Shah Alam

Shah Alam is the state capital of Selangor, Malaysia.

Understand
Shah Alam has a similar urban layout to Petaling Jaya or Subang Jaya, albeit with a twist: Shah Alam isn't known as the city of roundabouts for nothing. It has 18 roundabouts spread throughout, connecting major road arteries from section 1 to section 25. Housing areas occupy most of the city with commercial centres making up most of the rest of the total of 56 city sections (Seksyen).

The city has a number of shopping malls (Plaza Alam Sentral, (also known as PAS), SACC Mall, Plaza Shah Alam (formerly known as Shah Alam Mall (also known as Plaza Masalam), Ole-Ole Seksyen 18, Anggerik Mall and Kompleks PKNS). The district has many significant recreational areas and there are also many schools, shops, banks, eateries, cafes, hotels, medical centres, clinics and large hypermarkets (notably Tesco, Giant and Tesco Extra). Vibrant commercial areas are mostly at the city centre sections of (Seksyen 14), Seksyen 13 and Seksyen 9. There is a conspicuous absence of cinemas in the city as the city government has been discouraging of their development.

Main roads and streets in Shah Alam, including the new townships such as Setia Alam and Kota Kemuning all have signs with their names shown in both Roman and Jawi scripts.

Get in
Shah Alam is well connected to other main cities in the Klang Valley and by highways to main transportation hubs such as the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) (30 km south of the city), the Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) at KLIA and the KL Sentral (railway station) in Kuala Lumpur. Trains and buses service Shah Alam and taxis provide public transport in commercial areas in the city and transport to Kuala Lumpur city and nearby attractions.

By train
Shah Alam is about 20 km west of Kuala Lumpur and a part of the urban sprawl of Klang Valley. The KTM Komuter line from Kuala Lumpur to Klang stops in Shah Alam, but the station is not particularly conveniently located. The 2 stations which will be most convenient to get to the city center would be to stop by either at the Batu Tiga station or Shah Alam station which is located in Section 19. Particularly the Batu Tiga station is nearby Section 13.

Shah Alam KTM Komuter serves four stations in Shah Alam that lie on the Port Klang to Sentul line.


 * Batu Tiga Komuter station
 * Shah Alam Komuter station - situated at the southern part of the city in Seksyen 19
 * Padang Jawa Komuter station - at Seksyen 17
 * Bukit Badak Komuter station

Batu Tiga Komuter station, which also serves the same locality is 1 km away from Shah Alam. The station is usually packed during rush hours and public holidays.

By bus
Shah Alam KTM Komuter station is a rapidKL bus hub.

RapidKL provides bus service route number 750 and 751 from Kuala Lumpur to central region of Shah Alam city.

There are other bus routes to various areas in Shah Alam.

Shah Alam KTM Komuter station is also served by one local shuttle (Tempatan) bus route no T529.


 * T754 Shah Alam KTM Komuter — Hentian Bandar Shah Alam via Section 16 & 17 Shah Alam - Shah Alam KTM Komuter
 * T754 connects to:
 * Trunk shuttles — 750 (to Pasar Seni), 754 (to Puncak Perdana)
 * Local shuttles — T753 (to Section 9, 8 & 6).

Batu Tiga KTM Komuter station is accessible via the following rapidKL buses:-
 * BET4: Pasar Seni - Taman Sri Muda (Section 25), Shah Alam via New Pantai Expressway (Lebuhraya NPE) - Pasar Seni
 * 708 : Jalan Pasar, Klang - Sunway Pyramid via Subang Parade (near Subang Jaya KTM Komuter) - Jalan Pasar, Klang
 * 751 : Pasar Seni - Taman Sri Muda (Section 25), Shah Alam - Pasar Seni
 * 750 : Pasaramakota - UiTM Shah Alam (Section 2) - Pasaramakota
 * T755: Subang Mas - Hentian Bandar Shah Alam (Section 14) - Subang Mas

Other Buses going to Shah Alam
 * 772: Pasar Seni - Subang Suria / Mahsing

Car
Shah Alam is well connected to other main cities in Klang Valley by highways such as the Federal Highway, New Klang Valley Expressway (NKVE), Shah Alam Expressway (KESAS), Guthrie Corridor Expressway (GCE), North-South Expressway Central Link (ELITE) and the newest highway Kemuning-Shah Alam Highway (LKSA).

By bus
Mini bus service from Shah Alam Kommuter station to Section 16, 17, Kompleks PKNS and Wet World.

By Express bus
Shah Alam express bus terminal at Jalan Junjung 17/12, Shah Alam Section 17. RapidKL bus T754 can be used to reach this Terminal. There are several express buses providing service from this terminal



Other express bus companies include Starmart Express, KPB Express, Qistna Express.

