'''Klang''', also spelled '''Kelang''', is the royal town of Selangor, on the west coast of peninsular Malaysia before Shah Alam. The town is named after the Klang River, which cuts the town in half, and sits at the western end of the Klang Valley.
Get in
By car
There are 3 major highways linking to Klang. The North Klang Valley Expressway (NKVE) links the Bukit Raja toll plaza in Klang to the North-South Highway. Visitors from Shah Alam, Subang, Petaling Jaya and Kuala Lumpur can use the Federal Highway to reach Klang. Visitors can also use the Shah Alam Expressway (KESAS highway) to reach Klang South. Alternatively, Klang is also accessible via coastal roads from Banting and Sepang (south) or Kuala Selangor and Sabak Bernam (north).
By train
Klang's railway station is located at Jalan Stesen in the part of town south of the Klang River. '''KTM Komuter''' [http://www.ktmb.com.my ], Klang Valley's commuter train network, connects Klang directly with Kuala Lumpur (RM3.60, 50 minutes) and Port Klang (RM1.00, 20 minutes). Several famous ''bak kut teh'' (see below) joints are located near the station.
By bus
The former Klang bus and taxi terminal is located right in the heart of the town opposite the Mydin Shopping Complex, but it has since been moved to Klang Sentral, which is about 8 kilometers away from the town centre.
Buses to and from Kuala Lumpur, Port Klang, Kuala Selangor, Banting and other destinations have been operating out of Klang Sentral since 27 December 2008. As Klang Sentral is located far away from the town centre, the Klang Municipal Council (MPK) has established five bus pick-up points around the town for the convenience of the passengers.
'''Transnasional''' and '''Cityliner''' buses [http://www.nadicorp.com.my/transportation_routes_stage.asp] operate between Klang and Kuala Lumpur as well as Port Klang. The No. 710 goes to Kuala Lumpur while No. 126 goes to Port Klang.
'''Rapid KL''' buses operate between Klang, Kuala Lumpur (from KL Sentral and Central Market) and Sunway Pyramid in Petaling Jaya. '''Wawasan Sutera''' and '''Metrobus''' also operate frequent services to Kuala Lumpur.
Other operators include '''Ardent Link''' and various minibus companies.
By boat
Klang is not located by the sea. However, there are boats between Indonesia (Dumai and Tanjung Balai Asahan) and Port Klang which is located 8km away. Star Cruises terminal is located at Pulau Indah in Port Klang.
Get around
Generally it is more convenient to drive around Klang as public transportation is limited. Taxis are available for hire outside the railway station at Jalan Stesen.
See
Most travel brochures do not list Klang as one of the "must visit" places in the Klang Valley as it has no architecture wonders like those of Kuala Lumpur nor the natural attractions of Kuala Selangor. Klang is more widely known for its mouth-watering dishes instead of its sights.
However, in the town (where bloody civil wars were fought and tin was traded in the past), Klang offers some sites and buildings that are of historical value.
'''Tugu Keris (Kris Monument)''' - A towering silver Keris (the Malay crooked dagger) welcomes visitors who come to Klang via the Federal Highway. It can be seen on the left hand side of the highway as you pass the Sungai Rasau toll plaza. The monument was erected to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of the Sultan of Selangor's intallation in 1985. The Keris was chosen since it depicts power, strength and unity. Entry is free of charge.
'''Kota Raja Mahadi (Raja Mahadi Fort)''' - The fort, or what remains of it, is situated at Bukit Kota in Klang. The fort was built by Raja Mahadi as a defensive fortification against Raja Abdullah (his rival in a power struggle for the control of Klang district). The fort was used as a vantage point to look out for enemy ships that sailed through to Pangkalan Batu. Later on, the fort fell into the hands of Tengku Kudin who was sent by the Sultan of Selangor to take revenge on Raja Mahadi because the latter failed to pay his dues to the Sultan. The bloody battle lasted six months and ended with the retreat of Raja Mahadi. These days, the fort serves as an impressive landmark next to the Klang Municipal Hall.
'''Royal Palace''' - The Sultan of Selangor's royal palace can be viewed at Jalan Istana. However, visitors are not allowed into the grounds.
'''Pulau Ketam (Crab Island)''' - Go sightseeing to this island located around 30 minutes boat ride from the Klang Jetty (accessible via KTM; stop at Port Klang station). Pay a small fee for the speed boat ride. On the island, you can see a self sustaining island with a school,bank,fire station,police station and etc, mostly inhabited by the Chinese.Used to be a smuggling center,it now produces small food items like dried squid or fish paste. Seafood can also be found fresh from here as the people here mostly work as fishermen. A half day trip to see the simple life of the locals.
