"In the 20th century, Kluang's economy moved from rubber to palm oil and now has some of Malaysia's largest organic farms. The industrial sector has also grown significantly thanks to multinational investment and a critical mass of tile manufacturers, making the district the 'Tile Capital of Malaysia'."
The City
The city of Kluang is located on the railway line between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, essentially cutting it in two. Locals once said that when the train approaches the Kluang train station, the whole city comes to a standstill, as the main road into the city is temporarily closed to allow the train to pass.
The Kluang Rail Coffee is also located at the station. This rustic cafe was established in 1938. It has been a pit stop for visitors and locals since its inception some 70 years ago. Savor the flavors of yesteryear in the form of aromatic Kluang coffee, kaya toast and rolls (charcoal-grilled bread with coconut jam and melting butter), nasi lemak (fragrant rice with chili wrapped in banana leaf), etc.
The famous Kluang Rail Coffee
Kluang is located about 110 km north of Johor Bahru and therefore belongs to this state. The name Kluang comes from the Malay word keluang, meaning a "flying fox" or rather a type of "fruit bat". Unfortunately, the critters have almost completely disappeared and some suspect that the town was named after two mountains, which from a distance resemble the head and wing of a bat. The city has about 300,000 inhabitants.
The city was founded a good century ago (1915) by the English settlers. It became an administrative center, but was also used to transport military goods and tropical products through Kluang. Rubber and palm oil were the main crops.
Today, Kluang has the largest dragon fruit orchard, organic vegetable farm, organic rice farm, pineapple and tea plantation. There are also ceramic factories. Kluang is also known as the main producer of ceramic pottery and tiles. Kluang has also developed other industries, including polymer, porcelain, paper, textiles, and electrical products.
The Kluang Mall
The "Kluang Parade" is a large shopping center in Kluang, but the "Kluang Mall" is the largest shopping center for the locals. Here people also come from the area to do their shopping. The Kluang Mall has ushered in international brands such as Starbucks, Pacific Hypermarket, POPULAR Bookstore, Baskin Robbins, Subway, KFC, Pizza Hut, H&M, Uniqlo, Cotton On, GNC and regional brands such as PDI, Brands Outlet, Cosas United and many more. Kluang has become a vibrant city with a diverse range of shopping, dining, recreation and entertainment that a modern city should have.
At the Railway Station
If you travel to Kluang by bus, you normally arrive at the Kluang bus station. Upon arrival, as a passenger, you can easily take the local city buses or taxis, which are available at the bus station to go to their next destination. Since the Kluang bus terminal is in the city, other amenities are easily accessible such as eateries, convenience stores and much more. There are also bus services here to various destinations, including Singapore.
Jalan Stesen is Kluang's "Little India". It is dotted with shops that offer various merchandise that meets the needs and desires of the Indian community, especially saris, herbs and spices, as well as household items. There are also several Indian restaurants serving different Indian cuisines and local dishes as well as the local favorite "Teh Tarik".
Jalan Ismail, (opposite Jln Stesen) is also interesting, as this street is where you will find the traditional Chinese merchants and craftsmen. One of the crafts that people practice here is making shoes. A few shoemakers continue to make shoes manually, and customers can buy the ready-made shoes, which are on display. You can ask some shoemakers to make custom shoes especially for you.
For light, casual shopping, there are roadside stalls and night markets around Kluang. A weekly attraction is the colourful, bustling night market or Pasar Malam, which can be found in most neighborhoods on certain days of the week and has a mind-boggling variety of goods, local foods and fruits at low prices. Some stalls sell only agricultural products and are called Pasar Tani (Farmers Market). It is nice to visit the Kluang Pasar Malam, all kinds of local food and agricultural products are available here. Pasar Malams operate in different areas and times. Ask at the reception of your hotel where the Pasar Malams are held.
Kluang Container Hotel
The Kluang Container Hotel is an excellent accommodation option when visiting Kluang. Only 0.5km from the heart of the city, this 5-star hotel enjoys an excellent location with the main attractions within easy reach. Thanks to its convenient location, all major attractions are close to the hotel.
Kluang Container Hotel offers impeccable service and all the essential amenities to make travelers a pleasant stay. This hotel has many facilities that will convince even the most demanding guests.
Experience high-quality room facilities, including wireless internet (free), to unwind after a long day. The hotel offers fantastic facilities, including outdoor pool, children's pool, garden, to help you unwind after an action-packed day in the city. The Kluang Container Hotel is an excellent choice if you are looking for quality accommodation in the Kluang area.
