15 Charming Small Towns And Villages In Malaysia: Underrated Gems For Your Next Road Trip

Eunis Ong

Last updated 19 Mar 2024

Photo Credits: @kityannn, @_amirafarhanaa, @pikto.rial

Road Trip, Anyone?

Malaysia is full of gems waiting to be explored. While cities like George Town, Ipoh, and Malacca city have established their positions as popular getaway spots, there are a handful of smaller towns and villages full of distinctive cultures, sights, good food, character, and charm that remain far from the limelight they deserve. Who's up for a road trip once the chaos is over?

Charming Local Small Towns And Villages

1. Bentong, Pahang

Distance from KL: 1 hour

Most Malaysians should have been to Bentong before, this huge district in Pahang is home to some popular weekend getaway spots in Peninsular Malaysia like Bukit Tinggi, Genting Highlands, and Janda Baik. However, there's more to Bentong than these popular destinations - besides the more commercialized spots, it is dotted with durian orchards, pretty waterfalls, as well as a charming old town with a laid-back vibe and lots of good food.

We'd recommend soaking in the lovely morning vibe at the Bentong Morning Market, slurping down some delicious wantan mee from a coffee shop that has been in business for decades, and taking a refreshing dip at the pretty Chamang Waterfall (also known as Lover's Waterfall). Don't forget to bring home some souvenirs like Bentong ginger, Bentong soy sauce, or durian-flavoured snacks!

Accommodation Things To Do

The Waterway Villa, Bentong: Spend A Night In Nature-Inspired Villas Enveloped By Lush Rainforests

The Waterway Villa in Bentong, Pahang consists of a cluster of rustic villas set amidst nature. Book your stay at a discounted rate of 50% off on Klook!

Accommodation Things To Do

8 Family-Friendly Hotels And Homestays Near Genting Highlands For A Chilly Family Getaway

Book one of these stays and you won't even have to step out of your room! Check out our list of family-friendly hotels and retreats near Genting Highlands, Pahang.

2. Kluang, Johor

Distance from KL: 3 hours

Nestled in central Johor, Kluang is home to some of Malaysia's largest organic farms (where you can befriend goats and sheep, and even pick your own herbs!), a family-friendly water park, hills waiting to be conquered, a colourful mural street, and a coffee powder factory.

Start your day with an aromatic cup of Kluang coffee and kaya toast at a kopitiam established in 1938, walk off those calories by strolling down an alley showcasing a total of 24 murals painted by local artists, and befriend some gentle animals at Malaysia's largest goat and sheep farm!

We also recommend popping by the Zenxin Organic Park where you can learn how organic vegetables, fruits, and herbs are farmed! Book a variety of unique combo packages available on Klook that come inclusive of a farm tour as well as fun workshops.

3. Gopeng, Perak

Distance from KL: 2 hours

Gopeng is Perak's former tin-mining town located just 17km southeast of Ipoh. This laid-back town is perfect for nature lovers and is great for exploring majestic rainforests, rivers, caves, and limestone cliffs.

Go caving at the 400-million-year-old Gua Tempurung, try out white water rafting at the Kampar River, hike the thrilling Bukit Batu Putih, or learn about the history of Gopeng at the Gopeng Museum! To elevate your adventure, how about spending a night in a tent at the Gopeng Glamping Park?

Gopeng Glamping Park Travel Malaysia Trip Staycation

Things To Do Accommodation

Sleep In A Tent Beneath A Starry Sky And Explore The Laid-Back Historical Town Of Gopeng, Perak

Experience glamping beneath the stars at the laid-back Gopeng Glamping Park, located just a 2-hour drive away from Kuala Lumpur!

4. Teluk Intan, Perak

Distance from KL: 2 hours

Formerly known as Teluk Anson, Teluk Intan is most known for the iconic Leaning Tower of Teluk Intan, Malaysia's version of the Leaning Tower of Pisa! Built in 1885 for the purpose of storing water during the drought season and to guide ships into Teluk Intan Port, the pagoda-style tower is slanted leftward due to the underground stream.

