Are you looking for a break from the hustle and bustle of city life? If you want to experience Malaysia’s serene and picturesque beauty, why not explore a different side of the country? We recently traveled to Sekinchan to immerse ourselves in its charming and tranquil atmosphere. It’s the perfect getaway for us seeking a peaceful escape from busy city life.
Sekinchan is an idyllic small town that evolved from a fishing village. Its colorful boats and laid-back atmosphere make it a perfect place to unwind and relax.
Things to do in Sekinchan
This post will include all the best places to be visited, the restaurants where we had our meals, and the homestay where we stayed overnight during our trip to Sekinchan. This information will be helpful to you as a guide for planning your trip to Sekinchan. Please note that the order of the sequence is based on our itinerary. Therefore, the first does not necessarily mean it is the best, and the last does not mean it is less important either.
1. Sekinchan Paddy Field
Our first stop in the morning from Kuala Lumpur is Villa Chee, where we will spend the night. We will provide more information on this unique villa later in the post, but for now, let’s look at the vast expanse of lush paddy fields surrounding Chee Villa, stretching as far as the eye can see.
We went to the villa’s rooftop and were greeted with a stunning view. The lush green fields are breathtaking and offer abundant opportunities for spectacular photographs.
We also stroll through the fields, taking in the serene atmosphere.
While this scenery may be familiar to the locals and those who live in the farming village, it is a captivating scene for those of us from the city. I would put it at the top of the list of best things to do in Sekinchan.
Watch the video we shot at Sekinchan 👇👇. It is at the end of this article,
2. Villa Chee
We chose to stay at Villa Chee based on the recommendation of a friend who had recently visited Sekinchan. Villa Chee is one of the few villas in Sekinchan that were primarily built using shipping containers. Transforming stacked freight containers into hotel rooms is a unique concept that attracts many tourists, including us. We were excited to experience the feeling of living in a container but also anticipated that the interior would be fully renovated to provide us with the comfort of a hotel room.
The room is relatively small as it has to fit everything into the size of a container, but it is cleverly designed so there is a bathroom cum shower at one end. At the other end of the container is opened up to a balcony facing miles and miles of rice fields.
The building has a lively and colorful atmosphere, with numerous amenities for children and adults.
The illuminated koi pond adds to the beautiful night scenery.
3. Restoran Kim Kee 金记海鲜饭店
We chose this small restaurant for lunch in a small lane because it had good reviews on Google.
It is a house converted into a restaurant; only a few tourists knew about it. Most of the customers we saw were locals, and we were excited to try authentic local dishes, especially fresh seafood. Having fresh seafood is one of the top things to do in a fishing village such as Sekinchan.
We ordered the stir-fried mantis shrimp, which was unique as it was prepared with curry leaves, dried shrimp, and eggs. The mantis shrimp was deep-fried and then coated with a savory sauce.
Next, we tried the steamed prawns with egg. We loved how the prawns’ flavor seeped into the egg, making it extremely tasty.
The restaurant’s specialty is barbeque squid, which tastes like Chinese salted baked chicken. It was the best dish we ordered.
The food was excellent and unique at an affordable price. We highly recommend Kim Kee to anyone visiting Sekinchan.
4. Sekinchan Wishing Tree
After lunch, we drove to Redang Beach, where we had heard about the famous wishing tree on social media.
The Sekinchan Wishing Tree is a popular attraction where visitors can participate in a unique tradition of writing their wishes on red ribbons and tying them to coins before tossing them onto the tree branches. This iconic tree symbolizes hope and dreams for many, with numerous red ribbons carrying heartfelt messages from people worldwide.
The tradition of the Wishing Tree dates back to a few years ago when worshippers of the nearby temple started tossing their wishes tied to red ribbons with coins onto the tree branches. Gradually, this practice gained popularity, and more and more people started adding their ribbons, carrying their wishes. The ribbons are tied to coins as a weight when thrown onto the tree, and it is believed that the higher the ribbon lands on the tree, the greater the chances of the wish coming true.
