Where is Kuala Kubu Bharu?
Kuala Kubu Bharu is a charming old town nestled at the foot of Bukit Fraser in Hulu Selangor. It is the first garden township in Malaysia, and arguably, in Asia.
Filled with timeworn shophouses and pre-war buildings, Kuala Kubu Bharu is one of the best places to see Malaysia’s living history and experience a slower pace of life, as compared to the ever-expanding Kuala Lumpur.
The town is also blessed with verdant green hillsides and forests – perfect for nature and outdoor lovers. Check out our detailed guide on everything you need to prep for a trip to Kuala Kubu Bharu!
Note: A detour to Ulu Yam has been included in this guide. Hence, it is more suitable for those who are travelling to/from Klang Valley.
1.) Top 7 Things to Do in Kuala Kubu Bharu
1.1 Enjoy the beauty of mother nature at Ampang Pecah
Also known as Alor Lempah, Ampang Pecah is a beautiful waterfall located along the Selangor River in Kuala Kubu Bharu. There’s so much to do here: you can pitch a tent and camp overnight, have a simple picnic the next morning, hike in the surrounding forest, try white water rafting, and spend the rest of your day swimming in the refreshing pool down by the waterfall.
1.2 Go for a stroll along the streets of Kuala Kubu Bharu
The best way to explore a charming little town like Kuala Kubu Bharu is by foot. Park your car somewhere in the middle of town and go for a random stroll! You’ll find street art hidden in narrow alleys, quaint kopitiams sitting around almost every corner of the street, and observe locals going about their daily activities.
1.3 Walk on the rainbow at Tokong Kuan Yik Kerk Kuala Kubu Bharu
You’ll be greeted with a fleet of rainbow steps and colorful statues upon arriving at the Kuan Yik Kerk temple at Kuala Kubu Bharu. Visit the temple to pray to guan yin, the goddess of mercy, or walk around and take pictures here.
1.4 Get a bird’s eye view of Kuala Kubu Bharu at Selangor Dam
There are two bridges which serve as viewpoints at the Selangor Dam. Here, you can get breathtaking panoramic views of the town. Unlike in Kuala Lumpur, where the skies are heavily clouded by light pollution, the skies of Kuala Kubu Bharu are clear and dark. It is said that the second bridge is a great stargazing point so be sure to head over when night falls!
1.5 Go for a relaxing dip at the Hulu Tamu Hot Springs
There’s nothing better than taking a dip in a relaxing hot spring after a long day of traveling. Hulu Tamu Hot Springs is open 24 hours; we recommend visiting at night so you can soak in the steamy waters while enjoying a sky full of stars.
Entrance Fee: Adults – RM3; Children below 12 years – Free
1.6 Surround yourself with colorful orchids at the World of Phalaenopsis
Though not exactly located at Kuala Kubu Bharu, the World of Phalaenopsis is a peaceful orchid farm located at Ulu Yam, which is about 18km away from town. It is a perfect destination to end your trip as you’ll pass by the farm on your way back to Kuala Lumpur.
The farm is the largest grower of the orchid genus in Malaysia. You can view and purchase various kinds of orchids here. There’s also a cafe and a huge pond with ducks nestled within the farm.
Entrance Fee: Free
1.7 Food hunting
Alas, what’s a trip without an exciting food hunt? Read on to find out some of the must-eats in Kuala Kubu Bharu.
2.) 7 Best Food in Kuala Kubu Bharu
2.1 Il Mio Cafe 古毛人茶餐室
Relax and go back in time at Il Mio Cafe – where you can taste their delicious nasi lemak in an antique setting. Don’t miss out on the opportunity for an interesting conversation about the town if you run into the owner here. Her passion, knowledge, and stories of her hometown will definitely make your trip unforgettable.
📍 16, Jalan Dato Muda Jaafar, Pekan Kuala Kubu Bharu, 44000 Kuala Kubu Baru, Selangor
⏰ 9:00am – 7:30pm (closed on Tues)
☎️ 03 6064 1630
2.2 Teng Wun Bakery & Confectionery 升云西果店
For a taste of traditional pastries, drop by Teng Wun bakery which is located right across Il Mio Cafe. They’ve been known to offer the best kaya puff, durian cake, and pandan layer cake in town since 1979.
📍 15, Jalan Dato Muda Jaafar, Pekan Kuala Kubu Bharu, 44000 Kuala Kubu Baru, Selangor
⏰ 9:00am – 5:00pm (closed on Tues)
☎️ 03 6064 1586
2.3 Restaurant Nine Thy Eight 98海鲜饭店
Restaurant Nine Thy Eight is one for the adventurous foodies. They are known to offer Chinese dishes with a twist on traditional recipes, created after countless experiments and trials. Dishes to try here include braised pork tripe stuffed with kampong chicken and steamed patin fish.
