Escape the bustling city of Kuala Lumpur and embark on a journey. While Genting Highlands is a well-known destination, there are plenty of other charming getaways within a two-hour drive.

1. Janda Baik (45 minutes)
Janda Baik used to be a quiet retreat with cool forests with nice chilly breezes, but it has been getting a lot of hype recently with new cafes and Instagram-worthy experiences. 26 minutes’ drive away, at Bukit Tinggi, you will find a sprawling resort with its own French village and Japanese garden.

a) Have your afternoon tea at this forest cafe right by the pond: Pineyard
Pineyard cafe is a definite special find with its pine wood floors and pillars to its minimalistic steel white arches – this place oozes cosiness and warmth within the chilly forest of Janda Baik. You can have your coffee indoors by their bar or maybe outside on the grass near a pond. Wherever you choose, every corner is just dreamy.

b) Afternoon tea picnic by the river and luxury glamping: Tiarasa Escapes
If you have the whole weekend to spare, why not stay for the night? It’s easy to pretend that you’re in the savannah at this gorgeous glamping site (when you’re in fact only 45 minutes away from KL). They offer delicious local cuisine too.

c) A gardening workshop with a gourmet spread for lunch: A Little Farm on the Hill, Janda Baik
How much more fun can your meals get when you get to see it being made from the ground up? Starting with tips on gardening in the tropics to having lunch whipped up with freshly picked ingredients of the morning’s class, A Little Farm on the Hill should not be missed especially if you have a green thumb or are interested in planting your own produce!

d) Get your daily dose of nature: Lata Tampit Waterfall
Chasing waterfalls is a hobby that everyone should take up! Janda Baik is home to Lata Tampit Waterfall which has a whopping seven levels for you to explore! What’s even better, you can take things up a notch by choosing to abseil down one of the highest levels! Hard work with a cooling fresh reward straight after – how perfect!

2. Bentong (1 hour from KL)
Home to a multitude of different food specialties, your taste buds will be jumping for joy as soon as you enter Bentong! Make sure to fully explore the different varieties of sauces, syrups, and fresh foods, and don’t forget to pair them with some adventure too!

a) Stay in a scenic glasshouse: Bilut Hills (in between Bentong and Raub)
It’s every girl’s dream to stay in a glasshouse like this up in the hills and you can make that come true with just a short weekend trip from KL!
Bilut Hills comprises 5 different themed rooms catering to couples and families, from glasshouse, kampung house to even Tudor-themed rooms. Our favourite is hands-down the glasshouse-themed Premium Chalet from which you can get a 360-degree panoramic view of the surrounding hills and rainforest!

b) A gorgeous cascade over smooth rocks: Chamang waterfall
A huge rushing river is responsible for this waterfall, while a magnificent cluster of rocks take the form of a long and seemingly never-ending waterfall before coming to rest at the bottom in a massive plunge pool.
This pool is relatively clean and immensely fun to swim in, so take a dip to relieve your body from the hot Malaysian sun, and bask on one of the rocks while indulging in a home-made picnic. Bliss!

c) Extreme activities and thrilling adventures: Bilut Extreme Park (in between Bentong and Raub)
A fun-filled day full of heart pumping activities is just what the doctor ordered! From archery to ATV riding, you’ll feel elated at every turn!
Enjoy zooming through streams and splashing people you’re racing, then focus your attention on the bullseye and let an arrow go flying through the air! Whatever it is, it’ll be a day filled with extreme fun!

d) Discover the original way everyone’s favourite soy sauce is made: Kicap Bentong Sdn Bhd
When you open the fridge at any Asian household (with permission, of course), you’ll most likely find a bottle of soy sauce. Whether it’s salty or sweet, you’ll see it’s there!
People don’t seem to realise that this liquid gold takes a lot of work to get from soybean to soy sauce, and it’s fascinating. Take a short tour around this factory and learn the process from attentive staff and wander around the massive fermentation pots!

e) Bentong ginger syrup with beancurd pudding: Bentong Tau Fu Sdn Bhd – Auntie Mok
Tau Fu Fa (beancurd pudding) is a local delicacy that most of us in Malaysia know and love. The blend of tastes from the soft pudding and the sugary syrup makes for the perfect sweet ending after a meal, or even while walking through a night market.
The Tau Fu Fa at Bentong Tau Fu Sdn Bhd is even more special – their syrup is infused with ginger! It’s only fitting that a place famous for ginger figured out a way to make it part of this wonderful dessert.

f) If ginger and durian are what you’re looking for: Sunday Morning Market, Bentong
Every Sunday, people flock to this morning market, but it’s not just for locals. People who are keen to try Bentong specialties such as ginger and soy sauce will definitely find them here.
And durian lovers take note! You’ll be able to get your favourite Musang King here for prices that are way more reasonable than KL, if you come during the right season when durian supplies increase!