While there aren't a lot of things to see in the quiet town of Teluk Intan, you can get some pretty good food here! Embark on a food adventure starting from some delicious chee cheong fun to hearty nasi kandar, yummy rojak, and Chinese pastries. If you're sweating in the heat, pop by the Glutton Square Food Court for a refreshing bowl of ais kacang that has been a local favourite for 60 years!

5. Kangar, Perlis

Distance from KL: 5.5 hours

The capital of Perlis, Kangar is known usually as the transit station for overland travel between Malaysia and Thailand. While it isn't a bustling metropolis full of vibrant streets and city lights, Kangar has a charming, countryside town vibe that makes it refreshing to explore. Due to its close proximity to the Thai border, most locals here even speak some Thai and those who stay by the border used to just walk over the immigration lines to visit their friends and relatives on the other side!

Kangar is surrounded by vast fields and farms, including a beautiful flower field that was only just opened to the public mid last year. Located in the Snake and Reptile Park, you can stroll through rows and rows of cheery sunflowers as well as visit other attractions at the park including a petting zoo and reptile conservatory.

6. Rompin, Pahang

Distance from KL: 4 hours

Located by the sea and the river, and surrounded by lush rainforests, Rompin is a district dotted with natural gems. Plan an adventure here if you're up to explore off-the-beaten-path, there's so much to see from gushing waterfalls to friendly orang asli villages, sandy beaches, fresh seafood, and a picturesque lake with clear blue waters in Bukit Ibam called Tasik Biru.

The district also merges with the edges of the popular Endau-Rompin National Park, the second-largest national park in Peninsular Malaysia after Taman Negara. Covering an area of almost 900 square kilometres, this nature gem makes up a part of two Malaysian states (Pahang and Johor), and is home to pristine forests, majestic waterfalls, and endangered animals including the Malayan Tiger and Sumatran Rhinoceros.

7. Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu

Distance from KL: 4.5 hours

Kuala Terengganu is the capital of Terengganu, a quaint town filled with pretty heritage buildings and museums, as well as strips of sandy beaches. It's also a great gateway to the charming islands of Terengganu (Pulau Duyung, Pulau Redang, Lang Tengah, and more!), reachable via easy ferry rides. While you're here, make sure you also catch a glimpse of the majestic Kuala Terengganu Drawbridge, the town's icon with a design inspired by the London Tower Bridge.

Grasp the opportunity to indulge in some authentic local cuisine such as nasi kerabu, ikan celup tepung, and nasi dagang at the warungs and food stalls across the town. End your trip by popping by the Payang Central Market where you can shop for exotic and local ingredients as souvenirs, from hand-woven textiles like kain batik to food products such as serunding (specialty meat floss), herbs, and spices.

8. Taiping, Perak

Distance from KL: 3 hours

Taiping is the second-largest city in Perak, often overshadowed by the more popular and well-known Ipoh, yet offering just as much to see and do! This charming old town is blessed with well-preserved colonial architecture, historical buildings, fine gardens (including Malaysia's first park - the Taiping Lake Gardens!), the oldest hill resort in the country, and even the oldest museum in Peninsular Malaysia.

Don't miss out on catching a glimpse of the rustic Taiping Clock Tower that's one of the town's most iconic sights! The white-washed British colonial structure is often mistaken as a church due to its appearance, and it has served the city well over the years as a police station, fire brigade, and timekeeper. Other must-visits include the Antong Coffee Mill (a 89-year-old factory that still roasts coffee beans using firewood), Taiping Zoo (the oldest zoo in Malaysia), and Bukit Larut (formerly known as Maxwell Hill)!

9. Muar, Johor

Distance from KL: 2.5 hours

Muar is a quaint little town in Johor that's just about an hour's drive from Melaka. While there aren't major tourist attractions in Muar, there's still lots to see, do, and eat here! If you're a foodie, you have to pop by Sai Kee Kopi 434 Muar for a good old cup of local coffee paired with some roti bakar (or even nasi lemak, if you're feeling hungry!), then proceed to the Food Street Jalan Haji Abu (also known as the Muar Glutton Street) for a feast on street snacks.

