Enjoy the cool air and beautiful mountain scenery in Baling. The lively town shares a border with Thailand and is surrounded by rainforest-covered peaks. Explore local hiking trails, venture into stalactite-covered caves and slurp laksa at laid-back riverside restaurants.
Things to do in Baling
Climb Gunung Pulai, a 600-metre-high mountain formed more than 450 million years ago. It’s one of the oldest rock formations in Malaysia and is covered with thick rainforest. Trails wind up the mountain and take you past cascading waterfalls and enormous tree roots. Look for monkeys swinging through the trees.
Neighbouring Gunung Baling is slightly smaller but just as beautiful. Enjoy 360-degree views over the surrounding rainforests and mountains from the summit. There’s only one trail to the summit, which means it’s difficult to get lost.
Guided tours are the best way to explore the limestone cave systems in Baling. Local guides take you deep into hidden caverns dripping with stalactites. Narrow boardwalks wind through the Gua Sireh Caves and take you through a series of chambers.
The Sungai Ketil River meanders past Baling and is dotted with family-run homestays, cosy guesthouses and local restaurants. Try specialties from the Kedah region like “laksa” noodle soup cooked in a fish-based broth, “gulai temenung” mackerel curry and “nasi ayam” chicken rice. Street stalls will tempt you with sizzling satay beef skewers and enormous plates of “kuey teow” fried noodles tossed with cockles and topped with a fried egg.
Getting around Baling
Baling is compact and easy to get around on foot, while taxis are a good way to cover longer distances. The town is a 2.5-hour drive from Penang and Penang International Airport. Rental cars offer the freedom to visit Baling and explore Kedah at your own pace.