Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020

Gettin' OUT of KL!

Country forums / South-East Asia Islands & Peninsula / Malaysia



What's the "PAI" of Malaysia? Where's the "Chiang Mai" of Malaysia??

I've been to Thailand twice, and liked the smaller cities. Where are some cool destinations to head to outside of KL?

How about a city suggestion, and a small, quiet village type place as well! :)

Chiang Mai as in climate and trekking then Cameroon Highlands.
Chiang Mai as in culture and city feel then Malacca.

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If you want a small, quiet village then there are plenty of them around too. Try some of the smaller places on the East Coast.

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the small towns in east malaysia

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I'd say that the Cameron Highlands are the closest to "Pai" that I found (but my knowledge is not as good as many other people's).
Tanah Rata is small and the other towns no bigger. Good food (of course), trekking, plenty of local businesses open for tourists, and a good spot to just chill for a day or two if you've had a couple of treks or hectic days before arriving.

Personally, I loved the Cameron Highlands. Some others don't find the same thing.

4

Thank God there's no Malaysian PAI.

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