Happy TravellerWelcome to Klang, officially known as the Royal City of Klang, located in the state of Selangor, Malaysia. This historic city has been a site of human settlement since prehistoric times and has played a key role in the development of Malaysia’s economy. Today, Klang is a bustling city with a population of over 240,000 people and is home to the 12th busiest transshipment port and container port in the world, Port Klang. Join us as we explore the rich history, diverse culture, and thriving economy of Klang.
History:
Klang has a rich history dating back to prehistoric times, with artefacts such as bronze age drums and axes found in the vicinity of the town. The town was mentioned as a dependency of other states as early as the 11th century and was under the control of the Malacca Sultanate in the 15th century. Klang was known as a producer of tin and was controlled by the Sultan of Johor-Riau in the 17th century. The desire to control the Klang Valley led directly to the Klang War of 1867–1874 when Raja Mahdi fought to regain what he considered his birthright as territorial chief against Raja Abdullah. During the Klang War, in 1868, the seat of power was moved to Bandar Temasya, Kuala Langat, and then to Jugra which became the royal capital of Selangor. Klang remained the capital of British colonial administration for Selangor from 1875 until 1880 when the capital city was moved to Kuala Lumpur due to the growth of Kuala Lumpur from tin-mining. Today Klang is no longer the state capital or the main seat of the ruler, but it remains the headquarters of the district to which it gives its name.
Culture:
Klang is a melting pot of cultures, with a mix of Malay, Chinese, and Indian communities. The city is home to many historic landmarks, including the Sultan Abdul Aziz Royal Gallery, which showcases the history of the Selangor Sultanate, and the Sri Sundararaja Perumal Temple, a Hindu temple that dates back to the early 19th century. Visitors can also explore the Little India district, which is filled with shops selling traditional Indian clothing, jewelry, and spices. Food is a big part of Klang’s culture, with a wide variety of local dishes to try, including bak kut teh, a pork rib soup that is a local specialty.
Economy:
Klang’s economy is closely linked with the greater Klang Valley conurbation, which is the most densely populated, urbanized, and industrialized region of Malaysia. The city is home to many major industrial areas, including Bukit Raja, Kapar, Meru, Taman Klang Utama, and Sungai Buloh, Pulau Indah, Teluk Gong, and others. Rubber used to be an important part of the economy of the region, but from the 1970s onwards, many rubber plantations have switched to palm oil, and were then converted again for urban development and infrastructure use. Port Klang is a major part of Klang’s economy, handling almost 50% of Malaysia’s sea-borne container trade in 2013. The Port Klang Free Zone was established in 2004 to transform Port Klang into a regional distribution hub as well as a trade and logistics center.
Districts:
Klang is divided into North Klang and South Klang, which are separated by the Klang River. North Klang is divided into three sub-districts which are Kapar, Rantau Panjang, and Meru. Klang North used to be the main commercial center of Klang, but since 2008, more residential and commercial areas as well as government offices are being developed in Klang South. Most major government and private health care facilities are also located at Klang South. Hence, this area tends to be busier and becomes the center of social and recreational activities after office hours and during the weekends.
We hope you enjoyed this brief introduction to Klang, Malaysia. With its rich history, diverse culture, and thriving economy, Klang is a must-visit destination for any traveler to Malaysia.