3. Tadom Hill Resorts (50 minutes from KL)
Tadom Hill is the perfect place to go on a day trip with a group of friends. Not only is their day pass extremely affordable, there’s just so much to do there! You can take a leisurely swim in the lake, try out their Tarzan swing, or attempt to cross the lake on a bamboo raft! Not to mention have fun with basketball and volleyball in the sand if you’re coming in a group. Kids can have a go at running around their bamboo playground with obstacle course too – it’s the ultimate family destination!
If you’re feeling extra adventurous, for a little extra cash, you can also go on their flying fox or ride the ATV! Did I also mention that they have archery? Head there for a full day of adventurous fun!

4. ATV Adventure Park (35 minutes from KL)
As much as we all love heading to the mall, cafes or cinema, there’s no denying that sometimes a little adrenaline makes us feel good. Less than an hour away from KL is a super cool ATV park!
Zip around in the mud along forest floors and enjoy the wind in your hair as you ride a massive four wheeler – it’s sure to get your blood pumping! There’s also a waterfall nearby that you can go for a dip in to cool off after building up all that sweat!

5. Sekinchan (1.5 hours from KL)
With so many things to do and places to eat in Sekinchan, you’ll almost feel like you’ve taken a holiday abroad! Fancy the paddy fields of Bali? How about the sleepy fishing villages of Vietnam? Or a good old fashioned beach day?! All can be found here!

a) Private fine dining in the middle of the paddy fields: Ninja Private Kitchen
Now you can dine in the middle of the paddy fields just like in Bali! Head to Sekinchan for a day trip or weekend getaway, and you can indulge in steamed mud crabs, fresh oysters, tropical fruit and more!

b) Reminiscent of a hot summer’s day: Pantai Redang Sekinchan
There’s nothing better than spending an afternoon basking in the sun, smelling the sea spray, and feeling the ocean currents across your toes whenever you stroll along the shore. Stick around for sunset when you’ll witness a beautiful display of colours dancing across the sky, and the magnificent moment when day turns to night!

c) Take a trip to the Bali of Sekinchan: Sekinchan Padi Field
While endless hues of blue are a sight to behold, endless shades of green are even more spectacular! Witness the origins of one of Southeast Asia’s most important grains (rice!) and see how it grows, thrives, and most importantly, take gorgeous pictures with the sprawling fields as your background!

d) Seafood lovers rejoice!: Sekinchan Fishing Port & Restoran Guan Hwat
Imagine biting into succulent prawns, fresh fish, and indulgent crabs!
Seafood is the star of the show in Sekinchan thanks to its proximity to the ocean. At Sekinchan Fishing Port, you’ll be able to watch how the residents of one of Selangor’s biggest fishing villages live their lives.
After, head to Restoran Guan Hwat for a delicious seafood feast! You’ll be going home with a full belly and a mind full of experience!

e) Make a wish: Sekinchan wishing tree
With bright red ribbons hanging from each and every branch, it’s no wonder that people flock here to take photos of this incredibly unique tree. But what most people forget is that it’s actually much more than just a sight!
Prayers are offered to the deities at the small temple first, then each person is given a ribbon tied to a Chinese coin to write their wish on. The ribbon must then be thrown up into the tree to hang for your wish to come true. They say the higher the ribbon, the higher the chance it’ll come true!

f) Big, yellow, juicy sweetness: Mango King
You may have heard of Musang King for durians, but have you ever heard of Mango King? The queue at Mango King can be intimidating, but trust us, it’s worth it! You can choose to have your mango fresh or blended into an ice-cold smoothie, the perfect remedy for a hot day!