Kluang- A walk of Nostalgia

If you like taking day trips on weekends or holidays, a trip to Kluang district may be one that you might want to put on your list. Geographically, Kluang is located in the centre of Johor state, surrounded by Mersing, Segamat, BatuPahat, Pontian and Kota Tinggi. Taking a trip to Kluang would feel like you were travelling back in time.
Buildings and architecture of this district are preserved to its best original form. Simply walk around the town and you will see buildings dating back to 70 or 80 years in time. If you enjoy sightseeing while learning more about the history and culture of a place, this is one place to visit.
Kluang requires slightly over an hour’s drive from Johor Bahru via the North-South expressway. Taking the scenic trunk road would require a longer time, but you get to enjoy the beautiful scenery on the way. Any trip to Kluang warrants a stop at the popular breakfast stall – Kluang Rail Coffee. This coffee shop is located at the railway station and is often packed with customers. Average
All kinds of local delicacies are served here and prices are really cheap! A pack of nasilemak or meehoon only costs 90sen. Such prices can never be found in the town of Johor Bahru. Perhaps this is why so many people frequent this place. Apart from that, while enjoying your breakfast and sipping on hot coffee, you also get to watch while people board the trains.

Mural Paintings (JalanDato’ Teoh Siew Khor)

Next, head on down to JalanDato’ Teoh Siew Khor, the street filled with wall murals. There is a parking space next to UOB Bank where you can park your car there with a small fee of RM2. Then walk across the street where you will see the first mural painting that symbolizes the different races and cultures of Malaysia.

All the murals are painted on the back walls of the shops, so you would be walking in the back alley of these shops in order to see these paintings. Don’t worry, the area has been cleaned up well as it is now a tourist attraction spot. Here are some murals which you might see along the walk.

The street stretches all the way till the end where you will see the fire station. There will be a new row of wall murals opened to public soon. So for those who visit Kluang the next, prepare to be mesmerized by two whole rows of artistic creativity!

Church of St Louis (end of Jalan Omar)

As Kluang is filled with historical buildings, I believe that every building tells its very own story of the past. One of it is the St Louis church. The church is located at the end of Jalan Omar, and very close by to the railway station. The main gate is usually open so you can walk in to have a look and take some pictures. The door of the church will be closed unless there is a service going on or about to begin.

St Louis Church is a Roman Catholic church, built in 1964, when missionaries from France arrived in the town of Kluang. The church was named after the brother of its pioneer priest, Louis Duvelle who passed away in that same year. The church has since been renovated and refurbished to what it looks like today.

Old Buildings (JalanLambak)

Along the years, time and modernisation of businesses have evolved the outlook of many buildings. There is one particular street, however, where you can still find buildings that go back to the 1930’s. Take a drive to JalanLambak and you will find a row of shops with the year they were constructed in stated on the top of its building. These buildings also have a unique architecture with lion heads facing different directions. The lion heads are placed facing a certain direction to signify the beliefs of the shop owners.

Gunung Lambak (Jalan Hutan Lipur)

If you love being close to nature, try taking a mini hike up GunungLambak. GunungLambak is one of the popular hiking spots amongst locals and tourists.
A full hike to the peak is about 1400 metres, but if you just want a leisurely stroll while taking in some fresh air, you can always do a mini hike.

Half of the route up is paved so it is quite easy to walk up. Certain areas can get quite steep as you ascend so be sure that you have proper shoes with good grip.

You will also come across a couple of suspension bridges. Don’t be afraid to walk across. They’re quite sturdy except for some bouncing when there are a few people walking in front and at the back of you.
It was a surprise to find dormitories in the middle of the forest. All the dormitories were empty but there were contact
It was a surprise to find dormitories in the middle of the forest. All the dormitories were empty but there were contact numbers placed on boards nearby for those who wish to rent these dorms. It would be an alternative to setting up tents as there is clean water and air conditioning in the dorms.
After a mini hike, we would all be ready to retire back to our beds. Journeys home can get a little boring. Most travellers would opt to use the expressway back to Johor Bahru city because it is the fastest route. However, if you’re in no hurry to get home, why not take the scenic route back? Taking the trunk road will lead you to the discovery of another small town called Renggam.

Renggam – The Forgotten Town

A visit to this town takes you back in time to the old days where life moved at a slow pace and everyone was laid-back. The whole town is within walking distance from one end to the other, making every corner easily accessible. In the town area, you will find shops that were constructed in the 1930’s and 1970’s. However, residents say that the town has lost its attraction over the years due to the younger generation leaving for bigger opportunities elsewhere. Only the older generation remain in this town and with time, those who have left also return home less. There are no new developments in this town, hence the lack of job opportunities and attractions. Nonetheless, Renggam is an interesting place to photograph with its historical buildings and culture.
If you’re always curious and inquisitive about history, Kluang is definitely a place to visit. The locals here would be more than happy to share their stories with you. The beauty of this old town never fails to mesmerize its visitors. Make sure you bring your camera or phone along for all the Instagram worthy shots!

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