Klang, Selangor
Klang is the royal town and one of the oldest urban settlements in Selangor. Located about 32 km west of Kuala Lumpur, it serves as the seat of the Sultan of Selangor and was once the state’s capital before the rise of Shah Alam and Petaling Jaya. Today, Klang remains an important administrative, cultural, and economic centre, closely linked to Malaysia’s largest port, Port Klang. 1
Quick Facts
- Royal town of Selangor and former state capital.
- Located about 32 km west of Kuala Lumpur.
- Divided by the Klang River into North Klang and South Klang.
- Administrative seat of the Royal Palace of Selangor (Istana Alam Shah).
- Served by the Federal Highway, Shah Alam Expressway (KESAS, E5), and New Klang Valley Expressway (NKVE, E1).
- Home to Malaysia’s busiest port, Port Klang.
- Governed by the Klang Municipal Council (MPK).
History and How the Town Was Established
Klang has a long and illustrious history that dates back more than a thousand years, with records showing it was already a key trading port in the 7th century under the Srivijaya and later Majapahit empires. The town gained prominence during the 19th century as the royal seat of Selangor’s sultans. 2
Its strategic location along the Klang River made it an important centre for tin trade during British colonial times. The construction of railways and roads further boosted its development. Today, Klang continues to blend its historical heritage with modern growth, retaining landmarks from its royal and colonial past. 3
Klang (7 July, 2016)
The area around Klang has seen human settlement going back to prehistoric times. The famous 15th Bendahara of Malacca, Tun Perak, hailed from Klang. According to the Klang Municipal Council1, the town has existed since at least 1445, when Bendahara Tun Perak arrived there to be the penghulu, or headman. It is also claimed that the Klang district is older even than Malacca, making it the oldest town in Peninsular Malaysia.
According to local historian Faisal Surani2, the Klang area has been a producer of tin going back to the 14th century, continuing right up to the 20th century.
Klang, as was the rest of Selangor, was controlled by Malacca until the latter fell to the Portuguese in 1511, after which it remain under the control of the Sultan of Johor-Riau, which is also a spin-off from the Malacca Sultanate, until the 18th century, when when present Selangor sultanate, whose rulers are of Bugis descent, came into power.
It was in Klang that Raja Abdullah sent the first batch of Chinese miners up the Klang River to Ampang, which eventually led to the founding of Kuala Lumpur. It was here that the Klang War (also called Selangor Civil War) erupted between Raja Abdullah and Raja Mahdi. The warfare between the two chieftains provided the British an excuse to intervene, and the first British Resident of Selangor was stationed in Klang in 1874.
Until 1874, the capital of Selangor was at Jugra. The British moved it to Klang in 1874, where it remained until 1880, when they moved it once more to Kuala Lumpur. While the capital of Selangor was Kuala Lumpur until 1978 (for four years between 1974 and 1978, Kuala Lumpur acted as capital of Selangor although it was carved out as the Federal Territory). Klang remained as the royal town until the founding of Shah Alam.
The Language
As you travel from Kuala Lumpur to Klang, you will notice that the Chinese speak a different dialect. While it is predominantly Cantonese in Kuala Lumpur, the Chinese in Klang speak Klang Hokkien, which is slightly different from the Penang Hokkien. I describe here in more detail about why there are two variants of Hokkien in Malaysia.
Characteristic of the Town
Klang exudes a strong sense of tradition and history. Its streets are lined with pre-war shophouses, colonial buildings, temples, and mosques that reflect its multicultural heritage. The town’s pace is more relaxed compared to neighbouring cities like Shah Alam and Petaling Jaya, lending it an old-world charm. 4
The Klang River divides the town into two main areas — North Klang, which contains most of the historical and administrative landmarks, and South Klang, where modern commercial and residential developments have emerged. 5
Real Estate and Property Market There
Property in Klang caters to a diverse population, with a range of options from heritage homes and affordable housing to new suburban developments. Areas like Bandar Bukit Tinggi, Botanic Klang, and Bandar Parklands have seen rapid modernisation with new shopping centres and high-rise residences. 6
The proximity to Port Klang has spurred significant industrial and logistics growth, attracting both investors and workers. The property market remains relatively affordable compared to Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya, making Klang an appealing option for families and first-time buyers. 7
Accessibility and Transportation
Klang enjoys excellent connectivity to other parts of the Klang Valley. The Federal Highway is the main artery linking Klang to Kuala Lumpur, while the Shah Alam Expressway (KESAS, E5) and New Klang Valley Expressway (NKVE, E1) provide alternative routes to Subang Jaya, Shah Alam, and Petaling Jaya. 8
Klang is also served by KTM Komuter rail service with stations at Klang, Teluk Pulai, and Teluk Gadong. Bus services operated by RapidKL and Smart Selangor provide local and intercity connectivity. 9
Landmarks and Places of Interest
- Istana Alam Shah – the official royal palace of the Sultan of Selangor, located in South Klang.
