Urban Culture – An Outing to Royal Klang Town Heritage and Little India

Jointly by:
Ng Choon Hau (Sr1A)
Yee Wen Shuen (Sr1C)
Certain image courtesy of Jalan-Jalan Klang on Facebook

Kuala Lumpur, a city rich with cultures, most of which are slowly forgotten to time. In an effort to introduce students to the vibrant history of the Royal Klang Town, the three Senior 1 Arts and Commerce classes went on one-day trips; with Sr1B, Sr1A and Sr1C going on their outings on the 5^th, 6^th and 7^th of November 2019, respectively. Half of the students from each class went to the Royal Klang Town Heritage Street while the rest went to Klang’s Little India. Seven History teachers and five members from Jalan-Jalan Klang acted as tour guides for the outings.

Tour groups gathered at the ball courts at 7.30 a.m. then set off on their half hour bus ride to their first stop of the day, the Kota Raja Fire and Rescue Station. The smallest yet most historically significant fire station in Klang, it houses plenty of fire station related artifacts dating back from colonial times. Here, students were briefed on their activities for the day and shown around the museum. Then, the tour group split into two and went off to their separate locations.

Sometime along each tour, students were briefed the history of Klang; more specifically, where the name “Klang” came from and how Klang became the city of crows. The answer to the former may shock you – it actually came from the sounds factories and mines were making!

On the Heritage Street tour, students first stopped at White Iron Incorporated to try out the fascinating acetylene gas lamp experiment. Afterwards, they got a chance to experience making chicken rice balls at the Restoran Nasi Ayam How Wan. Chong Kok Kopitiam was up next and students, aptly, bought some delicious traditionally brewed coffee there. Then, they swung by Kedai Cermin Kwong Meng for some hands-on glass cutting. Then, they interviewed the owner of Syarikat Adik Beradik Wah Sang on the many experiences faced in their industry. This was followed by stopping at Wing On Medical Hall to browse through their extensive collection of traditional Chinese herbs. After that, they bought some cakes from Good Taste Cake House and concluded their trip with some bah kut teh for lunch.

The Little India tour kicked off with visiting Masjid India Muslim Tengku Kelana, a mosque for Indian Muslims. There, students sat outside the mosque while listening to various bits of Malaysian Indian history. They soon moved to Sri Nagara Thendayuthapani, where they were introduced to Indian temple building, its customs and Indian mythology. A trip through various Indian shop lots provided students with an insight into Indian customs. Then, they stopped at an Indian restaurant opened since 1946 to have lunch and experience tosai making. They then visited some flower garland stalls. A boutique was their last stop; there, one girl was chosen to put on an Indian saree.

After the end of their trips, everyone headed back to the fire station and got on a bus back to school. This trip did not come without a price – students were required to make a brochure summarizing what they had learnt, due soon in a week, which accounts for 20 marks in their history subject total next semester.

In the end, it was an enjoyable experience for everyone, as all went home with smiles on their faces, having learnt something new that day. The tour guides were pleased with the students’ fundamental understanding of Klang history, which made their jobs easier. It was a meaningful outing indeed; the only downside being some more boring parts being dragged out for a bit too long.