The Best Quick Getaways from Kuala Lumpur
As much as we love Kuala Lumpur for its attractions and activities, the hustle and bustle of city life can be overwhelming. Fortunately, visitors and locals of this capital won’t have to travel far to spend a pleasant and relaxing vacation thanks to its neighbouring getaway spots.
For those spontaneous vacations and quick escapades from the city, check out some of the best last-minute getaways from Kuala Lumpur below:
Ipoh
If you’re looking for a quick weekend getaway, one famous place that tourists often visit to have fun and unwind is Ipoh. It’s the third-largest city in the country, and it’s home to various beautiful sights and fun activities, perfect for those seeking peace, and adrenaline junkies.
This place is also great for foodies looking to experience what the country’s cuisine has to offer, as there are various local dishes here that are worth trying. The most notable one out of these, however, isn’t a dish but a beverage which is the famous Ipoh white coffee.
Things to Do in Ipoh
Visit the Gunung Rapat Limestone Hills
If you want to spend your day marvelling at some of the natural landscapes of Ipoh, we recommend visiting the Gunung Rapat Limestone Hills. Filled with notches and caves, these hills will keep you preoccupied with breathtaking views and interesting places to visit.
One of the most famous attractions from these hills is the Sam Poh Tong Cave Temple, which is situated in the middle of one of the caves. Seeing this in person is surreal, as it’s amazing to see a man-made creation located in one of mother nature’s best land formations.
Try the world-famous Ipoh white coffee
Yes, we know that you can already get Ipoh white coffee in Kuala Lumpur and literally anywhere else in the country. However, trust us when we say that there’s nothing quite like drinking it from where it originated.
If you haven’t tried it yet, Ipoh white coffee is made by roasting coffee beans with palm oil margarine. The factor that makes it unique and beloved all over the country is that it’s sweetened by condensed milk, leaving a sweeter note than typical coffee variations.
There are several places you can get this coffee from, but one of the best cafes that offer it is Chang Jiang White Coffee. It’s not overly priced like other cafes plus they feature a cool ambience where you can sit back, relax and enjoy your cup of joe.
Visit the stunning mirror lake
Before you even visit Ipoh, one attraction that you’ll immediately hear about is the Tasik Cermin, also known as the “Mirror Lake”. The name really speaks for itself, but once you see it first-hand, you’ll still be amazed at how beautiful the water of this lake is.
The best part about this lake is that it’s surrounded by other awe-inspiring attractions as well, including the aforementioned limestone hills. This makes this destination that much more special, as you’re really getting several inclusions for one trip.
Keep in mind that swimming in the lake is strictly prohibited. Also, because of its popularity, they started to charge an entrance fee to the attraction, but don’t worry, as this will only cost around RM5.
Admire beautiful street art on the Mural’s Art’s Lane
Ipoh is such a beautiful city to the point where you’re bound to see something interesting wherever you look. A prime example of this is Mural Art’s Lane where you can take a stroll and admire the beautiful street art of local artists.
This place can be a bit overwhelming and you may get lost getting from one street art to another. To avoid this from happening, we recommend going to the Ipoh Tourist Information Centre to get a map of the locations of the different artworks.
Buy souvenirs from the Kong Heng Flea Market
Of course, it wouldn’t be a complete trip without purchasing something to remember it by. For this need, we recommend going to the Kong Heng Flea Market where you’ll find a variety of knick-knacks and artisan goods.
This market opens every day from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, so you don’t have a reason to miss out on its offerings during your trip.
How to Get to Ipoh
Car: The best transportation option to get to Ipoh from KL is by car because it’s the fastest and it offers more comfort and privacy. Riding a car to Ipoh would only take around 2 hours and 10 minutes, and you’ll have the added benefit of being in charge of your route.
If you’re in Malaysia for a visit and you don’t have a car, numerous rental car services in KL can help you get to Ipoh with ease.
Taxi: The second best and quickest option to get to Ipoh if you don’t have your own car or a rental is by riding a taxi. Since this option is much like riding a car, a trip from KL to Ipoh via a taxi would also last around 2 hours and 10 minutes.
The downside with this option, however, is its price as the metre can run pretty high when covering a distance like this. A taxi ride from KL to Ipoh would cost around RM450 to RM570 depending on the flow of traffic.
