Plan Your Public Holiday Right with These Long Weekends in 2021

2021 is what people call the year of HOPE. After going through a whole year of fear and anxiety in 2020, we are still not safe from the current pandemic. But don’t let that drown your spirit, because 2021 is, as we said earlier, is the year of hope thanks to the production of Covid-19 Vaccine and the upcoming long weekends. Here are the upcoming dates of rest and excitement.

Disclaimer – long weekends in this article is based on the Monday to Friday work week unless stated otherwise.

2021 Malaysia Public Holidays + Long Weekends

Here are 4 dates where you can save your annual leaves yet still enjoy the long weekend.

• New Year’s Day: 1st to 3rd January 2021 (Friday to Sunday)
• Chinese New Year: 12th to 14th February 2021 (Friday to Sunday)
• Hari Raya Aidilfitri: 13th to 16th May 2021(Thursday to Sunday)
• Agong’s Birthday: 5th to 7th June (Saturday to Monday)

Then, here are 9 dates where you can enjoy the long holidays if you plan your annual leaves correctly.

* For those living in Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya, you will enjoy an extra day of holiday on the 1st of February which is the Federal Territory Day.

2021 School Holidays

• Term 1 Holidays – 27th March to 4th April 2021
• Mid-Year Holidays – 29th May to 13th June 2021
• Mid Term Holidays 17th to 25th July 2021
• Mid Term Holidays – 11th to 19th September 2021
• Year End Holidays – 11th to 31st December 2021
• Chinese New Year Holidays – 10th to 13th February 2021
• Hari Raya Aidilfitri Holidays – 11th to 14th May 2021
• Deepavali Holidays – 3rd to 5th November 2021

Least Explored Holiday Activities and Destinations

It’s always safer to stay away from crowded places and destinations to avoid any kind of spreading. So, here are some activities and holiday destinations that are quite secluded and safe to be explored with your loved ones.

Hiking

Hike your way up these tracks to enjoy the most spectacular sunrises, sunsets, and the beautiful panoramic view of the location.

1. Bukit Gasing Forest Park, Petaling Jaya – One of the most popular and relatively easy hikes you can find within the city. There are 6 different trails to reach the top which takes about 1.5 to 2 hours to reach. 
2. Broga Hill, Kajang – The first spot that comes to mind when hiking in Klang Valley is mentioned. This one hour hike to the top has three peaks and all offers a beautiful view of Broga town. 
3. Saga Hill, Ampang – This hill is where hikers would go to train for Mount Kinabalu or Gunung Tahan due to its complexity. It has three trails and some trails are more challenging than the others with ropes and slopes. 
4. Gunung Semangkok, Selangor – This is one of the more challenging trails in Klang Valley, totalling 32km to and fro which means a total of 12-16 hours of hike. You can also find one of the starting points at Fraser’s Hill. 
5. Bishop Trail, Fraser’s Hill – This picturesque forest comes with two different routes that gives you a plentiful view of birds from the watchtower, monkeys and other animals within the jungle canopy. 
6. Mossy Forest, Cameron Highlands – a luscious green forest where you can hike through to the watchtower to enjoy the scenic views of Perak and Pahang.
7. Rainbow Falls, Pahang – a hike to one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Malaysia that requires you to follow a local tour guide. 
8. Penang Hill – Skip the funicular railway train and climb your way up to the top of Penang Hill from the Penang Botanic Gardens. Visitors might see some wildlife hanging around at the trees and they will reach Penang Hill when they see the metal entrance of ‘The Habitat’. 
9. Bohey Dulang, Semporna – Bohey Dulang is one of the eight islands at Tun Sakaran Marine Park in Semporna, 30 minutes from Semporna town. Climbing up to the highest peak in Bohey Dulang (353 metres above) is one of the must things to do in Sabah.
10. Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) – One of the most famous features here is the 50m-high ‘Forest Skywalk’, which scales above the forest area, giving you a panoramic view of KL. 

Food Trips

No one can ever resist the delicious delicacies Malaysia has to offer. But if you are travelling with your family, we would suggest you pack these mouth-watering dishes and enjoy them at the comfort of your own hotel, Airbnb or your own house. Here are some of the must have dishes to eat your way through every state in Malaysia.

