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Private Tour of Istana Alam Shah, Official Palace of the Sultan of Selangor

1. Istana Alam Shah
1. Istana Alam Shah

I admit that I am not someone who is easily impressed with things. In a sense, you can say that I am quite jaded with life, after having seen and done many different things around the country.

2. royal banquet hall
2. royal banquet hall
3. silverware
3. silverware

However, my private tour of the majestic Istana Alam Shah was a highlight that will remain in my memory for a long time.

 4. Balai Mengadap
4. Balai Mengadap
 5. in the guest holding room (Balai Tetamu)
5. in the guest holding room (Balai Tetamu)

As a delegate of Eat.Travel.Write 5, I was hosted for a morning at Istana Alam Shah, the official palace of the Sultan of Selangor. This visit was made possible by UPEN Selangor, Klang Municipal Council (MPK), Gaya Travel Magazine and of course, the Office of the Sultan of Selangor. Thank you very much for making this visit possible!

 6. one of the many corridors of the palace, filled with exhibits and memorabilia
6. one of the many corridors of the palace, filled with exhibits and memorabilia
7. Balai Nobat Diraja
7. Balai Nobat Diraja

Now, where shall I begin, or rather HOW? It is not often that a commoner gets to set foot in a palace, and even if he or she is invited, it is only for official functions and solely confined to a couple of rooms.

8. visitors check out a painting of
8. visitors check out a painting of “Merdeka”
9. one of the wise men, Y.A.D Dato’ Setia Diraja, Dato’ Abdul Ghani bin Pateh Akhir, in the Royal Council Room
9. one of the wise men, Y.A.D Dato’ Setia Diraja, Dato’ Abdul Ghani bin Pateh Akhir, in the Royal Council Room

This private tour took us to all the important rooms of the palace, including Balairung Seri, or the ceremonial room, where photography is strictly prohibited.

10. Tuanku's table in the Royal Council Room
10. Tuanku’s table in the Royal Council Room
11. perahu petalawati (circa 1925)
11. perahu petalawati (circa 1925)

Trust me, if you can only choose one place to visit in all of Klang, do make it Istana Alam Shah. Yes, it is open to the public but only via written requests and exclusively for groups or organisations – no walk-in visits. Tours are scheduled for Tuesdays and Thursdays.

12. Masjid Istana Diraja, Istana Alam Shah
12. Masjid Istana Diraja, Istana Alam Shah
13. an exhibit outside the football gallery
13. an exhibit outside the football gallery

We visited on Thursday morning and were given a friendly welcome by the palace staff, where we had the opportunity to take an official group photograph first.

14. ceiling of the football gallery
14. ceiling of the football gallery
15. Selangor Football Gallery
15. Selangor Football Gallery

After being feted with a royal breakfast fit for princes and princesses in the Middle Hall (Balai Tengah), we were then taken on the tour, led by Chief Supervisor of the Palace, Abdul Kadir Safuan and Orang Besar Daerah Klang, Y.A.D Dato’ Setia Diraja Dato’ Abdul Ghani bin Pateh Akhir.

16. Royal Automobile Gallery
16. Royal Automobile Gallery
17. some of the vehicles in the Royal Automobile Gallery
17. some of the vehicles in the Royal Automobile Gallery

Besides just looking around with a dropped jaw and wide eyes like country bumpkins, we were regaled with insider stories of the Selangor sultanate and most importantly, explanation about the functions of the Sultan.

18. Harley-Davidson corner
18. Harley-Davidson corner
 19. replica of Tanjong Pagar Railway Station
19. replica of Tanjong Pagar Railway Station

Through our tour, we were able to get a good glimpse of Tuanku Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah’s personal passions, especially his love for cars and motorcycles. Vintage car enthusiasts should really check out the Royal Automobile Gallery if the opportunity arises. There are 49 cars and 20 motorcycles, some of them quite rare.

20. one of the vintage trains
20. one of the vintage trains
21. on board one of the trains
21. on board one of the trains

If you wish to plan a group tour of Istana Alam Shah, write in officially to the Office of the Sultan of Selangor at the address stated below:

22. taxi
22. taxi
23. Taman Mahkota
23. Taman Mahkota

Dato’ Bijaya Diraja
Add: Pejabat Urustadbir Istana Alam Shah, 41300 Klang, Selangor Darul Ehsan.
Tel: +603-33713411
Fax: +603-33716969

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With love

17 thoughts on “Private Tour of Istana Alam Shah, Official Palace of the Sultan of Selangor

  1. OMG! you are so lucky to be able to walk around royal grounds. Time to plan a visit soon!

  2. This was an amazing write up for an amazing trip… I want to go back there again and listen to En Kadir’s anecdotes….

  3. I am envious of Emily’s. LOL.
    Never have an opportunity to visit an istana before.
    From the pictures it looks awesome to me.

  4. Love to view those antique cars…Were here once but only to the palace to cover The Sultan”s previous wedding years back… got to interview him then..

  5. Wow! Just look at the gold details! You’re so lucky you were able to tour a palace! 🙂

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