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.
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.
