Asam Kumbang New Village, Kuala Kubu Baru (Kuala Kubu Baharu)
For cyclists on the way to Fraser’s Hill, Kuala Kubu Baru (aka Kuala Kubu Baharu, KKB) is a place to rest before they continue their journey uphill.
The quiet Asam Kumbang New Village in Kuala Kubu Baru comes alive during weekends as cyclists make a pit stop.
Some head straight for the free toilets and showers at a new rest area that was built with them in mind.
What they will not see in their hurry to the top is a depth of diversity that’s just around the corner.
There’s 90-year-old Cheng Sak Fook, who said life is better now. But then he lived during the Japanese Occupation.
He’s not even talking about the kaya puff that’s the pride of the town not so far away, which features on the mural done by college students five times younger than him.
He takes me to a little bit of living history, the 120-year-old Si Ye temple, which was given a fresh coat of paint last year.
Next stop, the two Goddess of Mercy temples. “The original temple is situated in Ampang Pecah, the old town of Kuala Kubu. However, the goddess’ statue was later relocated to another temple in the village,” he says.
Kuala Kubu Baru town
Ng also shows me around Kuala Kubu Baru town.
Here there is Teng Wun Bakery, where Hoo Jee Suan has been making kaya puffs for 30 years.
Some customers order up to 200 pieces at one go. No wonder it’s made it to the mural on the wall, which showcases the tourist attractions of Kuala Kubu Baru.
And now there’s Yap Chee Chong, 75, the third generation of his family in the village, sitting at his provision store. Like most of the Chinese villagers here, he is a Hakka.
He remembers that the materials for the temples I visited were shipped over from China.
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| Kuala Kubu Baru (aka Kuala Kubu Baharu, KKB) |
The quiet Asam Kumbang New Village in Kuala Kubu Baru comes alive during weekends as cyclists make a pit stop.
Some head straight for the free toilets and showers at a new rest area that was built with them in mind.
What they will not see in their hurry to the top is a depth of diversity that’s just around the corner.
There’s 90-year-old Cheng Sak Fook, who said life is better now. But then he lived during the Japanese Occupation.
He’s not even talking about the kaya puff that’s the pride of the town not so far away, which features on the mural done by college students five times younger than him.
My guide for the day is village head Ng Thin Loi.
He takes me to a little bit of living history, the 120-year-old Si Ye temple, which was given a fresh coat of paint last year.
Next stop, the two Goddess of Mercy temples. “The original temple is situated in Ampang Pecah, the old town of Kuala Kubu. However, the goddess’ statue was later relocated to another temple in the village,” he says.
 |
| Goddess of Mercy temple |
 |
| Goddess of Mercy temple |
 |
| Goddess of Mercy temple |
Kuala Kubu Baru town
Ng also shows me around Kuala Kubu Baru town.
Here there is Teng Wun Bakery, where Hoo Jee Suan has been making kaya puffs for 30 years.
Some customers order up to 200 pieces at one go. No wonder it’s made it to the mural on the wall, which showcases the tourist attractions of Kuala Kubu Baru.
 |
| The famous kaya puffs by Teng Wun Bakery |
And now there’s Yap Chee Chong, 75, the third generation of his family in the village, sitting at his provision store. Like most of the Chinese villagers here, he is a Hakka.
He remembers that the materials for the temples I visited were shipped over from China.
 |
| Villager Yap Chee Chong at his provision store. |
Good eats
I ask my guide where do the locals eat and he takes me to Restaurant Ninety Eight.
Here the expert dishes are Crab porridge, steamed prawns, and German pork knuckles.
Restaurant owner Chai Tin Choy notes that many visitors to KKB are foreigners and those who live in the Klang Valley.
Chai says, “There are some from the Klang Valley, most of whom retirees, who bought their vacation homes here.
“They would come and stay during the weekends to relax and unwind.
“This is a great place to live - the air is better here, there’s no stress and it’s a great environment to raise your kids.”
His wife Henny Wong, who helps out at the restaurant, says some visitors park their cars in town and cycle up to Fraser’s Hill to stay overnight.
She adds that the restaurant has become popular for gatherings, especially for those who studied at the 110-year-old SJK (C) Khing Ming and SMK Dato Hj Kamaruddin, KKB.
“Thanks to Facebook, many have found their former classmates and this is where they have their school reunion dinner.
“Also, there are many bird-watching enthusiasts who come here for a meal before heading to Fraser’s Hill,” she says, showing me a book, Birds of Fraser’s Hill, written by a customer.
She says many will flock to this area next month and July for the Fraser’s Hill International Bird Race.
And that’s when if you are really after the quiet, you have to head out of this town and find it in Asam Kumbang New Village. That’s always there for you.
I ask my guide where do the locals eat and he takes me to Restaurant Ninety Eight.
Here the expert dishes are Crab porridge, steamed prawns, and German pork knuckles.
Restaurant owner Chai Tin Choy notes that many visitors to KKB are foreigners and those who live in the Klang Valley.
Chai says, “There are some from the Klang Valley, most of whom retirees, who bought their vacation homes here.
“They would come and stay during the weekends to relax and unwind.
“This is a great place to live - the air is better here, there’s no stress and it’s a great environment to raise your kids.”
His wife Henny Wong, who helps out at the restaurant, says some visitors park their cars in town and cycle up to Fraser’s Hill to stay overnight.
She adds that the restaurant has become popular for gatherings, especially for those who studied at the 110-year-old SJK (C) Khing Ming and SMK Dato Hj Kamaruddin, KKB.
“Thanks to Facebook, many have found their former classmates and this is where they have their school reunion dinner.
“Also, there are many bird-watching enthusiasts who come here for a meal before heading to Fraser’s Hill,” she says, showing me a book, Birds of Fraser’s Hill, written by a customer.
She says many will flock to this area next month and July for the Fraser’s Hill International Bird Race.
And that’s when if you are really after the quiet, you have to head out of this town and find it in Asam Kumbang New Village. That’s always there for you.
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