The first planned city in Malaysia after its 1957 independence was Shah Alam, the capital of the state of Selangor. It is only about 15 miles away from the capital city of Kuala Lumpur. Before independence, the area was called Batu Tiga, which was known for trading palm oil and rubber. The Sultan of Selangor at the time, Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah renamed the town for his late father, and a number of buildings and a street have also taken his name since then.
The most famous landmark in the city is named for the Sultan, but is more familiarly known as the Blue Mosque for its beautiful bule and white dome and four similarly colorful minarets. It was completed in 1988 and can hold up to 16,000 people at one time. For a walk through the history of Selangor, visit the Selangor State Museum. EasyToBook.com can help you to find a hotel in this area, a convenient choice because The Selangor State Library and the Selangor Islamic Arts Complex are also nearby.