Sometimes, the only thing we really need is a quiet moment away from it all—a change of scenery, a slower pace, and a place that feels like a soft reset.
Have you ever fantasized about taking a small break from it all to just disappear for a short while? Has life just been overwhelming for you that it is draining you, mentally and physically? We’ve all been there. Whether it has something to do with our job, our personal life or even people we once knew who’ve become strangers, life tends to get to us one way or another. Sometimes, all we really need is to take a short breather from it all for us to reset our minds and enjoy certain moments without a care in the world.
For example, laying on the beach, enjoying the sounds of the calm waves while the wind blows through your body that gives you a sense of calmness? Or maybe this eagerness within ourselves to travel towards an unknown place just to visit that one aesthetically pleasing café and enjoy a hot cup of coffee?
If this sounds close to your heart but you haven’t the slightest clue of where to go, then worry not! Today, we’re sharing three laid-back towns near KL that are perfect for a relaxing weekend retreat. We will be talking about some of the best solo travel gems perfect for resetting your soul without needing much planning in order for you to head over to this sweet escape. If the idea of going for an impromptu trip sounds appealing to you, then you’d definitely wanna stick around and hear what we got to say.
Taiping, Perak
If you’re the type of person who enjoys visiting towns with a rich history built into it with, filled with old colonial structures that is accompanied by a nice humid weather for you to enjoy as you explore this town, then Taiping, located in Perak might just be the stop for you! Taiping not only has old buildings that are still there from many years ago but the town also has a relationship with Mother Nature, that really gives you the vibe that you’re close to nature. With the town having a reputation of being the wettest in Malaysia, you’d be in awe to witness beforehand the beautiful greenery around Taiping that gives it such a calm and soothing vibe.
Not to mention, the people who live here are also very much minding their own business or as we’d like to call it, ‘chill’. If it’s your first time visiting, do not feel intimidated as these people are actually very friendly and are mostly curious when they see people from another town arrive in theirs.
On the topic of the town being associated with nature, I’m pretty sure you’re curious as to what does the town have to offer, right? If you’re the adventurous type who loves living on the edge, it is a must for you to visit Bukit Larut, also known as Maxwell Hill, located 10 kilometers southwest from Taiping. Whether you choose to go for a ride or hike up towards the misty hills accompanied by a cool climate, being able to witness the view on top there is bound to give you a feeling that you’re detached from the world; and all of your worries.
Maxwell Hill/Bukit Larut
It is the ideal place for you to take long, deep breaths to fully enjoy the cool and calming air which gives you a sense of comfort and peace. With the hills having temperatures that go from as high as 25 degrees and as low as 15 degrees Celsius, the chilly weather is something you’d want to experience.
Antong Coffee Mill
Other than it’s unique climate, Taiping also has a variety of cafes that you can hop to enjoy their different aesthetics they have to offer. An example being the one and only Antong Coffee Mill, located in the main town of Taiping. Given the reputation of being the oldest coffee mill in Malaysia, the Antong Coffee Mill offers more than 20 coffee-based beverage for you people who love your caffeine. Some of the notables would be their Kopi ‘O’ which is their signature coffee as well as a few other great ones like golden coffee and durian white coffee.
With a wide variety for you to choose from, the Antong Coffee Mill is a must visit for coffee lovers who wish to sit down with their coffee, a nice book or journal in their hand while also learning about a local side of history that this coffee mill has developed for itself over the years.
Sekinchan, Selangor
If you’re the type of person who enjoys a mix of the beautiful, serene ocean along with the wide, vast fields and would like to have your own special moment like they do in the movies, and is a foodie who loves their seafood, then Sekinchan, located in Selangor, might just be the place for you! Sekinchan is a unique town which has the shared aesthetic of both the green paddy fields as well as the vast blue seas. The town offers a sunny and grounded atmosphere, making it a great place for you to feel like you’re experiencing summer in another country. Aside from the aesthetic of the town, there’s also a existing Wishing Tree that is a massive tourist attraction and something you’d want to check out.
