TRAVEL GUIDE

GET IN TO KUALA KUBU BHARU

By train

In January 2008, Kuala Lumpur's KTM Komuter trains were extended to Kuala Kubu Bharu, making this the easiest way to get here on public transport. Note that you will have to change trains at Rawang; the shuttle service from Rawang to Tanjung Malim via KKB runs every one hour and takes 25 minutes.

By bus

To/From Kuala Lumpur: Bus services are somewhat inconvenient but not impossible. Take a Metrobus bus (destination "Rawang") from Kuala Lumpur's Puduraya bus terminal or outside the Sinar Kota building on Jalan Tun Perak to Rawang town. At Rawang, switch to Metrobus No.36 (destination "Tanjung Malim"). It will stop by Kuala Kubu Bharu along the way. Alternatively, there are also MARA Liner buses to Tanjung Malim, which also stop by Kuala Kubu Bharu. With the opening of the KTM Komuter service to KKB, it is more convenient and less stressful to catch the train.

 

By road

Kuala Kubu Bharu is about 5km off the Kuala Lumpur-Ipoh old trunk road (Federal Route One), along the road to Fraser's Hill and Raub in Pahang (Federal Route 55). The nearest interchange to exit if you are using the North-South Expressway is Rawang if you are travelling from the south, and Tanjung Malim if you are coming from the north. At both exits, you will have to travel along the old trunk road to get to Kuala Kubu Bharu. The roads are well signboarded. It is about 60km from Kuala Lumpur and 40km from Fraser's Hill.

GET AROUND

Other than by your own car, bus or KTM train you can also get around KKB by:

Taxi

This service is mainly provided by privates so don't expect a taxi meter. The taxis are usually located at the bus stop or at the KTM station. Just for reference a ride up to Fraser's Hill is around RM80 while a ride to the Sungai Selangor Dam is RM15 go and return. From the KTM station to KKB town the price is relatively fixed at RM5.

On Foot

KKB is a small town. Everything in the town centre is accessible by foot. Around the town centre there are various Hindu, Taoist and Buddhist temples which are also accessible by foot. Near the golf course there is an Aborigine village named Kampung Tun Razak. The residential areas around KKB are very scenic and provide great opportunities for bird watching and photography. The forest, dam and rivers are not easily accessible by foot. A mountain bike is recommended.

By Bike

A bicycle is ideal if you stay in KKB. You can rent one at the Flying Rhino Guesthouse (be sure you reserve in advance especially on weekends). Many Aborigine villages, rivers, waterfalls and the dam are all reachable by mountain bike. If you are fit enough then you can bike all the way up to Fraser’s Hill or stop half way up at the Gap.

Contrary to what has been said on KKB, the town is quite lively. Shops close quite late and there is even a 24 hour restaurant.

ART & LITERATURE GALLERY

 

The Hulu Selangor Art and Literature Gallery was set up by the district council in place of museum and tourism information center in Kuala Kubu Bharu. It has attracted some convtroversy over allegations of graft and deviating from the initial plan.

PERKAMPUNGAN ORANG ASLI OF PERTAK

The Orang Asli of Pertak were relocated to this new site right next to the dam, complete with urban facilities and bleached white homes. Today, the Orang Asli of Pertak, friendly by culture, appear reserved with a sullen look etched on their faces. A history of empty promises and marginalisation by people in power have tragically displaced yet another people group in Malaysia.

Monument of Kuala Kubu Tragedy & Broken Dam (Ampang Pecah)

Broken Dam (Ampang Pecah)

The Kuala Kubu Town Tragedy (1883)

Previously, there was a town called Kuala Kubu nearby. In February 1883 the Kuala Kubu town was destroyed by a great flood caused by a broken dam near the town. Many civilians drowned or lost their home. The flood victims included a district officer of Kuala Kubu during the British era named Sir Cecil Ranking. The old town was severely flooded and most of the old town's facilities were damaged beyond repair. A Buddhist temple and a mosque survived the flood. The old town has since been known as Ampang Pecah, or Broken Dam in the Malay language. The tragedy was probably known as Tragedi Kuala Kubu by local civilians.

The Aftermath
After the tragedy, the British government decided to build a new town near the remains of Kuala Kubu. The new town was named Kuala Kubu Bharu, with Bharu meaning "new" in the Malay language. Residential houses have been developed since the 1980s in the previously abandoned old town, or Ampang Pecah. Most inhabitants are from the nearby new town of Kuala Kubu Bharu. The redevelopment of Ampang Pecah, the site of the old town, was a natural progression on the organic growth of the new township of Kuala Kubu Bharu. A monument was built here to commemorate the Kuala Kubu tragedy.

GRAVESITE OF SIR CECIL RANKING

The grave that is found in the Kuala Kubu Rest House, which is located on Jalan Syed Mashor, Well legend has it that the great flood that destroyed Kuala Kubu was a consequence of the killing of a white crocodile by Sir Ranking himself. And when the flood subsided, that's all that was left of his remains. If you read the inscription on the grave site, it reads something like "Here lies the hand of Sir Cecil Ranking". Tone has been moved. It is now located at the MRSM school in Ampang pecah next to the Taman Millenium.

KUALA KUBU ROAD RAILWAY STATION

       The Kuala Kubu Bharu railway station (formerly known as Kuala Kubu Road railway station) is a Malaysian train station at the northern side of and named after the town of Kuala Kubu Bharu, Selangor. The station provides both Komuter and Intercity services. The station was opened on January 5, 2008, and is the fourth stop in the Rawang-Tanjung Malim shuttle service (formerly known as the Rawang-Kuala Kubu Bharu shuttle service).

       The station, as are all the other stations along the shuttle route (except the Tanjung Malim Komuter station), is situated along two railways with two platforms like most station halts along KTM Komuter lines, but contains facilities normally reserved for medium-to-large stations along three or more lines. In addition to ticketing facilities and basic amenities, the station contains spaces for administrative occupants, as well as a "kiosk" and an additional foot bridge (fused with a foot bridge exclusively for Komuter users) for pedestrians that simply intend to cross the railway lines. The station also includes low-tech support for disabled passengers. The station exits northeast into a branch road that leads east into the town centre of Kuala Kubu Bharu.

       The Kuala Kubu Bharu station's two side platforms are designated as Platform 1 (adjoining the main station building at the east, intended for southbound trains) and Platform 2 (at the west, intended for northbound trains).

KUALA KUBU BHARU CHINESE TEMPLE

Kuala Kubu Bharu has a few traditional Chinese temples complete with altars, statues and thick incense smoke, such as this one hidden away from the main road on a hill.