Other local delights you can't miss out on include a comforting plate of mee bandung (that's a staple food for most Johoreans) and the town's specialty Muar otak-otak!

10. Batu Pahat, Johor

Distance from KL: 3 hours

Located southeast of Muar and an hour and a half from Johor Bahru, Batu Pahat is a laid-back town with fun, family-friendly attractions including a theme park, nature spots, and historical streets! Our favourite spot at Batu Pahat is one of the town's most notable landmarks, the Old Street Commercial Centre where you can indulge in delicious local (as well as international) eats, stroll along the sky garden, and hunt for vintage goods and antiques at the popular weekend flea market, Pasar Karat Batu Pahat. You can even go cafe-hopping in the town!

11. Sekinchan, Selangor

Distance from KL: 1.5 hours

Sekinchan is a small town located in Sabak Bernam, Selangor, an easy drive from KL. The town is a lively fishing village as well as one of the major rice-producing spots in Malaysia, with vast, neat, beautiful fields of rice paddies! Visit the Paddy Processing Gallery for an educational tour, take photos at the paddy fields (make sure you visit during the right months when the fields are green!), and feast on local seafood caught fresh from the local fishing village.

12. Kuala Kubu Bharu, Selangor

Distance from KL: 1 hour

Located just a short drive away from KL, Kuala Kubu Bharu is a popular weekend getaway spot for urbanites, perfect for those craving some fresh air and an adrenaline rush! Fondly known as KKB by the locals, the town was rebuilt after being destroyed by a flood in the 18th century, it is dotted with lush rainforests, waterfalls, hills, and a charming old town that houses plenty of historical buildings.

There's so much you can do from jungle trekking to white water rafting, paragliding, soaking in a hot spring, glamping, and stargazing here! Spend a night at The Sticks, an off-the-grid eco-resort tucked away in the lush rainforest of Kuala Kubu Bharu. This staycation spot is perfect for urbanites craving for a cool, quiet, and restful getaway.

Things To Do Accommodation

The Sticks, Kuala Kubu Bharu: An Off-The-Grid Rainforest Hideaway An Hour From KL

Experience glamping in the heart of the lush rainforest of Kuala Kubu Bharu at The Sticks, an eco-resort and glamping site located just an hour away from KL.

13. Kuala Selangor, Selangor

Distance from KL: 1 hour

Located just an hour's drive from KL, Kuala Selangor is an easy day trip for a temporary escape from the bustling city. This small historic town is a hidden gem with lots to explore from a war memorial to a fortress built in the late 18th century, a nature park that's a sanctuary to endangered silvered leaf monkeys, and a Sky Mirror that has often been likened to Bolivia's Salar De Uyuni salt flats!

End your evening by hopping on a cruise in search of kelip-kelips (fireflies) at the Kampung Kuantan Fireflies Park, or alternatively, head out to catch the magnificent "blue tears" phenomenon in Kuala Selangor river.

14. Kota Bahru, Kelantan

Distance from KL: 6 hours

Kota Bharu is the unpretentious state capital of Kelantan that is often overlooked and treated as just the transit station for travellers heading to the islands off the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. It's definitely not listed on most guide books on Malaysia, but is worth being explored if you're up for a different adventure.

Some popular sights here include the Pasar Besar Siti Khadijah (known as one of the most diverse markets in Malaysia!), the Istana Jahar (for a peek into the history of Kelantan and life of the royal family), and the Pantai Cahaya Bulan (where you can fly a kite and catch a sunset). Make sure you allocate time to try some authentic Kelantanese food from nasi tumpang to roti titab, khao jam, and laksam!

15. Kuala Kangsar, Perak

Distance from KL: 2.5 hours

You may recall Kuala Kangsar from your history lessons back in high school, this royal town of Perak was where the first rubber tree was planted in Malaysia (previously known as Malaya)! You can still catch a glimpse of the tree standing proud today in the compound of the Kuala Kangsar City Hall.

Besides being home to the oldest rubber tree in the country, Kuala Kangsar is a town full of history, architectural wonders, and old-school charm. Some must-see sights include the majestic Ubudiah Mosque, the Royal Museum of Perak, and the beautiful Victoria Bridge!

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