Lim Jun KangTen years ago, Sekinchan, a sleepy town in Selangor, Malaysia might not even be on the radar of travellers, though it played an important role in the agriculture and seafood industries. In recent years however, after a Hong Kong TVB drama Outbound Love filmed some of the show’s scenes in Sekinchan’s vast paddy fields and pristine beaches, visitors started flocking to Sekinchan. The coastal town became revitalised, with instagrammable cafes and unique accommodation options popping up, while retaining its traditional charm.
Sekinchan will be a good weekend getaway for family or groups, due to its variety of recreational options available to all sorts of interests. Here’s what you need to know before you visit Sekinchan!
How to get to Sekinchan
The seaside town of Sekinchan is located in the district of Sabak Bernam, around 100 km away from the Malaysian capital city of Kuala Lumpur. Depending on your comfort level, there are various transport options you can choose from, depending on where you are travelling from!
Sekinchan is a popular road-trip destination for many, as it is just a 1.5 hour drive away from the KL city centre. If you are thinking of driving from Singapore, it will take longer (5 hours), but that just means you have more time to take in the sights and enjoy the ride!
Other transport options to Sekinchan
It is recommended that you book day tours from tour agencies that travel to Sekinchan especially if you are in a group, as the sights in Sekinchan are located relatively far away from each other and having a private transport will definitely ease your trip! You can check out some of the tours here with KKKL Travel & Tours.
Staying in Sekinchan
One reason why Sekinchan is much more appealing to the crowds would be the emergence of accommodation options for travellers looking to stay over in the town over the weekend or longer. The hotels and homestays in the town are quaint and unique, offering visitors an unparalleled experience and a refreshing night’s sleep.
1. Padi Box
One of the most popular hotels in Sekinchan is Padi Box, a cluster of brightly-coloured cargo containers with a wide range of rooms built within. Don’t let the industrial exterior fool you, the homely interior utilises warm colours and natural lighting to create a cosy atmosphere.
Image credit: Sekinchan Padi Box Homestay
Image credit: Sekinchan Padi Box Homestay
Prices start from RM118 per night for a double room.
Location: LOT11126,Jalan Tali Air 4, Tanjong Karang, Selangor, Malaysia
2. A+ Boutique Hotel
Stepping into the artsy and hip A+ Boutique Hotel, visitors will know that this is no ordinary hotel when they are greeted with the shell of a vintage Volkswagen van positioned at the concierge. The hotel is your average no-frills hotel which provides the adequate necessities for a comfortable night’s stay, but what really stands out would be the rooftop garden and the 3D mural art by local Malaysian artists lining the walls of the hotel.
Image credit: A+ Boutique Hotel
Image credit: A+ Boutique Hotel
Prices start from approximately RM96 per night for a double room.
Location: No, 6, Jalan Perdana 2 Taman Sekinchan Perdana, Sekinchan, Malaysia
Attractions in Sekinchan
Image credit: rueycho
1. Pantai Redang
A laid-back beach crowded with locals and tourists alike on the weekends, with many mini-attractions on the beach that regularly draws the crowds. Besides enjoying a leisurely afternoon relaxing by the beach, visitors often visit the famous Wishing Tree that is entangled with red ribbons and coins. You can write your wishes on a red ribbon that can be obtained from the temple nearby, tie a coin on it and throw it over the branches so that your wish can hopefully be granted!
There are various seafood restaurants on the beachfront serving up plates of fresh ocean catch. Before you leave, don’t forget to take a picture by the big “I love Sekinchan” standee!
Location: Redang Beach, Jalan Pantai Redang, 45400 Sekinchan, Selangor, Malaysia.
2. Sekinchan Paddy Fields
The paddy fields of Sekinchan are definitely a must-go when you visit the town. There are different times to visit the fields depending on the type of view you prefer. Should you want to see the fields at their greenest, the best time to visit would be between mid-March to May, and mid-September to November. Alternatively, you can visit the paddy fields during the pre-harvest months between mid-May to June, and mid-November to December. You can start exploring around Jalan Tali Air, and choose to drive beside the field or walk through the field’s paths to visit the villages and swiftlet houses located further inwards.
