echo The past few years of the pandemic have deprived us of the opportunity to travel. We resorted to virtual tours, YouTube videos and movies to view the world that was out of our reach. Thankfully, we have reached the light at the end of the tunnel and can finally travel again. With the year end holidays approaching soon, take this chance to reward yourself after a long academic year to travel solo or even have a fun trip with your friends! Need accessible and affordable suggestions for holiday destinations? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!
What to Do in Melaka?
River Walk
Why You Should Visit This Place
Also known as ‘Venice of the East’, the Melaka river, which has cruise services, flows through the heart of the historical city. Surrounded by bustling restaurants, artwork and popular tourist attractions such as the A Famosa, St. Paul’s Church and the Stadthuys, a walk by this river will definitely be one to remember.
You can admire the colourful wall art that decorates the buildings by the river and even dine at the riverside restaurants. If you fancy, take a riverboat tour to soak in the atmosphere from a unique perspective! Do not miss the golden opportunity to visit the oldest church in Southeast Asia, St. Paul’s Church and A Famosa, a fortress built by the Portuguese during the 1500’s as well. They are both located at Bandar Hilir, which has great significance in our country’s history. Did you know that it was the first place where Tunku Abdul Rahman officially announced the news of our country gaining independence? Treading the floors of these historical sites will be one for the books.
Cost
Free!
Location
Right in the heart of Melaka city. (Kampung Jawa, 75200 Malacca)
How to Get There?
The best option is to drive, so take this as an opportunity to have a fun and memorable road trip with your friends! The duration of the drive is slightly less than two hours if you’re departing from Sunway College.
Reviews
“Kudos to the relevant authorities for maintaining this riverside walk really well, it is quite clean and well maintained. Very nice to walk along, well decorated with art works. The river is also quite clean, you can see the fish swimming and other faunas making habitat along the river. Easy access to the main road and major tourist attractions.” (Jeremiah Seelan, Google Reviews)
What to Bring?
A cap, sunblock, camera, portable fan
Is This the Place for You?
If you are a history buff or love photography, then this is the place for you!
Accommodations
There are plenty of cheap, affordable boutique hotels in Melaka, one of which is the Layang Layang Guest House. With a price of less than RM100 per night, it is indeed a good bargain because of its convenient location and aesthetic yet peaceful design.
What to do in Negeri Sembilan?
Port Dickson
1. Blue Lagoon Beach (Pantai Tanjung Biru)
Why You Should Visit This Place
Port Dickson is well known for their beaches, and the Blue Lagoon Beach is the most popular of them all! Because it is a lagoon, a body of water separated from larger water bodies, the tides are calmer as well. Why travel four hours to the East Coast beaches when you can enjoy a nearer one located right next to Selangor? Immerse your feet in the soft sand, soak in the cool waters and enjoy the tropical weather!
Cost
Free!
Location
Batu 10, Jalan Pantai, 71050 Port Dickson, 71050 Si Rusa, Negeri Sembilan
How to Get There?
It is suggested to drive to this beach. The travel duration is approximately one and a half hours from Sunway College.
Reviews
“During the weekdays, it is often nice and quiet when I visit this place. As this beach is shaded from the open sea because it is a lagoon. The water is calm during high tide which is good for swimming and children to play in the water. At certain deeper ends, you can see coral formations and coral fishes. But depending on the tide whether you can see them clearly on that day. Do take note, not to swim beyond the waters around the lighthouse as it is dangerous. There are facilities for toilet use and bathrooms too. For a fee you can rent a canopy over here to shade yourself from the sun and rain.” (Review from Google)
What to Bring?
Swimsuit, towel, change of clothes, picnic mat, food, sunblock, games/activities (eg: volleyball, frisbee)
Is This the Place for You?
If you are a thalassophile (a lover of the sea) or just in need of a quick beach getaway, this is the one for you!
Accommodations
Avillion Hotel, Lexis Hibiscus and Thistle Hotel are among the popular beach hotels in Port Dickson, though on the pricier side. If you are looking for cheaper options, you may consider AirBNB’s!
2. Army Museum Port Dickson
Why You Should Visit This Place
Home to some of the old, retired fighter aircrafts and tanks, get a closer look at the military vehicles that were once used on battlegrounds and warzones here at the Army Museum, Port Dickson. Besides the vehicles, the museum also showcases the nation’s military achievements, uniforms and weapons. Imagine being up close to items that were once used as an armour of protection by the people! Perhaps, you might even discover the Malaysian versions of Maverick and Goose from Top Gun. It is one thing to learn Sejarah from the pages of our textbooks, but a whole new experience of visiting an actual army museum. Learning about the stories, experiences and sacrifices of our nation’s heroes is not only educational, but important to instil patriotism, appreciation and love for the peaceful country we live in today.
Cost
Free!
Location
Muzium Tentera Darat, Kem, 71050 Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan
How to Get There?
It takes about one and a half hours to travel by car from Sunway College.
Reviews
“Great place to visit if you’re interested in history or military stuff in general, lots of decommissioned vehicles, weapons and items to see. “ (Maveen Menon, Review on Google)
Is This the Place for You?
