Things to do in Kuala Kubu Bharu
Travel in Malaysia doesn’t always have to involve an arduous journey. Sometimes, all it takes is a short drive from Kuala Lumpur’s city centre to discover quaint and quieter towns, like Kuala Kubu Bharu.
This town, fondly dubbed KKB by locals, is just an hour’s drive from KL and is best known as a stopover for those travelling onwards to Fraser’s Hill. But it’s become a destination itself, ideal for those looking to step out of the city for thrilling activities and picturesque outdoorsy spots.
We’ve compiled a guide on the best things to do in Kuala Kubu Bharu, to make your next trip to the town a breeze.
Table of Contents
1. KKB Paragliding Park
Go paragliding for breathtaking views of Kuala Kubu Bharu
Image credit: @anisathiira via Instagram
For a literal bird’s eye view of Kuala Kubu Bharu, a visit to KKB Paragliding Park is a must for thrillseekers. A paragliding adventure here will have you “flying” 1,400 feet above the ground, which will have your heart pumping in no time.
Image credit: TripJalan
You’ll have about 10 minutes of tandem flight time, which will be just enough time to soak up the breathtaking views from high up. A personal pilot will ride in tandem and guide you every step of the way. A GoPro recording of your flight will also be given to you so you can relive the thrill.
Image credit: @seenee126 via Instagram
If you’re up for the sky-high activity, Cloud Bass has tandem paragliding packages that include transportation to the take-off zone and internal protection coverage.
Prices are from RM250/pax for Malaysians on weekdays, with an additional fee of RM50 for foreigners and those who weigh 88kg and above. Kids as young as 4 years old are welcomed to try this activity out.
Address: Taman Millenium Sports Complex, Jalan Ampang Pecah, 44000 Kuala Kubu Bharu, Selangor
Opening hours: By appointment
Contact: 019-219 1144 | KKB Paragliding Park website | Facebook | Instagram
2. Yue Shan Gu Miao & Tokong Kuan Yik Kerk
A neighbourhood temple with rainbow steps
There’s not one, but two, Chinese temples with eye-catching rainbow steps in Kuala Kubu Bharu – Yue Shan Gu Miao and Tokong Kuan Yik Kerk.
The first is a century-old temple with rainbow hues in its stairs leading up to the building, as well as its gates, floors, and temple structures. Though a lesser-known attraction in the town, the vibrant colours of the temple make for great photo ops.
Image credit: @aintnoarif via Instagram
Likewise, Tokong Kuan Yik Kerk is another temple in the town that has vibrant rainbow staircase at its main gate. Dedicated to the Goddess Guan Yin, the temple has a main altar for the deity within its serene worship space.
Yue Shan Gu Miao
Address: Jalan Kubu, Kampung Sungai Damar, 44000 Kuala Kubu Bharu, Selangor
Opening hours: 24 hours, daily
Tokong Kuan Yik Kerk
Address: Kg Baru Asam Kumbang KKB,44000, Kuala Kubu Baru, Selangor
Opening hours: 9am-5pm, Daily
3. Whitewater Rafting KKB
Get splashed while whitewater rafting
Image credit: @waterraftingkualakububahru via Instagram
Water adrenaline-junkies can go beyond splashing away at a water park to taking on splashy rapid waves on a whitewater rafting escapade in Kuala Kubu Bahru. With Whitewater Rafting KKB, you can try out this popular activity in town, with raft trips taking place on the Hulu Selangor River.
A trip on the river spans a 8km distance, with professional guides accompanying each inflatable raft to ensure a ton of fun and, of course, safety. This action-packed activity is ideal for groups, so grab at least four of your friends for a fun time riding out the waves.
Image credit: @waterraftingkualakububahru via Instagram
Guided whitewater rafting packages with Whitewater Rafting KKB starts from RM175/pax. It includes lunch, equipment, and a guide, with trips beginning at 10.30am and concluding at 2.30pm. An extra change of clothes is a must – there are toilets at the site for visitors to use.
