Kuala Kubu Baru — known locally as KKB — is a quiet town about an hour north of Kuala Lumpur, at the foot of the mountains that lead up to Fraser's Hill. It was built after the original town of Kuala Kubu was destroyed by a catastrophic dam failure in 1883; a Buddhist temple and mosque that survived the flood still stand in the old town site, now called Ampang Pecah.
KKB is best known as a base for outdoor activities. White water rafting on the Sungai Selangor is the main draw, with several operators running trips through rapids surrounded by jungle. The Chilling Waterfall, about an hour's drive and a ninety-minute trek from town (with six river crossings), is worth the effort. The town is also the main road access point for Fraser's Hill, a cool colonial-era hill station an hour up winding mountain roads.
The town itself is small and walkable, with old shophouses, a morning market, and a handful of cafes. It makes a pleasant day trip or overnight stop between KL and the highlands.