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.
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.
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. |
MALAYSIA AGRICULTURE PARK |
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