Address: Jalan Kampung Gerachi, 44000 Kuala Kubu Baru, Selangor
Opening hours: 9am-5pm, Daily
Contact: 012-465 3307 | Whitewater Rafting KKB website
4. Selangor River Dam
Take a break and enjoy scenic views of a dam
Image credit: Eleen Cho
While you’re driving around Kuala Kubu Bharu, a stopover to marvel at Selangor River Dam is a must. The dam, also called Empangan Sungai Selangor, catches rainfall to provide water to Greater Kuala Lumpur.
Image credit: Eleen Cho
With breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains, azure skies, and blue waters all from a single vantage point, it’s become a popular landscape for photos with designated lookout points just along the road.
Image credit: Eleen Cho
A popular one is Lookout Point Sungai Selangor Dam. It has unblocked views of the dam and its surroundings, and picnic tables scattered around for visitors to sit at and leisurely soak up the views. Those coming by private vehicle can find free parking spots at the lookout point.
Address: 44000 Kuala Kubu Bharu, Selangor
Opening hours: 24 hours, Daily
5. Teng Wun Bakery & Confectionery
Savour kaya puffs from an old-school bakery
Image credit: Janet
Teng Wun Bakery & Confectionery is a popular spot among locals and out-of-towners in Kuala Kubu Bharu. Run by an elderly couple, the old-school bakery has been whipping up traditional Chinese baked goods like butter cake and wedding biscuits since 1979.
Today, it’s best known for its delicious kaya puffs, which attracts a crowd especially on the weekends. Sold in a box of five for RM12, the kaya puffs here have flakey pastry encasing homemade, thick kaya that patrons praise for being not too sweet.
The store only does takeaways. You can let the owners know what you would like to order, and they’ll have the baked goods packed for you.
Address: 15, Jalan Dato Muda Jaafar, Pekan Kuala Kubu Bharu, 44000 Kuala Kubu Baru, Selangor
Opening hours: Wed-Mon 9am-5pm (Closed on Tuesdays)
Contact: 03-6064 1586 | Teng Wun Bakery & Confectionery Facebook
6. Kuala Kubu Bharu’s street art
Discover local life through street art murals
Image credit: Eleen Cho
Head to the main street of Kuala Kubu Bharu to discover its collection of photo-worthy street art murals. The art murals are best discovered on foot as they’re scattered around the main street.
Image credit: Eleen Cho
A good number of them are found in the town’s back lanes. They grace the walls of the historic pre-war buildings on Jalan Dato Muda Jaafar, just a stone’s throw from Teng Wun Bakery & Confectionery.
Image credit: Eleen Cho
The street art depict the rich history and main attractions of Kuala Kubu Bharu, including water rafting and the Orang Asli community, as well as daily scenes of local life.
Address: 44000 Kuala Kubu Bharu, Selangor
Opening hours: 24 hours, Daily
7. KKB Historical Gallery
Learn more about the rich history of the town
The gallery is housed in a traditional Malay house that was built during the British colonial era.
Image credit: Mun Choon Chan via Google Maps
History buffs can pencil in a visit to KKB Historical Gallery, also locally known as Galeri Sejarah KKB. The free-entry gallery boasts a collection of photographs that illustrate the rich history of Kuala Kubu Bharu, capturing its essence and transformation over the years.
Find information on a massive flooding that swept through Kuala Kubu Bharu and led the area to be abandoned for a period, as well as the Garden City concept drawn up by Englishman Charles Reade that the town’s design is based upon.
Image credit: CK Chong via Google Maps
In addition to the photographs, the gallery also houses an array of artefacts that depict the rich history of the town. These pieces offer a fascinating glimpse into the past, showcasing the town’s heritage and cultural evolution.
Address: Jalan Syed Masyor, Kampung Tun Abdul Razak, 44000 Kuala Kubu Baru, Selangor
Opening hours: 24 Hours, Daily
Contact: 03-3289 1010
8. Alor Lempah
Cascading manmade waterfalls
Image credit: Mun Choon Chan via Google Maps
Sungai Chiling in Kuala Kubu Bharu is renowned as one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the Selangor area. For a miniature, but just as serene, waterfall that you can reach without an arduous hike, make your way to Alor Lempah instead.
