It is quite exciting to just grab a backpack and drive to a place – any place – to escape for the day. The idea of hopping into a car and leaving your worries behind seems so refreshing.
At least, this is the case for 22-year-old Wengyi Ngan.
The digital advertiser from Seremban, Negri Sembilan enjoys going on day trips for a quick escape. Ngan would hit the road once or twice a month with her family and friends. For her, these trips offer more than just scenic landscapes.
“It’s an opportunity for me to relax and reconnect with my family and friends for the day,” she says, adding that her most memorable road trip was a 14-hour adventure she took with her friends.
“My friends and I took turns driving. I drove from Seremban at 8am and we arrived in Kuala Lumpur at about 9am. After breakfast, we went rock climbing in Putrajaya. My friend then took the wheel and drove us to Petaling Jaya where we had desserts and participated in some extreme sports.
“Our final stop was at Puchong. We had dinner at a Korean BBQ restaurant before driving back home,” she says.
The key to a successful day trip is time management. And while Ngan loves impromptu trips, she usually plans her short getaways to make the most of her journey. Among the factors she takes into consideration include the driving route, travelling time, distance and budget.
“I usually use Waze to check which routes I can follow and how long it will take me to get there. This helps me decide the best time to leave the house,” she shares. Ngan would normally leave early in the morning to avoid the weekend traffic congestion.
Ngan would also bookmark the locations she plans on visiting.
“It’s better to know which places you want to go rather than not knowing anything at all and then wasting time discussing it during the outing,” she explains.Being a huge foodie and shopaholic, most of her budget is spent on meals and shopping. Occasionally, she would spend her money on sports activities or arcade games they come across on their journey.
“I usually keep my budget to around RM200 or RM300,” she says.
Since she’s not a big fan of driving, Ngan usually keeps her travel distance short, specifically within a 100km radius.
“I prefer travelling to locations that are close to my home in Seremban. This means places like KL and Melaka,” she says. However, she is willing to travel longer distances if there’s someone to take over the wheel after a few hours.
Of course, no day trip would be complete without bringing along a few essential items. For Ngan, the most important item is a power bank.
“To make sure I reach the destination on time and safely, my phone needs to be fully charged,” she explains.
Since she posts her travel adventures on social media, Ngan brings along a good quality camera, and her makeup too.
“I want to make sure I capture every moment of the trip and take lots of pictures, so I want to present myself in my most beautiful state,” she shares with a laugh.
Ngan is just one of many Malaysians who enjoy going on day trips. After all, Malaysian travellers are spoilt for choice when it comes to day trips and short holidays around the country.
You don’t have to travel far to experience unique sights or taste amazing food here.
We check out some interesting places that are perfect for day trips or tours. Many of these recommendations are relatively off-the-beaten track destinations that are usually not too crowded.
Depending on where you are in the country, the recommended areas should take not more than two hours of driving from a major town or city. This is because the idea of a day trip is to minimise your time on the road so that you have more time to spend at the actual destination.
Where: About an hour’s drive from KL. From Negri Sembilan, it takes about 1.5 hours on the road.
The former royal capital of Selangor holds plenty of allure for day trippers, especially if you follow the rich history of the Selangor sultanate. Some regal places of interest include the Sultan Alaeddin Mosque and Makam Sultan Abdul Samad. The latter, according to Tourism Selangor, has been the Selangor royal family’s burial ground since 1886.
For a more enriching glimpse of Jugra’s royal past, visit the stately Istana Bandar. Built in 1906 during the reign of Sultan Alaeddin Sulaiman Shah, the heritage landmark stands tall in present day as a mark of the Selangor sultanate’s illustrious past.
In present day, Jugra is known as an adventure hub for adrenaline junkies. Head over to Bukit Jugra for an exhilarating tandem paragliding experience. The activity is conducted off the base of the Bukit Jugra lighthouse, a landmark that rises 146m above sea level.
Hikers also often convene around Bukit Jugra as it is surrounded by a forest reserve. Many often hike to the lighthouse at the top where they will be treated to views of the Straits of Malacca.
From the peak, you can also see Pulau Carey, which is located about 20 minutes away.
Where: About a 1.5-hour drive from George Town, Penang.
Kuala Sepetang is often overshadowed by more popular spots in Perak such as Ipoh and Taiping. However, this quaint coastal town offers city folks an idyllic getaway.
If you ever want to spot dolphins in Malaysia, Kuala Sepetang is the place to be. The waters here have offered lucky travellers a glimpse of Indo-Pacific Humpback dolphins, also known as Chinese White Dolphin.
The best time to spot these pink freshwater dolphins is in the morning, so you might want to consider starting your journey really early.
Meanwhile, the Matang Mangrove Forest here is recognised by Unesco as one of the world’s best-managed mangrove forests. The best way to experience this incredible ecosystem is by getting your feet in the mud. The boardwalk will bring you through thick mangroves, home to many local birds and other creatures such as the mud-skippers.
Traces of colonial history can be seen at the old Port Weld railway. Kuala Sepetang was the end of the line of the Taiping-Port Weld line in the past. Although only parts of the railway track is visible today, the old railway station sign still stands strong.