📍 33&,, 34, Jalan Dato Balai, Kampung Tun Abdul Razak, 44000 Kuala Kubu Baru, Selangor
⏰ 12pm – 9pm (closed on Mon)
☎️ 03 6064 1198 ; 010 244 1198
2.4 Teo Kee 潮记
Originally from Kuala Kubu Bharu, Teo Kee has now moved to Ulu Yam, yet continues to be patronized by the residents of its former town. We instantly understood how Teo Kee managed to attract such loyal customers after tasting their dishes. We recommend trying their Teochew lo mei, steamed pork salted fish, spicy eggplant, and braised fish tofu.
📍 7, Jalan Patin 4b, Taman Desa Patin, 44300 Batang Kali, Selangor
⏰ 9am – 2pm (closed on Tues)
☎️ 012 365 1448 ; 016 383 4335
2.5 Wong Ng Kee Restaurant 王伍记餐室
With its history going back as far as 1940, Wong Ng Kee is an old school restaurant operated by a group of elderly – the owner, along with his wife and 3 sisters. Through the years, they continue to preserve the heritage behind the traditional dishes by sticking to the traditional recipes and cooking methods.
We tried a few of their popular dishes: Hainanese chicken chop, pork chop, wantan mee, Jiangnan noodles – all of which tasted amazing and reminded us of home.
📍 25, Jalan Mat Kilau, Kampung Tun Abdul Razak, 44000 Kuala Kubu Baru, Selangor
⏰ 11am – 8pm (closed on Thurs)
☎️ 03 6064 1457
2.6 Cendol Pak Samat
There’s no better way to keep yourself cool in the heat than with a refreshing bowl of cendol. You can customize the old school dessert with various toppings offered at Cendol Pak Samat. We love the drive-through service here as we could order from the comfort of our car without stepping out into the blazing hot sun.
📍 89, 55, Kampung Kelapa, 44000 Kuala Kubu Baru, Selangor
⏰ 10am – 6pm (Mon – Fri); 11am – 7pm (Sat & Sun)
☎️ 016-280 7247
2.7 Jin Hojak Ulu Yam Loh Mee 真好吃卤面店
For those who are taking a detour to Ulu Yam, drop by Jin Hojak for the best lor mee in town! True to its name, they offer thick and flavorful lor mee that will keep you coming back for more. Other than lor mee, you should also try their chee cheong fun, fried cockles, and lemon chicken feet.
📍 12 jalan besar ulu yam lama 44300 batang kali selangor, Ulu Yam Lama, Malaysia
⏰ 8am – 7pm (closed on Tues)
☎️ 012-329 1420
3.) 6 Best Homestays in Kuala Kubu Bharu for a Beautiful Staycation
There are a number of homestays available at Kuala Kubu Bharu – most of which are strategically located and perfect for a staycation. For our trip this time around, we booked our stay at Sarang By The Brook, and we highly recommend this homestay!
1. Sarang By The Brook
🔗 Sarang KKB Website
📱 Sarang KKB WhatsApp
2. PulaiThree Kuala Kubu Bharu
☎️ 03-7880 9477
3. The Senja
☎️ 016-619 8838
4. IO home Woodhouse & Sky Villa Retreat
☎️ 011-6226 5257
5. Hillside Batu Retreat
☎️ 010-657 1012
6. Home@KKB, Kuala Kubu Bharu
https://www.agoda.com/home-kkb/hotel/kuala-kubu-bharu-my.html🔗 Home @ KKB, Kuala Kubu Bharu
☎️ 012-200 2187
Kuala Kubu Bharu 2 Days 1 Night Itinerary
Day 1
| Stops | Places |
|---|---|
| 1 | Alor Lempah |
| 2 | Il Mio Cafe |
| 3 | Kuala Kubu Bharu Street |
| 4 | Teng Wun Bakery & Confectionery |
| 5 | Tokong Kuan Yik Kerk Kuala Kubu Bharu |
| 6 | Sungai Selangor Dam |
| 7 | Restaurant Nine Thy Eight |
| 8 | Sarang By The Brook |
Day 2
| Stops | Places |
|---|---|
| 1 | Check out homestay |
| 2 | Jin Hojak Ulu Yam Loh Mee |
| 3 | Teo Kee |
| 4 | World of Phalaenopsis | Ulu Yam |
| 5 | WK Restaurant (Curry Fish Head) |
Thoughts on Our Trip
Our trip to this heritage town graced by nature was truly enjoyable, and we hope that more people, both locals and foreigners alike, can see what Kuala Kubu Bharu has to offer. From its ancient architecture to forested hillsides, it is definitely a town that deserves more recognition and protection.
A Malaysian foodie who’s proud of our local hawker culture. Always on the hunt for the best char kuay teow and nasi lemak.