The Blue Mosque



 * The Mosque is also known as the Blue Mosque owing to its blue dome. The building has the largest religious dome in the world measuring 51.2 m (167 ft) in diameter and a height of 106.7 m (350 ft). The 4 minarets are the 2nd tallest in the world and also the world's tallest group of minarets, they are placed at each of the four corners and are 142.3 m (460 ft) tall.
 * The Mosque is also known as the Blue Mosque owing to its blue dome. The building has the largest religious dome in the world measuring 51.2 m (167 ft) in diameter and a height of 106.7 m (350 ft). The 4 minarets are the 2nd tallest in the world and also the world's tallest group of minarets, they are placed at each of the four corners and are 142.3 m (460 ft) tall.


 * The architectural design of Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Mosque is a combination of Malay and Modernist style. The mosque has the capacity to accommodate 24,000 worshipers at any one time and is large enough that on clear day it can be seen from some vantage points in Kuala Lumpur. The main dome of the mosque measures 51.2 m (167 ft) in diameter and 106.7 m (350 ft) in height from the ground level. Elements of Malay and Islamic architecture are incorporated into the finishes of the building. Fine decorative khat (Arabic calligraphy) can be seen on the inner curve of the dome and parts of the walls. Aluminium grills of intricate design can be found on the doorways, windows and walls of the Mosque. The windows are fitted with blue stained glass in order to reduce the amount of light that can enter the hall. The resulting filtered illumination renders a bluish ambiance to the interior spaces evoking a sense of peace and serenity. The high ceiling has triangular panels of red balau and ramin timber wood that are set in criss crossing pattern.
 * The dome is constructed primarily of aluminium and the outer surface is clad with vitreous enamel-baked triangular steel panels decorated with a rosette of verses from the Qur'an. The main prayer hall is over two levels, is fully carpeted and air conditioned and is one of the largest such spaces in the world. The upper gallery of the prayer hall is reserved for the use of female worshipers. The second floor houses a gallery, the ground floor contains the administrative office, conference rooms, library, reception and lecture rooms.
 * Garden of Islamic Arts The Blue Mosque overlooks a landscaped park inspired by the Quranic Garden of Paradise (Jannah) (Arabic: جنّة‎). This 14 hectares of spiritual sanctuary houses nine galleries exhibiting a rich array of Islamic arts such as calligraphy, sculptures, paintings and architecture. The site is occasionally used for traditional Islamic performances.

Other attractions

 * Muzium Sultan Alam Shah Take a peak at past history of Selangor and also nice miniatures of old colonial buildings, this museum is the biggest in the state.
 * Perpustakaan Tun Uda is the largest state library in Selangor. Has three floors going underground with the top for children and the bottom floor restricted to college students.
 * Selangor State Assembly Building. This building looks somewhat like a towering spaceship. The Tugu Negri (State Monument) is located nearby.
 * Shah Alam Lake Gardens. Built around an artificial lake. Has several playgrounds for children on different areas, and a jogging and biking path that goes around the lakes. Visitors can rent kayaks and boats.
 * Sultan of Selangor's Palace. This building is on a hill with a wonderful view of Shah Alam.
 * Sultan of Selangor's Palace. This building is on a hill with a wonderful view of Shah Alam.

Do

 * Skateboarding and Extreme Activities at the Shah Alam Extreme Park in Section 13. Opens 24-hours and has three fast food outlets.
 * Kart Racing near the Shah Alam Stadium, where a race track is prepared on the stadium's parking lot.
 * Water Recreation at Wet World Shah Alam, a small waterpark that feature among others a long waterslide.

Buy

 * Kompleks PKNS is one of the oldest commercial complexes that also houses offices on the upper floors. A three-storied building with an open air, sheltered food court on the rooftop.
 * Shah Alam City Centre Mall, a fairly middle-sized mall with a selection of branded goods.
 * Plaza Shah Alam, another family-oriented shopping mall with several department stores located within. Situated on the outskirts of the city center.

Eat

 * Section 7. Hang around with your buddies while slurping nice milk tea shakes with cheese tosai (dosa) at various Section 7 Mamak dine in restaurants. They are generally clean, with a variety of food to choose from and very comfortable. Watch televised football matches here.
 * Medan Selera at Section 2, (in front of Shah Alam waterpark). Very delicious, ikan bakar (grilled fish). Come early or you will not get any.

Drink

 * BBQ grill, at Grand Bluewave Hotel on Friday, Sat and Sunday have delicious Hi Tea with very reasonable prices.
 * Mamak stall MMZ in Bukit Jelutong Try the famous Malaysian tea known as teh tarik.
 * Pak Akob's cendol stall, located in front of section 16 (Mosque).

Go next
Shah Alam is surrounded by other large cities in Selangor.


 * Subang Jaya, an affluent suburban city comprises many commercial and business centres. The largest city by population in Malaysia.
 * Petaling Jaya, the satellite city of Kuala Lumpur.
 * Klang, situated close to Port Klang, one of the major ports in Malaysia.
 * Kuala Lumpur, the capital city is an hour's drive from Shah Alam via the Federal Highway, or 45-minutes with the KTM Train.