Pulau Ketam translates to 'Crab Island', and it's a sleepy, mangrove swamp-rich Chinese fishing settlement founded circa 1880. Though it's just an hour drive and a 30-minute ferry ride out of bustling KL, life comes to a standstill here as you step into a time capsule of Malaysia's rural past.
Board the ferry from the industrial harbour city of Port Klang and get some panoramic views of mainland Malaysia. Upon arrival in Pulau Ketam, you can stroll through the floating village. See how an entire fishing community has lived for centuries on houses built on stilts – even the roads are built on them! Have lunch above the lapping tides at a local village restaurant, and see traditional fishing boats weaving their way around the formless waterways.
After lunch, return via ferry to Port Klang and see the stately palace of the Sultan of Selangor. Visit the Sultan Salahuddin Mosque, also known as the Blue Mosque – it's capped by what's said to be the largest qubba (domes) in the world. It's also surrounded by lush parkland which houses the Municipal Council Tower, the State Library, the State Museum, and the romantic Lake Gardens.
Your last stop will be Thean Hou Temple, before returning to Kuala Lumpur after having sampled Malaysia's timeless history.
