Pulau Ketam, Fishing island in Selangor, Malaysia
Pulau Ketam is an island in the Strait of Malacca whose entire surface consists of wooden houses and concrete walkways built on stilts above tidal mudflats and surrounded by mangrove forests. The layout shows dense settlement with narrow paths between homes and views across surrounding waters.
Chinese fishermen from Hainan established the first settlement on this island in the 1870s and created a community that grew over time. The founding generation laid foundations for fishing practices that continue to shape the island's economy today.
Residents continue traditional fishing methods and use several Chinese temples as centers for religious ceremonies and community gatherings. These places are woven into daily life and reflect the traditions that have shaped the island across generations.
Visitors reach the island via regular ferry services from Port Klang with the crossing taking about half an hour. Wear comfortable shoes as you will spend most time walking or cycling on elevated concrete paths.
The island operates entirely without cars, relying instead on a network of elevated concrete paths where residents and visitors move on foot or by bicycle. This car-free system is unusual for an inhabited settlement and immediately changes how the place feels when you arrive.
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