7 Historical Sites That Worth Visiting In Selangor

Despite being recognised as the most developed state in Malaysia, Selangor is incredibly fortunate to possess numerous historical and cultural treasures. These provide a wide range of options, including outdoor and naturally created landmarks, cultural places, and gorgeous rainforests. In conjunction with Malaysia’s National Day, we’d like to give you a taste of what you need to see when you visit the state, particularly tourism products that emphasise heritage and historical sites that hold 1001 stories.

Know that some of these cultural sites must possess exceptional value, relevance, and common significance in order to achieve World Heritage status. Consequently, seeing the numerous heritage and historical sites in Selangor will be a fantastic experience. Along the route, you can appreciate the diverse landscapes, cultural and lifestyle uniqueness, and architectural wonders. There is a vacation spot on this list for every type of traveller, from the most adventurous to the most laid-back, as well as foreign veterans and those without a passport.

Bukit Malawati, Kuala Selangor

According to history, Malawati Hill was under the Dutch from the hands of Sultan Ibrahim (July 1784). A year later on the 28th of Januay 1785, Sultan Ibrahim with the help of his brother, Dato’ Penggawa Permatang Mahabijaya (Penggawa Tua) and Bendahara Adb. Majid Pahang, banished the Dutch in the span of only one night. The attacked started after Isyak managed to capture the hill before dawn. On top of Malawati Hill there are a few governments high officer houses, a resthouse, lighthouse, Kuala Selangor Museum and historical artefacts. The extremely docile silver leaf monkeys in Bukit Malawati are one of the area’s most interesting features. Malawati Hill provides tram riding service. This service is only available on weekends, which are Saturday and Sunday. Each passenger is simply charged RM2.00.

Royal Klang Town

The city of Klang is renowned as the Royal City. In addition, it is one of the oldest districts in Selangor Darul Ehsan. The Royal Klang Town Heritage Walk provides access to numerous old and historically significant structures. The city’s municipal council and Tourism Selangor offer a free walking tour of Klang’s heritage quarters, which includes up to eleven tourist attractions, such as the Sultan Abdul Aziz Royal Gallery, Little India (Tengku Kelana Street), the former Chartered Bank building, the Royal Klang Club, the Alam Shah Palace, and many others. The Royal Klang Town Heritage Walk is led by professional guides and provides exclusive access to attractions. As it follows sidewalks in and around the city centre, the under-3-kilometer course is relatively straightforward. The walking tour lasts around 2.5 hours and is done in English.

Jugra, Kuala Langat

Bukit Jugra is in Jugra, which is an old town in Kuala Langat with stately buildings, bridges, and roads that give off an old-world feel. In the late 1800s, Jugra was the royal capital of Selangor. Its well-kept buildings show how beautiful and important it was back then. Based on historical records and documents like The Oriental Navigator, a sailing guidebook written in 1801, foreign sailors and cartographers knew Bukit Jugra as Parcelar Hill. Though its appeal has shifted over time, today’s Bukit Jugra or Jugra Hill remains a popular gathering spot. Hiking and paragliding are two of the most popular sports here, because to the area’s beautiful scenery and undulating landscape.

Kuala Kubu Bharu, Hulu Selangor

Kuala Kubu Bharu town, the principal of Hulu Selangor district, was built in 1928 after floods destroyed the old district capital of Hulu Selangor. It was designed by Charles Compton Reade, Malaya’s first town planner, based on the garden city movement of the early 20th century where self-contained communities are surrounded by greenbelts. As a tourist destination, Kuala Kubu Bharu is rich in ecotourism activities such as hiking at Bukit Kutu and Lata Medang, trekking to Chiling waterfall, paragliding, white water rafting and mountain biking. Annual sporting events held at Kuala Kubu Bharu includes Kuala Kubu Bharu paragliding Accuracy Championship, Selangor International Bird Race and Pertak Trail Run.

Kajang, Hulu Langat

Tin mining and rubber cultivation led to the establishment of Kajang town. In 1850s, first tin mine in Hulu Langat District was at Rekoh. In 1868, Towkay Chin Ah Chan was offered by Sultan Abdul Samad to open tin mine in Bukit Arang. The Mandailing migrants from Sumatra were the pioneers in opening up forest land in and around Kajang. Chinese and India migrants moved into Kajang in the 1870s as labourers and traders. 1884 census report of Kajang Town recorded 60 inhabitants, consisted of 19 Chinese, 1 Indian and 40 Sumatrans. In 1890s, British planters started coffee cultivation in Kajang. However, it failed due to disease infection. In 1895, Kindersly Brothers started planting rubber and were successful. At the same time, the first batch of brick shophouses was built. In the early 20th century, Kajang had developed into a commercial and administrative centre in Southern Selangor. Kajang Heritage Centre conducts unscheduled guided tours along Kajang Heritage Walk which includes the heritage centre, temple, and heritage sites in old town such as Century Old Shen Sze She Tar Temple, Persatuan Hokkien Ulu Langat (Former Low Ti Kok Mansion), Kajang Post Office, District Office Hulu Langat and many more.

Pekan Batu Arang, Rawang

Batu Arang is a small town in Selangor, close to Rawang. It was once the centre of coal mining in Malaysia. There are still some remnants of the town’s industrial past that can be seen. In 2011, Tourism Selangor and Majlis Perbadanan Selayang put together a trail with 22 of these sites, and each one has a sign board to show where it is. There is one roundabout in the town, and next to it is a map that shows where these 22 historic sites are. Some of the attractions are, Batu Arang Heritage Town Column, row of old shops, chinese traditional shop house, Former Mine Workers Sports Club and Chap Khuan Chinese Primary School.

Istana Bandar, Kuala Langat

Istana Bandar was initially constructed at the close of the 19th century and completed around 1905. Located in the Kuala Langat District of Mukim Bandar and constructed on a 12,96 acre lot. It is 20 kilometres from Bandar Banting and close to the Sultan Alaeddin Mosque. His Majesty Sultan Sir Alaeddin Sulaiman Shah resided there with his queen Hajjah Safaih until his death in 1889. In 1926, Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Ibn Almarhum Sultan Hishamudin Alam Shah was crowned as the seventh sultan of the State of Selangor Darul Ehsan at Istana Bandar. This palace is said to have fifteen rooms and was constructed using a blend of Indian and Middle Eastern Islamic architecture. This palace was also constructed by skilled Chinese artisans who incorporated Chinese-influenced carvings and ornamentation. In addition, the building of the palace features an attractive landscape and ponds in front of the structure.

Conclusion

By visiting the historical locations in the State of Selangor to some extent you may discover the worth of history that we can appreciate and live. The month of independence that comes in August offers us the inspiration to explore the historical locations across the state of Selangor. Come on don’t miss this opportunity. Grab the car keys and drive your family there! You may log on to Tourism Selangor’s official website, www.selangor.travel for inspiration on your travel to Selangor, or follow Tourism Selangor’s official social media accounts; Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, and Tourism Selangor’s YouTube channel. #PusingSelangorDulu!