16 Seremban : Cultural Arts Centre

We road-tripped from KL to Seremban last Sunday, in what I can now label as my 'old junk'. Yup, my small car is more than a decade old, sun-faded and has been through and been to quite a lot. Have wheels, can travel-bah !

Some people say - Seremban? Nothing to see one!  I beg to differ. There is always something to see for those who can find the beauty in every experience. So, here I am at the Seremban Cultural Arts Centre (also state museum) looking and behaving very much like a tourist. Laughably clicking away at the phone camera at every this-one-is-good-for-memories opportunity!

There were several travel reviews that gave this place a 'negative'. Oddly, I enjoyed the visit tremendously. Sure, there was a thin layer of dust here and there. Neither did it contain a large collection of historical artifacts, but it did carry the heart and soul of Negeri Sembilan, which is the the unique style of Minangkabau architecture of pointy roofs that is identifiable by most Malaysians.

Seremban Cultural Arts Centre

Seremban Cultural Arts Centre

This building, pictured below, is called 'Teratak Perpatih'. The roof resembles the buffalo horn. It is a museum of sorts with local crafts and artifacts being exhibited. There is a hall dedicated to the postal service.

Teratak Perpatih

My mother worked in the Post Office all her life. It was an era where people were proud of their jobs, got along easily with others and were just happy with anything they got out of life. I was most excited about the stamp exhibition because I used to collect it. It was a time I diligently wrote letters to penpals on perfumed paper and mailed them off with stamps I had carefully selected.

Inside Teratak Perpatih

Next to the main building is Istana Ampang Tinggi , a royal residence relocated to its current location in 1980. It is said that this royal residence was built without using nails. The building beside it is a sample of a traditional Negeri Sembilan home.

Istana Ampang Tinggi (left), Rumah Tradisional Negeri Sembilan (right)

I climbed up the wooden staircase of the Istana (Palace) to have a look inside. The worn wooden planks creaked under my weight. It was a long hall with many curtained windows and a private resting area at the back.

Istana Ampang Tinggi

Istana Ampang Tinggi

There are various interesting pieces of historical items being displayed around the neat compound of the Cultural Arts Centre. A replica of the megalithic stones of Pengkalan Kempas stands in the middle, an old locomotive can be found near the office and in the far corner, traditional wooden boats are housed in an open  roofed-structure.

Replica of the Megalithic Stones of Pengkalan Kempas

Old Locomotive

Olden day Wooden Boats

What to expect: A small town kind of museum. Does not contain an extensive collection of historical pieces, nor an in depth description.

Still a good place to go, especially to see the royal residence up close - it's the real deal!

Location : Jalan Sungai Ujong, Lebuhraya Seremban - Bukit Nenas (Near Plaza Tol Seremban A)
Telephone:+60 6-763 1149

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~