Every Malaysian citizen ought to visit this museum at least once in their lives to understand our nation’s history from the military perspective. Dive into the details of life back then in Tanah Melayu and place yourself in the shoes of the military to view and experience life through their eyes.
What to do in Kedah?
Langkawi Island
Why You Should Visit This Place
Also known as the Jewel of Kedah, Langkawi boasts its natural, breathtaking beauty as well as recreational activities and duty-free shopping all within the archipelago. It is a popular holiday destination among both locals and foreigners alike because of its accessibility and range of activities!
The Langkawi Sky Bridge is a must visit for a complete and beautiful view of the deep blue waters and flourishing mountains from 660m above sea level. An easy walk on the sky bridge that slithers through the mountains, be prepared to be amazed by the myriad of views at every turn.
Well known for its plethora of beaches such as Pantai Cenang and Pantai Tanjung Rhu, tourists often visit Langkawi for this sole reason. Pantai Cenang is the perfect beach if you want to indulge in beach activities while having nearby restaurants by the beach to dine in. On the other hand, Pantai Tanjung Rhu offers a more calming and peaceful experience with less people and a better opportunity for you to relax and soak in the sound of the waves.
The Legend of Mahsuri is a famous folktale that has been passed down from generation to generation and it originates from Langkawi. Visit Kota Mahsuri to learn more about the mysterious curse left by the pretty Mahsuri and how people lived in the olden days.
Then, don’t miss the chance to visit the tallest waterfall in Langkawi, the Temurun Waterfall. Its divine atmosphere which includes the sound of waters crashing, moist and cooling air and refreshingly cold water in little pools will give you an experience to remember. Leave your burdens at the door as you immerse yourself in the cooling waters, surrounded by a diverse range of flora.
Want to get out in the wild? Take a boat tour at the Kilim Geoforest Park which includes nine geo-sites for you to explore. As the boat floats through the park, admire the ancient beauty of nature that stands till today.
Last but not least, splurge on your favourite snacks, food and other items at Langkawi’s duty-free shops. It is not every day that you get to buy items for an incredibly affordable price, so don’t miss out!
Location
Langkawi is an archipelago, a group of islands, off Malaysia’s Northwest coast.
How to Get There?
The best way would be by plane. The duration of the flight is one hour.
Reviews
“There are so many things to see in Langkawi like cable car, island hopping, Mangrove tour, duck tour, snorkelling, scuba diving, para ceiling and many more. Best way to reach here is by flight or you can take a bus till the jetty and then travel by ferry for almost 1 and half hr. Langkawi is the place where you can find a variety of international chocolates, liquors etc. in Duty free shops and it’s cheaper than Airport shops.” (Patankar tripadvisor.my)
What to Bring?
Sunblock, camera, water, waterproof bag, cap/hat, mosquito repellent
Is This the Place for You?
Langkawi is an all in one package that fulfils the desires of every tourist. From recreational activities to history, it is a suitable destination for all.
Accommodations
Arch Studio Cenang is a great choice in terms of affordability and quality. With the cost beginning from as low as RM100, the rooms are top-tier with a warm and rustic design of brick walls and wooden floors.
What to do in Penang?
1. Penang Street Food
Why You Should Visit This Place
Is it possible to be in Penang and not try the local street food? No. Char Kway Teow, Assam Laksa, Hokkien Mee, Chee Cheong Fun, Curry Mee, Apam Balik, Cendol and Nasi Kandar are just some of the types of food that Penang is famous for.
Penang is a Malaysian icon for its mouth-watering, unique, and wide variety of food that ranges from all cultures to suit every palate.
Cost
Generally, the street food in Penang are affordable and undoubtedly your money’s worth. A whole meal could go as low as RM 2!
Location
- New Lane Street Food stalls
Lorong Baru, 10450 George Town, Pulau Pinang
- Penang Air Itam Laksa (Only open weekends)
Jalan Pasar, Paya Terubong, 11500 George Town, Pulau Pinang
- Chulia Street Night Hawker Stalls
Chulia St, Georgetown, 10450 George Town, Penang
How to Get There?
A comfortable and affordable option to get to Penang is by the ETS train which leaves from KL Sentral directly to Butterworth, Penang, costing approximately RM 60 per person and would take around 2 hours. To get to Penang Island, you could take the ferry.
Reviews
“The char koey kak (fried yam cake), char o-cian (omelette with oyster) is very good. Will always visit here for dinner if I am at penang. Walked 7 mins from Veno hotel & no need to worry about parking. Many oysters in the omelette & value for the money.The iced drink from the aunty stall (front of the lane) also good. SeaHam (sea cockle) the best, big & juicy & half cooked. Very good too. Do visit if you are here.”
(Google Reviews, New Lane Street Foodstalls)
“This place is only open on weekends, but boy is it well worth the travel for. Perfect laksa broth with a really nice floral fragrance. We went around 2pm, so it wasn’t as crowded as we had expected. Highly recommended for Penang laksa”
(Google Reviews, Penang Air Itam Laksa)
What to Bring?
