seremban – TOURIST ATTRACTIONS AND PLACES

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS AND PLACES

Former State Secretariat Building Seremban

Negeri Sembilan is famous for its trademark Minangkabau roof resembling a pair of buffalo horns. Many buildings in Seremban display this unique feature, including the Wisma Negeri state secretariat building and the Seremban municipal council hall.

As with typical Malay wooden architecture, there is beautifully carved lattice that decorate the ceiling. Both buffalo roof and lattice can be seen in a cultural complex which has three buildings — the former royal palace Istana Ampang Tinggi, the Negeri Sembilan House and what has been converted to serve as the State Museum.

Sze Koon Temple is located on a hillock, Bukit Termiang, and accessible through a series of steps. Due to the abundance of centipedes on its grounds, this 150-year-old house of worship is known as Centipede Temple. In addition to the real creepy crawlies, there is also a scary-looking sculpture of a giant centipede.

Centipede Temple has a three-storey pagoda, statues of Buddha and Kuan Yin (at 30-feet, this statue could well be the tallest of its kind in the country) as well as statues of Taoist deities such as the Eight Immortals.

Seremban’s Church of the Visitation is an iconic 120-year old Catholic church with colourful stained glass windows and genuine wooden pews inside. The city’s Wesley Methodist Church is 105 years old and looks like an archetypal Protestant church in design.

The 120-year old Masjid Jamek in Seremban does not have the ubiquitous onion dome but instead a pyramid shaped two-tiered roof. Nearby on Jalan Yam Tuan there is the intricately carved 125-year old Sri Bala Thandayuthapani Hindu temple. Galeri Diraja Tuanku Ja’afar is a modern building functioning as a royal gallery open to the public.

The landmark Seremban Square is centred right in the heart of the town. At night this square is lit by beautiful decorative lights. Handicraft Centre is housed in a colonial building that used to be the residence of the British advisor to the Yamtuan during the time of British rule in the early 1900s. The centre sells traditional crafts which make lovely souvenirs or gifts.

Ostrich Farm not only shows ostriches but smaller birds such as turkeys and geese. Lake Garden is the recreational park in Seremban popular with weekend visitors. Among its highlights is the orchid conservatory. This Lake Garden is overlooked by the city’s modern State Mosque.

For those who prefer more than a sightseeing day trip, there are many homestays in the outskirts of Seremban where one can sleep overnight. Homestays are a hit with those interested in activities like jungle trekking and visiting the many eco parks.