Shah Alam, Malaysia
Region: Selangor
Geographic Coordinates: 3.072200, 101.517000
Temperature Range: 25.0°C to 35.0°C (77°F to 95°F)
Climate: Tropical climate with high humidity and rainfall throughout the year in Shah Alam, Malaysia.
Population: 584340
Language: Malay
Shah Alam is a city in Selangor, Malaysia, Serving as the state capital with a population of about 650, 000 people. It was named after Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah, The eighth Sultan of Selangor and former King of Malaysia. The Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Mosque is one of Shah Alam’s most famous landmarks due to its blue dome and minarets. The mosque can accommodate up to 24, 000 worshippers at once and houses an Islamic literature and manuscript library.
i-City is another popular attraction that features an amusement park with various rides such as a water park, Snow park, Laser tag arena along with LED-lit trees creating a stunning light show at night. For those interested in history and culture may want to visit museums like the Selangor State Museum which showcases exhibits on local history including traditional Malay costumes & weaponry; or Muzium Negeri Selangor where visitors can learn about traditional Malay architecture through its collection of wooden homes from different parts throughout Malaysia.
Food enthusiasts will find plenty to enjoy while exploring Shah Alam’s culinary scene with numerous restaurants serving up delicious Malaysian cuisine like nasi lemak (coconut rice dish), Satay (grilled meat skewers), Laksa (spicy noodle soup), Roti canai (flatbread served with curry sauce) among others. Sports enthusiasts will find several sports facilities available for use including football fields or badminton courts; while nature lovers may want to explore the nearby Bukit Cahaya Seri Alam Agricultural Park which is a beautiful park featuring hiking trails, Picnic areas and botanical gardens.
Overall, Shah Alam offers something for everyone from its rich cultural heritage to modern attractions making it one of Malaysia’s most popular destinations.
Important Landmarks
- Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Mosque (Blue Mosque)
- Shah Alam Lake Garden
- i-City Theme Park
- Selangor State Museum
- Shah Alam Convention Centre (SACC)
- Taman Botani Negara Shah Alam
- Wet World Water Park Shah Alam
- Laman Seni 7 Art Gallery
- Kompleks PKNS Shopping Centre
- Bukit Cahaya Seri Alam Agricultural Park
Primary Industries
- Manufacturing: The city has a thriving manufacturing industry, producing everything from electronics to automotive parts.
- Logistics: Due to its strategic location, Shah Alam is an ideal hub for logistics companies, including shipping and freight forwarding firms.
- Retail: There are many shopping malls, hypermarkets, and retail outlets in Shah Alam that cater to both locals and tourists.
- Hospitality: The city’s hospitality industry is growing rapidly with hotels, resorts, restaurants, cafes, and other tourism-related businesses.
- Healthcare: Several hospitals, clinics, and healthcare facilities provide medical services to residents in the area.
- Education: There are several universities, colleges,and schools that offer quality education to students from all over Malaysia.
- Technology: With its focus on innovation and technology development programs such as Smart City, Digital Hub etc., there are many tech startups operating out of Shah Alam today.
Noteable History
- The founding of Shah Alam: Shah Alam was founded in 1963 as the new capital of Selangor state, Malaysia.
- The Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Mosque: This is one of the most iconic landmarks in Shah Alam and is named after the Sultan who initiated the development of Shah Alam as a new city.
- The Bukit Cahaya Seri Alam Agricultural Park: This park covers an area of over 1,200 hectares and is home to a wide range of flora and fauna, including a deer park, bird sanctuary, and butterfly garden.
- Tengku Ampuan Jemaah Mosque: This mosque was built in 1988 and is known for its unique architecture that combines traditional Islamic design with modern elements.
- Siti Nurhaliza: She is one of Malaysia’s most famous singers and was born in Kuala Lipis near Shah Alam.
- Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail: She became Malaysia’s first female Deputy Prime Minister in 2018 under the Pakatan Harapan government led by Mahathir Mohamad.
- Menteri Besar Selangor (Chief Minister): Notable figures include Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo (2000-2008) and Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim (2008-2014).
- Proton Holdings Berhad: One of Malaysia’s largest car manufacturers has its headquarters located in Shah Alam since it was founded by former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad in 1983.
- The Malaysian National Cycling Team Training Centre at UiTM Stadium Complex which hosted several international cycling events like Le Tour de Langkawi & UCI World Championships
- The annual Selangor International Expo held at Setia City Convention Centre showcasing local products & services to global investors & buyers from across Asia-Pacific.
Museums and Things To See
- Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Mosque is one of the largest mosques in Southeast Asia, boasting a stunning blue and silver dome.
- Selangor State Museum showcases the history, culture, and traditions of Selangor state.
- i-City Shah Alam is an interactive theme park with colorful LED lights and rides.
- Shah Alam Gallery is an art gallery showcasing local artists’ works in various mediums like paintings, sculptures, and installations.
- Taman Botani Negara Shah Alam is a botanical garden with over 700 species of plants and trees from Malaysia and around the world.
- Wet World Water Park offers thrilling water slides, wave pools, and other fun attractions for all ages.
- Blue Mosque Islamic Centre (Masjid Biru) is a beautiful mosque with intricate designs on its walls.
- Kompleks PKNS is a shopping mall offering everything from fashion to food.
- Shah Alam Lake Garden provides a scenic spot for picnics or leisurely walks.
- Gamuda Walk Mall is a shopping mall that offers great dining options as well!
