When you’re based in the city, it seems that escaping the house and braving the highway can be soul draining. But sometimes, a road trip is just what you need to escape the hectic demands of your day-to-day life.
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Believe it or not, there are still a number of hidden and off the beaten track destinations in Malaysia that you can drive to. Whether you’re going with your friends or family, we found a list of 6 hidden Malaysian jewels that are definitely worth the drive ?
1. Taiping, Perak
Credit: Marufish on Flickr
It may look like a dull place to be but there’s more to Taiping than just an old mining town. Behind the guise of this unassuming town lies interesting attractions and historical gems. If you’re a history buff, the Taiping Museum should be your top priority when you’re there!
Fun fact: The Taiping Museum is the oldest museum in Malaysia, having been built since 1883!
Credit: Zoo Taiping & Night Safari on Facebook
If you want to get up close and personal with nature and wildlife, head over to Taiping Zoo and Night Safari. This zoo houses more than 180 species of animal, making it one of the biggest zoos in Malaysia. Look out for the rare Malayan sun bear and also monkeys! ?
Credit: Zoo Taiping & Night Safari on Facebook
Did you know that Taiping Zoo is the only zoo in Malaysia that opens until 11pm? ? Yes, that’s when you get to experience the Night Safari!
#HHWT Tip: If you’re easily afraid of the dark ?, it’s best to take the shuttle van that takes you around the zoo instead of walking around in utter darkness. (Torchlights are offered, of course!)
2. Sasaran, Selangor
Malaysia’s answer to Bolivia’s Salt Flat, Sasaran hasn’t been getting the recognition it very much deserves. Also known as Sky Mirror, the shallow waters of the beach create a huge mirror-like reflection of the sky, creating awesome photography opportunities for visitors!
Credit: Sasaran Sky Mirror Services 玻利维亚号#天空之镜 on Facebook
Now you may think that this beach contains an abundance of salts like Salar de Ayuni but it’s definitely far from the truth. Sasaran is actually (and surprisingly!) just a wide area that only contains sand and sea water ?
Credit: Desi Lastati on Facebook
The reflection is caused by low tides which at some point would rise and completely flood the entire area, hence it’s best to check the season first before coming!
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Imagine the kind of fun you get when you engage in an imaginative battlefield with your friends and family – perfect for your memories! ?
#HHWT Tip: Since it is located off the coast, Sasaran Beach is only accessible by a 30-minute boat ride from the fishing village of Jeram, thus you would have to join a tour.
3. Sekinchan, Selangor
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Not to be mistaken for Sin Chan (?), this small town in Kuala Selangor is home to majestic paddy fields! Other than an endless carpet of green, you can also see a couple of swiftlet houses within the vicinity of the paddy fields.
#HHWT Tip: If you’re feeling a little adventurous, try eel fishing! ? During the harvesting season, the water level is lowered. This is the best time to fish for eels as they will be trapped in their nests. All you need is a fishing line and a bait!
Credit: Jeffrey Goh on Flickr
When in Sekinchan, you might want to consider staying until night time as you will get a chance to get the best panoramic view of the magical Milky Way! ? You don’t get this in the city!
4. Janda Baik, Pahang
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Perhaps not as remote as it used to be, Janda Baik is still considered a hidden gem. Just an hour drive from Kuala Lumpur, this small village is dotted with exclusive chalets, resorts, surrounding green landscape and hidden waterfalls.
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In Janda Baik, the most popular activities are waterfalls hunting and ATV ride! ? If you’d like your own adventure, the ATV ride will give you a challenging experience including going through the winding and sloping routes!
Note: Don’t worry, you’ll be specially trained by the ATV experts before you enter the play-zone ?
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Your ATV journey will then end at the Lata Tampit waterfall where you can enjoy a quick swim! ??
After all the physical activities, you’re definitely in dire need of some good food and drinks. Check out our best picks for halal cafés in Janda Baik for your food-hunting needs ?
5. Jugra, Selangor
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What was once a royal capital of Selangor is now a historical town with the best spot in Selangor to watch the sunset over the Jugra river. There is even a small, man-made pond where you can go fishing! You may need to bring your own fishing rod.
Credit: @faris_suhaili on Instagram
Apart from being an Instagram-worthy shot for your feed, there are plenty of interesting activities to keep you excited, such as hiking up the hills of Jugra where you’ll see the white lighthouse and the JUGRA signage.
Credit: Ecoadventura on Facebook
You can even try paragliding from the hills and feel the adrenaline rush kicking in as you admire the view from the sky! We hear it’s great up there! ?
6. Berkelah Falls, Pahang
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If you fancy spending a day by the waterfalls or looking for a place to camp out, Berkelah is THE place to be! Just a 2-hour drive away from Kuala Lumpur, Berkelah Waterfalls is pretty easy to get to.
If you’re driving a 4WD, you’re in luck as you can go on an off-road adventure through the jungle to arrive at the bottom of Berkelah.
Credit: @skylerchui on Instagram
The fall consists of seven tiers, with a stunning aqua blue lagoon to marvel at. To get to the waterfall, you would need to do a little hiking which would normally take about 30 minutes, so get your water bottles and light snacks ready!
#HHWT Tip: It can get slippery at times during the hike. It’s best to wear slip resistant shoes to avoid injuries!
Of course, we won’t deny that there may be more destinations yet to be discovered. But we hope that this list will pump you up to drive to the many secluded destinations of Malaysia! If you know of any, share with the HHWT community in the comments below! ?