Klang isn’t the most gorgeous city in Malaysia, but it has personality and charm. It is dingy and runs down in places, and massive industrial estates surround it, and its approach roads are jammed with heavy container trucks due to its proximity to the country’s primary port. It is, however, a historical city, one of Malaysia’s oldest, and a Royal city, featuring a palace, mosque, and other structures related to the Sultanate of Selangor.
The railway line connecting Kuala Lumpur and Klang was one of the country’s first. A railway station has stood on this site on Jalan Besar since 1890, albeit the current structure is much newer. This station has a traditional appearance. It’s possible that it won’t be around for much longer. The station is being considered for relocation to a new location 400 metres away on Jalan Raya Barat, where the proposed Light Rail Transit (LRT3) route will terminate.
One of Malaysia’s top museums is the Sultan Abdul Aziz Royal Gallery. It celebrates the Sultanate of Selangor’s rich history and houses a wonderful collection of antiquities and souvenirs, as well as reproductions of the Selangor crown jewels. The iconic structure was created by British architect AB Hubback in 1909 for use as a colonial administration office. The museum is free to enter.
Built in 1874, this intriguing structure features Dutch-style gables. It was a branch of the Chartered Bank, Klang’s first bank. The upper and lower verandahs have been glassed in, but the building is otherwise in excellent shape. Indian sari stores now occupy the space.
This historic structure was built in 1912. Originally, it served as a rest stop for the Sultan of Selangor. During World War II, the Japanese took control of it. It was utilised as a guest house after the war and subsequently turned into offices for several government departments, the most recent of which was the Pejabat Agama Islam Daerah Klang. The structure has been disfigured by unattractive expansions and inadequate maintenance as a result of the frequent changes in ownership and usage. It is now unoccupied and is thought to be awaiting restoration and conservation.
The date 1939 is engraved above the door of this typical Anglo-Malay structure. The upper storey was constructed with louvred shutters to give much-needed ventilation. Because the shutters are completely closed presently, it’s possible that they have air conditioning. The school is still in operation, however it has been greatly extended with newer buildings within the same compound.
Leofric Kesteven, a British architect, created this Royal Mosque, which was finished in September 1932. The design has stained glass in the dome and some of the windows, and is said to merge Islamic architecture with art deco and western cathedral influences.
Istana Alam Shah, one of the Sultan of Selangor’s formal palaces, is located in Klang, the old Royal capital of Selangor. It was erected in 1960 to replace the previous Makhota Puri restaurant on the same site. If the Royal Automobile Gallery, one of the outbuildings at Istana Alam Shah, were ever opened to the public, it would be a wonderful location to visit.
This temple, which is considered to be 120 years old, is Malaysia’s greatest Vaishnavite shrine for Lord Vishnu followers. After the famed Vaishnavite temple in India, it is called the ‘Thirupathi of SouthEast Asia.’ It is currently undergoing expansion and refurbishment work, as are many Hindu temples in Malaysia.
The last remnant of Raja Mahadi Fort, a fortified hilltop stronghold that once overlooked the Klang River and guarded the city against enemy ships, is this doorway. The date A.H. 1293, which corresponds to 1876-1877 in the Islamic calendar, is inscribed above the entrance. The majority of the hilltop is now occupied by the Klang Municipal Council Hall.
This double-decker bridge, which has a top layer for vehicles and a bottom layer for bicycles and pedestrians, first opened in 1957. Following the completion of a new road bridge adjacent to it, the top deck is no longer in use, but motorbikes, bicycles, and walkers continue to utilise the lower level.
This is a riverbank park featuring several gazebos, a fishing deck, and a children’s playground. I’m not sure I’d want to eat any fish caught in the Klang River, which has been a dump for all kinds of hazardous pollutants for decades. The river is being cleaned up, particularly along the portion that runs through KL, but it will take time to see benefits.
This has to be one of Malaysia’s finest and most elaborate Chinese temples. It was founded in 1892 and has undergone numerous renovations since then. The Kai Hong Koo temple is attached to it, and it is Malaysia’s sole temple dedicated to Justice Bao, a renowned judge of the Sung Dynasty.
The Indian community in Malaysia has a stronger presence in Klang than in other Malaysian cities. The Little India sector, centred on Jalan Tengku Kelana, is a lively, colourful region packed with Indian-inspired noises, sights, and fragrances. It’s an excellent place to shop and eat.
Many sculptures of snakes are curled around columns, embellish the roof, and even wrap around the altar in this fascinating temple. I believe it is a Taoist temple, and it appears to be pretty new, though I could be mistaken. There are a few real snakes within the temple, however unlike the snake temple in Penang, where they are permitted to slither freely, they are safely imprisoned.
The first Masjid India was constructed in 1910 to serve the religious needs of the Indian Muslim minority in and around Klang. The existing structure, which has been razed and rebuilt several times, can hold 3,000 worshippers. Within the grounds is a mausoleum for one of the mosque’s founders.
The majority of vacationers seek out a fresh destination and an exciting new experience. If you fall into this category, Klang, the former capital of Malaysia’s Selangor state, should be your next stop. The journey will incorporate elements of culture, heritage, and history, perfect for any vacation.