Name and Location

The Kuala Selangor Lighthouse, also known as the Altingsburg Lighthouse, stands at the entrance to Selangor River, Malaysia. Its official name is "Kuala Selangor Lighthouse" with an alternative name "Altingsburg Lighthouse". The address is 86RV+GR, 45000 Kuala Selangor, Selangor, Malaysia, and its coordinates are 3°20′28.0″ N, 101°14′41.9″ E (3.3412216, 101.2449836).

2. Construction and History

The Kuala Selangor Lighthouse was built during the British colonial period, around circa 1907. It stands on the summit of Bukit Melawati hill, within a small historical park above Kuala Selangor.

3. Architecture and Materials

The lighthouse has a simple cylindrical tower with a gallery and lantern, reflecting late-Victorian utilitarian lighthouse design. The construction materials are masonry/concrete tower (with some sources suggesting an inner steel framework) painted white. The height of the tower is 27 meters, with a focal height approximately 100 meters above sea level.

4. Light and Navigation

The characteristic of the light is Group-Flashing 2 white every 15 seconds (Fl(2) W 15s). The range is 18 nautical miles, with a colour white light. The operation is fully automated, powered by solar panels, likely introduced in mid-20th century.

5. Accessibility and Visiting

The hilltop park, including the lighthouse grounds, is open daily to visitors, with free or nominal entrance fee to Bukit Melawati. However, visitor access to the tower interior is not permitted as it remains operational. The site offers a small museum (old cannons, Dutch fort ruins), viewing platforms, information boards, rest areas, and occasional guided walks by local rangers.

6. Notable Views and Landscape

From the lighthouse, visitors can enjoy sweeping views over Selangor River estuary, firefly mangrove groves downstream, and the Straits of Malacca to the west. The landscape includes a hilltop rainforest remnant, historic fort ramparts, macaques and silvered leaf monkeys often seen by visitors.

7. Anecdotes and Folklore

Locals claim that during full-moon nights, the old Dutch commander's ghost still tours the ramparts looking for fallen troops, as part of Fort Altingsburg legend. Prior to automation, keepers reportedly listened for creaking timbers and reported occasional "rumbling" nights attributed to underground springs.

8. Technical and Operational Details

The lighthouse is managed by Marine Department Malaysia (Jabatan Laut Malaysia) and not officially gazetted as national heritage, but protected within the Bukit Melawati historical reserve under the Selangor State Museum and Heritage Department. The nautical chart references are Admiralty List of Lights & Fog Signals A2550; NGA 2040; Malaysian Hydrographic Department chart "Kuala Selangor and Klang"."

9. Further Information

For further reading, refer to Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bukit_Melawati), Jabatan Laut Malaysia – List of Lights and Diagram – Eastern Straits of Malacca, 2020 edition, "Historic Lighthouses of Malaysia" by Chan Mei Peng, 2015 (in English/Malay), and Malaysia Admiralty Chart No. 4415 "Straits of Malacca: Kuala Selangor to Klang".