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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.
Batu
Caves
 Located 13 km.north of Kuala Lumpur.
These magnificent caves have been known to local inhabitants for
centuries. However, they became famous as a sightseeing and pilgrimage
site only after they were stumbled upon by westerners in the late
nineteenth century. Of the three caves that comprise the site, the
largest and best known is the Temple or Cathedral Cave, so named
because it houses a Hindu shrine beneath its 100 m vaulted ceiling.
In late January of each year, during the Hindu festival of Thaipusam,
thousands of devotees and other visitors climb the long entry stair
and throng this magnificent cavern. As a form of penance or sacrifice,
many of the pilgrims carry kavadis, large, brightly-decorated frameworks
attached to a melange of body-piercing implements.
A little below the Temple Cave is the
Dark Cave, a two-kilometer network of relatively untouched caverns.
The caverns contain a diverse host of cave fauna, including some
unique species. In order to maintain the cave's ecology, access is
restricted. Those wishing to visit Dark Cave must contact the Malaysian
Nature Society for permission and guidelines. The third cave, located
at the foot of the steps, houses an interesting display of statues
and wall paintings depicting scenes and figures from Hindu mythology.
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.
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