Do
Go fishing at Port Klang. Its free and convenient. Just don't mind the smell.
Buy
Little India
The '''Little India''' enclave along Jalan Tengku Kelana, Klang is the biggest Indian street in Malaysia. Fierce competition among shop owners translate into cheaper prices for consumers, and people are literally spoilt for choice amidst the rows of shops on the left and right sides of the road, with stalls spilling onto the sidewalks and backlanes. Myriads of items such as saris, colorful accessories such as bangles and necklaces, textiles, stainless steel pots, Indian delicacies, gold and flowers are sold here.
During Deepavali, the street is transformed into a colorful spectacle of light and sound befitting the "festival of light". Most shop owners pool their resources together to decorate the street and the walkways of their shops. The street will be decorated weeks before the actual festival. The atmosphere is eletrifying and traffic will be clogged up as thousands of people make their way from as far as Singapore to make their purchases. Some shop owners will also invite shoppers into their shops to sample delicacies and to celebrate the festival together.
It is easy to be caught up in the throngs of people walking in the narrow walkways, but a little awareness and precaution should be practiced for your own safety. Police patrol the street during the festive season to avoid unwanted incidents and to control traffic flow. Moreover, the Klang main police headquarters is just a stone's throw away from the street. So this area is quite safe for tourists.
Parking in this area is very limited, so it is advisable to take public transport to Little India. The bus station is located at the beginning (or the end to some people) of the street. Take the '''Metrobus''' from the junction facing Pasar Seni, Kuala Lumpur, This bus goes all the way to the Klang bus station. Alternatively, you can take the train from KL Sentral and alight at Klang station. Indian Street is only ten minutes away from the train station.
Shopping centres
'''AEON Bukit Tinggi Shopping Centre''' (JUSCO Bukit Tinggi), Bandar Bukit Tinggi. Over a million square feet of shopping area and over 160 speciality stores, including a 10-screen cinema. First hour parking is free. Open everyday from 10am - 10.30pm.
'''Bukit Raja Shopping Centre''', Persiaran Bukit Raja 2,41150 Bandar Baru Klang, Selangor, +603-3343 2166, [http://www.jusco.com.my/JuscoHome/html/profile/storeinfo/jusco_bbk.htm]. Bukit Raja Shopping Centre is more commonly known among locals as JJ, an acronym for its anchor tenant, Jaya Jusco. One of the more popular hangout places for families and youngsters alike, Bukit Raja Shopping Centre also has the ultra modern TGV cinemas[http://www.tgv.com.my], showcasing the latest international and local films. Another unique feature is the large number of car accessory shops, with an entire floor dedicated to the sale of a wide range of parts, accessories and sound systems that cater to car enthusiasts. Opening hours from 10.00am to 10.30pm everyday.
'''Klang Parade''', No 2112 KM2, Jalan Meru, 41050 Klang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, +603-3343 7889. Klang Parade is one of the major shopping complexes in Klang with Parkson Grand departmental store and Giant Hypermarket as its anchor tenants. Locals shortened the name to KP and it caters mainly to residents of the nearby neighbourhood as well as the industrial zone workers of Meru. It has a bowling alley and karaoke centre. HELP International College of Technology (HICT)[http://www.hict.edu.my] is also located here. Opening hours 10.00am to 10.00pm everyday.
'''Shaw Centrepoint''', Jalan Raja Hassan, 41400 Klang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, +603-3344 8066. Located directly in the centre of the city, Shaw Centrepoint is just ten minutes away from the main bus station. It houses a GSC cineplex. Opening hours from 10.00am to 10.00pm everyday.
''' Centro Mall''', [http://www.centro.com.my], Klang
'''Klang City Square'''
'''Carrefour Klang - Jalan Kapar'''
'''Tesco Hypermarket''', Bandar Bukit Tinggi.
'''Giant Hypermarket'''
Eat
Bak kut teh
Klang is the original home of bak kut teh ("pork rib tea"), the Hokkien-style dish of pork ribs cooked in a strong, dark herbal stock, served with tea on the side. This is considered a breakfast dish here and family get-togethers on Sundays for bak kut teh are particularly popular. There are ''many'' famous shops in Klang, and if you ask two locals for the best you'll probably get three answers, but here's a sampling.
'''The Old Stall''', Jalan Stesen Satu (''west end of street next to the parking lot''). This shop needs no signboard nor menu, and in fact people can't even agree on its name, but this doesn't stop it from packing in the crowds — piles of pork bones spill out into the adjacent parking lot! This has a respectable claim to being Klang's oldest ''bak kut teh'' shop and their dark broth is smooth, strong and supremely tasty. Open only from 5 AM to 11 AM daily, so get there early. RM5/7 for a small/large bowl, 50 sen for rice, RM2 for a pot of tea, and there's nothing else on the menu, so feel free to bring your own side dishes.
