Tourism Malaysia Sarawak hosts Media Fam Trip to KL & Perak

Participants of the Media Fam Trip posing for a group photo with Dato’ Lat (6^th right) at Rumah Galeri Lat. Also pictured, Tourism Malaysia Sarawak Tourism Officer, Agnes Felicia ak Joseph (4^th right).

KUCHING, 15 June 2026: We recently concluded a 5D4N Media Familiarisation Trip, which took place from June 10 to 14, 2026 in Kuala Lumpur and Perak as part of the Berami Gawai 2026 programme. Participants of the trip include Tourism Malaysia Sarawak Tourism Officer, Agnes Felicia ak Joseph, representatives from various media organisations including BorneoTalk, Cats FM, Borneo Digital and TVS as well as KOLs, including The Kayangan Hunter, Haluu Jii and Tracey Hughes.

Upon our arrival in Kuala Lumpur, we headed to OGA Tea & Dining in Jalan Imbi for an immersive lunch experience, which included a Japanese tea ceremony, samplings of freshly brewed sencha and houjicha, and deliciously cooked Gyu Hambugu Kare. Next, we paid a visit to the newly opened Seri Negara, a historical landmark which has seen many pivotal moments since its opening in 1913, including the signing of the Federation of Malaya Agreement in 1948 and the Independence Agreement in 1957. 

Later that day, we checked in at the ibis Kuala Lumpur City Centre and attended the ‘Flavour of Sabah Kaamatan and Taste of Sarawak Gawai Promotion 2026’. Graced by Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia, Chiew Choon Man, the event marked the launching of a vibrant culinary and cultural celebration by ibis Kuala Lumpur City Centre, happening from May 17 to June 21. During this promotion, guests can discover the unique tastes of authentic Sabahan and Sarawakian cuisine prepared by guest chefs from East Malaysia, experience cultural showcases and handicraft exhibitions as well as a special Borneo-themed dining experience.

The next day, we made our way to Ipoh, Perak, and arrived at our first stop – the Perak Cave Temple, locally known as the Perak Tong. Famous for its impressive cavern interior, this temple is home to massive Buddhist statues and vibrant murals on the cave walls. Inside, a large prayer hall creates a peaceful atmosphere, and towards the back, visitors can even take the steep stairs (over 400 of them!) all the way to a hilltop viewpoint and take in panoramic views of the city. 

Next, we stopped at Muzium Darul Ridzuan and were met by the Director of the Perak State Museum Board, Mohamad Amir bin Mohd Dahalan, who gave us a tour. Housed in a colonial-era mansion, the museum is a snapshot of Perak’s royal history, traditions, lifestyle, development and important historical events. One of the highlights of the museum is the air raid shelters, one with a tunnel measuring 50-feet-long and 20-feet underground. We explored the Ipoh Heritage in city centre after that, from the majestic Ipoh Railway Station and historic Birch Memorial Clock Tower to the charming Concubine Lane. Together, these attractions showcase the city’s unique blend of history, architecture and local culture.

Ipoh Railway Station.

Later that evening, we attended a Networking Dinner at Madam Kok x Mama Thai Restaurant, hosted by Tourism Perak. Graced by Tourism Perak’s Chief Operating Officer, Zuraida binti Md Taib, Chairman of Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) Perak Chapter, Tony Wong, Tourism Perak’s Head of Tourism Services, Mohd Fauzan bin Baharuddin, General Manager of Madam Kok x Mama Thai, Ng Siew Kok and representatives from Tasik Cermin, the dinner is aimed at showcasing the state’s many tourism attractions, especially around Ipoh, Batu Gajah and Kuala Kangsar.

Early morning on Friday, we headed out to Tasik Cermin, one of the most unique natural attractions in Ipoh. Known for its exceptionally clear and still water, the lake is situated within Gunung Rapat, offering stunning reflections of the surrounding hills and trees. We had the pleasure of exploring both Tasik Cermin 1 and 2 by boat and experiencing the Miner’s Tunnel and water tunnel.

Tasik Cermin 1.

