Port Dickson
Port Dickson is located around one and half hour drive from south of Kuala Lumpur. Port Dickson is known for its beaches. It hosts lots of Hotels in the area from the budget hotel to the five stars hotel. Some of the hotels provide private beach for the guest to enjoy. At the public beach, there are lots of water game activities such as banana boat, parasailing, kayaking, jet skiing and many more. The depth of the water is shallow making the beach suitable for the children to play. There are quite several water sport operators providing their service there. There is also a square where people can ride a horse carriage and there is a place where children can drive the mini cars or play with the bubbles. If the visitors are looking for something other than beaches, there are two lighthouses at the nearby area where they can visit to enjoy the view of their surroundings. There is also a place called Teluk Kemang Observatory where visitors could visit to look at the view of the galaxy from one of the biggest and sophisticated telescopes in Malaysia.
Image by williamnyk.
Kuantan
Kuantan is two hours away from east Kuala Lumpur. The place has a relax and chilled environment that attracts visitors to come a spend a weekend gateway there. Kuantan has lots of pretty beaches like Telok Chempedak, Balok, Punggor and sharing Cherating beach with Kemaman. There is also a waterfall called Panching waterfall located there. But what makes Kuantan special is the cheap seafood. It is safe to say, the seafood in Kuantan is one of the best in Peninsular Malaysia. Its signature delicacy, the ikan bakar will make anyone’s mouth watered in an instant. The best place to eat seafood is in Tanjung Lumpur. Not only the food is cheap, it is pocket friendly too.
Image by Mohd Fazlin Mohd Effendy Ooi.
Pulau Ketam
Pulau Ketam is an island that hosts a Chinese fishing village. The industry used to rely heavily on fishing has changed gradually to fit tourism in the book. It took 45 minutes Ferry ride from Port Klang (which is accessible by KTM Komuter from KL Sentral Station) to reach the island. Once the visitors reach the island, they will be welcomed with vibrant colourful letter signed of KETAM and the replica of the crab itself. The best way to discover the island is to rent the bicycle there. Due to lots of narrow alleys, bicycle is the most convenient choice to go from place to place. Being a Chinese village, the visitors can find arrays of temples big and small in the island. The visitors can feel the authentic feeling of the fishing village once the aroma of the salted fish and shrimp fills in the air and tickling their nose. Since it is a fishing village. Eating seafood is a must in the itinerary. The plus point is that most of the seafood served are fresh and reared in the farm nearby the restaurant. The seafood was practically are still alive until they are cooked for visitors to enjoy. The visitors can shop lots of dried seafood. It might not mean much in Malaysia. But Malaysians who relocate outside know how precious those dry things are.
Image by Ania Mendrek.
Seremban
For some reason, Seremban is quite an underrated tourist attraction though it has a lot to offer. In Seremban, there is this farm specific in breeding and rearing ostriches. Visitors can interact with the ostriches and if they ride that giant flightless bird, the farm will give them a certificate. It would be great to add the certificate in the list of things accomplished. Seremban also has Gunung Angsi. Which is a favorite sport for mountain climbers and thrill seekers. Seremban also offers building with Minangkabau architectures. Places like Seremban Cultural Complex and Istana Sri Menanti are the place to go if visitors want to know more about unique Pepatih tradition of Negeri Sembilan. Seremban is also boastful of its local delicacy called masak lemak. The thick yellow gravy made from coconut milk combined with the super spicy chili api is not for the faint of heart. But it is super delicious. Just make sure to drink a lot of milk after.
Image by Sham Hardy.
Fraser’s Hill
Fraser’s Hill is located uphill around one hour and a half ride from east Kuala Lumpur. Visiting the place is an experience not to be missed. Most of the buildings are built featuring the mock Tudor – Style architecture. The place still retains the same look when it is still a British colonial hill resort. The Fraser clock tower that stands on the old English village square is a must place to take a picture. There is a place called Allen’s Water which is a former where the visitors can do water activity like boating and fishing. There are also lots of nursery that sells various of herbal plants. Fraser’s Hill is also a famous place for bird-watching. It is home to over 250 species of birds. For those who want to enjoy playing with the cool waterfall, there is this place called Jeriau Waterfall available for afternoon swim and has a well managed picnic area. The hillside is a popular spot with hikers too. There are eight nature walk trails ranging from easy to hard available for nature lover.
Image by Nabihah Sallih.
Kuala Selangor
Kuala Selangor is just an hour drive from north Kuala Lumpur. Besides the famous fortress called Bukit Melawati filled with the cheeky monkeys, Kuala Selangor is also known as the place to watch fireflies. The view of Christmas like trees at night while sitting quietly in the rowboat is simply breathtaking. There is also a nature park managed by Malaysian Nature Society on behalf of the state government. The highlight of this place is the wooden trail leading to the beach only accessible by the nature’s park. The visitors also will have the opportunity to feed the eagles and ride the boat to enjoy the Kuala Selangor river. The seafood restaurants around the area also serve quite a delicious treat of seafood for visitors to enjoy. There are lots of fisherman in the area. They will go out around 10 at night and go back before dawn. Kuala Selangor is also famous for its monstrous size curry puff. The locals call it karipap King Kong. Not only it is huge. It is also yummy for the tummy.
Image by Brandon Lim.
Ipoh
With only around two hours away from north Kuala Lumpur. Ipoh is a great destination for people to enjoy the hipster culture combined with the old town flair the city is known for. This capital city of Perak offers various of gastronomic feast comparable to Penang. In every nook and corner of Ipoh. There will be an old school kopitiam where regulars would frequent to enjoy the thick coffee. It is the origin city of old town white coffee. The youngsters on the other hand would spend their time hanging around in the hipster style kopitiam decorated beautifully with certain unique characters that are Instagram ready. While retaining traditional food like Muah Chee, Chee Cheong fan, Assam Laksa, beansprout chicken, nasi vanggey, curry mee and many more. The new breed of Ipoh generations is not afraid to explore fusion delicacies to satiate their taste buds. Ipoh also provides a relaxing environment for the city dwellers to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. Now with its own theme park. It attracts more people to come and spend their time in the city.
Image by Kah Wai Sin.
Genting Highlands
Genting Highland always will be Malaysia’s first theme park. Located up the hill and only one hour away from east Kuala Lumpur. It is the main destination for Kuala Lumpur locals who wants to enjoy the cool breeze and the fresh air that Genting has to offer. The whole place provides fun for all family members. It is equipped with the casino for people who wants to try their luck, a shopping outlet selling lots of famous brands, an indoor and an outdoor theme park everyone can enjoy, an arena where concerts, circus or award-winning ceremony are often held, restaurants where people can pick which one to dine in and its own hotel service. There is also a strawberry and lavender garden nearby. Not forgetting the cable car experience. Genting Highland is a place full of excitement that no one can say no to.
Image by Benson Kua.