Other tourist spots here include Port Weld bridge, Matang Museum and Wonder Mushroom Farm.
For foodies, Kuala Sepetang is known for its Mee Udang Banjir.
Where: About an hour’s drive from Kuantan, Pahang, or two hours from Kuala Terengganu.
The southernmost district of Terengganu is perhaps best associated with petroleum, oil, and steel. Its thriving economical industries aside, Kemaman is also a major tourism hub with plenty of things to see and do.
Much of the tourism activities here are centred around its many pristine beaches. Some of the nearby beaches include Cherating, Chendor, and Mak Nik Bay (also known as Monica Bay Beach).
Beachgoers often throng Cherating and Chendor due to its calm waters and clean white sand. The crowd increases during surf season in Cherating as it’s a popular spot for surfing and windsurfing.
Apart from that, turtle watching is also a popular activity in Kemaman.
For families, a trip to the Kemaman Recreation Park and Mini Zoo should delight the young ones. The zoo houses over 50 different species of animals such as elephants, lions and orang utans. More than just a tourist spot, it also doubles up as an important site for wildlife conservation and reservation.
A unique spot that’s not to be missed is the Kemaman Blue Lake. Known to the locals as Tasik Pepsi Blue, the lake gets its name from its blue-tinged water. However, the lake is not suitable for swimming or fishing, but you can take lots of photos of its picturesque surroundings.
Kemaman also often attracts coffee lovers, with many of them converging at Kedai Kopi Hai Peng. Established in the 1940s, the venue is famous for its unique coffee and roti kaya. The owners have been roasting their own blend of coffee since the beginning.
Be sure to look out for other famous Terengganu cuisine such as nasi dagang when you’re in town.
Where: About an hour’s drive from Melaka.
Constructed between 1925 and 1930, the mosque’s intricate architecture features an exciting blend of Western and Middle Eastern cultures. The main building takes the appearance of the regular British mansion whereas the minarets retain its Middle Eastern elements.
Those searching for a healing respite can add Gunung Ledang to their itinerary. Standing at 1,267m, Johor’s highest mountain has plenty to offer. Its tropical rainforests thronged with wildlife are a sight to behold.
More than that, this mountain is also steeped in mystery, with many legends surrounding a mythical princess.
Do note that a hike to the peak will take at least eight hours in total (ascending and descending), so daytrippers may want to skip going to the summit and just spend some time in the lower regions of Gunung Ledang instead.
If you’re an animal lover, you’re in for a treat. Located just a few minutes’ drive away from town is the HS Farm Stay which is home to not only a water park but a mini zoo as well.
Aside from goats, raccoons and formidable crocodiles, there are dinosaurs too!
No, they are not real dinosaurs, of course, but dino-lovers can always snap some photos with the iconic dinosaur sculptures that can be found throughout various locations within the farm.
Where: About a 45-minute drive from Kuching.
Being the largest state in Malaysia, Sarawak is best explored by air if you’re planning to travel across regions. The vastness of the state limits the extent of land transport accessibility to the interiors from Kuching.
But for those who are already in Kuching, a short and relatively cheap flight will bring you to Sibu, Miri and Bintulu.
If you don’t wish to fly out, consider doing a day tour to Santubong. It has a lot to offer visitors and is within driving range of Kuching. Nature lovers will have much to discover here.
From the slopes of Mount Santubong to the mangrove forests and mudflats, the area beckons with breathtaking natural attractions. Standing at 810m, Mount Santubong can be climbed all year round but it’s not for beginners as it can be a tough hike up.
The natural setting in the region makes it a hotspot for wildlife. In fact, you can even see the endangered Irrawaddy dolphins in the rivers and estuaries here.
On some rare occasions, the finless porpoises and Indo-pacific humpback dolphins may also been sighted... if you’re really lucky, that is!
For something more cultural, visit the Sarawak Cultural Village. This living museum houses real families, which means that if you see them doing something “mundane” like cooking or cleaning, it’s probably because they’re just doing their daily chores.
Where: A 45-minute drive from Kota Kinabalu.
A popular day tour option whenever you’re in KK is to visit the surrounding islands, which are located close to the city. The islands of Manukan, Sapi and Mamutik are especially popular among day trippers, and you can easily get there via a boat ride from Jesselton Point, the city jetty.
If you prefer staying on land, then drive to the quaint town of Tuaran. Start your drive early – very early – so that by the time you reach the Mengkabong Bridge, you can get a perfect view of the sunrise. The spot is especially popular among photography enthusiasts as this is where you can capture Mount Kinabalu within the same frame as the sunrise.
As for views of the sunset, head to the Peak of Hope, a recreational venue that has a host of adventurous activities such as paragliding, ziplining, rope swinging and ATV riding.
Other interesting places in Tuaran include Borneo Ant House, Tuaran Crocodile Farm and Sabandar Beach.
For foodies, try the delicious Tuaran Mee when you’re here, as the springy egg noodles used in this dish are normally made fresh on the day or prepared the night before. For pork-free versions, you can usually order them from seafood restaurants.
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