- Little India Klang – a vibrant cultural and shopping district along Jalan Tengku Kelana.
- Kota Raja Mahadi – a 19th-century fort symbolising Klang’s historical significance.
- Sri Nagara Thendayuthapani Temple – one of the oldest Hindu temples in Malaysia.
- Masjid India Klang – a historic mosque serving the town’s Indian Muslim community.
- Klang Royal Town Heritage Walk – a guided trail showcasing heritage buildings and monuments.
- Port Klang – Malaysia’s principal maritime gateway, about 10 km southwest of the town centre.
Fun Fact
The Klang River that flows through the town was once navigable by small trading vessels and played a vital role in the rise of Selangor’s economy. The town’s name itself derives from the river. 10
Map of Klang, Selangor
Places of Interest in Klang
- Chong Kong Tong Temple (GPS: 3.05205, 101.44771)
- Gedung Raja Abdullah (GPS: 3.0432, 101.44759)
- Istana Alam Shah (GPS: 3.03581, 101.44874)
- Kota Bridge (GPS: 3.04594, 101.44678)
- Kota Raja Mahdi (GPS: 3.0452, 101.44494)
- Kuan Tien Keng Temple (GPS: 3.0117, 101.41786)
- Kwan Imm Temple (GPS: 3.03748, 101.44253)
- Masjid Bandar Diraja Klang Utara (GPS: 3.04798, 101.44586)
- Masjid India Muslim Tengku Kelana (GPS: 3.04189, 101.44714)
- Sri Nagara Thendayuthapani Temple (GPS: 3.04243, 101.44559)
- St Barnabas Church (GPS: 3.04184, 101.44587)
- Sultan Suleiman Royal Mosque (GPS: 3.03455, 101.45047)
- Tamil Methodist Church Klang (GPS: 3.04161, 101.44648)
Categories of sights in Klang
- Chinese Restaurants in Klang
- Chinese Temples in Klang
- Churches in Klang
- Government Buildings in Klang
- Hindu Temples in Klang
- Hotels in Klang
- Mosques in Klang
- Parks in Klang
- Roundabouts in Klang
- Schools in Klang
- Shopping Malls in Klang
- Streets in Klang
Klang Convent School (29 December, 2006)
Klang Old Town (29 December, 2006)
Masjid India, Klang (29 December, 2006)
What to eat in Klang
Kedai Makanan Seng Huat, Klang (29 December, 2006)
If you take pork, the specialty here is the Klang Bak Kut Teh, and the most popular coffee shop selling it is Kedai Makanan Seng Huat, often known as the "bak kut teh under the bridge" because the shop just just beside the bridge that crosses the Klang River. I have eaten here once. Honestly, I didn't find it all that special, but if you are ever in Klang, you might want to give it a try.
Tim at Kedai Kopi Seng Huat, Klang (29 December, 2006)
Getting there
The most straightforward way to reach Klang is to use the Federal Highway which leads to Klang on the way to Port Klang. At the end of the Federal Highway, the same road becomes Persiaran Sultan Ibrahim. Further on, as it approach the town bridge, it becomes Jalan Jambatan Kota. After crossing the bridge, get ready to exit the road to go to Old Klang Town. If you continue on, you will reach Port Klang.
Klang is 
on the Map of Towns in Selangor
References
- Wikipedia – Klang
- Tourism Selangor – Royal Town of Klang
- The Star – History Echoes Through Klang
- EdgeProp – Klang Property Market
- PropertyGuru – Klang Area Guide
- Majlis Perbandaran Klang (MPK) – Official Site
- KTM Berhad – Official Website
- RapidKL – Official Site
- Port Klang Authority – Official Website
- The Star – Klang River: The Artery of a Town
