Thursday, 29 September 2011

Negeri Sembilan Travel "The Land of Quiet Grace"


Negeri Sembilan... One of my favorite states in Malaysia. Perhaps the reason why I love this beautiful state so much is because I grew up here. I've been staying here since I was young and even though I work in Kuala Lumpur now, I still travel back to my hometown in Seremban (which is the capital of Negeri Sembilan) every weekend. In fact, I look forward to going back to Seremban every weekend.

One of the reasons I travel back to Seremban every weekend is because my parents are staying there and as a filial son (ahem!!...yeah yeah...i know...self praise is no praise...), I make it a point to visit them every weekend. The other reason I go back every weekend is because I enjoy the slower paced, laid-back life of Seremban. I guess I need a break from the hectic and busy life of Kuala Lumpur. Besides that, the local delicacies and the specialties here are simply mouth watering! (more on this in a different section on this page)

So... interested to find out the most fascinating Negeri Sembilan travel destinations and tourist attractions? Sure! Let me have the pleasure to be your humble travel guide to my beloved hometown and state, Negeri Sembilan.

Negeri Sembilan, which means "Nine States" in Malay, is located on the western coast of Peninsular Malaysia, about an hour's drive from Kuala Lumpur. It is bordered in the North by Selangor, in the East by Pahang and in the South by Malacca and Johor. The state is sometimes referred to as Negeri Sembilan Darul Khusus. The Arabic honorific of the state, Darul Khusus carries the meaning "The Special Abode".

The name Negeri Sembilan, is believed to have been derived from the nine districts settled by the Minangkabau, a people originally from West Sumatra (Indonesia). The Minangkabau people migrated across the Straits of Melaka from Sumatra centuries ago and their traditional houses consists of up swept roofs that bear resemblance to buffalo horns. When you're here, you would be able to see examples of this distinctive architecture in some of the state's buildings.

There are many amazing place to visit in Negeri Sembilan. So, I'd like to invite you to sit back, relax and let's explore some of the Negeri Sembilan travel destinations and tourist attractions together.

One of the most popular Negeri Sembilan travel destinations is the Cultural Handicraft Complex. This complex is located at Jalan Labu and consists of several buildings which are the State Museum, Teratak Pepatih, Rumah Negeri Sembilan (Negeri Sembilan House), Top Spinning Court and the replica of the mysterious carved Megalithic stone monuments found in the Pengkalan Kempas Historical Complex.


 The Negeri Sembilan State Museum located here at the Cultural Handicraft Complex is definitely a "Must-Visit" for history lovers.


This museum is actually a reconstruction of the original palace of Negeri Sembilan that stood at its old site at Kampung Ampang Tinggi. What's really interesting about this old wooden palace is that it was built entirely of wood without the use of any nails. Not a single Nail!!

This richly crafted building houses many historical artifacts such as weapons, ancient brass and silverware, and a tableau portraying a grand royal wedding.





The Rumah Negeri Sembilan (Negeri Sembilan House), which is also located at the Cultural Handicraft Complex is another place you must visit. This house is a reconstruction of an authentic Minangkabau house.


When you're here, you would get to appreciate the work of art and craftsmanship of the builders of this amazing house. You would also get to experience what it would be like to live in a traditional Minangkabau house.



The other Negeri Sembilan travel spot you should visit is the Seremban Lake Garden. Located at Jalan Taman Bunga, it is one of the most amazingly beautiful gardens in the country.


When you're here, you would get to experience a sense of peace and tranquility among its lush greenery and well-maintained lawns.

A lot of facilities are available here at the Lake Gardens. There are jogging tracks here for you to jog and sweat it out, two lakes with boating facilities if you wish to do some boating and enjoy the serenity of the beautiful lake, and a playground for children to have fun.

And if you are the more laid-back type, there are benches erected in various spots around the garden overlooking the beautiful lake for you to just relax and enjoy the peace and tranquility of this garden.



Another interesting Negeri Sembilan travel destination is the Wet World Air Panas Pedas, which is located near the Pedas village, about 15 km from Seremban. This village is well-known for its hot springs. The hot mineral-rich spring water here is claimed to have curative properties for skin ailments.



There are two open-air pools and private bathtubs here for families to enjoy themselves. The other facilities that can be found here are the underwater reflexology footpath, the twin slides, the wave pool and the wading pool which would provide splashing fun for all!!





The other Negeri Sembilan travel destination worth mentioning here is the Cape Rachado Lighthouse (known as Tanjung Tuan in Malay).


Tanjung Tuan has a history that spans over 137 years. Formerly known as Cape of Rachado, Tanjung Tuan houses a colonial styled lighthouse that overlooks the Straits of Melaka.

The Rachado Lighthouse, built by the Portuguese in the 16th century, served as a beacon for ships sailing to the port of Melaka. It is interesting to know that this lighthouse is still in use today, even after so many years of guiding ships along the Straits of Melaka.





When you're here in Negeri Sembilan, you may also want to visit the Pengkalan Kempas Historical Complex, or more commonly known as Fort Kempas.


This historical site, located 37 km from Port Dickson, is famous for its mysterious carved Megalithic stone monuments, known (due to their shapes) as "The Spoon", "The Rudder" and "The Sword".

These stone Megaliths are often referred to as Batu Hidup, or "Living Rocks".

Fort Kempas lies on one of the oldest Islamic graves in Malaysia - the grave of the Islamic missionary, Sheikh Ahmad Majnun.





Negeri Sembilan is home to one of the most famous beaches in Malaysia, the Port Dickson Beach.


This coastal resort, which is more popularly known a PD among the locals is a popular weekend retreat among local and foreign tourists.

When you reach Port Dickson, you would be mesmerized by the amazing beauty of its 18km shoreline. The sunny beaches, lined by tall coconut trees and shady casuarinas, are perfect for a short beach holiday.

There are numerous locations here for family outings and picnics. Among its famous beaches are Teluk Kemang and Blue Lagoon, which offers a wide variety of beach and water sports activities.

The few Negeri Sembilan Travel destinations and tourist attractions I've just shared with you here are just the tip of the iceberg. There are a lot more interesting places to visit in Negeri Sembilan. And because it's impossible to put everything on this one page, I will be starting (and constantly updating) a new section on this page specially dedicated to the amazing and beautiful Negeri Sembilan travel destinations and tourist attractions. So, do check back often!

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