Train: The fastest way to commute to Ipoh from KL is by taking the train, more specifically, the KL Sentral. This method takes around 2 and a half hours or less depending on traffic, and a ticket costs around RM32.
Bus: A bus ride from KL to Ipoh would typically cost RM28, and the trip would last about three hours or less. This option is for those groups of people who are looking to save a bit of money, but if you’d ask us, you’ll be better off riding the bus to cut 30 minutes off your trip.
Bentong
One of the quickest getaway destinations you can go on from Kuala Lumpur is Bentong, a peaceful town in Western Pahang. It’s only an hour away from KL, but it’s enough to escape its busy city life.
Bentong is filled with beautiful natural landscapes such as forests and reserves, which is impressive considering how close it is to the city. These places are great for admiring and fun activities as well.
Things to Do in Bentong
Take a breather in eRYAbySURIA’s hot springs
Address: 2527, Jalan Kuala Lumpur Lama, Mukim, 28700 Bentong, Pahang, Malaysia
Phone: +60 3-7806 4752
Pricing: $-$$
One of the best ways to unwind and release stress from your body is by dipping yourself in the hot springs of eRYAbySURIA.
Spending a couple of minutes submerged in the hot water of these springs will heal any body pain or muscle strain you’ve developed from your busy life. Plus, you can also spend overnight in one of their comfortable rooms, fully equipped with air conditioning and other amenities.
Enjoy a picnic by the Chamang Waterfall
When you think of picnics, the most common places you’ll immediately think of are parks, but that’s not the case in Bentong. In this town, you can bring some snacks and spend some time with your loved ones along its waterfall, Chamang.
Here, you can hear the water crashing down the rocks as you’re enjoying a peaceful meal with you and your loved ones. Afterwards, you can go ahead and take a dip in the naturally-formed pools.
Sample some durians
If you’re wondering which fruit to try in Bentong, look no further than durian. At first, you may not want to eat this fruit because of its spiky outer layer and putrid smell, but all of that changes once you taste its sweet meat.
Various places offer durian but we recommend going to Jimmy’s Durian Orchard, as they offer different variations. However, we must advise you to bring a bit of extra cash as the prices they charge for their durians are a bit high.
Learn about the town’s history
Address: 17-18, Jalan Loke Yew, 28700 Bentong, Pahang, Malaysia
Phone: +60 9-222 7600
If you want to take a break from exploring and slow down time, we recommend learning about the town’s rich history by visiting the Bentong Gallery. Whether you’re interested in the past or not, this is a must-visit for guests heading to Bentong because of its impressive attractions.
It comprises three separate halls, each of which features a different attraction. For instance, Hall 2 focuses more on the touristy side of Bentong, while Hall 3 is all about the town’s achievements and contributions.
Ride ATVs at Bilut Extreme Park
Address: Kampung Baharu, 27600 Bentong, Pahang, Malaysia
Phone: +6014 608 8803
Pricing: $$
If you’re looking to get your daily dose of adrenaline during your quick getaway to Bentong, look no further than Bilut Extreme Park! This place is the ultimate destination for adrenaline junkies, us included, because of its wide variety of exciting activities.
Among all their offerings, however, they’re well-known for offering ATV rides, and we can see why! By paying a reasonable price, you and your friends or family members can go crazy and ride these four-wheeled machines through different terrains!
Aside from ATV riding, you can also enjoy other family-friendly activities such as archery, paintball and hiking. Also, you won’t have to worry about anything going wrong during these activities, as the staff members here make sure that everyone is safe.
How to Get to Bentong
Car/Taxi: The easiest way to get to Bentong from KL is via a private car or a taxi. Regardless of which one you choose from the two, you’re looking at around an hour or less of travel time.
The biggest difference between the two is the price. Renting a car in KL can cost up to RM91 while taxi fare can go as high as RM115.
Bus: The only other way you can get to Bentong from KL is by riding a bus. Fortunately, this will be relatively easy, as you’ll find buses from the Bus Terminal Perkeliling that heads straight towards Bentong.
Using a bus will take you an hour and a half to arrive in Bentong, and tickets will cost around RM8.
Putrajaya
Located just 40 minutes away from Kuala Lumpur is the beautiful city of Putrajaya. Now we know what you’re thinking, why would I want to go to another modern city when I want to get away from Kuala Lumpur?