1. Perlis – Ikan Bakar – In Perlis, you can easily find stalls and restaurants with charcoal-grilled fish as well as other dishes. The best place to get Ikan Bakar here  is at Medan Ikan Bakar!
2. Kelantan – Nasi Kerabu – This famous blue rice dish is  made up of several components – blue rice, raw salad (kerabu), sambal, protein (egg and chicken/beef/fish), fish crackers. The best way to enjoy this is by mixing the rice with the salad and sambal.
3. Kedah – Gulai Nangka – This creamy, yellow curry dish features unripe jackfruit cooked with turmeric, galangal, ginger, chilli paste, coconut milk and many other spices. This dish pairs the best with a plate of warm rice.
4. Penang – Char Kuey Teow – This famous noodles that made its way to the whole of Malaysia is just simple flat rice noodles stir-fried with chilli paste, prawns, egg, cockles, bean sprouts, and garlic chives which is so delicious. 
5. Terengganu – Satar – Satar is a famous snack which is just deboned and mashed fish mixed with desiccated coconut and a selection of herbs and spices, then wrapped into a cone shape in a banana leaf. Each cone is then skewered and charcoal-grilled. 
6. Selangor – Satay –  This famous charcoal grilled skewered meat is most popular in Kajang especially the Satay from Sate Kajang Hj. Samuri. 
7. Sabah – Tuaran Mee – The key to a good bowl of tuaran mee is the special yellow egg noodles that are fried before being topped with the dish’s signature sauce and ingredients.
8. Sarawak – Sarawak Laksa – Sarawak Laksa is different from all the other laksas that can be found in Malaysia thanks to its distinctive curry paste. The rice noodles are drenched in this flavourful broth then topped with omelette strips, chicken, prawns and fresh vegetables. 
9. Perak – Ipoh Hor Fun – Every aspect of the dish is prepared with care, from the rice noodles made using local spring water to the broth meticulously simmered for hours and the freshest ingredients to top it all off. 
10. Pahang – Gulai Tempoyak Ikan Patin – This dish uses two local staples, ikan patin caught from the longest river in Peninsular Malaysia and Durian and pairs perfectly with hot, white rice. Flesh from the durians are fermented into a paste called tempoyak. They’re then added into a curry dish with the ikan patin, turmeric, galangal, garlic, ginger and other spices.
11. Negeri Sembilan – Siew Pau – Traditionally made with pork, peas and other ingredients, you can now find different fillings like chicken and mushroom. 
12. Johor – Otak-Otak – Otak-Otak is a dish where sumptuous fish and/or other seafood is mixed with all sorts of spices and stuffed into coconut leaves. It is then grilled over hot coals. 
13. Melaka – Chicken Rice Balls – Chicken Rice Balls are a special delicacy in Melaka where the rice are clumped together and made to look like balls. You can find this dish all over Melaka especially around Jonker Street. 

If you have not tried these dishes, this is the time to make use of the long weekends to explore the food trails of these states.

Waterfalls

The beach might not be the best place to visit this time because of the crowd but here are some beautiful waterfalls all around Malaysia that you should visit for a fun time out with your family.

1. Kota Tinggi Waterfalls – Kota Tinggi Waterfalls in Johor is definitely a must visit. There are two waterfalls in the same location where one is a beautiful cascading falls that has pools below while the other is a free thundering falls down the valley.
2. Mahua Waterfall – To get to the Mahua Waterfall, you need to walk the 500-meter trail surrounded by lush green flora and countless pretty butterflies fluttering about.
3. Rainbow Falls – The name itself promises a view you will never forget. If visited at the right time, one can witness how the water and light create breathtaking rainbows within the mist.
4. Sungai Chiling Waterfalls – Located in Selangor, the Sungai Chiling Waterfalls is one of the best places to visit for adrenaline junkies as this waterfall can only be reached after you take an adventurous track along the river. 
5. Ulu Chepor Waterfalls – Known for its cool, clean water that flows down from the Kledang Hills, Ulu Chepor Waterfall is a very popular spot for those looking for a place to cool down on a hot day.

Family Friendly Hotels

What better way to spend quality time with your family than at these locations with its own private pool for safety and privacy. You do not have to worry about sharing the space with strangers and the hotels are totally safe for you and your family.

1. Tasik Villa International Resort, Negeri Sembilan – You should look out for the Family Villa that can fit up to 4 guests and comes with its own private pool. 
2. Mangala Resort & Spa, Kuantan – This resort was built on a previously barrem mining land which was then made into a luxurious tropical retreat with numerous private villas. 
3. Lexis Suites Penang – All rooms in this hotel comes with a private pool and steam room so all you have to do is just book and stay for a relaxing time. 
4. Grand Lexis Port Dickson – This resort has villas that are located over water as well as villas in the hotel building. We would recommend you to book the Deluxe Pool Villa that boasts a glass panel right above the sea. 
5. Borneo Beach Villa, Kota Kinabalu – Perfect for a family trip, the modern pool villas consist of two or three bedrooms, a private lap pool, a living room, a dining area and a well-equipped kitchen.
6. The Orchard Wellness & Health Resort, Melaka – This resort is centered around relaxing stays focused on wellness, with services such as yoga and meditation classes, fitness programmes, and spa sessions available
7.  Lexis Hibiscus, Port Dickson – This hotel gained fame for its beautiful pool villas that sit on the water arranged in the shape of the hibiscus flower.
8. Maneh Private Pool, Langkawi – This villa comes with its own private pool and is within driving distance from Pantai Tengah, so you’re never far away from the sun, sand and sea.
9. The Villas at Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa, Kuala Lumpur – The Villas all feature private plunge pools and outdoor terraces all enclosed within a high stone wall and pretty foliage.
10. La Villa Langkawi, Langkawi – La Villa Langkawi is a cluster of villas each with its own private pool and is located next to a paddy field. 

If you are planning to make a trip to these locations for the long weekends, do remember to adhere to the SOPs that are stated by the government. Before you start your trip, always remember to check your car to ensure it is ready for the trip. You can also check out these road trip playlists to keep you and your loved ones entertained on your trip. Let’s do our part to flatten the curve while enjoying 2021.

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