Also known as Ampang Pecah, this KKB recreational spot is well-visited by locals for its manmade cascades. You’ll find locals dipping their toes and wading in the fast-current waters, but you can also opt to just sit by the cascades to admire the views and the sound of running water.
Address: Alor Lempah, Taman Ampang Pecah, 44000 Kuala Kubu Bharu
Opening hours: 24 hours, Daily
9. Taman Tasik Milenium
A sprawling park with a dinosaur-themed playground
Image credit: Jacob Lim via Google Maps
Whether you’re looking for a place to rest your legs or somewhere to munch on your food at, Taman Tasik Milenium is a sprawling park in KKB that has picnic tables and benches set along a serene lake. Residents often come here to jog and have a meal on the waterfront lawn area.
The park is also worth a visit if you have little ones. In place of the usual playgrounds and slides, there’s a huge themed playground at the park called Dino World. The kiddos can climb up the steel structure of a dinosaur and come sliding down its “tail”.
Address: Taman Milenium, 44000 Kuala Kubu Bharu, Selangor
Opening hours: 6am-7pm, Daily
10. The Sticks
A glampsite in a rainforest
Image credit: @thesticksguide via Instagram
You’ll find a good number of campsites in KKB for a back-to-nature adventure. To spend a night under the stars and have access to the comforts of a resort, The Sticks is a nature retreat with just 12 rustic chalets and huts for those looking to spend a night in the town.
Each jungle room comes with an attached bathroom and also includes half board meals.
Image credit: @thesticksguide via Instagram
The recommended rooms are the Serene Tendok, a blend of traditional Malay homes and a pondok, that are set in a rainforest jungle. They feature plush king-sized beds in a room lined with windows, to let the fresh rainforest air in and open the space up to the surrounding nature.
A stay in these rooms are priced from RM552 per room for a night’s stay. It accommodates up to four adults and comes with homecooked dinner and breakfast.
Image credit: @thesticksguide via Instagram
If you’re having a romantic stay with your SO, the Riverside Tendok is a secluded room in the retreat that has direct access to a river. Rates for this room for two start from RM422 per night.
Address: Lot 213 Jalan KKB – Fraser’s Hill, Kuala Kubu Bharu, Selangor
Opening hours: 8.30am-8.30pm, Daily
Contact: The Sticks website | Facebook
11. Kuala Kubu Bharu Hot Spring
A free-entry public hot springs
Image credit: Jean W via Google Maps
Kuala Kubu Bharu Hot Spring, or Kolam Air Panas Kuala Kubu Bharu, is a nature preserve in the Taman Arif area that promises a truly local kampung experience. It’s a natural hot springs accessible from an off-beat road in a residential area, but with clear signs to direct vehicles.
The hot spring is on the smaller side, with just a main pool to soak away in warm natural spring waters while surrounded by serene mountains. This shouldn’t deter you, as visitors from near and far are welcomed to use the facilities here for free.
Image credit: TripAdvisor
There are changing rooms at the site. It’s best to plan ahead for bathroom breaks and make a stopover at a nearby petrol station that’s just 3-minute drive away.
Address: 110, Jalan Arif 6, Taman Arif Utama, 44000 Kuala Kubu Baru, Selangor
Opening hours: 24 Hours, Daily
The best things to do in Kuala Kubu Bharu
From savouring kaya puffs to going whitewater rafting, Kuala Kubu Bharu should be on your list of places to visit whether you’re looking to relax or daredevil-it-out in nature. So if don’t have any weekend plans, go on a road trip to this hidden gem in Selangor.
For more things to do recommendations, check out these 30 things to do in Ipoh and 60 things to do in Melaka.
Cover image adapted from: TripJalan, TheSmartLocal Malaysia, @aintnoarif via Instagram