Sports Teams
- Selangor FA: This football club was founded in 1936 and is one of the oldest in Malaysia. Over the years, it has won numerous domestic titles, including the Malaysian Super League and Malaysia Cup.
- Shah Alam Antlers FC: Established in 2016, this football club currently competes in Liga Premier – which is the third tier of Malaysian football. Its name pays tribute to Japan’s Kashima Antlers FC.
- Shah Alam Blues RFC: Founded back in 1995, this rugby team participates in various tournaments throughout Southeast Asia and Malaysia.
- Shah Alam Heatwave Basketball Club: This basketball club was established recently (in 2017) and takes part in various local leagues as well as tournaments.
- Shah Alam City FC: Formed as part of the Malaysian Premier League expansion plans for 2019, this football club represents another exciting addition to Shah Alam’s sporting community.
Cultural Events
- Shah Alam City Day is a celebration of the city’s founding in 1963, featuring cultural performances, exhibitions, and food stalls.
- The Selangor International Indigenous Arts Festival showcases traditional dance, music, and crafts from indigenous cultures around the world.
- The Malaysia International Tourism Night Floral Parade is a colorful procession of illuminated floats decorated with flowers and lights.
- The Shah Alam Street Art Festival is an annual event where local and international artists create murals and street art on buildings throughout the city.
- Hari Raya Aidilfitri is a Muslim festival marking the end of Ramadan, celebrated with feasting, prayer, and visits to family and friends.
- Deepavali (also known as Diwali or the Festival of Lights) is celebrated by Hindus with fireworks displays, oil lamps, sweets, and gifts.
- Chinese New Year is a major holiday for ethnic Chinese Malaysians that involves dragon dances, lantern festivals, family reunions, and traditional foods like dumplings and rice cakes.
- Pesta Tanglung dan Kuih Bulan (Mooncake & Lantern Festival) celebrates mid-autumn festival which is marked by mooncakes eating sessions while admiring beautiful lanterns in various shapes & sizes.
- Royal Floria Putrajaya Flower & Garden Show features stunning floral arrangements from local & international gardeners held at Putrajaya which is just 20 minutes away from Shah Alam.
- Hari Gawai Dayak celebrates Sarawak’s indigenous people showcasing their unique culture through traditional dance performances & rituals such as miring ceremony (offering ceremony).
Cuisine
- Nasi Lemak Antarabangsa is a popular restaurant that serves traditional Malaysian breakfast dishes, including the famous nasi lemak.
- Restoran Sri Melur Jaya is known for its authentic Indian and Malay cuisine, including biryani, mutton curry and nasi goreng.
- Warung Pak Din is a local favourite for its delicious satay (grilled meat skewers), served with peanut sauce and ketupat (rice cakes).
- Restoran Ayam Kampung Wong Solo specializes in ayam penyet (smashed fried chicken) with sambal chili paste and rice.
- Kafe Ole-Ole Shah Alam serves traditional Malay dishes such as rendang, laksa and mee rebus in a cozy atmosphere.
- Restoran Selera Kampung offers various types of classic Malaysian dishes such as nasi kerabu, lauk pauk kampung-style dishes like sambal belacan ikan bilis or petai goreng with udang kering.
- D’Kayangan Steamboat & Grill serves steamboat buffet where customers can choose from an array of fresh seafood, meats and vegetables to cook in the hot pot or on the grill at their table.
- Sate Kajang Haji Samuri is famous for its juicy satay made from marinated beef or chicken skewered onto bamboo sticks then grilled over charcoal fire until perfectly cooked.
- Restoran Jejantas Seksyen 7 is located at the rest area along Federal Highway near Shah Alam city centre serving local favourites like roti canai, nasi lemak kukus and teh tarik.
Parks and Recreation
- Taman Botani Negara Shah Alam is a large botanical garden that features various flora and fauna, hiking trails, and picnic areas.
- i-City Shah Alam is an amusement park that offers rides, attractions, and a snow park.
- Shah Alam Lake Garden is a scenic park with a lake for boating activities, jogging paths, and playgrounds.
- Extreme Park Shah Alam is an adventure park where visitors can enjoy activities such as wall climbing, bungee jumping, and go-karting.
- Seksyen 7 Skatepark is a popular spot in the city for skateboarding enthusiasts.
- Taman Tasik Shah Alam is another picturesque lake park that offers jogging tracks and picnic areas.
- Bukit Cahaya Seri Alam Agricultural Park is an agricultural attraction that provides farm tours, cycling trails, fishing ponds, and camping sites for visitors to enjoy.
- Wet World Water Park Shah Alam features slides and pools suitable for all ages to have fun in the water theme park.
- Skytrex Adventure Shah Alam offers eco-adventure attractions such as zip-lining through the forest canopy or navigating obstacles high above the ground.
- Selangor Turf Club Riding Centre provides horse riding lessons or equestrian events for visitors to participate in at this horse riding center.
- Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Mosque welcomes visitors to explore this mosque which happens to be one of the largest mosques in Southeast Asia.
- Kayangan Lake Garden located near Kayangan Heights residential area which offers relaxing walks around its scenic lake within beautiful gardens.
- I-City Snow Walk allows visitors to experience winter wonderland at this indoor snow theme park featuring ice sculptures of famous landmarks around the world.
- Glenmarie Golf & Country Club located in Glenmarie designed by renowned golfers Max Wexler & Ted Parslow respectively with two 18-hole championship courses for golf enthusiasts.
- Sunway Lagoon Theme Park located just a few kilometers from Shah Alam, this theme park features water rides, thrill rides, and amusement park attractions.