The story of Melawati Hill dates back to 1766, when a noble renegade, Raja Lumu, established the town of Kuala Selangor, crowned himself sultan of Selangor, and built his capital, Kota Melawati, on a hill overlooking the river. Today, the majority of travelers visit for the monkeys, part of a triptych of Selangor animal attractions that include sea eagles and fireflies. Most travelers find Kuala Lumpur, the modern-day capital of Selangor state, the ideal base for Kuala Selangor, although the Petaling Jaya suburb is a little closer.
Melawati Hill sits at the heart of the little town of Kuala Selangor, just a 42-mile (68-kilometer) drive northwest of downtown Kuala Lumpur. The journey takes around three hours by bus from KL’s Medan Pasar station, and the fort is a 1-mile (1.5-kilometer) walk from Kuala Selangor bus station, so it’s best to book a tour, self-drive, or plan on staying the night.
The museum is closed on Saturdays and operates reduced hours on Friday, but Melawati Hill is open well into the evening seven days a week. Sunsets are lovely, if your firefly-watching schedule allows.
Most travelers come to Kuala Selangor not for its history but for the fireflies, which glitter and flicker through the Selangor River mangroves after dark. A clear, moonless night is an ideal viewing condition, and the display, a mating ritual, usually peaks around 8pm. Many tours include a dinner, typically of local seafood favorites, to while away the hours.