Sites of Interest in the Park of Beauty

Continuing our list of fun recreation spots in Selangor State Park (Taman Negeri Selangor). Let's call it TNS for short!

Here are some other favorite spots:

1. Kuala Kubu Baru
This quaint town is just outside TNS boundary. It has some lovely old buildings and is a spot for culture and heritage for Selangor.

2. Sg. Sendat
Sg. Sendat is a fun recreation spot for the family, located in Hulu Selangor, and is part of TNS. It is a great place to spend a afternoon swimming and picnicking. Just please don't forget to clean up your own rubbish!

3. Commonwealth Park
6 km from Rawang along the Rawang-KL road.
This is a quaint picnic site with a small river running through it. The base area is run by the Selangor Forestry Department. The site above is run by Selangor Tourism. There is camping and a bit of hiking as well.

4. Sungai Chongkak
13 km from Cheras town, along the Hulu Langat to Pangson road.
Another popular recreation site of TNS. Along the river here is a waterfall and nice swimming pools... Ahhh refreshing! For the fit and brave, there is also hiking up to Bukit Chenuang, which is about 850 meters above sea level. Just always be sure to tell a ranger before you set off. Always go with a friend, stay on the trail, and bring plenty of water.

Sites of Interest in the Park of Beauty

Below are some sites in this magnificent Selangor State Park. We hope you can give us some feedback on your favorite sites :


1. Fraser's Hill-the Gap
A popular, hill top retreat. The Gap and Fraser's Hill itself are very popular birding sites. There are many places to stay in Fraser's Hill and it makes a wonderful weekend retreat. This is one of the areas still remaining to be gazetted as part of the Selangor State Park.

2. Sungai Tua Recreation Site
Located 10KM from Selayang Town along the Ulu Yam- Gombak Road, past Batu Dam.
A location a family will love with several picnic sites. While the river is generally shallow, at times it flows with full enthusiasm of the rain forest. (aaaaaaaahhhhh)

3. Commonwealth Park
Located 6km from Rawang, along the Rawang to K.L road. (Malaysia not Singapore) A nice small picnic site for families and friends.

4. Klang Gates Quartz Ridge
Located at the back of Taman Melawati, off Jalan Ulu Klang.
Several exciting but well hidden trails run top this awesome Ridge. But take note - while it is beautiful, it is also very dangerous as the trails are very steep and narrow at places. Not recommended for younglings. There is a small swimming spot at the base of the Ridge but unfortunately it is not always clean. The Klang Gates is another area that has not yet been gazetted as part of the Selangor State Park. We hope it will be gazetted soon!

5. Ampang Recreation Site
Located at the very end ( or at the very start) of Jalan Ampang.
With a river, picnic spots and lovely trees. It is another fun spot for a weekend or weekstart or week-middle swim.

6. Sungai Tekala Recreation Site
Located 13 km from Semenyih Town along the Semenyih-Ulu Langat Road. With water as clear as the morning dew and few nice gentle pools along the river's way, it is better than Disney World. (Yes, you can sell your plain ticket to Orlando, you don't need it any more!)

7. Gunung Nuang
Located 17 km from Cheras along the Ulu Langat to Pangson road. A very beautiful but very challenging mountain hike. For the fit and not for the faint of hearts.

History of the Establishment of the Park

The Selangor State Park, or Taman Negeri Selangor, is managed by the Selangor Forestry Department, but involves many other stakeholders.

TrEES has been working for more than 12 years lobbying the State Government to establish Taman Negeri Selangor. Efforts included collecting over 6,000 signatures, mobilizing community groups, preparing reports and raising funds to support this goal.

The idea to establish the area as a park was first put forward by TrEES to the Selangor State Government in the late 1990's, with the release of the Draft Structure Plans.

In 2005 the 107,000 hectare Park was declared by the Deputy Prime Minister and the Selangor Chief Minister. In 2007, 91,441 hectares of the Park was gazetted under the National Forestry Act, Selangor Enactment, with the promise by the government that the remaining areas, including the Klang Gates Quartz Ridge, would be gazetted in the near future. The Park is managed by the Selangor Forestry Department.

The establishment of the Park was the result of so many people and groups working together with TrEES to make it happen, including Prof Dr. Wong, Dr. Raj, Dr. Yong, Datin Paduka Dr. Halimaton, Dr. Bala, the Selangor Town & Country Planning Department, the Selangor Mapping Department, the Selangor Forestry Department - the caretakers of the Park-, DWNP, MEC Consultants, WWF Malaysia, MNS and the Selangor Branch as well as so many other concerned individuals, departments and organisations.

TrEES continues to lobby for the gazettement of the remaining areas. TrEES is also working hard with the Selangor Forestry Department to help build awareness on the importance of the Park, and for the Park’s sustainable management.

You can do your bit by spreading awareness on the importance of the Selangor State Park (Taman Negeri Selangor).

Importance of the Selangor State Park

1. Water
The Park is the source of 98% of Selangor, KL and Putrajaya’s water supply. Nearly all of Selangor's major rivers originate in the park. The Sg Selangor, Batu, Klang Gates, Langat & Semenyih reservoirs are all feed by this forest. These reservoirs provide water for residents of KL, Selangor & Putrajaya.

2. Rich Biodiversity

The park area is rich in flora and fauna and unique habitats, including the Klang Gates Quartz Ridge – one of the longest quartz outcrops in the world.

- rare species:
A newly discovered species of stream-side dipterocarp, Vatica yeechongii has been discovered in the Park. The Park is also home to palms that are among the rarest and most beautiful in the world.

- home to wildlife
Approximately 50% of the species of Peninsula Malaysia’s faunal biodiversity can be found in the Park. Species include serow, tigers and gibbons; serpent eagles and rhinoceros hornbills; whip snakes and vipers.

3. Protects Steep Slopes

At least 50% of the park area has slopes steeper than 20 degrees. Protecting these forests reduces downstream flooding and erosion.

4. Cultural beauty

The kampung homes around the edges of the forest, particularly in the northern and southern regions, express the rich culture of the people living in the area. The traditional Malay home garden, or mixed fruit garden, is a wonderful example of successful farming in harmony with the natural environment.

5. Eco-tourism, Research & Education
Provides essential recreational sites and valuable education and research opportunities.

Map of the Declared Selangor State Park

The green area demarcates the 107,000 hectares declared as the Selangor State Park (Taman Negeri Selangor).

On 25 January 2007, the Selangor State Government gazetted 91,441 ha as State Park under the National Forestry Act, Selangor Enactment, with the promise of gazetting the remaining areas in the near future.

The Selangor State Park is the third largest park in Peninsular Malaysia after Taman Negara and the Royal Belum State Park.