Kamunting is a lively town surrounded by verdant forests and mist-cloaked hills. Chase waterfalls, hike at a colonial-era hill station and fill up on scrumptious Malaysian food. Day trip to Taiping to visit museums, churches and a family-friendly zoo.
Things to do in Kamunting
Ride a Land Rover shuttle up to Bukit Larut hill station. The resort was built by the British in the 1800s and dotted with colonial-era bungalows. It’s reimagined as a recreation area where you can hike on fern-covered trails and admire colourful birds, butterflies and flowers. At 1250 metres above sea level, it promises much cooler temperatures than the city.
Cool off at Bukit Jana Falls, a series of cascades that flow down a boulder-strewn riverbed. The rocks create natural pools where you can swim and escape the humidity. Pack snacks and enjoy a picnic by the river before heading back to the city.
Day trip into Taiping and visit Muzium Perak, one of the oldest museums in Malaysia. The collection is housed in a handsome colonial building. Showpieces include an enormous elephant skeleton, shimmering “tekat” gold thread embroidery and a collection of wooden masks carved by Orang Asli indigenous Mayalsian groups. On the grounds, you can view vintage train carriages, military jets and wooden canoes.
From formal restaurants to sizzling street food stalls, you’ll find plenty of places to satisfy your appetite in Kamunting. Try local dishes like “char koay teow” fried noodles tossed with prawns, tofu and crunchy bean sprouts. Beat the heat with a glass of “hor ga sai” iced coffee or fresh-squeezed fruit juices. “Pisang goreng” banana fritters make an excellent dessert.
Getting around Kamunting
Kamunting is easy to get around on foot or you can take taxis for longer distances, while bicycles are a good option to explore Taiping. Trains run between Kamunting Station and Central Taiping in five minutes. The town is a 10-minute drive from the Taiping Airstrip and 3.5 hours from Kuala Lumpur International Airport.