Selangor is celebrating its Chinese new villages in a big way, with a festival themed “Jom Thit Tho Lah!” (Hokkien-inspired phrase meaning “let’s go play”).
Selangor New Village Festival 2026, which will be held over two days in January, offers visitors an authentic cultural experience by providing insights into local Chinese traditions and lifestyles.
Highlights include the unique cultural and historical heritage, as well as traditional foods from Chinese new villages across the state.
Selangor local government and tourism committee chairman Datuk Ng Suee Lim said the festival, set for Jan 24 and 25 at SJK (C) Pandamaran B in Klang, would diversify the state’s tourism offerings and attract a wider spectrum of visitors.
“Working with Tourism Selangor and new village committees in the state, we plan to highlight the villages’ unique cultural and historical heritage as well as their traditional foods to realise the area’s economic potential,” he said during a press conference announcing the event in Shah Alam.
Ng described the festival, also part of promotional efforts for Visit Malaysia 2026, as a cultural tourism event bringing people together through the joy of play.
There will be six experiential zones – Jom Jalan, Jom Makan, Jom Beli, Jom Main, Jom Snap Bersama and Jom Reka – allowing visitors to explore the charm of new villages through their five senses.
“It will give people a chance to reconnect with heritage values and community stories that shape Selangor’s local tourism identity,” Ng said.
Tourism Selangor chief executive officer Chua Yee Ling said visitors could “step into a village and feel the real experience”, making the event a journey of discovery.
“Activities will include hands-on cultural experiences, including Chinese calligraphy, scented pouch crafting, traditional games, new village guided tours and 3D card-making workshops.”
Chua added that the event would also feature a 988 FM DJ interactive session and special “Chef King New Village Fiesta” cooking competition.
“Tourism Selangor will collaborate with local travel agencies to introduce exclusive ‘Jom Thit Tho Lah!’ travel packages targeting travellers from China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, while encouraging participation from Selangor folk and domestic tourists,” she said.
Also present at the press conference was Pandamaran assemblyman Tony Leong Tuck Chee.
