Shah Alam

Located about 30km west of Kuala Lumpur and connected via the Federal Highway, Shah Alam is the first planned city developed after the independence of the country. It is the capital city for the state of Selangor and where the reigning Sultan of Selangor resides. It wasn’t always known as Shah Alam. It was originally called Simpang Renggam and then Batu Tiga just prior to independence. Built on former rubber and oil palm estates, Shah Alam is now a bustling modern city and the heart of commerce in Selangor. What any first time visitors would notice are the wide roads, lush greenery and a sense that meticulous planning was made to ensure a relaxed ambience throughout the city. The great road system also eliminates major traffic that is the norm in other capital cities of the world.

Shah Alam is also known as the birthplace of ‘Proton’, Malaysia’s first national car, with its main plant located on the outskirts of the city. There are also many other local and foreign manufacturing companies who set-up their operations in the designated industrial areas of the city. Shah Alam is also one of the few places in Malaysia that have extensive facilities for sports. There is the Shah Alam Sports Complex which houses a stadium that has seating capacity of 80,000 seats, another smaller stadium, an aquatic centre, a go-kart track and an extreme park located in Section 13.

It’s quite easy to get around the city and this is a plus point as there are quite a few places worth visiting. The top of the list would be the he Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Mosque or the Blue Mosque, claimed to be one of the largest mosques in Southeast Asia. It is quite an impressive sight from afar with its distinctive white and blue dome and minarets that reach up to 460 feet tall. You should also visit the Selangor State Museum to glimpse into the history and culture of the state. Then take some time to check out the Selangor State Library, the Selangor Islamic Arts Complex and the art gallery and performance centre situated on the banks of the Lake Gardens. Shah Alam is also a city surrounded by many beautiful lakes and gardens which are popular during weekends. Due to restrictions, you won’t find any entertainment outlets such as cinemas or pubs but it’s just a short drive to KL if there’s really a need to.

Fellow shopaholics need not go all the way to Kuala Lumpur in search of good bargains. Aside from the PKNS mall, which is the oldest in the city, Shah Alam now has several new modern shopping centres such as the SACC Mall, Plaza Alam Sentral, Plaza Shah Alam, as well as large hypermarkets such as Giant and Tesco. You may not find many fine dining restaurants here except in the hotels but who needs them when you have restaurants serving delicious local dishes at great prices. One of the more notable ones would be Sempeneh Restaurant in Section 13 that serves local food such as tom yam, and the buffet at Hotel UiTM. Prepared by the students, you can be assured of delicious food ranging from Asian to Western dishes.

Accommodations are aplenty in Shah Alam with the Grand BlueWave Hotel Shah Alam taking the lead. Located in Section 14, which is literally in the city centre, the hotel offers a 5-star accommodation, friendly service and hospitality, and a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Aside from the luxurious furnishing and modern amenities in the room, guests are also afforded a panoramic view of the Blue Mosque or the city. Their newly introduced Ladies Floor is great for women who travel alone for its added security. With a starting rate of RM247 (USD70), Grand BlueWave Hotel Shah Alam would be a good choice, indeed.

If you are looking for privacy and solitude, head on to Holiday Inn Glenmarie Shah Alam. This three-star hotel is located in the lush grounds of the Glenmarie Golf Club which affords it a magnificent view of the world-class golf courses. Its location is a certainly a plus point for overworked professionals and businessmen who need a quick getaway from the city. It’s also great for travellers as Terminal 3, the airport used by Firefly, a low-cost carrier, is just minutes away. A fifteen-drive would also take you to Sunway Pyramid and Subang Parade, two modern shopping malls filled with the latest fashion and eateries. The hotel’s starting rate of RM180 (USD51) is certainly a great attraction to stay here for a night or two.

Concorde Hotel Shah Alam is quite the high achiever, garnering the Tourism Malaysia Award Excellence in Hotel Services 4 star in 1998/1999, 2000 and 2003. And they do deserve every single accolade that comes their way. This international-class hotel is the largest in Shah Alam with 381 rooms and suites with luxurious furnishings, a bevy of friendly and attentive staff, and a reputation of going all the way to ensure each guest has a memorable stay. For those who want the extra attention, try out one of their exclusive ‘Concorde’ and ‘Concorde Terrace’ rooms that come with private terrace on podium rooftop. From just RM251 (USD71) and above, your are rest assured of an amazing stay at Concorde Hotel Shah Alam.