Cash, as certain shops may only accept this mode of payment.
Is this the place for you?
Do you enjoy trying new food and looking for fun ways to spice up your day-to-day meals? You need to try the Penang Street Food!
2. Entopia by Penang Butterfly Farm
Why You Should Visit This Place
This enchanting butterfly farm will truly take you to another world as you step into the presence of this butterfly sanctuary and gorgeous garden. See a whole range of butterflies from a multitude of colours and designs. Don’t miss the chance to explore this site as you won’t be able to find such a well-maintained, lovely, and beautiful garden anywhere else!
Cost
For adults, 13 years old and above, the ticket price is RM69 and RM49 with MyKad.
Groups of 20 or more are eligible for discounted admission and must be scheduled at least two weeks in advance.
Location
C6X8+33, 830, Jalan Teluk Bahang, Teluk Bahang, 11050 Tanjung Bungah, Pulau Pinang
Reviews
This place is magical. There is a garden full of butterflies and informative exhibits about butterflies. For someone who’s passionate about butterflies, you can spend one whole day here to learn everything about this little magical creature. Have fun!
(Google Reviews)
What to Bring?
Camera, cap
Is This the Place for You?
Do you love butterflies and just can’t get enough of them? Head over to Entopia by Penang Butterfly Farm!
Accommodations
Macalister Terraces Hotel is an affordable and accessible accommodation in Georgetown with great facilities! If you are looking for a cheaper option, check out Airbnbs!
What to do in Selangor?
Chilling Waterfall
Why You Should Visit This Place
Chilling Waterfall is the perfect getaway to escape all your academic worries and escape into the world of nature. Witnessing the spectacular waterfall and crystal clear waters is a sight you do not want to miss! Have fun with your friends exploring the surroundings of the waterfall which is the home to a wide range of flora and fauna.
Cost
Entrance fee: RM1
Location
Sungai Chiling Fish Sanctuary
How to Get There?
The best option is to travel by car which would take around one and a half hours from Sunway University.
Reviews
Very refreshing water. Excellent view. Just be careful as some areas are very deep and prone to drowning if you are not a good swimmer.
(Google Reviews)
What to Bring?
A change of clothes, water bottle, cap.
Is This the Place for You?
Are you in search of an adventure and are still getting used to the outdoors? Chilling Waterfall is the place for you!
What to do in Perak?
1. Concubine Lane
Why You Should Visit This Place
Concubine Lane has numerous stalls and restaurants, allowing you to explore the local food and homemade items while enjoying the beautifully decorated area. There are numerous picturesque spots in Concubine lane such as the colourful umbrellas hovering overhead that add to the vibrant atmosphere to make your experience truly like no other!
Cost
No entrance fee! Food and items sold here are generally very affordable.
Location
Panglima Ln, 30000 Ipoh, Perak
How to Get There?
An affordable mode of transportation would be by KTM train to Ipoh. However, for a quicker option, a car ride from Sunway University would take approximately 2 hours.
Reviews
Concubine lane is a very good and nice place to visit for tourists…it is because there are many interesting place for taking picture and there are many varieties of food that you should try…it was an amazing trip that I have been to…all of you must visit this place when you have the time
(Google Reviews)
What to Bring?
Cash, cap, camera
Is This the Place for You?
Do you enjoy sightseeing and love to explore? Concubine Lane should be your next destination!
Accommodations
The Brownstone Hostel & Space in 145, Jalan Raja Musa Aziz, Kampung Jawa, 30300 Ipoh, Perak, is well-equipped with basic necessities and receives a lot of good reviews. The cost is around RM100 – RM150 for a room per night.
Airbnb would be the cheapest option if you are travelling in a large group.
2. Kellie’s Castle
Why You Should Visit this Place
The fascinating architecture of the supposedly haunted Kellie’s Castle is a sight that must be on your bucket list. Explore the history behind this castle built in the early 20th century by a Scottish planter, while simultaneously getting stunning pictures at numerous spots throughout the castle.
Cost
Malysians: RM 5 (adults) & RM 3 (children)
Non-Malaysians: RM 10 (adults) & RM 8 (children)
Location
Batu Gajah, Kinta District, Perak, Malaysia
Reviews
An interesting tourist place. Unfinished mansion of the past with suspected paranormal activity. Well maintained. Only RM5 per entry. Plenty of parking available. Wasn’t crowded on weekdays.
We spent about an hour plus here. Just admiring the structure & reading up on the history. Creepy underground rooms. Lots of nice spots for photos. Huge garden out back.
Definitely worth a visit at least once. Only a short detour from your trip to Ipoh or Penang.
(from Google Reviews)
What to Bring?
Camera, water bottle, caps
Is This the Place for You?
Do you enjoy learning more on the history of the structures found in Malaysia? Kellie’s Castle allows you to explore the grounds of this striking structure with its unique history.
The End
All in all, you do not want to miss the chance of exploring these wonderful places in Malaysia to truly brighten your holidays. Take the time to make unforgettable memories with your loved ones while learning more about the culture of our country and being immersed in nature.
Written by: Celine, Caitlin
Edited by: Poorani
