Location:

West Malaysia/ Malaysian Peninsular

Land Area:

7,960 square kilometers

Capital:

Shah Alam

Other info:

Largest city - Petaling Jaya

Airport - KLIA

The prosperity of Selangor is credited to the development of mining. The natural wealth and location of the port at Melaka attracted miners, immigrants and foreigners to the regions through the centuries.

    The Minangkabau and Bugis were early migrants settling in the state and later the Bugis exerted their influence, trading with the Portuguese then Dutch in the region. The Royal House of Selangor (Sultanate of Selangor) emerged in the 16th century - descended from the Raja of Relau of Indonesia. They are Bugis, originating from Luwu in the islands of the Celebes.

     The 19th century saw the discovery of huge tin deposits which attracted a large influx of Chinese immigrants, who were recruited to work mainly at the mines. The economy of the state boomed and other foreign settlers and traders moved to Selangor. However, fighting between the Bugis and Chinese immigrants and the indigenous Malays became frequent. This eventually led to British intervention. The the Sultan of Selangor was forced to accept a British Resident in 1874.  

     In 1896, still under British colonial rule, Selangor united with Negeri Sembilan, Perak and Pahang to form the Federated Malay States, with its capital in Kuala Lumpur. Economic development continued was with the introduction of rubber cultivation and establishment of port facilities at Klang.

     The Japanese occupied the state in 1941 and deposed the ruling Sultan in favour of his disinherited elder brother. At the end of the Second World War the Sultan was restored on the throne.

     The State joined the Federation of Malaya on 1948. In 1974 Kuala Lumpur and its surrounding areas were permanently ceded to the Federal government by the state.

Government of Selagor

Major Urban Centres

Shah Alam - is a town that was specifically designed to replace Kuala Lumpur, as the state capital. KL was handed over to the Federal Government on the 2nd of February 1974. The area, formerly called Sungai Reggam, became Shah Alam, the capital of Selangor.

    The most prominent building here the Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Mosque, also known as the Blue Mosque. The mosque can accommodate some16,000 worshippers.

     Other attractions here include the Selangor State Museum, Selangor Islamic Arts Complex, Wet World Waterpark and numerous shopping malls and recreational venues. Surrounding the city is the Shah Alam Lake Gardens and Bukit Cahaya Sri Alam Agricultural Park.

Shah Alam land area: 290.3 sq.km

Population: 584,340

Majlis Bandaran Shah Alam - Shah Alam City Council

Petaling Jaya, more commonly referred to as 'PJ', is the largest city in Selangor. In the 1950's due to rapid development and overcrowding in Kuala Lumpur, an extensive area of rubber plantations, outside KL was opened by the then British government for development as a satellite town. Development started at the area no referred to as PJ 'old town'. PJ was the first town in Malaysia to have started as a planned city. Hence, we have uninteresting naming of areas in PJ - all called by sections or seksyen with numbers (e.g. Section 16, Section 3, etc.) The city, divided into numbered sections, is further subdivided into compass direction with acronyms such as - S (eastern PJ), SS (central and western), PJU (northern), and PJS (southern). A little confusing for a visitor.

   PJ grew rapidly to become a suburban area with many small commercial business, numerous shopping malls and manufacturing enterprises supported by a large residential population.  The town was declared a city in 1974. Today, PJ is the largest city in Selangor. PJ is linked seamlessly by the Federal Highway and other roads to Kuala Lumpur. It is also connected by rail and LRT - KTM commuter and Putra LRT to KL (Main stops, PJ New Town and Kelana Jaya) Bus and taxis are also easily available.

Prominent landmark:

Kota Darul Ehsan Arch - a huge marble arch which stands over the highway into Petaling Jaya. It was erected to mark the handing over of KL to the Federal Government and Construction started in 1974 bust was only opened in 1981.

MBPJ Tower - This 27-storey building, headquarters of the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) is known for its unique layout.

Kelana Jaya Lake Park with 7 lakes was formerly a mining area in the 80s. It is a popular place for joggers.

Sunway Pyramid Megamal - a Theme mall in Malaysia

Shopping Places - Besides many pasar malam all over the city, locals patronizes mainly the shopping malls in PJ.

Majlis Bandaran Petaling Jaya - Petaling Jaya City Council

Klang - located about 32 km west of Kula Lumpur is the royal capital of Selangor. The Klang town Authority was formed in 1947. The Klang Municipal Council was established in 1977

Port Klang (formerly called Port Swettenham), one of the major Malaysia port comes under the Klang Municipal council

Attractions of Selangor

The Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah mosque, often referred to as ‘The Blue Mosque’, has minarets at 142.3m - the tallest in the world. Its blue dome is decorated with Islamic calligraphy.

Shah Alam Lake Gardens is the site of annual events such as the International Boat Show and Orchid Exhibition. Within is also a floating seafood restaurant and the Wet World water-theme park.

