Located on the far north-west of Selangor, Sekinchan is a small fishing and agricultural town that’s well-known for its vast emerald green padi fields. Sekinchan means ‘village suitable for farming’ when translated from Mandarin. During weekends and public holidays, crowds of tourists throng Sekinchan’s many breath-taking attractions and cars fill up almost every corner of the narrow streets.
Sekinchan is located about 100 kilometres away from Kuala Lumpur (KL). It is a pleasant one-hour drive from KL through long scenic winding roads flanked by idyllic villages and lots of greenery along the way. Certain stretches of the road could be bumpy but that just adds to the fun drive.
Riding a bicycle is one of the best ways to explore Sekinchan. If you are in Sekinchan without any type of transportation, a bicycle will allow you to visit most of the places outside of town.
Bagan – Sekinchan’s Fishing Village
Bagan is the main fishing village in Sekinchan. It is a small seaport, south-west of the town. It turns very quiet soon after the fishing boats go out to the ocean in the morning but transforms into bustling hub once the boats return to the seaport. In the evenings, you will have the opportunity to witness busy fishermen working to unload their catch and workers in the jetty sorting them out according to different types and sizes.
The Wishing Tree
At the end of some narrow roads through the fishing village, you can spot the famous Wishing Tree, magnificently draped with thousands of handwritten wish streamers on its branches. To make a wish, visitors may donate any sum, collect a strip of red ribbon from the Chinese temple, write their wish on it and hurl the ribbon onto the branches. The red ribbon has two round metal coins on both sides to help hook it onto the tree. If the ribbons are caught by a branch, it is believed your wish will soon be granted. And the higher up on the tree you tangle the ribbon on, the higher the chance of your wish coming true.
Pantai Redang (Redang Beach)
As you walk away from the Wishing Tree, the first thing you will see is Pantai Redang and the number of tree houses peeking out from the gaps amidst the foliage. These structures were pieced together by the villagers, using driftwood and bits and pieces of timber salvaged from old fishing boats. The tree houses were originally built for the villagers to relax and enjoy the breath-taking tranquillity of the beach in the evenings.
While you are still in Bagan, another place of interest is a factory producing salted fish located just behind the Chinese temple. The fish-curing industry is another factor that contributes to the economic growth of the locals. About 1,000kg of fish are set out to dry daily.
Paddy Gallery/ Museum
Besides admiring the lush paddies, Sekinchan offers its visitors a museum featuring exhibits on harvesting and more. Visitors can learn each and every step of the process, from the rice paddies to the rice grains we see in the supermarkets.
The paddy gallery is an active rice-processing facility as well. On the ground floor of the establishment are shops where visitors can purchase souvenirs, snacks, and even rice produced there. The gallery is located in the middle of the paddy fields, offering unparalleled views of the lush surroundings.
Ah Ma House
Ah Ma House is a quaint store that sells old school snacks. Stepping into Ah Ma House is like stepping into a time machine. Featuring memorabilia such as film cameras, Game Boy, refrigerator-sized TVs, and other antique items, it is akin to an old school kedai runcit (grocery store).
Organic Lemon Myrtle Plantation
The Sekinchan Lemon Myrtle orchard is the first plantation to be established outside of Australia. Started in 2010, there are currently two fields totalling 5.4 acres managed by small farmers. The leaf processing facility has the capacity to process 500 kg every three days. Once processed, the lemon myrtle leaves are packaged and distributed to wholesalers and local markets.
Sekinchan Delicacies
Fresh Seafood
One of the many pros of a fishing village is the accessibility to fresh and delicious seafood. Sekinchan is no exception. Expect plenty of good seafood restaurants with most constantly packed with local tourists – especially on weekends. Dishes such as oyster omelette, mantis shrimp, and crab are popular local cuisines.
Mango King
Mango King is the perfect place to indulge in the sweetest fresh mangoes and mango smoothies in Sekinchan. Look for a small stall located in the midst of the paddy fields, just down the road from the paddy gallery. The mangoes here at Sekinchan are known to be as huge as a person’s forearm.
In a nutshell, any avid traveller will appreciate Sekinchan’s natural beauty and fall in love with the picturesque scenery of the province. A short weekend getaway to Sekinchan is definitely a relaxing change from the hustle and bustle of city life.