Port Dickson

Port Dickson, the only tourist attraction in Negeri Sembilan is strategically located approximately 34 kilometres from Seremban city centre and 90 kilometres from Kuala Lumpur city centre. Port Dickson or more fondly referred as PD is just about one and a half hour drive from Kuala Lumpur via North-South Expressway.

Decades ago, it was a small town that produced charcoal but later, PD was turned into a port during British administration. Once known as ‘Arang’ (it means charcoal), when the British finally turned it into a port replacing Pengkalan Kempas, the locals called it ‘Tanjung’ (it means cape).

Since the officer in-charge was Dickson who turned it into a port, thus the small town was named Port Dickson. Over the years, it has evolved into a trading centre and subsequently, railways were constructed to assist the growth of PD.

Even though PD experienced rapid growth in few years time, the charming beaches are well-preserved. Hence, it has become a fairly popular resort town among British officials and their families. Locals started to flock into PD after Malaysia gain its independence in 1957.

In late 1980s, PD experienced tremendous growth with tons of hotels, resorts and apartments booming in the town. But PD lose out to cleaner and newer beaches in East Coast such as Cherating and Tioman several years later as vacationers complained that PD is getting more polluted.

Government finally stepped in and through co-operation with local hotels and resorts; they cleaned-up the beach in conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year 2007. In September 2009, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak declared PD as an Army Town for its contribution of army services in defending the country.

Najib announced PD as Army Town considering there are plenty of army camps and training centres located within the vicinity. He pointed out that government would launch new projects for the army in PD to make the theme ‘Army Town’ more meaningful.

A trip to PD is never complete without trying out the popular activities here namely canoe riding, jet skiing and para-sailing. Besides that, eco-lovers can indulge in jungle trekking, bird watching and crabbing.

There are a number of tourist attractions here in PD such as Blue Lagoon, Fort Lukut, Cape Rachado and Fort Kempas. Blue Lagoon lies approximately 15 kilometres from PD town. Vacationers can pick nearby accommodation to enjoy the panoramic view of the crystal clear water.

Fort Lukut which was built in 1847 is a historical site situated about 7 kilometres from PD town while Fort Kempas lies about 23 kilometres from the lighthouse. Visitors can visit a small village here named Keramat Ujung Pasir.

Finally, do not miss out the opportunity to visit lighthouse located on Cape Rachado which was built by the Portuguese in the 16th century.