Malaysia Backpackers Hostel

Accommodation:

With 3 Dorm and 6 Room to choose from, guests can expect nothing but comfortable home style living at the resort.

All rooms are equipped with fan with shared bathrooms

Things To Do In Old Town Kuala Selangor

During your free time there are 21 things you can do in Kuala Selangor such as below:

1. Tanjong Keramat Fort

The ruins of this fort, also known as Bukit Belanda (literally ‘Dutch Hill’) are located on a low hill close to the mouth of the Selangor River. It was originally built by Sultan Ibrahim, the 2nd Sultan of Selangor, who reigned from 1782-1826. It was captured by the Dutch in 1784 who renamed it Fort Utrecht. The fort was a two storey structure built of granite and clay and its walls were fortified with cannons. There were two entrances, one on the north and the other on the east. The site is now overgrown with grass and there is little evidence of the structure apart from mounds where the walls once stood.

2. Makam Keramat Anak Dara

Nearby on a small rocky hill is a shrine venerated by the locals called Makam Keramat Anak Dara or Virgin’s Grave. It is accessed by a rickety wooden staircase. There is a signboard outside which tells the story of a young pious girl who was forced to marry a man she did not love. On the morning of her wedding she disappeared while washing in the river. She later appeared in a dream to her parents, asking that they not look for her as she had found a better place. The next day her clothes were found on a tree and the parents decided to build this shrine where they were found. If this happened nowadays, police would be unlikely to accept the dream explanation and might suspect foul play!

3. War Memorial

In the middle of a roundabout at the start of Jalan Keramat Tanjong (see map) is a small obelisk erected by the British to honour Allied and local soldiers who died during the two World Wars. The original bronze plaques listing the names of the fallen have been removed, probably by scrap metal thieves, and replaced by two wooden boards inscribed Medan Perwira (Bellamy). You can find information about this war memorial on the website of the Malayan Volunteers Group.

4. Royal Mausoleum & Meriam Penggawa

The next 11 Kuala Selangor attractions can all be found on Bukit Melawati, the main hill in the heart of Kuala Selangor. To tour this hill, you can either take the Tram Ride (see below) or walk. The first building you pass is the Royal Mausoleum (Makam Diraja). This royal burial ground contains the graves of the first three Sultans of Selangor who died in 1782, 1826 and 1857 respectively. In the grounds of the mausoleum is the Penggawa (Chief) Cannon, wrapped in yellow cloth. This cannon was found in 1966 on the banks of the Buluh River, 12km south of Kuala Selangor. The cannon is also known as Petoi Boga which means White Princess.

5. Poisoned Well

Next you will pass the poisoned well which was said to have been poisoned with a mixture of latex and itchy bamboo shoots and used to drown traitors. Some plastic water bottles appear to have been added to the mix by thoughtless litterers.

6. Traditional Games Museum

This museum was unfortunately closed during my visit. Its opening hours are supposed to be 9:30am to 5:30pm daily (closed on Mondays). Free admission.

7. Lighthouse

The Kuala Selangor Lighthouse is the town's most famous landmark and symbol. It was built in 1907 and is also known as the Altingsburg Lighthouse which was the old Dutch name for Bukit Melawati. It is 27m high and its light can be seen 18 nautical miles away. It is not open to the public.

8. Moon Viewing Pavilion

In front of the lighthouse is a modern pavilion which was built specifically for the purpose of sighting the new moon to determine the beginning and end of the Holy Month of Ramadhan and other events on the Islamic calendar.

9. Historical Museum of Kuala Selangor District

The Kuala Selangor Historical Museum (Muzium Sejarah Daerah Kuala Selangor) provides information such as the development of the town and its surrounding area, its role as a trading centre for the collection and export of tin and how Kuala Selangor became the capital of Selangor State. The museum relates 3 possible theories on how the name Selangor originated, the most colourful of which is that it comes from the words salang and jemur, referring to two types of torture which might have been carried out here. The museum contains some dioramas, displays of old weapons, specimens of old currencies and other artefacts. The museum is open daily from 9:30am - 5:30pm (closed on Mondays). Admission is free.

10. Monkeys

There are troops of loveable silver leaf monkeys (silvered langurs) who like to frequent the road and tree branches in front of the museum. This is where the tram bus stops and the monkeys have become accustomed to being fed by visitors. There are usually vendors here selling food for monkeys. They are not shy of humans at all and will take food from your hand, whether you want to give it or not! The monkeys are very cute especially the babies which are bright orange colour. The monkeys are among the most popular of Kuala Selangor Attractions.

11. Batu Hampar

This 'bedrock' is a large stone situated in the corner of what was the Sultan's garden. Some say it was used to behead traitors while others, more probably, claim it is where the Sultan used to sit to watch the sun setting over his domain while enjoying the cooling breeze which blows across this corner of the hill.

