to 33°C. Humidity usually exceeds 80%. Annual rainfall is 2,700 mm. Although rain falls throughout the year, December to February are said to be the wettest months.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Selangor is from April to October.

Shopping

Selangor is fast gaining recognition as a shopper's paradise due to the number of shopping malls that have mushroomed all over the state, especially the Klang Valley. Night markets or 'pasar malam' are a special feature of local life. Designated areas are used for these night markets on fixed nights of each week.

How to Reach Selangor Selangor is accessible internationally through Port Klang and Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah International Airport. The North-South Highway provides convenient access to Selangor from Thailand, Singapore and all parts of the peninsula. Buses are also a practical way of getting about within Selangor, with bus stations at all main towns.

Attractions

Shah Alam

Selangor's new capital is dominated by the enormous minarets and gleaming blue dome of the State Mosque, Masjid Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah. The enormous aluminium dome is reputed to be the among the largest in the Islamic world. Shah Alam is a showpiece city, and its careful planning is evident everywhere. The mosque sits alongside the city's manmade central lake, which is also adjoined by Urban Shah Alam, a beautifully landscaped recreational park. Shah Alam also possesses a world-class stadium and sports complex and an international standard racing track. Located halfway between Kuala Lumpur and Port Klang, the city is just 15 minutes from Subang Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

Hutan Kanching

Hutan Kanching, a forest reserve, located 21 km north of Kuala Lumpur offers refreshing waterfalls and lush jungle greenery that abounds with butterflies and plant life. A good place to introduce children to nature. Camp out if you like. Facilities available are bathrooms, toilets, canteens as well as wading pools for children.

Malaysia Agriculture Park

Just 10 minutes from Shah Alam is the 1,258-hectare Malaysia Agriculture Park, the largest agro-forestry park in the world. Within the park are contained samples of virtually every agricultural resource in the nation, including oil and coconut palms, padi fields, fruit trees, and rubber trees, all set in the midst of a luscious rain forest. Through numerous open-air exhibits, live demonstrations, nature trails, and a host of educational programs, visitors are offered unparalleled opportunities to learn about and enjoy Malaysia's rich natural attributes. Other attractions here include two dams, a fishing lake, a Temperate House, a suspension bridge, a bird and a safari park. Bicycles are available for hire within the park. Buses are available on weekends only. Overnight visitors may stay at chalets from RM30 per chalet. The park is open from 8:30 am to 6 pm daily, except Mondays. Admission is RM2 for adults, RM1 for children.

Gedung Raja Abdullah

Located at the center of Klang, the former capital of Selangor. From its strategic position overlooking the Klang River, the town controlled access to the Klang Valley. The Malay-style Gedung Raja Abdullah is the town's oldest building, erected as a warehouse by Raja Mahdi in 1856. It now serves as a historical museum, with interesting exhibits on the bygone days of this former capital.

Kuala Selangor

Before Klang became the capital of Selangor, Kuala Selangor was the home of the Selangor Sultanate. Located 45 km north of Klang, the city sits at the mouth of Selangor River. The pair of fortresses atop the town's two hills still guard the river mouth, hearkening back to the days when the Selangor River's tin trade constituted the source of this state's wealth and power. The larger of the two, standing on Bukit Melawati, is now the royal mausoleum, containing the remains of Selangor's early Bugis rulers.

Taman Alam

At the foot of Bukit Melawati lies the nature reserve of Taman Alam, covering 240 hectares. Taman Alam has well-marked jungle trails for trekking as well as observation hides for birdwatchers. The reserve's abundant birdlife is due largely to the mangrove swamp in the vicinity, which is frequented by hundreds of thousands of migratory birds. The Malaysia Nature Society has identified some 150 species in Taman Alam, amongst them the rare spoon-billed Sandpiper and Nordmann's Greenshank. The reserve's visitor center, which contains a number of educational displays, is located on Bukit Melawati, from which a path leads down the hill to the park.

Muzium Orang Asli

The Orang Asli are the aboriginal people of Peninsular Malaysia, with an estimated population of over 60,000. They still lead a simple yet fascinating lifestyle. Their ancient customs and traditions are informatively displayed in this museum, located in Gombak just north of Kuala Lumpur.