'''Seng Huat Bak Kut Teh''', Jalan Sultan (''half under the bridge''). Another very popular option which has now been franchised, but this is the original. The menu is a bit larger and the ambience is fractionally more upscale than the nearby Old Stall, but prices are actually a little cheaper - RM15 for two. Tip: order your ''bak kut teh'' without the pig intestines if you consider pig intestines disgusting as pig intestines are not canon bak kut teh.However, they are actually quite delicious.
'''Teluk Pulai Bak Kut Teh''', Taman Rasnah (''Next to the flyover just right after the Batu Tiga tollgate''). Near Jaya Jusco Bukit Raja, behind Menara Trend office tower. Corner lot. It shifted to this location from its original place at the village of Teluk Pulai.
'''Yeoh's Bak Kut Teh''', Jalan Batu Tiga Lama (''off the main KL-Klang highway''), tel. +60-3-33417551, [http://www.bahkutteh.com]. Better known by locals as the "Hokkien Association" building (''Bangunan Persatuan Hokkien'').
Seafood
One of the best kept secrets of Klang, the seafood in Telok Gong, Klang is arguably the best in the Central region, if not the whole country. Tucked in the obscure vicinity within Pulau Indah, Telok Gong is only reachable by car or taxi as no other forms of public transportation make their way to this former coconut plantation. This does not deter customers who come from as far afield as Johor Bahru and Singapore to sample the fresh and tasty seafood delicacies.
Some of the signature dishes include '''Wong Kam Crab''' (crab cooked with duck egg yolk) and '''Marmite Crab'''. Singaporeans may disagree with this, but 'apart from that 'the'' next best '''Chilli Crab''' is available here. Bamboo, or razor clams and any dishes with prawns are generally very good as well.
Along with the seafood offerings, a must try is the '''toddy''', or fermented coconut flower juice. It is an alcoholic drink with a slightly sweet flavor. Not everyone's cup of tea (or beer). An acquired taste.
There are rows of seafood restaurants at this premier seafood destination, but most locals swear by:
'''Coconut Flower Seafood Restaurant''', 702, Jalan Udang Galah, Kampong Teluk Gong.
Drink
'''Cheong Foh Cafe''' (pronounced as ''Cheong Ho'' in Hokkien), a stone throw away from Klang Cendol. Famous with their aromatic coffee and nice and tasty toasted bread. A must try for coffee lovers.
'''Klang Cendol''', located opposite the former wet market (which has since been relocated to Jalan Meru). The business started out with cendol being sold on a tricycle, before progressing to a van, and finally to its current establishment. Besides cendol, the shop also sells rojak (Malaysian fruit salad) of good quality.
Sleep
Klang is easily covered in a half-day trip from Kuala Lumpur, but you can find some good hotels including:
Budget
'''Embassy Hotel''', No. 2-8, Jalan Kem, Pelabuhan Klang. Located minutes away from Port Klang. Usually a night stop for travellers who wish to travel to the nearby Pulau Ketam (Crab Island). From RM70.
'''Royal Comfort Hotel''', No. 40 & 42, Leboh Tapah, Off Jalan Goh Hock Huat. A 2-Star hotel located 15 minutes away from the city centre. Facilities include air-conditioning and hot water shower. From RM66.
Mid-range
'''Continental Suites Klang''', Lot 336, Seksyen 23, Jalan Meru. +603-33437171. A 4-Star downtown hotel, with 2 F&B outlets and rooftop swimming pool located in the same building as the Kamdar superstore in the middle of Klang Town. The hotel is situated near the Klang Bus Station and Shaw Parade. From RM120 nett including breakfast for two.
'''GoldCourse''', 9 Jalan Pasar. +603-33446666. High-rise business hotel located in the town center with an adjacent shopping mall. Magnificent view of the Klang river at night.
'''Klang Histana Hotel''', Jalan Batu Tiga Lama +603-33438999, [http://www.histanahotel.com.my]. Three-star hotel facing the "Gate Way" of Klang and just 10-minutes drive from the Jusco shopping center and Klang Town. Provides Free Wi-Fi Internet access at lobby and selected rooms.
'''Prescott Hotel''', 18A Lebuh Enggang, off Persiaran Sultan Ibrahim (on a service road adjacent to the Federal Highway) +603-33448833, [http://www.eprescotthotel.com]. Cosy business hotel with a small swimming pool at the back. Free wifi.
Splurge
'''Crystal Crown Hotel''', 217, Persiaran Raja Muda Musa.