To the west is the Klang Valley, whose tin mines were inextricably linked to the history and development of modern Malaysia. It was here that much of Malaysia's Civil War was played out.
Continuing past the city of Klang, one eventually comes to Port Klang, where sampans come and go. Both to the north and south, Selangor is dominated by fishing villages on the coast and the Kampung inland.
Heading east from KL, it is not the ocean but hills and forests that dominate. This is the beginning of the lush Malaysian heartland, and the spiritual connection to the landscape first takes hold at the extraordinary Batu Caves. Even further inland are the Genting Highlands, one of Malaysia's finest hill stations.

Any direction one takes in Selangor eventually leads to some sight that is deeply connected to Malaysia's development; a tin mine, an oil-palm or rubber plantation - for this reason, the state is often called "the heart of modern Malaysia."

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PLACES TO SEE  

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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 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, such as bathrooms, toilets, canteens as well as wading pools for children are available.

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.

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.

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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.

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.

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.

More than any other state, Selangor has developed international quality amusement parks.
While these attractions may not suit the tastes of some visitors, they are exemplary of the modern development of this prosperous state.

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