Historically, in the 1920s, many leprosy patients were isolated from society as leprosy is one of the dangerous and contagious diseases worldwide. In 1922, Dr. E. A.O. Travers who was working as a high-ranking health official at the Setapak leprosy asylum saw the terrible conditions and proposed to the British government that a fully-equipped and more humane leprosarium be built at Sungai Buloh. Thus, in 1930, the Sungai Buloh Settlement was officially opened and function only for those suffering from leprosy, which at that time was considered an incurable disease. The Sungai Buloh Settlement is the second largest leprosarium in the world and was officially opened on 16th August, 1930. The transfer of non-opium smoking patients from the Leper Asylum in Kuala Lumpur (to Sungai Buloh Settlement was completed on 25th August, 1930 and malay patients from Pulau Pangkor were also transferred to the Sungai Buloh Settlement. In 1937, the Central Section was built to accommodate more patients. This leprosarium was officially as National Leprosy Control Centre and the National Leprosy Control Programme and was launched by the Ministry of Health in 1969.

It is also home to many prestigious housing areas, such as D'Sara Sentral, Bukit Rahman Putra, Sunway Rahman Putra, Taman Villa Putra, Sierramas and Valencia. Most of these neighborhoods are guarded and gated to provide the safest hospitality for the residents. There are also university and Sungai buloh hospital which cater for residents here. Besides that, the new MRT train is built for convenience of visitors and residents here in Sungai Buloh. Sungai Buloh also houses two international schools which are IGB International School and International School in Sierramas.

How to Get There

By Car

Residents and visitors can reach Sungai Buloh by using public transport.Sungai Buloh railway station is the main railway station serving the town. It is the interchange station of the KTM Komuter Tanjung Malim-Port Klang Route and the Sungai Buloh-Kajang MRT Line. You can also reach Sungai Buloh from Kuala Lumpur by using North South highway which takes around 24 minutes. There are also alternative roads which are via Kuala Selangor road and Damansara Link or Sprint which will take another 5 minutes.

Tourist Attractions

KidZania

KidZania Kuala Lumpur is an award-winning indoor family themed learning centre that offers interactive learning and role play experiences for kids since 2012. It is located just 18 minutes from Sungai Buloh town via Kuala Selangor road. The idea of this learning centre is creating a better community that supports positive ideals for kids with endless opportunities to show endless occupations available. Kids between the ages of 4 to 14 will get to experience these real-life occupations hands-on in a fun yet engaging learning environment. The opening hours for KidZania is open every day from 9am to 4pm on Friday to Monday and on Tuesday to Thursday from 10am to 4pm.

Chocolate Museum

This museum is located at Kota Damansara and only 15 minutes away by using Sungai Buloh road. There is a nice presentation of cocoa’s journey through the ages once you enter the museum starting with the Olmec tribe in Mexico who were the first to discover the uses and benefits of cacao seeds. The Aztecs and the Mayans are known to make chocolate drink with a frothy top made by pouring from one bowl to another at height. This museum is also attached to an actual chocolate factory known as DR Group Holdings Sdn Bhd which was founded by Dato’ Dahlan Rashid. The business makes two of its own brands, Danson and Fidani and also manufactures chocolate products under contract for leading international brands. The visiting hours for this museum are from 10am to 5pm every day.

Hotels

Orange Hotel

This hotel is located 1.9 kilometres from Hospital Sungai Buloh and the nearest airport is Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport. The hotel features 48 beautifully designed rooms include television LCD or plasma screen, internet access, non- smoking rooms and air conditioning. There are 24-hour front desk for assistance, convenience store, daily housekeeping, taxi service and wheelchair service. The hotel also offers many unique recreational opportunities such as fitness center and gymnasium.

Sri Sutra Hotel

Hotel Sri Sutra is situated in Sungai Buloh and just a 30-minute drive from Batu Caves, 15-minute drive from IKEA and a 20-minute drive from The Curve shopping mall as well as 1 Utama Shopping Centre is only 30-minute drive away while the Kuala Lumpur International Airport is a 45-minute drive away. All rooms are air-conditioned, satellite TV, hot showers and a hairdryer. The hotel also provides a laundry service, ironing facilities and 24-hour front desk as well as free public parking is available at a nearby location. There are also restaurants serving local delights and popular destinations nearby this hotel.