🚗 Trip Overview
A 4D3N road trip from Cyberjaya to Baling, Kedah, combining beautiful countryside scenery, refreshing rivers, historical landmarks and delicious local food.
The highlight of the trip is exploring Lubuk Pedati, a hidden gem at the foothills of Gunung Baling, featuring a beautiful limestone mountain backdrop, crystal-clear river and a charming suspension bridge built by the local community.
The original plan was to visit Betong, Thailand, but the trip was replaced with a spontaneous road trip to Kuala Kedah, Alor Setar and Kuala Perlis. A little bit of nature, history, food and random adventures — all in one trip!
💰 Travel Budget
This was a relatively budget-friendly road trip. The main expenses involved transportation, meals, shopping and entrance fees.
A great example of how exploring the beautiful northern region of Malaysia can be both enjoyable and affordable!
🗓️ Itinerary
✅️ Day 1: Cyberjaya → Baling, Kedah
Depart from Cyberjaya → Brunch at Anisah Warung Ayam Penyet, Kampung Melayu Subang → Drive to Baling → Shopping for necessities at Econsave → Dinner at Warung Pokok Getah Pak Din
✅️ Day 2: Exploring Baling's Nature & Historical Attractions
Breakfast at Warung Ngarai → Explore the beautiful scenery at Lubuk Pedati → Cross the suspension bridge and enjoy the refreshing river → Visit Galeri Rundingan Baling → Cool down at Sungai Angkat Ulu Legong → Lunch at Seri Mahani Nasi Berlauk → Dinner at Dapoq Mak
✅️ Day 3: A Spontaneous Road Trip to Kuala Kedah, Alor Setar & Kuala Perlis
Breakfast at Timba Cafe → Explore the historical Kota Kuala Kedah → Shopping at Pekan Rabu → Quick stop at Star Parade Alor Setar → Visit Muzium Diraja Kedah → Lunch at Nyiru Klasik, Kuala Perlis → Solat at Masjid Al Hussain, Kuala Perlis → Drive back to Baling
✅️ Day 4: Baling → Cyberjaya
Breakfast at Mak Siti D'Bendang → Buy local souvenirs and childhood snacks at Econsave → Drive back to Cyberjaya → Late lunch stop at Kuala Kangsar → Arrive safely in Cyberjaya around 8.00 PM
📍 Interesting Places to Visit
📍 Lubuk Pedati
The absolute highlight of this road trip! Located at the foothills of Gunung Baling in Kampung Pantai Pulai, Lubuk Pedati is a beautiful natural attraction featuring limestone hills, a clear flowing river and lush greenery.
The main attraction here is a suspension bridge built by the local community, allowing visitors to cross the river while enjoying the beautiful scenery. The atmosphere is peaceful, and the river is perfect for a refreshing dip on a hot day.
There are also a few food stalls nearby, making it a lovely place to spend a few hours enjoying nature. A hidden gem worth visiting if you're exploring Baling!
📍 Galeri Rundingan Baling
A historical gallery located at Sekolah Kebangsaan Tunku Putra, Kampung Banggol Lada. This is where the famous Baling Talks took place in 1955 between Tunku Abdul Rahman and representatives of the Malayan Communist Party, including Chin Peng.
The gallery features historical information, photographs, exhibits and a reenactment of the negotiations. It's an interesting place to learn about the history of communism in Malaysia and the country's journey towards independence.
A meaningful stop for anyone interested in Malaysian history.
📍 Sungai Angkat Ulu Legong
A peaceful riverside spot popular among locals for relaxing and enjoying nature. The river is relatively shallow, with clear water and sandy areas suitable for families with children.
There are a few simple gazebos where visitors can sit and enjoy the surroundings. Although the facilities are basic, the natural atmosphere makes it a lovely place to unwind.
Perfect for those looking for a quiet escape away from the usual tourist attractions.
📍 Kota Kuala Kedah
A historical fortress located near the Kuala Kedah waterfront. Built to defend Kedah against foreign invasions, the fort played an important role in the state's history, particularly during conflicts involving Siam.
Visitors can explore the remaining fort structures, old cannons and historical surroundings. The museum was undergoing renovation during this visit, but the remaining structures were still worth exploring.
A fascinating place for history enthusiasts.
📍 Pekan Rabu, Alor Setar
One of Kedah's most famous shopping destinations, offering a wide variety of traditional snacks, local delicacies, handicrafts and souvenirs.