The Wishing Tree
Known to be quite a symbolic and soothing ritual by the people of the town, the Wishing Tree, located at Redang Beach, has people both foreign and local visiting the place to basically have their wish granted. Ever wanted to write down your wishes and hopes, tie it to a red ribbon and toss it into the tree? Maybe it’s for the wish of prosperity in your life. Maybe it’s for that job promotion that you so long for. Or maybe it’s just so life can get on with giving you a partner that you daydream about. Whatever it is that your heart desires, why not wish upon it on the Wishing Tree and who knows, maybe they’ll come true!
Redang Beach
Speaking of Redang beach, remember when I first mentioned how you could have your own special moment like they do in the movies? Think specifically of that scene when a character is healing themselves from whatever they were going through and the shot of them on the beach just mesmerizes you, making you wish you could experience that, too. Pretty sure we’ve all dreamed of that at one point but if you chose to head Sekinchan as your next soft travel spot, then you’re in luck! Covered with vibrant blue skies, coconut trees and a gentle wind that goes through you, Redang beach is a place that offers you a place to have your mind at peace.
Whether it’s just you sitting down on the beach as the sunlights warmth accompanies you with the sound of the ocean refreshing your mind with each wave or just choosing to have fun in the waters to make yourself feel like a kid again who’s visiting the beach with your family, Redang beach is a place for you to gently return to yourself.
Now of course, since you’re already loving how fun it is to do nothing on the beach but to enjoy the moment, you start to feel curious if there’s any place around there for you to fill your tummies with seafood while enjoying the breeze of the ocean beside you. Luckily for you, Sekinchan is quite well-known for it’s seafood and offers a wide variety of choices for you to indulge on.
Whether it’s the sizzling taste of a chili crab, the crustiness of a butter prawn or clams that are cooked with a ginger broth, the seafood restaurants in Sekinchan offers some of the freshest and mouth watering seafood that’ll be in your mind for awhile. After going back to KL after this trip, it’ll leave you with a craving for the seafood over at Sekinchan.
Seremban, Negeri Sembilan
If the 2 towns before this isn’t really your vibe and you’re leaning more towards a quiet and low key town, where time feels like it’s moving slower than usual but in a comforting way, then Seremban, located in Negeri Sembilan, might just be the place for you to enjoy some nice and quiet time with your mind to rejuvenate yourself.
Seremban gives off the feeling of a ghost town but don’t let that fool you. It’s actually a quiet and peaceful town that makes you feel at ease with how calming the silence surrounding it is. The town itself isn’t loud or flashy in any way and that is its beauty. With that being said, there are still a number of activities that you can choose to do here without much planning and we are here to list them out!
Seremban Lake Gardens
Knowing that this is the kind of place you’d want to be with a sense of peace and quiet, you’d enjoy strolling around Seremban Lake Gardens. Having a reputation for being the oldest lake gardens in Malaysia, Seremban Lake Gardens is a nice spot for you to wander around in circles for hours.
Could be that you just want to empty out your mind while walking around the garden while admiring the lush greenery around you or listening to your favorite artists as you continue to stroll around the well-maintained paths of the garden while observing the still waters that helps to clear your head off of things.
Seremban Orchid Park
If you’re someone who loves the wild and vibrant colors of nature, the Seremban Orchid Park, which is conveniently located near the Lake Gardens, may just be for you. The spot which is lesser known is filled with colorful blooms of flowers as well as your much needed quiet corners.
Imagine the scenario where you’re able to walk around the orchid park while being able to smell different types of scent that is being let out by these lively flowers.
Coffee Shops
Last but not least, with Seremban having such a still atmosphere that feels like a place for you to switch off from your responsibilities, you knew we’re gonna recommend some local cafes that has a special charm to them that are worth visiting.
With cafes such as The Coffeeholic and 89Kopi, their menus and different environments are a great place to be for you to finally finish that book you’ve been wanting to read or update that personal journal of yours about how life feels currently as you unwind in a cozy corner.
We hope that this article has been a great help for you to figure out where your next travel spot without much commitment being put in will be! Whether you chose to hang with the people of Taiping, talking about how times have change, or walking around Redang beach barefoot while enjoying the warm wind blowing through, or even gently touching the newly bloomed flowers you deserve a much needed break from it all. We all belong to somewhere that matches our energy and we wish that you find your personal safe town to escape to soon enough. Till next time! Take it easy!
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