Just next to Tasik Cermin is Kin Loong Valley and Chang Jiang White Coffee, a scenic limestone valley that offers a taste of Ipoh’s famous white coffee amidst dramatic rock formations and greenery. We especially enjoyed the kaya and butter toast and steamed bread, and the nearby Kin Loong Valley is a hidden gem great for a quiet stroll and photography.

After half a day in Tasik Cermin, we drove up to the Royal Town of Kuala Kangsar, a serene place of culture and heritage known for its well-preserved heritage buildings. Our first stop there is Teratak Warisan Kampung, a welcoming restaurant most well-known for its wide variety of traditional Malay dishes. This family-owned spot serves up over 40 dishes daily, from different types of greens as ulam, grilled fish, sambal and gulai.

Our next stop is Kampung Kepala Bendang, where we paid a visit to KZ Kraf Labu Sayong, a traditional craft centre dedicated to preserving the art of making Labu Sayong, Perak’s iconic earthenware water pitcher. Here, we observed how this clay heritage craft is made, learnt of its significance to the area, and even checked out Batik Sayong, Perak’s very own batik which is made by using the same clay as Labu Sayong.

Later that evening, we had dinner at Uptown Ipoh Night Market, a vibrant evening attraction most well-known for its variety of street food, clothing, accessories and more, before exploring Gerbang Malam, a popular night market that comes alive in the evening with plenty of vendors selling everything from clothing and bags to toys and massage sessions!

Our final day in Ipoh started off at the GoChin Tambun Pomelo Agro Farm, an agricultural farm known for cultivating the Tambun Pomelo, one of Perak’s signature specialties. Here, we checked out the variety of pomelo trees planted, learn more about farming techniques and even enjoyed fresh fruits straight from the farm.

Fresh fruits at GoChin Tambun Pomelo Agro Farm.

Next stop is Kellie’s Castle, one of Malaysia’s most iconic heritage sites. A unique blend of Scottish, Moorish and Indian architectural influences, the mansion was built by Scottish planter William Kellie Smith, but construction fell through halfway following Smith’s sudden death in 1926. In addition to its rich history, impressive design and fascinating legends, Kellie’s Castle also offers breathtaking views of the surrounding area, a free tram ride around the grounds and even horseback riding.

After lunch at Teratak Warisan Chu Siah in Kampung Kepayang, we made our way to Galeri Rumah Lat, and met up with the iconic Malaysian cartoonist himself, Dato Mohd Nor bin Khalid, more fondly known as Dato Lat. The museum is filled with his illustrations, comic art and personal collection, showcasing his humorous and insightful depictions of Malaysian life.

In the afternoon, we headed to Tanjung Tualang to visit Tin Dredge No.5, one of the last remaining bucket-line dredges in Malaysia. Also known as the TT5 or the Tanjung Tualang 5 Tin Dredge, the floating factory offers visitors a glimpse into the country’s rich tin mining history, which once made the region a major global tin producer. Strapped into a harness and hooked onto a safety line, we explored every floor of the massive structure, and learnt more about the mining process.

Tanjung Tualang No.5 Tin Dredge.

For dinner, we had delicious Cantonese-inspired dishes at Mohd Chan Restaurant in Ipoh, part of the well-known Chinese-Muslim restaurant chain established in 2007. We enjoyed a number of signature dishes, including the Sizzling Seafood Treasure Fisherman’s Catch, Hong Kong Style Steamed Fish, Four Season Vegetables, Crispy Szechuan Chicken and Famous Chilli Crab.

After an adventurous few days in Ipoh, we finally made our way home to Kuching with hearts full of wonder and memories. We’d like to take this opportunity to thank Tourism Malaysia Sarawak for inviting us along on this Media Familiarisation Trip to Kuala Lumpur and Perak in conjunction with Program Berami Gawai 2026. We’d also like to thank Tourism Perak and the Perak State Museum Board for their guidance, as well as ibis Kuala Lumpur City Centre and Travelodge Ipoh for the pleasant stay throughout the trip!