12. Melawati Fort

Nearby are some well preserved stone walls of the original fort (Kota Melawati) and cannons are strategically positioned with far reaching views over the surrounding area
13. Melawati Mound

This 12 foot high mound was built during the reign of Sultan Ibrahim who used to observe c**k fights here. It is believed that under the mound is a door to a cave which acted as the government's treasury. Could there still be treasure buried here?

14. Tram Ride

The path brings us back to the starting point of the Bukit Melawati trail which is also where the pick-up point and ticket office for the Tram ride is located. Tickets are RM5 adult and RM3 child (ages 3-12). This ride also includes the fish park (see below).

15. Taman Ikan Air Tawar

A short walk away is this small freshwater fish park with a few aquariums displaying a number of local fish species such as the Toman. There are also a couple of modest aviaries and a lotus pond. The entrance fee is RM2 for adults and RM1 for children. You can find more details on my blog.

16. Kuala Selangor Nature Park

Kuala Selangor Nature Park is made up of mangrove forest, mud flats and secondary forest habitats and is a sanctuary for many bird and animal species. Read about it here.

17. Auntie Foo

A good place to take refreshment is Auntie Foo's located in a heritage style building in the town centre. The sign outside this smart café says 'since 1935'. They sell home made ice creams, dried local seafood products and souvenir items and provide brochures and maps on local attractions. They have wifi.

18. Chinese Temple

On the opposite bank of the River Selangor are a couple of Chinese temples, one of which is called the Monkey God Temple.

19. Seafood Restaurants and shops

Next to the Kuala Selangor jetty are a few seafood restaurants and shops selling dried fish and other seafood products.

20. Fireflies at Kampung Kuantan or Firefly Park Resort

After dark the must-see Kuala Selangor attractions are the fireflies. The mangrove swamps along the banks of the Selangor River are one of a handful of places in the world where fireflies gather in such huge numbers. A firefly is a type of tiny beetle whose tail flashes on and off at night to attract mates. Kampung Kuantan and the Firefly Park Resort are two places where boats are taken out nightly to observe the firefly illuminations.

21. Shakti Temple Bukit Rotan

The latest of Kuala Selangor attractions is Shakti Temple at Bukit Rotan on the outskirts of Kuala Selangor. This new temple was consecrated in May 2013 and with its exquisitely decorated sandstone walls and gopuram, it will surely soon be recognised as one of the finest Hindu temples in Malaysia, if not South East Asia.

Located at Old Town Kuala Selangor

By car

Make your way towards Sungai Buloh exit from North-South highway and follow the road signs towards Kuala Selangor. Alternatively if you are starting your journey from Klang, you can drive towards Kapar and head straight from there towards Kuala Selangor. Either way, the journey should not take longer than 80 minutes.

By taxi

Its a one hour journey by cab. The cab might also not be able to pick up a passenger on the way back, so expect fares to be high. For comparison, the distance from KL to KLIA is about 80km and a one hour journey. Taxis typically want RM 70 for a trip to the airport. So you would expect something similar, or higher for this trip. You might be able to negotiate a good deal if you book the taxi for a return trip.

By bus

From Medan Pasar Bus Hub

Visitors can board Selangor Bus No. 141, No. 109 or No.100 from Medan Pasar Bus Hub in Kuala Lumpur. The bus departs half-hourly from KL between 6.30am and 7.30pm, and takes 2 hours ++ to reach the bus terminal at Bandar Malawati, Kuala Selangor. The last bus for the return trip from Kuala Selangor to KL is at 7.45pm The one-way fare is RM7.30 - RM 9.00

Alternative method is to take any bus to Klang from KL high bus service frequency rate. From Klang, take the Cityliner bus No. 196 to Kuala Selangor/Bandar Malawati.

Directions to Medan Pasar Bus Hub : The bus hub is about 100m north of Central Market. From Masjid Jamek LRT, walk 100m southeast along Jln Tun Perak before turning right into Lebuh Ampang. After walking another 100m, you will see the bus shelter next to a grey "clock tower" in the small square. While many buses stop on the southside of the square, the red Selangor buses, which also have SELANGOR written on them, are north December 2014.

Directions from Bandar Malawati Bus Terminal:The terminal is in Bandar Malawati, which is about 1km southeast of the town centre. You can then take a RM5 taxi ride / local bus to the town centre of Kuala Selangor alternatively you can take a 15-20min walk. The bus terminal is also served by Cityliner buses from Klang. Also Free bus by Bas Selangor around the city.

From Pudu Bus Station

It take 200m from Masjid Jamek to Pudu Bus Station or 15 minute walk from Bukit Bintang. Take Bus at Pudu Bus Station Kuala Lumpur to Sabak Bernam RM11.00 and ask the driver to stop at old town Kuala Selangor. First bus at 10.00 am and last bus at 6.00 pm.

The Malaysia Backpackers Hostel & Guest House in front Auntie Foos Cafe