01/02/2026

ON SUNDAY February 1, 2026 theSunday Special XII

8. Bario, Sarawak – Switzerland’s alpine villages Switzerland’s alpine villages are famous for their mountain charm and fresh air, but Malaysia has its own equivalent in Bario, Sarawak. Nestled in the Kelabit Highlands at PHWUHV DERYH VHD OHYHO %DULR R̆ HUV cool weather, lush valleys and a peaceful pace of life. It’s accessible mainly by small plane, which adds to its charm. Visitors can trek to surrounding villages, enjoy the famed Bario rice and immerse themselves in Kelabit culture. Think of it as a Swiss escape, but with a uniquely Malaysian soul.

4. Cameron Highlands – English countryside Dreaming of a countryside escape with rolling hills, tea plantations and cool weather? Instead of flying to the UK’s Lake District or Cotswolds, drive up to Cameron Highlands. With its misty mornings, colonial-era bungalows and endless stretches of green WHD ¿HOGV &DPHURQ +LJKODQGV IHHOV OLNH a slice of England tucked in the tropics. Enjoy afternoon tea at the BOH planta tion, pick strawberries fresh from the farm or just take a leisurely walk in the cool mountain air. The best part: No jet lag, just a winding but scenic drive up from Kuala Lumpur. Pictures of New Zealand often feature rolling pastures, grazing cows and snow capped mountains in the background. Head to Kundasang, Sabah and you’ll ¿QG D 0DOD\VLDQ YHUVLRQ RI WKDW SRVWFDUG scene. Desa Cattle Dairy Farm is often nick named “Malaysia’s Little New Zealand”. With Mount Kinabalu as the backdrop, the scenery is jaw-dropping. You can feed calves, try fresh milk and gelato and take in the crisp highland air. It’s one of those spots where you’ll keep saying, “I can’t believe this is Malaysia.” 6. Tasik Kenyir, Terengganu – Amazon rainforest For those craving a raw, wild experience, Tasik Kenyir in Terengganu is a worthy stand-in for South America’s Amazon basin. This massive man-made lake is surrounded by dense rainforest that’s home to hornbills, elephants and even wild tigers. Eco-lodges and houseboats let you stay right on the lake, where you can kayak through misty waters, trek to hidden wa terfalls or just listen to the orchestra of jungle sounds at night. It’s a reminder that Malaysia’s biodiversity is just as rich and thrilling as the Amazon’s. For the record, the rainforest around Tasik Kenyir is actually older than the Amazon rainforest. 5. Desa Cattle Dairy Farm, Kundasang – New Zealand

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W HEN you scroll through Instagram, it’s hard not to feel the pull of bucket list destinations – the mirror-like salt flats of Bolivia, the glowing plankton beaches of the Maldives or the snow-capped peaks of the Swiss Alps. The problem is, not everyone has the time or budget to hop on a long-haul flight. The good news? Malaysia has its fair share of natural wonders and hidden gems that can rival those overseas icons. If you’re craving world-class sights without the jet lag, here are some Malaysian spots that deliver the same wow factor, at a fraction of the cost. 1. Sky Mirror, Kuala Selangor – Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia You’ve probably seen pictures of Bolivia’s Salar de Uyuni, where the ground trans forms into a perfect mirror after the rains. But did you know you can get a similar SKRWR ZRUWK\ H̆ HFW MXVW RYHU DQ KRXU IURP Kuala Lumpur (KL)? S N\ 0LUURU D VDQGEDU R̆ .XDOD 6H langor, reveals itself during low tide and UHÀHFWV WKH VN\ VR FOHDUO\ WKDW LW IHHOV OLNH you’re standing between two worlds. Photographers love it because the illusion is almost surreal. No need for a 30-hour ÀLJKW ± \RX MXVW KDYH WR FKHFN WKH WLGH schedule, hop on a boat and let the natural mirror work its magic. 2. Pulau Mabul, Sabah – Maldives Crystal-clear waters, colourful corals and overwater chalets: Sounds like the Mal

BY ASHRAF WAHAB dives, right? Pulau Mabul near Semporna, 6DEDK R̆ HUV DOO WKDW DQG PRUH ZLWKRXW the price tag of a luxury island resort. Mabul is a diver’s paradise, known for its “muck diving” sites where you’ll spot UDUH FULWWHUV OLNH ÀDPER\DQW FXWWOH¿VK DQG blue-ringed octopuses. Even if diving isn’t your thing, snorkelling in the turquoise shallows or lounging in a hammock under coconut palms feels like a postcard come to life.

9. Langkawi’s mangroves – Halong Bay, Vietnam Vietnam’s Halong Bay is iconic for its limestone cliffs jutting out of the sea, but Langkawi’s Kilim Geoforest Park is a worthy rival. The mangrove tours here take you WKURXJK ZLQGLQJ ULYHUV ÀDQNHG E\ GUD matic limestone formations, caves and hidden lagoons. Eagles swoop overhead, monkeys scamper along the trees and the whole area feels like a natural cathedral of stone and water. It’s a UNESCO-listed site, yet often underrated compared with Langkawi’s beaches. 10. Danum Valley, Sabah – Costa Rica’s rainforest Costa Rica is often cited as the gold stan dard of rainforest tourism, but Danum Valley in Sabah easily holds its own. This protected lowland rainforest is one of the most biodiverse areas in the world. Imagine spotting orangutans in the wild, hearing gibbons call at dawn or walking across canopy bridges that give you a bird’s-eye view of the jungle. Staying at the Borneo Rainforest Lodge puts you right in the heart of this living, breathing ecosystem. For eco-travellers, it’s as bucket-list-worthy as anything &RVWD 5LFD R̆ HUV S XUH À\LQJ DFURVV WKH ZRUOG KDV LWV allure, but when you can get similar expe riences with less hassle, less expense and a chance to support local communities, it’s worth rethinking your travel plans. 6R EHIRUH \RX ERRN WKDW H[SHQVLYH ÀLJKW PD\EH LW¶V WLPH WR H[SORUH KRPH ¿UVW

3. Pulau Sembilan, Perak – Bioluminescent beaches If glowing plankton is on your bucket list, you don’t need to travel to Puerto Rico or the Maldives. Pulau Sembilan, located about 30 minutes by boat from Lumut in Perak, has its own natural light show. At night, the waters sparkle with tiny blue lights from bioluminescent plankton. Step into the sea and watch your move ments create a trail of glow. It’s a magical, almost otherworldly experience. Since the island is part of a marine park, access is regulated, so it’s best to book with a licensed tour operator.

7. Semporna’s Bohey Dulang – Hawaii’s volcanic islands If volcanic landscapes and turquoise la goons are your thing, forget the long-haul ÀLJKW WR +DZDLL %RKH\ 'XODQJ LQ WKH 7XQ Sakaran Marine Park is a volcanic island with jaw-dropping panoramic views. A short but steep hike up the hill rewards you with a sweeping vista of em erald waters, coral reefs and surrounding islands. The volcanic crater that formed the island millions of years ago now creates one of Malaysia’s most stunning seascapes. It’s a blend of adventure and paradise, all in one stop.