Image credit: Tourism Selangor
Image credit: Tourism Selangor
Location: Sekinchan Paddy Fields, Jalan Tali Air 5 45400 Sekinchan
3. Paddy Processing Factory and Paddy Museum
Image credit: artbysharmila
After visiting the paddy fields, you might be curious about the whole process of rice harvesting. The Paddy Processing Factory and Paddy Museum are located amidst the vast paddy fields. You can roam about the factory for free, or you can also take a guided tour around the Paddy Museum to learn about the rice harvesting process from start to end, the different equipment used in the process amongst other informative exhibitions as well! After the tour, do drop by the retail shop that sells a wide variety of rice produced in Sekinchan!
Opening Hours: Daily 09:00-17:30
Location: Lot No. 9990, Jalan Tali Air 5, Ban 2, Selangor, 45400 Sekinchan, Malaysia, Malaysia
Price: Factory (Free), Museum (RM4)
4. *Bonus Attraction near Sekinchan (Firefly Tour)*
In the late evening, head on further down from Sekinchan to Kampung Kuantan Firefly Park in Kuala Selangor, a 25 min drive away along the Selangor River. From there, take a ferry ride through the mangrove swamps underneath the shimmering moonlight and observe the famous fireflies colony or Kelip-Kelip in Bahasa Melayu, in their natural habitat in the mangrove trees. Do make sure you arrive there before sunset to purchase the cruise tickets so that you can witness this amazing sight!
Image credit: Visit Selangor
Location: Kampung Kuantan, 45000 Bestari Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
Price: ±RM50.00 per sampan (max. 4 pax per sampan)
What to eat in Sekinchan
You will never go hungry in Sekinchan, with its myriad of food options available. Since it’s a coastal town, there’s no surprise that seafood restaurants are found in abundance!
1. Seafood
There is a “Seafood Street” along Jalan Bagan in Sekinchan, where there are more than ten seafood restaurants are situated. The seafood on your plate, mostly prepared Teochew-style, were likely caught by fishermen a mere few hours ago! Dishes from any seafood restaurant in Sekinchan would be delicious and cheap, but do check out Restoran Bagan Sekinchan for their deep-fried squid and crab beehoon (crab vermicelli), amongst other dishes!
Image credit: foodjournalis
Opening Hours: Mondays to Sundays (Wednesdays closed) 10:00-21:00
Location: No. 168-C Jalan Bagan | Lorong 5, Sekinchan 45400, Malaysia
2. Ah Ma House
Ah Ma House, or Grandmother’s House, is a bakery shop in Sekinchan selling traditional Malaysian snacks like kuih kapit (love letter biscuits) and kuih bangkit (tapioca cookies), and homemade souvenirs as well. Besides the tasty snacks being sold, you can also roam around the store and observe how the traditional biscuit-making process that the experienced staff will show you! Buy a few boxes of snacks for your friends back home, and don’t forget to take some pictures with the vintage furniture!
Image credit: ___lifekellylee0806___
Opening Hours: Daily 09:30-18:30
Location: Pekan Sekinchan, 45400 Sekinchan, Selangor, Malaysia
3. N16 Cafe
Instagrammable cafes are one of the hottest food trends now, and N.16 Cafe will fit that description perfectly. The cafe is located on a refurbished bus perched on top of a cargo container – yes you read it correctly – overlooking the vast paddy fields. The bus’s seats have been re-purposed to face each other and tables were added, underneath a glass chandelier to create a retro and romantic ambience. The cafe serves simple and delicious western fusion cuisine and desserts, along with their unique house brews.
Image credit: hoonjiany
Opening Hours: Mondays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays 11:00-19:00; Thursdays 12:00-19:00, Closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays
Location: Southwest on Jalan Tali Air 4, Sekinchan, Selangor, Malaysia 45400
Telephone: +60 16-273 6033
