Since replacing Kuala Lumpur as Selangor’s state capital in 1974, Shah Alam has come a long way from its days as a rubber and palm oil district.
Today, it’s a sprawling city with gorgeous landscapes and booming business districts, as well as a population of about 550,000 residents.
Most would know Shah Alam for its world-famous mosque: the Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Mosque.
Towering at 350 feet, the mosque’s majestic large blue and silver dome can be seen even from afar.
The mosque isn’t the city’s only attraction, though – there’s much more to see and do, and we’re about to take you on a virtual tour!
A short history of Shah Alam
Shah Alam used to be known as Sungai Renggam, and was known for its palm oil and rubber plantations. Prior to Malaysia’s independence, the area was known as Batu Tiga.
In 1963, Sungai Renggam was marked for development by the Selangor government. The government intended for it to become the new administrative centre of Selangor.
The present site, which is between Kuala Lumpur and Port Klang, was recommended by Vlado Antolic, a town planning advisor from the United Nations (UN).
If you’re wondering how Shah Alam got its name, it was actually chosen by the former Sultan of Selangor, after his late father Sultan Alam Shah.
You’ll notice that several other monuments, streets, and buildings today are also named after the late Sultan.
What is Shah Alam like now?
Shah Alam’s layout is similar to that of Subang Jaya and Petaling Jaya. Notably, its residential areas are surrounded by parks, commercial centres, shopping malls, tourist attractions, and office buildings.
Another distinct feature of Shah Alam is its commercial centres scattered throughout the city, dividing themselves neatly into 56 “Seksyens”.
Here in Shah Alam, you’ll also be able to find numerous governing bodies located next to each other.
The city is also home to the Malaysia Agriculture Park, or Taman Botani Negara Shah Alam, as it’s now known.
What to do in Shah Alam?
Every year, tourists flock to this picturesque city to enjoy the myriad of attractions that it offers. Among businessmen, Shah Alam is also a popular venue to hold meetings and conferences.
1) Malls and Muslimah boutiques
Located at the heart of Shah Alam in Seksyen 14 is the SACC Mall. Priding itself as a “Neighbourhood mall with a difference”, this three-storey mall offers an impressive mix of retailers from all over the world.
Those on the lookout for Muslimah fashion and accessories will be spoilt for choice. There’s a wide range of Muslimah boutiques offering stylish hijabs, shawls, tulle skirts, and more.
If you crave more variety, you can always head to AEON, Plaza Alam Sentral, Ole-Ole Seksyen 18, and Anggerik Mall.
2) Accessibility
Shah Alam has a well-connected road network, and the KTM Komuter commuter train service provides public transportation for those who don’t drive.
The city also has buses and taxis within commercial areas. In Seksyen 17, a hub provides express bus services for commuters to travel to major cities within Peninsular Malaysia.
Additionally, Downtown Shah Alam is less than an hour away from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), and just 15 minutes away from Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport.
3) A city for art and history lovers
Shah Alam isn’t just a shoppers’ paradise – the city has several venues for those who love art and history.
The Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Mosque, also known as the Blue Mosque, overlooks a landscaped park known as the Garden of Islamic Arts.
This park is inspired by the Quranic Garden of Paradise. It’s 14 hectares worth of Islamic artforms, such as calligraphy, sculptures, paintings and architecture.
These are housed in nine galleries. The park is also occasionally used as a venue for traditional Islamic performances.
There’s also the Sultan Alam Shah Museum, also known as the Selangor State Museum. This museum houses many treasures and artefacts from Selangor’s history.
The Selangor Islamic Arts Complex (Kompleks Kesenian Islam Selangor or Riyadh Fannil Islam) is located nearby as well, and is home to many varieties of Islamic calligraphy, known as khat. The complex also houses an Islamic Art College.
4) Other attractions
There’s much more to check out in Shah Alam apart from it’s malls and artistic offerings.
If you can spare the time, you can visit the Lake Gardens, Bukit Cahaya Sri Alam Agricultural Park, and the Alam Megah Recreational Park.
The Uptown Shah Alam flea market is also a popular choice among tourists. There’s also Wet World for families, as its Malaysia’s largest water theme park chain.
Want to know more about Shah Alam and what else there is to do? Take a look at this article here.
Notable residential properties in Shah Alam
If you’re considering staying in Shah Alam, there are several condominium developments that might be worth checking out.
For example, there’s Elmina Green, which is expected to be complete in October 2019. With its lush greenery as a distinctive feature, this condominium will surely be a favourite among nature-lovers. There’s also Emira Residences, located near the Malawati and Shah Alam stadiums, and which has its own water gym.