State Museum -  of traditional architecture houses displays that show Selangor’s historical and cultural heritage.

Galeri Shah Alam - located by the lakeside, exhibits art, local handicraft and fabrics.

The State Monument in Shah Alam, with a sweeping arch, is a favourite location for shutterbugs and tourists because of its picturesque og reflecting pools and gold inscriptions on grey granite.

Keris Monument is on the left hand side of the road just before the Bukit Raja Industrial Estate. This memorial was erected in 1985 to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of the Sultan of Selangor’s installation.

Tin Museum at Jalan Raja Abdullah, 40100 Kelang, Selangor Darul Ehsan is located in a building built in 1856 which was originally known as the Gedung Raja A bdullah, a warehouse belonging to Raja Abdullah. Exhibits in this museum trace the history of tin mining in Selangor. (Tel:+603-559 0050 ; Opening hours 1000 to 1800 hrs. daily. Closed on Fri. Admission is free.

Sultan Sulaiman Mosque in Klang, of classic Islamic architecture, was presented by the British colonial administration to Sultan Sulaiman in the 19th century.

Kota Darul Ehsan arch – was erected as a token of appreciation for the ceding of Kuala Lumpur to the Federal Government by the Sultan of Selangor. This monumental marble arch incorporates architectural elements of the Sultan Abdul Samad Building. It can be seen on the Federal Highway and marks the state

border with Kuala Lumpur.

The Mines Wonderland – is a place for a family holiday. Built around a large old mining pond, the theme-park offers water sports, rides, an ice-skating rink and restaurants. The park is flanked by a golf course, two hotels and a shopping centre.

Mines Wonderland website

Sunway Lagoon is a former tin-mine that has been transformed into a major amusement park. Attractions in the complex including water sport facilities, roller coasters, amusement arcades, restaurants and other recreational facilities. Nearby, is the Pyramid shopping and a hotel.

Templer’s Park located north of Kuala Lumpur is a recreation forest park near the Serendah Forest Reserve. This area has with waterfalls nestling within.

Batu Caves – is the most popular cave in Malaysia. It is located about 13km away from Kuala Lumpur. These limestone caves is the site of the annual Thaipusam festival (Hindu festival), which attracts thousands of devotees and spectators yearly. There are several caves within the Batu Caves complex and within is decorated with Hindu shrines. To reach the caves, you have to climb a steep flight of 272 steps. Read about Thaipusam at celebrations in Malaysia.

Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) Museum is located on the grounds of the Forestry Research Institute at Kepong, 15km from the KL. The museum display forest exhibits that showcase the rich forest heritage of the country. There are also exhibits the different species of woods, their uses and products. Guided tours are available by appointment. Opening hours: 8.00am to 4.15pm (daily) Closed: Saturday, Sundays and public holidays.

FRIM website

Gallery of the Orang Asli or Gombak Orang Asli Centre is located at the 20km mark on Jalan Gombak (near Batu Caves). This settlement nestles amidst secondary forest has an Orang Asli Museum and Craft Shop. Visitors can get a glimpse of the life and culture of aborigines of Selangor; Tel : +603 2282 6255

Kuala Selangor Fireflies - Kampung Kuantan is an attraction for tourist who wants to watch fireflies. The firefly gives a light, for the purpose of luring the opposite sex or intimidating a predatory hunter. Take a boat ride along the Selangor river to watch the spectacular display of lights emitted by thousands of fire-flies (or lightning bug)which lights up the mangrove trees around the swamps. Boats can be hires at the jetty.
Zoo Negara (National Zoo) - is located in Hulu Klang, Selangor. Zoo Negara Malaysia is managed by the Malaysian Zoological Society, a non-governmental organization established to create the first local zoo for Malaysians. Zoo Negara is now 44 years old and has matured into a well-known zoo all around the world. It houses a total of over 5137 animals from 459 species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish.

http://www.zoonegara.org.my/

Sepang International Circuit - The state-of-the-art circuit was officially opened on March 9, 1999. It is located 85km from Kuala Lumpur city centre. With the length of 5.543 km, the track features 15 turns and 8 straights with access speed of more than 300km/h. The circuit can accommodate up to 130,000 spectators. website: http://www.malaysiangp.com.my/

Other nearby attractions:

Kuala Lumpur    Melaka

For more about tourist attractions in Selangor, go to:

http://www.tourismselangor.gov.my/

News on Selangor: TVSelangor

Many visitors to Selangor stays in Kuala Lumpur. However visitors also stay in Shah Alam, and Petaling Jaya. 

Search and compare hotel rates at:

Hotels in Sepang  Selangor

Hotels in Kembangan  Selangor

Hotels in Shah Alam  Selangor

Hotels in Petaling Jaya  Selangor

Hotels in Putrajaya  Federal

Kuala Lumpur Hotels  (KL) Federal

Search Other Hotels in Selangor

 HotelsCombined.com
Compare 30+ travel sites at once!