If you also have a wish and want to leave it to the universe, come to toss your ribbon as high as you can!
There is a temple located right next to the wishing tree. This traditional temple is dedicated to the worship of the deity Na Tok Gong 哪督公. It is a relatively new temple building, and a sign near the entrance indicates the new temple building was inaugurated in January 2024.
5. MSekin Wonderland Waterpark
After visiting the tree and the temple, we returned to town and passed by the Sekin Wonderland Waterpark. According to their website, the entrance fee is RN30 for adults and RM20 for children. Since it’s a waterpark designed mainly for kids, we decided not to enter this time.
6. The fishing village
The fishing village at the Jeti Sg. Labu (Labu River Jetty) is across from the waterpark. With their multicolored appearance, the view of the fishing boats lined up in the river was truly mesmerizing and provided a perfect backdrop for taking memorable photos.
7. Paddy Gallery
Our next destination is the Paddy Gallery, located at Jalan Tali Air 5, right in the center of the paddy fields. It is located within a paddy processing factory.
After purchasing our entrance tickets for RM5 per person, we entered the gallery and watched a short film about modern rice production. The film covered everything from seed selection to packaging and was repeated in three different languages – Malay, English, and Mandarin. This was particularly helpful for those unfamiliar with rice production, like us, who have always lived in the city.
After watching the film, we headed to another gallery hall, where traditional farming tools were displayed in a traditional farmhouse. It was fascinating to see all the old tools and learn how farmers used them in the past.
8. Mango King Sekinchan (华仔芒果园）
Not too far from the Paddy Gallery is the Mango King, which offers a variety of local fruits, including giant mangoes. As it was a hot day, we ordered an ice-cold mango smoothie to quench our thirst. We also bought some local fruits to take back home.
9. N16 Cafe
N16 Cafe is located inside an old school bus elevated from the ground. It is situated next to another container homestay called Padi Box amidst a large paddy field. The cafe’s uniqueness lies in its being housed in an old bus, and its number plate remains intact.
Upon arrival, we climbed the metal staircase up to the bus. Due to COVID-19, the cafe no longer serves hot food but is now focused on drinks, cakes, scones, and other desserts.
While the food provided could be more exceptional, the unique environment of the bus makes it a must-visit. The inside of the bus is air-conditioned, with tables added, but it retains the old-fashioned bus seats we were familiar with.
Outside the bus is an elevated viewpoint with an antique yellow Mini. The unobstructed view of the paddy field makes it an ideal spot to take some stunning photos.
10. Redang Beach (Pantai Redang)
After taking a tea break at N16 Cafe, we returned to Redang Beach to capture sunset photos. We weren’t too hopeful because it had been raining on and off all day.
When we arrived, the beach was crowded with families, wedding photographers, and people who just wanted to relax. The beach is lovely, with rocks protruding to the sea, making it a popular photo spot.
However, I noticed litter scattered along the beach, and I couldn’t find a proper garbage bin.
We did not capture a great sunset photo, but we enjoyed walking around the beach and watching egrets fly, chase each other, and perch on some poles.
11. Dinner at Seafood D’Bendang
We decided to have dinner at Seafood D’bendang 稻乡海鲜楼 among all the seafood restaurants, as it has a remarkable 4.8 out of 5 rating on Google.
The salted egg squid is a must-try dish. It contains an abundance of salted eggs, and the deep-fried crust on the squid is crispy and melts in your mouth until the last bite. It’s amazing!
Another dish we enjoyed was the Thai-style tofu, shaped like a gold ingot. I guess the restaurant must make the tofu themselves, and the sauce is a unique blend of Thai dipping sauce with Tomyum flavor.
