Kuala Kubu Bharu
Kuala Kubu Bharu (also spelled Kuala Kubu Baru, Kuala Kubu Bahru, Kuala Kubu Baharu etc), affectionately known as KKB by the locals, is a town in the north of Selangor, Malaysia.
Understand
KKB is quite small; it would take you only 40 minutes to see the whole town. However, the town is quite lively. Shops close late and there is even a 24-hour restaurant.
Get in
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 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. However, 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:
By taxi
This service is mainly provided by private drivers, so don't expect a meter taxi. The taxis are usually located at the bus stop or at the KTM station. 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 fixed at RM5.
On foot
Everything in the town centre is accessible on foot. Around the town centre there are various Hindu, Taoist and Buddhist temples which are also accessible on 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 bicycle
A bicycle is great if you stay in KKB. Many indigenous 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.
See
- Sungai Selangor Dam. Get a view of the dam on you drive up to Fraser's Hill - make a stop at the Splash Information Centre. For directions to get there, look for the first sight of the dam when you are driving from Kuala Kubu Baru towards Fraser's Hill. Keep an eye out on the left side of the road for the Splash Information Centre. Ample parking is available.
At this new & modern information centre with A/C and great views of the dam. Worth a stop over if you are in Kuala Kubu Baru.
- Sungai Sendat waterfall . A large waterfall recreation park
- Ulu Kalong hot spring. A hot spring in an oil palm plantation. Hard to find.
Do
- Hike to the Chiling Waterfall: Visiting this waterfall requires some hiking and river crossing. Recommended for the adventurous. Proper footwear is advised, e.g. sandals with ankle straps. It takes about 45 minutes to reach the waterfall, longer if you stop along the way to take photos or enjoy the flora and fauna and the river. To get there, look out for the steel bridge on the way to Fraser's Hill. Pass the bridge and park on the left side of the road with a small clearing. It is advisable to remove all valuables and secure your car as there have been reports of cars being broken into. Cross the road and look for the trek that will lead you to the waterfall. The trek is great for novices but unsuitable for the "not so sure-footed." Caution: It is strongly advised not to trek during a rainy day, especially after rain, as water levels can rise rapidly. Especially be very careful when it rains at the top of the hills. It might not be raining where you are, but if it rains on top of the hills, then don't even go near the river bank. It is very very dangerous as you might not even know when the water would rise, and it rises very fast with very rapid flow. It also brings in the debris from the hills. There have been incidents of visitors being swept away and drowned by strong currents after the rain.
Buy
Everything you are likely to need is available in the town.
Eat
- Kuala Kubu Bharu foods, perhaps is early in the morning. In KKB, there is only one morning market, where you can see some selections of fresh vegetables and local delights.
Try to get there as early as 7AM to 9AM, as the small Malay shops selling locals delicacies such as, roti canai, murtabak, popia, and no to miss the great lontong and soto. The small shop, is located exactly at the market area, in front of Maybank and besides the KKb bus stations. The service is very good, as the it is a family runs business, so you can expect, flows of generations and stories been passed on.
If going for any Chinese food, go try these:
- Chow Zhou Hawker stall located opposite of the 24hrs mamak stall, try the fire curry powder brinjal, taufu fish and most of all the hokkien fry mee, plus also the Chow Zhou porridge.
- Wong Ng Kee Restaurant, try the Loh Mee (home made mee), hokkien mee and fried rice.
- Kedai Makanan Teo Kee for their home cooked dishes like tofu fish, steamed pork with salted fish and mui choy pork belly.
Sleep
Sarang By The Brook, Jalan Seruling 20, ☏ +60 19332 2448. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. RM150.
Base Hotel, 12 Jln Mat Kilau. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. RM110.
Rooms Only @ KKB, 16A Jln Mat Kilau, ☏ +60 12200 2187. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. RM140.