Port Dickson

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Map of Port Dickson

Port Dickson or PD to locals is a beach and holiday destination situated about 32 km from Seremban and 60 km from Kuala Lumpur. It is located in the state of Negri Sembilan in Peninsular Malaysia. It takes approximately one hour by car to travel from Kuala Lumpur to Port Dickson along the North-South Expressway.

1 History
2 Recent developments
3 Attractions
4 External links

[edit] History

This small town used to produce charcoal, but it was later developed as a small port by the British during the Strait Settlement period. Port Dickson was also known as Tanjung. In Malay language that means "cape". The oldest shophouses were the four situated presently at Jalan Lama. There was also a carbon mine at the first mile of the coast road (Jalan Pantai), and therefore Port Dickson was also called "Arang" (charcoal) in the Malay language.

Tin ore was plentiful in Lukut, an area within the Port Dickson district, during the 1820's, and it attracted Chinese immigrant miners. The British considered the area to have great potential as a harbour. It was intended to supersede the port in Pengkalan Kempas. The in-charge officer's name was Dickson, and thereafter the town was named Port Dickson. Others claim that Sir John Frederick Dickson founded Port Dickson and Pulau Arang in 1889.

Port Dickson evolved into a busy trading centre. Railways were constructed to facilitate the growth and development of Port Dickson. Although Port Dickson experienced rapid development, the beautiful beaches are fairly well preserved.Now, Port Dickson has become not only a beautiful tourist destination, but a large municipality with over 400,000 residents.

[edit] Recent developments

The 18 km extent of beach from Tanjung Gemuk to Tanjung Tuan is a popular holiday destination for visitors coming as far as those from Kuala Lumpur itself. Many Singaporeans have invested in holiday homes in and around Port Dickson.

Back in the late 1990s, Port Dickson went through a boom of hotels and resorts. Some of these projects never took off the ground and the unfinished construction projects can still be seen along the tourist town. However, today, with the economy improving and tourism booming in Malaysia, the projects are being revived.

A new project in Port Dickson is underway to construct the first Hard Rock Hotel in Malaysia.

[edit] Attractions

[edit] Beaches

There are many beaches coast along Port Dickson. Leisure activities which are available such as water-skiing, canoeing, snorkelling and wind surfing. Please ask at your hotel reception for arrangements to utilise these facilities. If you enjoy sailing, arrange to have temporary membership at the Yacht Club. One of the best things you can do here in Port Dickson is fishing. But due to pollution and development, the fish stocks in Port Dickson has severely depleted. FIshing is now best done of in a boat or in the kelong. Beach fishing is not recommended unless your are looking for Ikan Keli or catch fish.

[edit] Blue Lagoon

Blue Lagoon lies about 15 km from Port Dickson town which provides a breathtaking view of the surrounding greenery and the blue open sea and having fun in the sun. The lagoon is an excellent spot for swimming, boating, wind surfing and water skiing. Accommodation is easily available as many hotels and resortss are located here.

[edit] Cape Rachardo (Tanjung Tuan)

The Portuguese built the Cape Rachardo lighthouse in the 16th century. The lighthouse guided ships to the Port of Malacca. It is still operatoinal today. Gong up the narrow spiral staircase and see the panaromic view of the coastline of Sumatra, 38 km across the Straits. The cape is also the stopover point for migratory birds. From September to March, flocks of sparrows, honey buzzards and swifts can be seen here together with hawks and eagles. Walk down the 63 steps next to the lighthouse and follow the jungle trek to a secluded beach. The footprint embedded in a rock, about 50 metre to the right of the track, is said to be that of Hang Tuah, the legendary Malay warrior of the 15th century. Legend has it that upon acquiring innate strength and knowledge, Hang Tuah chose to meditate here. The footprint marks the spot where he first landed at Tanjung Tuan. A well closeby whose cool chilled water is a haven for the tired and thirsty, is also said to have been dug by him. Local devotees have known to pay their homage at this spot.

[edit] Muzium Tentera Darat @ Army Museum

Located near next to a Malaysian Army Camp Port Dickson Based. This Museum is the latest attraction in Port Dickson. Some vehicle and aircraft used by Royal Malaysian Army before is display there. There also a Communist Tunnel.

[edit] Fort Lukut

Fort Raja Jumaat is about 7 km from Port Dickson. He was a 19th century Bugis warrior. The fort was built in 1847 to control the lucrative tin trade in the area. Today the muzzle loading guns used to defend the fort can be seen within the grounds of the District Officer’s residence and outside the Police Station in town. In the area of the fort are also the remains of the foundation of an old palace and a royal burial ground.

[edit] Fort Kempas

About 23 km from the lighthouse, there is a small village called Keramat Ujung Pasir. Here you will find a 15th century tomb of a leading historical personality, Ulama Sheikh Ahmad Makhtum, with its famous carved megalith. Next his grave are the famous stone inscriptions or "Batu Bersurat" which depict his struggle and victory. The enigma surrounding the stone remains unsolved to this day. Of special interest is the ‘ordeal stone’, an ancient lie-detector, through which a person puts his arm when answering questions. If he lies, the stone tightens like a vice.

[edit] Restaurants

For those who are into gastronomic activities, one can get the taste of the hot and spicy local cuisine. There’s fish cooked in thick gravy of coconut milk and the killer's cili padi’s- guaranteed to make your mouth and eyes smart. One can try the rendang (beef cooked with coconut milk and a rich assortment of spices). This is normally eaten with ‘Lemang’ - glutinous rice cooked in bamboo. Few famous restaurants are 'Seaview' along Jalan Pantai, 'Curry house' along Jalan Pantai as well. 'Mak Mah' next to Shell gate entrance, 'Restaurant SN Mohhamad' in Port Dickson town area next to the post office and many more. Every first Saturday of the month, there is a night market in Port Dickson Town, which is full of different variety food and fruits.Besida that,'Country home' also a very famous restaurant in Lukut which famous with its delious foods.The Famous PD Eating Point is popular with chinese and western delicacies.In Port Dickson also you all cannot miss to try Nasi Lemak stall known as 'Wak Rahman' consider as one of the most famous nasi lemak stall there.If you go to town side there is a bunch or restaurants choices waiting such as Restoran Abu Bakar, SN Mohammad and a lot out there.If you all go to market area there is a lot of choice of chinese food and there is a putumayam sold there by Abdul Rahman or known as Bismi Putumayam.Dont miss to try that homemade putumayam.