Top treats in Seri Kembangan

Seri Kembangan has a good mix of leisure and recreational offerings for the whole family. Those who are new to, or unfamiliar with Seri Kembangan may discover a place worth exploring. It offers a few special Instagram-worthy spots, places where you can just relax and chill, places for fun family outings and local eateries that will have you coming back for more.

1 The Mines Golf Club

Tee off at one of the finest golf courses in the country! Built on the former site of the largest open cast tin mine in the world, The Mines Golf Course is designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr, an American golf course architect. The 18-hole golf course has hosted numerous international golf tournaments such as the World Cup of Golf, the Kuala Lumpur Open and the Asian Tour.

2 Selangor Turf Club

Bet you didn’t know that the Club venue often hosts family-friendly events. The club has a history that goes back to the 1800s as the main horse racing course in the Klang Valley, hosting about 30 race days a year. In recent years however, it has opened up the club for events and activities other than horse-racing, such as the Mud Colour Festival, the Agape Family Walk, the Sungai Besi Autoworld Cup (car show) and community horse rides. There are also horse-riding lessons available for individuals and groups.

3 Palace of the Golden Horses

Built in 1998, the palace-style resort hotel was an icon of luxury hotels in the 1990s. As its name suggests, the hotel decor is horse-themed, so why not take a selfie with the giant sculpture of golden galloping horses and carriage? Other horse sculptures and paintings are found everywhere in the hotel. Besides the hotel, visitors could also take a sightseeing cruise on the Mines Resort lake or even have lunch or dinner on the cruise while enjoying the beautiful lake view.

4 The Mines Resort Lake

Take a romantic, relaxing stroll by the Mines Resort lake and watch the sunset or have a picnic with the family. The lake is located next to The Mines Shopping Mall and is within The Mines Resort City. Visitors could also take a boat ride from Palace of the Golden Horses.

The Mines Resort lake was previously one of the largest open cast tin mines in the world. It was then redeveloped into a recreational lake as part of The Mines Resort development. You can even spot some storks or swans at the lake if the weather is good.

5 Farm in the City

One of the most popular choices for family outings with children is a visit to Farm in the City. Farm in the City is a petting zoo within a typical Malaysian village or “kampung” setting. Among the animals at the zoo are exotic ones like the reticulated python, the common marmoset, the African crested porcupine and the Kirk’s dik-dik. Guests can also visit the vegetable farm and fruit orchard as well as enjoy fun activities including a jungle walk, fishing and bird feeding. It is popular because of its educational and entertainment elements.

6 Jalan Kuyoh Recreational Park

Enjoy the outdoors at this 20-year-old community park which has recently been rehabilitated by local volunteers and reopened in February this year. The recreational park offers many Instagram-able spots such as the colourful rainbow bridge, the wishing tree, the moonlight house and a large word sculpture of “I love Serdang”. After the rehabilitation, the park has become a popular place to hold community events such as Chinese New Year celebrations.

7 939 ABC Ice House

Quench your thirst and beat the heat with a bowl of air batu campur or ABC at the ABC Ice House located in an old part of Seri Kembangan. Open since 1995, this family-owned business is famous for their mixed-fruit shaved ice but there are also other items on the menu which are popular such as the red bean soup and the curry chee cheong fun. You can easily spot this stall along Jalan Besar as there is always a long queue of customers especially during late afternoons.

8 Iron House Kopitiam

Located in Serdang new village, this cafe is set up to resemble an old-style kopitiam. Under its simple corrugated zinc roofs lies one of the most hipster eateries in Seri Kembangan with many drawn by its olden-day nostalgic charm.

Business starts from 6pm daily (except Mondays). You will be surprised by the crowd that gathers there at meal times as they hone in on its specialty dishes – nasi lemak, chili pan mee and Hainanese chicken chop.

9 Black Horse

This cafe with its rustic industrial design is a popular hangout for Seri Kembangan folks who are looking for a place to chill out and have a cuppa. Guests will be greeted by a black horse sculpture and a unique hand drawn piece of art on the blackboard. There are also unusual decor items placed at various nooks and crannies that entice customers to explore. It offers a variety of fusion dishes like wasabi seafood salad, Kimchi Carbonara and desserts like Nutella toast and ice-cream waffles.

10 Mural art at The Atmosphere

After a nice meal, take a walk around Taman Prima Tropika’s The Atmosphere, an integrated commercial development comprising retail and office, and admire its 3D art and street murals which were done by 20 local talented artists. Artsphere 20/8ty@The Atmosphere is definitely another insta-worthy spot one should visit when in Seri Kembangan.

This story first appeared in the EdgeProp.my pullout on Oct 19, 2018. You can access back issues here.