Kuala Lumpur is an interesting city to visit in its own right, but it is also in a fortunate position for some interesting day trips outside of the city. Surrounded by stunning mountains, rainforests, beaches and a picturesque countryside full of charming small towns and villages, there are lots of places to see and explore all within an easy drive of Malaysia’s capital. If you’ve seen all that there is to see in Kuala Lumpur, or perhaps just want to escape the city for the day, try out one of these interesting day trips.

Malacca

Located just a 2-hour drive south of Kuala Lumpur, Malacca (or Melaka) is one of the most interesting historic cities in Malaysia. This city has a long and interesting history as an important trade port, given its location on the Malacca Straits. The city originally existed as a Malay Sultanate and was one of the most important ports in Asia at the time. This made the city a target for the rising European empires and the Portuguese were the first to conquer and take control of Malacca in the 16^th century, followed by the Dutch and then eventually the British. As such, Malacca has an interesting mix of influences from all of these occupiers, as well as the Chinese immigrants who settled here.

Malacca’s Old Town is UNESCO World Heritage listed, with lots of beautifully preserved historic buildings. Chinatown is at the centre of it all, with Jonker Street full of interesting shops and restaurants in charming old buildings. On the weekend, Jonker Street is home to a thriving night market that draws in weekend crowds from Kuala Lumpur.

Malacca has a lot of historic sites and museums to check out, and its location on the Malacca River is something to behold, best experienced with a river cruise.

Putrajaya

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Located to the south of Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya is a newly built city developed primarily for government buildings, moving most of Malaysia’s administration out of Kuala Lumpur. While this may not sound like an interesting day trip, this specially designed city has lots of interested sites to check out, especially if you enjoy architecture.

The highlight would have to be the Putra Mosque, which looks particularly beautiful from the lake. Another nice thing to do is to hire a boat and paddle around on Putrajaya Lake, or go for a wander through the lush botanical gardens.

Fraser’s Hill

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If you’re looking for an escape from the heat and humidity of Kuala Lumpur, take a day trip to the historic hilltop resort town of Fraser’s Hill (Bukit Fraser). This charming little town is located 1500m above sea level and you will instantly feel the change in temperature when you arrive. The town itself has some Scottish influence and is named after the Scottish Pioneer, James Fraser.

The town is surrounded by lush, pristine rainforest that is filled with native wildlife, with birdlife particularly abundant. There are lots of interesting nature trails to enjoy, with one of the most popular being the walk to the picturesque Jeriau Waterfall, where you can enjoy a refreshing swim in the pool below.

Another popular thing to do is to take a paddle boat out on Allen’s Water, with nice views of the town.

Kuala Selangor

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For a unique day trip from Kuala Lumpur, the Kuala Selangor Nature Park is an important mangrove wetlands and estuary habitat for a range of birds and other wildlife, many of which are rare and endangered. You can enjoy a nice wildlife encounter here during the day, but what really draws people to Kuala Selangor are the fire flies. At night time, you can enjoy a unique cruise on a small boat on the Selangor River, where thousands of fire flies come out to fly all around the banks of the river, lighting up the night like moving stars in the sky. This is possibly the best place to view fire flies in the world, and makes for a truly unique and unforgettable experience.

Genting Highlands

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If you’re after a thrill, Genting Highlands is the theme park capital of Malaysia. Located just north of Kuala Lumpur, getting to Genting Highlands is half the fun. While you can drive, the best way to get here is to take the Genting Skyway cable car – the longest in South East Asia – which provides stunning views and a fun way to arrive.

Genting Highlands is also the only place in Malaysia where you can legally gamble, so if you’re looking for a casino, this is the place to go. Nightlife is also big here, with lots of live shows and performances, so you can really make a full day out of your visit.

Port Dickson

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If you’re looking for a beach trip from Kuala Lumpur, Port Dickson is the closest place to Kuala Lumpur where you can place your feet in the sand and swim in the ocean. Port Dickson has been a port town for a long time, but in more recent years it has also developed into a beach resort town due to its close proximity to Kuala Lumpur.

There are some nice long stretches of white sand fringed with palm trees to enjoy, along with calm clean waters to swim in. Spend your day sunbaking and splashing around in the water, while the kids can build sandcastles or play Frisbee on the beach. Another picturesque spot to check out, located just outside of town, is the sheltered lagoon known as the Blue Lagoon, with crystal clear water perfect for swimming and snorkelling.

Port Dickson isn’t just about the beaches, with several interesting historical sites to check out, such as the Cape Rachado Lighthouse located a short drive south of town, built by the Portuguese in the 16^th Century.

These are just a few of the many great day trips you can enjoy from Kuala Lumpur. Whether you’re wanting to escape the city for some fresh air and cooler temperatures, enjoy a hike or laze on the beach, there is plenty to offer around Malaysia’s capital.