Sepang
Introduction
Sepang is a district in the southernmost part of Selangor, Malaysia, covering a large planning area that stretches across the state's southern edge. It is an administrative district with a substantial and growing population, though much of its character comes from its position at the southern gateway of the state.
Before you go
Before you go, understand that Sepang is a district shaped by two major draws: the Sepang International Circuit and KLIA, the international airport. These two sites account for the tens of millions of visitors the district receives each year, and they are the reason most travellers pass through at all. Until 2000 the area was little more than a flat stretch of palm oil plantations, and much of it still is. Away from the circuit, the airport and the areas bordering Petaling Jaya, expect tranquil villages and miles of palm oil plantations rather than a built-up city centre. Plan your trip around those two anchors, and treat the rest of the district as a quiet, rural counterpoint to them.Getting there
Because Kuala Lumpur International Airport sits within Sepang, you can fly directly into the district from many overseas destinations. For the details of getting to and from the airport itself, see the "Get in - KLIA" section of the Kuala Lumpur article. Rail is another option: the KLIA Ekspres and KLIA Transit high-speed trains run between KL Sentral, Kuala Lumpur's transport hub, and the airport, where you can connect onward to other parts of Sepang. You can also reach the district on the KTM Komuter by catching a train to Nilai station in Negeri Sembilan, then continuing with Sepang Omnibus to KLIA, Salak Tinggi, Sepang (with connections to Port Dickson) or Sungai Pelek.
Several bus connections link Kuala Lumpur and KLIA with Sepang. Transnasional runs from Puduraya bus terminal in Kuala Lumpur to Salak Tinggi, Sepang and Sungai Pelek, and also operates local buses from Sepang and Sungai Pelek to Tanjung Sepat and Banting in neighbouring Kuala Langat district, a route that passes through palm oil plantations and Malay coastal villages. Sepang Omnibus has direct local buses from Seremban to Sungai Pelek via Nilai, KLIA, Salak Tinggi and Sepang, and from Seremban to Banting via Nilai, KLIA, Salak Tinggi and Bukit Changgang; it also runs from Sungai Pelek to Port Dickson via Sepang, and north to Tanjung Sepat. Local taxis operate from the main towns of the district, while a coupon airport taxi system operates from KLIA. To reach Sepang International Circuit during race season, the simplest approach is to take the train from KL Sentral to KLIA and transfer to shuttle buses, with transport packages covering both the train ride and the shuttle; on non-race days, public transport to the circuit can be difficult, so a taxi is your best bet.
Getting around
Sepang is a spread-out district rather than a compact, walkable city, so plan on covering distances by train, bus, taxi or shuttle rather than on foot. The KLIA Ekspres and KLIA Transit high-speed trains link KL Sentral, Kuala Lumpur's transport hub, with the airport, and from there you can connect to other parts of the district. You can also reach Sepang on the KTM Komuter by travelling to Nilai station in Negeri Sembilan, then transferring to the Sepang Omnibus, which serves the airport, Salak Tinggi, Sepang town and Sungai Pelek.
Several bus connections run between Kuala Lumpur and KLIA, and Transnasional operates from Puduraya bus terminal to Salak Tinggi, Sepang and Sungai Pelek, as well as local services onward to Tanjung Sepat and Banting. The Sepang Omnibus also runs direct local buses from Seremban to Sungai Pelek and to Banting, and from Sungai Pelek to Port Dickson and Tanjung Sepat. Local taxis operate from the main towns but not from KLIA itself, where a coupon airport taxi system applies. Hotels, and the circuit itself when races are on, run shuttle buses to and from the airport; during race season the easiest approach is to take the train from KL Sentral to KLIA and transfer to a shuttle, with transport packages covering both. On non-race days, public transport to the Sepang International Circuit is difficult, and a taxi is your best option.
Where to stay
Sepang itself has only a few places to stay, so your choice depends largely on how you're passing through. If you're connecting at the airport, look for hotels on the airport grounds, or consider the Transit Service Centre at the Airport City Business Centre in Kota Warisan, which is very affordable, friendly, and near the airport, with transport to and from KLIA and LCCT provided. In Nilai, the Nilai Seri Hotel is a clean, safe and quiet budget option opposite the MPR, with air-conditioned rooms, free wifi and good food nearby in what is a student town.
If you have time to spare, you could take the KLIA Ekspres into the city and stay at hotels in KL Sentral instead, such as the Hilton and Le Meridien. For a resort stay, the Avani Sepang Goldcoast Resort sits at Bagan Lalang in Sungai Pelek.
Food & drink
< p>Sepang is not a destination for a dedicated eating tour, and the source is blunt about it: the best eating options are at the airport, while options outside the airport are limited. Levels 2 and 4 landside at the terminal hold food courts serving Malaysian fare at only slightly inflated prices, which makes them the practical choice if you are passing through rather than staying. If you want something more substantial before a flight, Eden Restaurant on KLIA Level 5 in Departures is styled as a piece of Hong Kong dropped into the terminal, with dim sum from carts at breakfast and lunch and Chinese seafood. It is expensive, with most mains over RM20, but the ais kacang is singled out as humongous and tasty, a cone of ice shavings with weird and wonderful toppings. Outside the airport, Downtown KLIA Seafood on Jalan KLIA 1, opposite Concorde Hotel, serves fine Chinese/Muslim seafood and sits among a range of over 200 choices of eateries. The source lists no drink options at all, so plan your drinking around your meals.Three days in Sepang
Day one: Arrive at KLIA, the airport that put Sepang on the map, and use the KLIA Ekspres or KLIA Transit to reach KL Sentral if you want a base in Kuala Lumpur, or stay closer in Sepang itself. If you would rather not go into the city, the KTM Komuter and Sepang Omnibus serve Salak Tinggi, and Transnasional coaches run from Puduraya. Settle in, then take an evening to eat Malay food in the area and get your bearings in Selangor.
Day two: Give the day to Sepang International Circuit, the reason many visitors come at all. Before you go, check what is running, because the circuit is quiet outside race weekends. Away from the track, you can head south towards Nilai in Negeri Sembilan, or west to Banting and Kuala Langat. Several local buses and the Sepang Omnibus connect the smaller towns, so plan your route rather than relying on luck.
Day three: Head for the coast. Sungai Pelek, Tanjung Sepat and Bukit Changgang sit within reach, and Port Dickson in Negeri Sembilan makes a longer run south if you have the time. Alternatively, use the rail links to reach Seremban, Petaling Jaya or Kuala Lumpur for a change of scene. Until your flight, keep the airport in mind, because Kuala Lumpur International is the anchor for the whole area and you will need to get back to it.