Located just 64 km south of Kuala Lumpur, Seremban is a city not-so-well-known even among local tourists – most of the big tour companies do not even cover the city in their itineraries. Little do people know, this capital city of Negeri Sembilan State of Malaysia has many interesting spots to visit. We have compiled some of the exciting places, must-try local delicacies, and best resorts for you to spend your fun-filled day(s) in Seremban.
Seremban city is located exactly between Kuala Lumpur and Malacca. If you drive from Kuala Lumpur to Malacca or vice versa, you should have to pass by Seremban. If you want to go to Kuala Lumpur from Singapore by land, you also will need to pass by Seremban along your journey. The distance from Singapore to Seremban is around 292 km, which takes around 3.5 hours of driving.
While most people from neighboring cities travel to Seremban for foodie road trips, Seremban actually has more to offer than just affordable yet nice hawker food, especially if you travel with kids. Bring your kids to Jelita Ostrich Farm where they will be able to not just see, but also feed (small packets of corn kernels are available for RM 1 each) and ride an ostrich (riding fee is already included in the entrance fee). You do not need to worry because, although the creatures are let loose, they are quite harmless as they are fenced up.
Do be careful when holding food as the ostriches get more aggressive coming after food you are holding.
You can also watch two birds race each other. Additionally, your kids can also feed goats and some birds with the corn kernels.
Address: Lot 1504, Batu 6 Beach Road, Jelebu Road, Seremban 71770 Malaysia (approximately 20-minute drive from downtown Seremban)
Entrance fee: RM10 for adults, RM8 for children
Just like many other cities in Malaysia, Seremban has numerous cultural sites you might want to visit.
The city has old distinctive temples and churches, the Seremban Railway Station (built in 1924), State Library and War Memorial, Wisma Negeri, Galeri Diraja Tuanku Ja’afar, and a State Museum & Cultural Complex (where you can find a find Minangkabau traditional wooden house built in the late 19th century without using a single nail and includes detailed carvings including verses from the Holy Quran!)
Aside from those places, there is also Kompleks Kraf Negeri Sembilan (Handicraft Centre) built in 1912 which was once the home of Captain Murray, the British Resident to Negeri Sembilan. The house is now converted into a showcase of Malaysian handicrafts, particularly bamboo products, rattan and pandan leaf weaving, ceramics, glassware and batik clothing that you can pick up as a souvenir or gift. Open daily 9am - 6pm (the opening hours may change due to the pandemic).
For those of you who enjoy visiting iconic mosques and Islamic sites wherever you set your feet upon, we recommend you to visit the following sites.
1. Masjid Sri Sendayan; A gorgeous morsque that very quickly earned the title of the Taj Mahal of Malaysia due to its design and elegance.
Image Credit: Afdhal N. on Unsplash
2. The State Mosque; It has nine pillars representing the 9 districts making up the State of Negeri Sembilan, which literally translates to 'nine states'.
3. Masjid Jamek; A red mosque that has a pagoda-shaped minaret and a central tower in the Malaccan style instead of a dome.
4. Kompleks Al-Saadah; An Islamic center famous for its Chinese temple appearance and provides islamic teaching and facilities for Negeri Sembilan's Chinese Muslim community, including recent converts. Do note that Kompleks Al-Saadah is not open to the general public without permission, so you should contact them in advance before your visit.
Are you feeling like going on a shopping spree? You can do it in Seremban.
Check out the largest lifestyle and shopping mall in the city: Palm Mall. There is an artistic pedestrian boulevard outside the mall which is a perfect photo spot. The mall closes at 10 pm, but you can still do (window) shopping at Seremban Gateway, a 24-hour open-air shopping mall.
Looking for unique stuff for souvenirs or collectibles? You might want to visit The Sandalwood.
A unique local craft store founded in 1950s, the Sandalwood offers novelty sandalwood products and souvenirs, including decorative beads, statues, wood pieces, and fragrant essential oils. It is definitely a must-visit for all those who enjoy collecting beautiful artisan crafts and definitely something you will find hard to come across anywhere else in Malaysia!
Your Seremban trip will not be complete without a visit for breakfast at Pasar Besar Seremban (Seremban Big Market). Open from 7 am to 12 pm, the food court on the first floor of the market offers various Malay, Chinese and Indian (Mamak) cuisines along with coffee with a very affordable price.
Disclaimer: do ask the hawkers beforehand if the dishes are halal.
You can also have a light breakfast of hot, fresh tau fu fah (bean curd pudding) scooped into bowls at a roadside vendor outside the 7-Eleven. They open early in the morning and the cart trundles off when the curd runs out, so you might want to come early.
On a hot afternoon, quench your thirst for a sweet treat with Seremban’s most famous dessert dish at Haji Shariff Cendol along Jalan Yam Tuan. With just RM 1.5 you can enjoy a bowl of refreshing cendol (cold dessert consisting of shaved ice, coconut milk, green jelly strands and gula Melaka (palm sugar), to cool yourself down.
Image Credit: @_shurekhafernandez_ on Instagram
For dinner, you can pick your halal menu from nasi lemak, satay Minang (Negeri Sembilan styled satay), mee rebus, rojak, apam balik (a sweet and crispy pancake with peanuts, corn, sugar, etc.) from food stalls at Benteng Walk Seremban at Jalan Dato Abdul Rahman. Starting from 5.30 pm every day (it might change due to MCO), the city center transforms into an open-air dining area attracting a steady stream of hungry locals.
Image Credit: Nazarizal Mohammad on Unsplash
Mountain hiking, trekking or waterfall bathing are must-do activities for nature lovers to escape the hustle and bustle of city life.
When visiting Seremban, you nature lovers can go east (20-minute drive from city center of Seremban) to Gunung Angsi, a mountain in Ulu Bendul nature park having jungle-covered peak with popular, steep hiking trails to its 825m summit. It is a hill rather than a real mountain considering the height. If you are fit and used to hiking in a tropical climate, you can make it to the summit in 1 to 1.5 hours. It is better to be there before 11 am as the rangers might decline entry later. Permits can be purchased at RM5 per person at the entry, and parking is free.
Going about 28 km north of Seremban city, you will find Jeram Toi Waterfall, a short waterfall suitable for your family vacations. There are picnic areas, swimming pool areas both for adults and kids, and public restrooms and changing rooms. They even have prayer rooms. It is recommended to go during the dry season for clearer water and during weekdays to avoid crowds.
Pump up your adrenaline doing extreme sports like riding through the mud on ATVs or doing flying fox at Kg JKIN Extreme Park. There, you can also go for a guided hike up Bukit Putus, do rubber tapping, go camping at the designated campsites, or even stay a night in an actual tree house.
After having such a long fun-filled day, you might fancy staying at the best resorts in Seremban such as The Shorea, The Dusun, and De Serenity near Jeram Toi Waterfall for a more tranquil, secluded area. The resorts are suitable for those looking for an off-grid nature experience. With bungalows on the top of a hill and wind off the forest reserve, you can enjoy cooler temperatures at night.
The Shorea. Image Credit: @theshorea on Instagram
But if you prefer resorts in the city center where you can comfortably roam around the city, Klana Resort Seremban and Royale Chulan Seremban might be better options for you. Both situated within the capital of Negeri Sembilan, the resorts are very easily accessible from the hotel to the nearest attractions.