12. Ah Ma House
We stopped by Ah Ma House to purchase local snacks the following day. It is near the paddy field, not far from where we stayed. Ah Ma House’s specialty is Kuih Kapit, an egg waffle with a rich and traditional taste. It is also an excellent spot for visitors to take photographs, showcasing many vintage and traditional furniture and appliances used for decades. In addition to Kuih Kapit, they sell traditional Malaysian snacks, such as prawn crackers, biscuits, and desserts.
The ambiance of the shop’s interior is reminiscent of a bygone era, exuding nostalgia akin to the classic grocery store of the last century. The store has a collection of traditional household furniture, including sturdy cabinets, rattan chairs, gas lanterns, grandfather clocks, and old-school black-and-white television sets, among other timeless items.
Ah Ma House has another branch in Kuala Selangor. We have a separate blog post about this branch and its activities.
13. Sekinchan Coconut Farm
On our trip back to Kuala Lumpur, we visited the Sekinchan Coconut Farm. When we arrived, we noticed that many people had already parked their cars on the narrow road as there was no proper parking area at the farm.
The farm is relatively small and seems designed for tourists. It looks more like a food bazaar than an actual farm, with no one there to explain coconut cultivation or demonstrate how to harvest them. Instead, you will encounter vendors selling a variety of food.
On the bright side, the farm creates a relaxing environment perfect for enjoying cold coconut shakes and beating the heat. Food stalls sell various dishes, including coconut shakes, noodles, and BBQ seafood. The place is kept clean, with garbage bins located at strategic locations and staff on hand to clean the tables.
You’ll be satisfied if you want to relax in a recreational garden with your family, take photos, and enjoy some delicious coconut shakes. However, you may feel disappointed if you expect to learn anything about growing and processing coconuts.
14. Ah Ter Restaurant
We had lunch at Ah Ter Restaurant in Bagan Sekinchan before having another 1.5-hour drive back to Kuala Lumpur. Although the restaurant may seem unremarkable, we decided to try it based on its excellent online reviews.
The restaurant is small, and the owner cooks most of the dishes. We ordered their specialty: shark meat porridge, fried eggs with oysters, and fried rice noodles with mantis shrimp. The food was decent, but what stood out was the exceptional freshness of the seafood. The owner cut the fish near the restaurant entrance and immediately brought them into the kitchen for cooking.
Visit Kuala Selangor
If you are in Sekinchan, take a half-hour drive to the nearby town of Kuala Selangor in the state of Selangor. Plenty of activities keep you busy, but the Sky Mirror is the main attraction. Here, you can reflect perfectly on yourself on a sandbank emerging in the middle of the sea. You may also take a boat ride to witness the blue tears. For nature lovers, the Kuala Selangor Nature Park is a must-visit. Stroll around the mangrove forest and take in the beauty of the natural surroundings.
Please refer to our separate blog post about Kuala Selangor for more information.
Best Time To Visit Sekinchan
The best months to visit green fields are March, April, September, and October. On the other hand, May, June, November, and December are the months to see golden fields during the harvest season. If you want to avoid the crowds, consider visiting Sekinchan during off-seasons like August or February. The middle of May is also a great time to visit and see mature golden yellow fields, with harvesting and reaping in June yielding a yellow landscape.
Is a Sekinchan day trip better than staying overnight?
If you plan to visit Sekinchan, you can explore all the places mentioned in the articles if you arrive early, preferably by 10:00 am. After visiting all the places, you can enjoy a great seafood dinner at the restaurant of your choice. The seafood here is fresh as it is a fishing village.
However, the average distance from Sekinchan to Kuala Lumpur is over 1.5 hours. If you find it too tiring, staying overnight in one of the unique homestays made from converted freight containers is a worthy experience.
I suggest driving to Sekinchan instead of relying on public transport, as most places you will be visiting require you to travel a certain distance. Please note that cars are right-hand drive in Malaysia, so if you plan on renting a car, keep this in mind.
Watch the video we shot at Sekinchan 👇👇.
Jaya
Tuesday 12th of March 2024
Such an interesting discovery at sekinchan. Looks like a must visit place.