5 Best Day Trips From Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

1. Kuala Selangor National Park

Delve deep into the jungles of Kuala Selangor National Park and witness a wide variety of flora and fauna, stretching over 800 acres (323.7 hectares). The park is a combination of secondary forest, coupled with wetland reserves and sits on coastal land with up to 494.2 acres (200 hectares) of mangrove swamps. Watch the birds swoop down to eat their prey or simply stand still and let the sound of nature surround your senses.

Home to 150 species of birds and about 30 species of migratory birds, it is an excellent place for people to go bird watching and admire the beauty of these flying animals. Aside from bird watching, you can also follow the four trails, to watch the wildlife in action. A visit to this nature park is not complete without binoculars and a good camera. Oh, and don’t forget to bring your mosquito repellent. If you would like to stay for a night or two, a variety of accommodation is available, for you to chose from.

Kuala Selangor National Park

Address: Taman Alam Kuala Selangor, Jalan Klinik, Kuala Selangor, 45000, Kuala Selangor, Selangor, Malaysia

Website: Kuala Selangor National Park

2. Malacca

The famous UNESCO heritage town of Malacca is only about a two-hour drive away from Kuala Lumpur. The town was once the seat of the Malaccan Sultanate, during the Malay renaissance of the 14th to 15th century. It was once an important trading hub in the Straits of Malacca and was a famous port of call, during its heydey.

Today though, Malacca boasts a myriad of cultural buildings and iconic structures, as well as interesting remnants from the colonial era. You can drop by the beautiful red Christ Church - also known as the Stadhuys - or discover the ruins of St Paul’s Church, which is also the oldest church in Malaysia and all of Southeast Asia. A taste of Malacca is not complete without riding the famously decorated rickshaws or a cruise along the Malacca River.

3. Fraser's Hill

Fraser’s Hill is one of Malaysia’s famous highland resorts and is located among the mountains of Pahang, just about two hours away from Kuala Lumpur. The cooling weather of the highlands is a welcoming escape from the heat and humidity of the lowlands. The name “Fraser’s Hill” is derived from a solitary Scottish pioneer, Louis James Fraser. He once set up a tin-ore trading post here, in the late 19th century, and found a beautifully kept forest, full of moss-draped trees and ferns which are constantly kept moist due to the high altitude.

If you’re a nature enthusiast who is up for a hike, there are several hiking trails around the area which you can explore. They are usually marked by signboards and one of the trails can even lead you to a beautiful waterfall. Trails can take either a few hours or a whole day of trekking. Visitors will surely fall in love with the weather here.

4. Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary

The Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary is a conservation centre dedicated to rescuing Asian elephants whose natural habitats have been lost due to man-made cultivation and development. They are then relocated to more appropriate environments, such as Taman Negara. The sanctuary is the only one of its kind in Malaysia. It is currently a popular tourist attraction and many tourists from around the world visit the centre to learn more about the sanctuary’s conservation efforts.

You can watch the elephants being washed and fed. Sometimes, you will even have the chance to go into the river with a few elephants and play with them. It is truly an amazing spectacle for all wildlife lovers and animal enthusiasts. Along with the centre’s conservation efforts, they also look after orphaned elephants.

Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary

Address: 28500 Lanchang, Pahang, Malaysia

5. Batu Caves

The Batu Caves are a famous spot for both tourists and locals, alike. They are a massive complex of limestone caves, said to be about 400 million years old. It is an important place of worship for Hindus in Malaysia and also one of the most popular shrines, outside India. The temple complex is dedicated to Lord Murugan, with a statue of him standing at 42.7 metres (140.1 feet) tall, making it the tallest statue of Murugan in the world.

The Batu Caves consist of many different caves but the biggest one is called the Temple Cave. It can be reached by climbing 272 steep steps, from ground level. You can make your way up and burn some calories but do be careful, the macaques here can be aggressive. Once inside, you’ll be greeted by huge stalactites and stalagmites, forming all over the cave. The Batu Caves are only about 20 minutes away from Kuala Lumpur.

Batu Caves

Address: Batu Caves, 68100 Batu Caves, Selangor, Malaysia

Just drive away

The busy, noisy streets and highways of Kuala Lumpur can be quite stressful, especially when you have to make your way through the city, every morning to get to work. Still, don’t forget the myriad of amazing places, just outside the city. Just book your bus tickets, take the train or drive out to these places and the change in environment will be one of the most welcoming experiences, ever.