Oh, how I wish I could curl a little longer under the white comfy duvet. But then again, the thought of what awaited me for the day sent me straight under the hot shower. Coming down fresh, Rika and I chose a table at the corner of the Buzz for breakfast. Without a doubt, the breakfast was as good as the dinner the night before. Yummylicous, period! The short stay at Premiere Hotel had finally ended. We imprinted our stay with a memorable group picture in front of the hotel. If I could remember correctly, we spent almost 15 minutes for the group photo as each of the participants was eager to capture our very first group photo. Off we went for our Klang Heritage Walk.
The first leg of the tour would take the participants of My Selangor Story through Klang Heritage Walk. A chat with a Klang-born friend about my Klang Heritage Walk with My Selangor Story aroused a rather ironic question of “Huh, there’s such thing like Klang Heritage Walk?”.
A humble town that is, Klang has always been dismissed as a town with no particular interest. Contrary to common perspective, the royal town of Klang has a lot to offer. Don’t jaw-drop me if I tell you Klang has 18 heritage sites for which a walk around this 18 sites is known as Klang Heritage Walk.
Here’s the map:-
Klang Heritage Walk
1) Klang Railway Station
Who would have guessed the white coloured station, now known as Stesen Komuter Klang, has a history dating back in 1890? The Klang Railway Station was constructed in 1890 to replace the original Bukit Kuda Station. Bukit Kuda Station was used since 1875 and located 3 miles away from Klang town.
While the railway station has evolved to accommodate the modern railway technology, the sentimental historical value of the railway station can be traced through the architecture of main building which looks nothing but English.
Another unique feature of Klang Railway Station is the unused coach with sign of “Koc Bunga Juana” and “Kedai Bunga Juana Florist” located next to Klang Railway Station. When we were there, the florist shop was closed, I am still wondering if the florist shop has been closed permanently.
2) Colourful heritage row
On the same row as Klang Railway Station, there are old heritage shop lots painted in colourful colours. Like many other heritage shoplots in Malaysia, there are four digits number on the most top of the building to indicate the year on which the building was built. For example, the pink building that houses Perniagaan Barangan Kemas Terpakai and Kedai Gunting Rambut has number 1949 on its most top. (Also note the spelling of ‘Butick’)
Whenever there are classic shoplots, I assume the role of a kiddo who has just learned how to read. Remember the time when you could not help but read all readable signboards out loud to your parents’ annoyance? My affair reading out classic shoplots’ signboard is solely on how so yesterday the name appears to me. Try this : Perkhidmatan Orang Ramai Hawa Dingin Dan Peti Ice or its English translation of People Air Conditioner & Refrigerator Services. Well, something does not sound right somewhere kan?
3) Gedung Raja Abdullah
Gedung Raja Abdullah is close for public viewing. Therefore, we could only see the traditional wooden house smacked in the centre of Klang from outside the fence. Historical wise, Gedung Raja Abdullah used to be the storage place for Raja Abdullah’s arms and ammunitions.
4) Klang Fire Station
Built in 1890s, the Victorian style fire station is located at the junction of Jalan Tengku Diaudin and Tengku Kelana. To this day, the building functions as Klang Fire Station. When we get the approval to do a little exploration in the small fire station, we were informed the fire brigade car had just left the station. We had to make do with helmets, safety jackets and boots. Above all, my favourite spot at Klang Fire Station was the elevated hut, possibly meant as a watchtower for the fire station.
5) Kuil Sri Nagara Thendayuthapani
Situated at the junction of Jalan Dato Hamzah and Jalan Bukit Jawa, is the oldest and richest temple by the name of Kuil Sri Nagara Thendayuthapani. It played a significant role as a place of worship for the early immigrants from India.
One of the participants, Umadevi who is a Hindu grabbed the opportunity to perform a prayer at the temple. The rest kept silent and watched the ceremony. Some sat on the floor asking questions about the religion and the prayers.
6) Galeri Diraja Sultan Abdul Aziz
Originally Sultan Suleiman building designed by Arthur B. Hubback, the building stood against time witnessing the growth of Klang by being land and administration office for the British to Japanese War Headquarters to present day Royal Gallery. The Gallery is home to His Late Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong XI, Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Alhaj’s personal collection of artefacts, memorabilia and royal paraphernalia.
History buff should come here first if they want to learn about the history of Selangor.
The seventh place is Little India which requires elaborated narration. Thus, we will skip Little India and proceed to the next heritage site.
8) Church of Our Lady Lourdes
A masonry architecture found in the middle of the royal town, Church of Our Lady Lourdes was built 80 years ago.
9)Kuan Yin Temple
Kuan Yin Temple or Goddess of Mercy Temple is said to be over 100 years. As Chinese New Year is only 2 weeks away, sellers grabbed the opportunity to sell goods for CNY at the entrance of the temple. Inside, many people lighted the incense and prayed.