It's a great place to buy local kuih and snacks to bring home. During this visit, I managed to grab some freshly made kuih bahulu and putu kacang.
A must-visit if you're exploring Alor Setar!
📍 Muzium Diraja Kedah
Located in the heart of Alor Setar, this museum was once a royal palace and showcases the history of the Kedah Sultanate.
Visitors can explore the former royal residence and learn about the royal family's history through various exhibits and personal belongings of the former sultans.
The museum is conveniently located near Masjid Zahir and Dataran Alor Setar, making it a worthwhile stop when exploring the city.
🍜 Local Cuisine
📍 Anisah Warung Ayam Penyet, Kampung Melayu Subang
A popular Indonesian-style eatery known for its authentic ayam penyet and delicious sambal. The food is flavourful, and the variety of traditional Indonesian snacks makes it a great place for brunch before starting a long road trip.
📍 Warung Pokok Getah Pak Din
A unique dining spot located within a rubber plantation in Baling. Enjoy your meal surrounded by rubber trees while experiencing a little glimpse of traditional Malaysian countryside life.
The menu offers a variety of dishes, including nasi goreng chicken chop, chicken chop and bihun goreng. The relaxed atmosphere and beautiful lighting at night make this place quite special.
📍 Warung Ngarai
A charming breakfast spot in Kampung Bukit, Baling, featuring beautiful greenery and a relaxing atmosphere.
The menu includes lontong, nasi lemak, roti titab and various drinks. A lovely place for breakfast with a view!
📍 Seri Mahani Nasi Berlauk
A local eatery serving traditional Malay dishes. The highlight is the ikan keli bakar, served with sambal belacan, salted fish and fresh ulam. A simple yet satisfying meal that captures the essence of traditional kampung cooking.
📍 Dapoq Mak
A casual restaurant in Baling offering a variety of local and Western-inspired dishes. The nasi lemak with its aromatic fenugreek-infused rice is worth trying, while the Korean cheese ramyeon is another interesting option.
📍 Timba Cafe
A convenient breakfast stop before heading to Kuala Kedah. The menu includes nasi lemak, chapati, curry chicken and Western-style breakfast options.
The nasi lemak with daging masak kicap was particularly delicious and filling.
📍 Nyiru Klasik, Kuala Perlis
A seafood restaurant known for its grilled fish and traditional Malay-style seafood dishes. The menu includes ikan siakap bakar lemak, ikan siakap bakar petai, sotong goreng tepung, sambal udang and mentarang bakar.
The seafood was delicious, the service was impressively fast and the prices were reasonable. A worthwhile detour if you're exploring Kuala Perlis!
📍 Mak Siti D'Bendang
A local breakfast spot in Baling serving traditional Malay dishes. One of the highlights is the kari batang pisang, a traditional northern Malaysian dish made with banana stem.
The dish was surprisingly delicious, with a soft texture and flavour that reminded me of keladi. Best enjoyed with sambal and salted fish.
💡 Tips
✅️ Lubuk Pedati is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Baling. Bring along extra clothes if you're planning to swim in the river. The water is refreshing, especially on a hot day.
✅️ The suspension bridge at Lubuk Pedati is maintained by the local community. Visitors are encouraged to contribute through the QR code provided to help with maintenance. Avoid jumping on the bridge and follow the safety instructions.
✅️ If you're planning to visit Galeri Rundingan Baling, check its opening hours beforehand. It's a meaningful historical attraction, especially for those interested in Malaysia's independence and the communist insurgency.
✅️ Sungai Angkat Ulu Legong is a simple, natural riverside attraction. Don't expect extensive facilities, so bring your own necessities and keep the area clean.
✅️ If you have extra time, consider exploring Kuala Kedah, Alor Setar and Kuala Perlis. These destinations offer a different experience from Baling, with historical landmarks, local markets and delicious seafood.
✅️ Pekan Rabu is a great place to buy traditional Kedah snacks and souvenirs. If you're planning to bring home local delicacies, this is a good place to shop.
✅️ Don't miss the opportunity to try traditional northern Malaysian dishes such as kari batang pisang, ikan keli bakar and nasi berlauk. These local dishes are part of the region's unique food culture.
✅️ Be flexible with your itinerary. Sometimes, the most memorable experiences come from spontaneous detours and unplanned adventures!