I was itching to explore a new place and as I won’t be able to travel abroad anytime soon what with dad needing constant attention, I have to content myself by exploring local places. It still being Syawal, I’m not about to travel out of state just yet because the traffic jams on Syawal weekends are just the pits. So after pondering, I decided to explore the Royal Town of Klang. I’d passed through the town but had never really explored it.
So I left micasa early on Saturday, 14 May 2022, and took the train to Subang Jaya where I changed for the Komuter train for Klang. I arrived just shortly after 09:00 and it was already very hot and bright! I took Jalan Istana and walked to the Royal Gallery. The beautiful building dates from 1909. Admission is free but as it opens from 10:00, I didn’t enter. I walked on to the former Chartered Bank building, an interesting building with Dutch style gables. Built in 1874, it was a branch of Chartered Bank and was the first bank in Klang.
I then turned left at Jalan Dato Hamzah and walked to Klang Primary School. This building with Anglo-Malay architecture has stood there since 1939. I then turned back and walked past the former Islamic Religion Department Building. This building was constructed in 1912 and was originally a rest house for the Sultan. The Japanese commandeered it during World War II. After the War, it was used as a guesthouse before it was converted into offices for various government departments. The building is now vacant and I had to find a spot at the side of the building to be able to shoot a photo.
I walked back to Jalan Istana and walked up the road. I passed the Royal Klang Club (founded in 1901 and attained its Royal status when the Sultan became the club’s patron) and Istana Alam Shah. From the road, I was not able to see the Sultan Sulaiman Royal Mosque although I did notice road signs for it. I continued on until I reached the bottom of the hill. The Klang Royal Town Park was on my right and there were a few people going on their morning walk there.
The Keris Monument is at the foot of the hill. I saw the roofs of Kwan Imm Temple and navigated the roundabout to get there. I didn’t linger and almost immediately turned back and walked to Jalan Tengku Kelana. I walked past Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church (opened in 1928) and then the Convent School next door (also opened around the same time as the church) and up to Little India.
I continued on past Masjid India to Kota Raja Fire and Rescue Station. This building has stood there from 1980s and still serves as a fire station. Gedung Raja Abdullah is just nearby and the 19th century heritage structure has been recently restored. It was probably used as a godown due to its proximity to the river. I then walked around a bit before returning to the station. I was hoping to locate a cendol stall but the only one I came across hadn’t yet started its cendol operation for the day.
I boarded the train back, happy with the time spent traipsing Klang.
