Selangor is claimed to be one of the most urbanised and developed states in Malaysia.  However, it still retains about 30 percent of its land under natural forest and there are several getaways in Selangor that can help to rejuvenate the mind, body and soul after a hectic week in the city.

 

Batu Dam

The Batu Dam is one of the major dams in the Klang Valley. Constructed in 1987, the dam serves the purpose of controlling flood and supplying water.  It is located at the immediate downstream of the confluence of Sungai Batu and Sungai Tua, about 16 kilometres upstream of the Kuala Lumpur city centre.

Batu Dam covers an area of 2.5 square kilometres with a height of 44 metres and has a capacity of 36.6 million cubic metres. The catchment area covers 50 square kilometres.

The dam is popular among the locals who go there for recreation, which includes cycling, fishing, kayaking and family outing. In addition to the existing facilities such as jogging track and children’s playground, there are proposals for the development of lodging as well as water-sport activities.

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Klang Gates Dam

The Klang Gates Dam is located in Ulu Klang. It is also known as Bukit Tabur Dam.  The dam was constructed in 1958 and is a concrete arch dam with a spillway in the centre.

The reservoir is one of the major sources of drinking water for the residents in the Klang Valley. It has a catchment area of 77 square kilometres and a capacity of 25.1 million cubic metres. The Bukit Nanas treatment plant produces 145 million litres of treated water from this dam daily.

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Before the construction of the dam, the area used to be a Malay village. The village was relocated to another location when the dam was constructed. Presently, there is a Klang Gates Recreational Park nearby where the locals go for leisure.

 

Klang Gates Quartz Ridge

The Klang Gates Quartz Ridge is recorded as the longest quartz formation in the world.  It spans 14 kilometres long and 200 metres wide.

The ridge, which is also known as Bukit Tabur resembles the back fin of a sleeping dragon from far. Hence, it is popularly referred to as the Dragon Back Ridge or the Dragon Backbone by the locals.

On June 24, 2015, the ridge was formally renamed the Gombak Selangor Quartz Ridge by the Selangor State Government. It is presently on the UNESCO Heritage Site’s tentative list.

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The quart ridge is internationally recognised as a world-class geological site and consists of 100 per cent pure quartz.  It is not only the longest quartz formation but is the single largest pure quartz ridge in the world. This ridge is unique not only because of its size but also of its outstandingly beautiful landscape - elongated craggy rocks in the middle of a green tropical forest.

This quartz ridge is considered a unique natural treasure because of the combination of its three characteristics, namely its size, it is fully exposed and its pseudo-karst morphology that comprises at least four shapes - the dome, table, ramp and tower - all of which may be observed here.

The quartz ridge records an incredible history that has lasted more than two centuries. Geological aspects related to quartz ridge can be classified into several occurrences and a long process of natural weathering and erosion that took place, exposed and crafted the highly resistant quartz ridge into a geological monument.

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The ridge is sited next to the Klang Gates Dam, which reservoir is surrounded by the limestone walls of the valley that is covered with forest and other vegetation. The area supports more than 260 plant species, including five that only exist in this area. They are the aleisanthia rupestris found on exposed rocks on the ridge, the llex praetermissa tree, the borreria pilulifera herb, the eulalia milsumii grass and the henckelia primulina herb. In addition to these plants, there are wildlife in the area, including the serow, a mountain goat.

The ridge is an excellent spot for hiking. On one side of the ridge is the view of Kuala Lumpur’s skyline while the other side faces the reservoirs that supply water to the city as well as the forest reserves.

 

Sungai Tua Waterfall

Sungai Tua Waterfall is located at Sungai Tua Recreational Forest, within the Selangor State Park. It is a near vertical fall. Next to the fall is a trail that leads to the jungle, which mainly comprises dipterocarp forest, best known for its tropical rainforest.  Somewhere along the river is a suspension bridge connecting to the other side of the river. From the suspension bridge, you could hear the sound of the water flowing. The view from there seems never ending with the green surroundings.

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The waterfall is an excellent place for picnic, camping, bathing and chilling out. There are also trekking trails in the area.