Well, Putrajaya offers a unique set of marvellous sights and fun things to do that are simply absent from KL. Plus, it’s known for its manmade lake and lively city area filled with world-class restaurants, karaoke spots, shopping centres and more.
Things to do in Putrajaya
Take the Putrajaya Cruise Tour
One of the reasons why we think Putrajaya is a great getaway destination from Kuala Lumpur is because of its river cruise. Through this fun activity, you can see the city from a unique perspective while enjoying world-class amenities.
To take things even further, you can even dine during the cruise thanks to their amazing buffet spread! What’s great about this is that it’s not overly priced so add it to your list of affordable yet cool date ideas here in Malaysia.
Lastly, this cruise is a nice option if you’re looking to see what sights Putrajaya has to offer, as it stops by some of its most prominent attractions.
Be in awe of its majestic mosques and cultural sites
Something you can expect from Putrajaya is its beautiful mosques. These cultural sites are architectural marvels, and they’re a huge reason why numerous tourists consider this city a must-visit during their trip here in Malaysia.
One of the most famous cultural sites here in Putrajaya is Putra Mosque, which peacefully sits at the banks of Putrajaya Lake. This picturesque mosque is immediately recognisable for its huge dome and rose-tinted colour.
Non-muslims can head inside this mosque during their visiting hours to see more of its beautiful architecture. If you think the outside was impressive, wait until you see its interior design!
Engage in exciting water activities at Marina Putrajaya
Address: Marina Putrajaya Sdn. Bhd., 1, Jalan P5/5, Presint 5, 62200 Putrajaya, Wilayah Persekutuan Putrajaya, Malaysia
Phone: +60 12-287 1120
Pricing: $$
As previously mentioned, one of the biggest attractions here in Putrajaya is its man-made lake. However, did you know that aside from being nice to look at, it also opens the doors to numerous fun activities?
This is thanks to Marina Putrajaya, an establishment that offers extreme water activities such as flyboarding, jet-skiing and more. These activities are for those who are looking for something more exciting to do other than observing beautiful surroundings.
Among all their offerings, the most famous one is flyboarding. Here, you’ll be strapped onto their specialised machine, which powerfully blasts water downwards causing you to hover like your favourite superheroes.
It takes some getting used to but that can be said about all their water activities. You can also try your hand at sailing if you want something a little more laid back.
Test your skills at the Putrajaya Challenge Park
Address: Jalan P5, Presint 5, 62200 Putrajaya, Wilayah Persekutuan Putrajaya, Malaysia
Phone: +60 3-8000 8000
Pricing: $
Sticking to the theme of high-energy activities, another thing you can do is test your skills at the Putrajaya Challenge Park. Here, you can hone various skills that you don’t get a chance to try out in a normal setting.
For instance, it features a rock-climbing wall where you can test not only your strength, but your mind-body coordination as well. Aside from that, they also feature a skate park where you can ride your bikes and skateboards through the course’s different curves.
Ride majestic horses at the Putrajaya Equestrian Park
Address: Presint 5, 62000, Putrajaya, WP Putrajaya., Putrajaya, Jalan Kandang Kuda, Putrajaya, Malaysia
Phone: +60 3-8881 1271
Pricing: $
For us, getaways are all about doing things that you can’t typically do in your day-to-day lives. This led us to think of an activity that you must try once you visit Putrajaya, which is horseback riding.
Thanks to the Putrajaya Equestrian Park, your dreams of riding a majestic steed through an open field can come true! Don’t worry, you’ll have the guidance of experts around you and the horses themselves are well-trained.
Aside from riding them, you can also connect with your horse of choice by feeding them yourself. Remember to be gentle!
How to Get to Putrajaya
Train: The best and quickest way to Putrajaya from KL is by riding the KLIA Transit. A one-way trip would only last 19 minutes and the cost can be as cheap as RM1.96.
Taxi: Alternatively, you can get to Putrajaya quickly by simply riding a taxi. Putrajaya is relatively nearby so a trip using this method would typically last around 25 minutes depending on the traffic.
For this specific place, we don’t recommend driving a rental since it’s nearby. You’re better off hailing a taxi which will cost around RM60.