If you were to ask us to pick the most underrated location to visit in Malaysia, Jenjarom would be pretty high on our list. Located in Selangor, there is a pretty high chance that you might have never even heard of Jenjarom unless you were born and raised in Selangor. Despite being only 54 kilometres away from Kuala Lumpur, it’s baffling how Jenjarom has been so overlooked. Granted, there aren’t a lot of typical tourist attractions in Jenjarom, such as shopping malls, but the rich history of the town more than makes up for it.
With a population of approximately 30,000 residents, Jenjarom started as a Chinese new village during the British occupation in Malaya. Due to this, the majority of Jenjarom’s current residents are Malaysian Chinese, tracing their ancestry back to the Hokkien heritage. The wealth of Chinese culture that can be found in Jenjarom is the main draw to visit the town.
Visiting Jenjarom? Here Are All The Attractions and Fun Things To Do
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1. Fo Guang Shan Dong Zen Temple
When discussing Jenjarom, it’s impossible not to mention Fo Guang Shan Dong Zen Temple. In fact, we’d say that if you’re looking to visit one place and one place only in the town, then this temple should be your pick. Built back in 1994, Fo Guang Shan Dong Zen Temple is massive, sitting on 16 acres of land and comprised of various sections including a large Buddha statue, Lumbini and Zen garden, Waterdrop Teahouse, Sutra calligraphy hall, Dong Zen Institute of Buddhist Studies, an art gallery, various exhibition halls, meditation spaces, and so much more. It’s more than possible to spend a whole day here without getting bored — there’s just so much to see!
The best time to visit Fo Guang Shan Dong Zen Temple is during the Chinese New Year, as the place comes alive with vibrant decorations and festivities. Their annual Lantern and Flora Festival is a big tourist draw as the temple celebrates with colourful lights, lanterns, and various flotillas for at least fifteen days. Not interested in braving large crowds? Keep an eye on Fo Guang Shan Dong Zen Temple’s website linked down below for announcements of new art exhibitions and other events.
For more information, click here.
| Address | PT 2297, Jalan Sungai Buaya, Kampung Jenjarom, 42600 Kuala Langat, Selangor |
| Operating hours | Opens daily (10:00am – 10:00pm) |
| Contact details | +603 3191 1533 |
2. Ban Siew Keng Temple
Jalan Sungai Buaya is home to plenty of attractions and fun things to do in Jenjarom, Selangor. Apart from our previous entry, Ban Siew Keng Temple is also a top contender. Despite its much smaller size, Ban Siew Keng Temple does not deserve to be in Fo Guang Shan Dong Zen Temple’s shadow, as the former is just as beautiful and steeped in Chinese and Buddhist culture. The temple was jointly built by the Chinese community in Jenjarom back in the 1950s. The building was constructed in order to house four different deities under one roof, resulting in cheaper and more convenient celebrations for the locals. Once you’re done exploring this beautifully grand place of worship, Ban Siew Keng Temple also has a food court and a park for you to explore further.
For more information, click here.
| Address | Jalan Sungai Buaya, Sungai Jarom, Taman Yayasan, 42600 Jenjarom, Selangor |
| Operating hours | Opens daily (9:00am – 10:00pm) |
| Contact details | +6016 228 5623 |
3. Mansion 1969
Apart from awe-inspiring temples, Jenjarom is also a great place to find lesser-known eateries, pure hidden gems. When visiting Mansion 1969, you’ll be treated to a 2-in-1 experience of both a heritage gallery and a local and Western cuisine café. Located in an old-fashioned yellow house made of wood, Mansion 1969’s name can be attributed to the year the house was built. Their aim to “inherit culture, create culture, and share culture” is evident in the decor alone, as Mansion 1969 is full of beautiful antique furniture and items.
The wooden walls are also plastered with pages depicting Chinese history in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur. Fun fact: one of the cafe’s founders was involved in the editing process of the book the pages were taken from entitled Moving Mountains: A Pictorial History of the Chinese in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur, published by the Centre for Malaysian Chinese Studies. At Mansion 1969, you can educate yourself with Chinese culture, fiddle with antique items like a gramophone and typewriter, and indulge in delicious food from home or aboard.
For more information and to make a reservation, click here.
| Address | Lot 389, Batu 13, Jln Klang Banting, Kampung Sungai Rambai, 42600 Jenjarom, Selangor |
| Operating hours | Wednesday to Monday (12:00pm – 9:00pm) Closed on Tuesday |
| Contact details | +6011 3592 1969 |
4. NightBus 127
NightBus 127 is one of the best attractions and fun things to do in Jenjarom that can be enjoyed by the whole family! “Do you want to eat in a bus-turned-café?” is all you have to say to your younger siblings if they need a little convincing to accompany you. NightBus 127 used to be an actual operating bus but was renovated into a Western food terminal in 2018 by the same team behind Mansion 1969. Why is this restaurant with a cool concept named NightBus 127, you ask? In the old days, the only means of transportation for the local residents of Banting and Klang was a bus with the number, you guessed it, 127. The bus would travel from Teluk Datok, Kapar, Jenjarom, and Kampung Seberang. Now, the older uncles and aunties can relive their childhood memories by dining in the very same bus that used to bring them back and forth across the area. NightBus 127 has been visited by various local celebrities, including actor Nabila Huda and singer-songwriter Sissy Imann.
For more information and to make a reservation, click here.
| Address | Lot 389, Batu 13, Jln Klang Banting, Kampung Sungai Rambai, 42600 Jenjarom, Selangor |
| Operating hours | Wednesday to Monday (5:30pm – 11:00pm) Closed on Tuesday |
| Contact details | +6011 2626 4127 |
5. Pak Teh Kopitiam
With Pak Teh Kopitiam, it’s now obvious that Jenjarom is a haven for interesting places to dine. Located in a village house dating back to the 1950s, Pak Teh Kopitiam started operating in 2019 and was also founded by one of the visionaries behind our previous two entries on this list. This kopitiam is everything we love about Malaysia packed into one old-school establishment; just a great breakfast spot where you can find people with varying backgrounds, age, and ethnicities enjoying a cup of teh tarik and a plate of nasi lemak. However, Pak Teh Kopitiam does have a modern twist to it, serving up Western dishes like Fish Fillet Croissant with French Fries and Hot Dog Croissant with Cheese. Here in this quiet restaurant in Jenjarom, you can enjoy the best of both worlds.
For more information and to make a reservation, click here.
| Address | 13, Lorong 1, Kampung Sungai Jarom, 42600 Jenjarom, Selangor |
| Operating hours | Wednesday to Monday (7:30am – 4:00pm) Closed on Tuesday |
| Contact details | N/A |
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