When life gets too loud, sometimes the best solution is to leave the noise behind. Wang Kelian is one of those rare places where the world feels slower, quieter, and more peaceful.
The forests and limestone hills of Perlis create a calm that city life rarely offers, and the air itself feels like a reset button for your mind.
Here, the best way to recharge is simple: step outside, breathe deeply, and let nature take over.
Sunrise at Nakawan Range Viewpoints
If you want to begin your day with calmness, hiking to the Nakawan Range viewpoints is a beautiful way to do it. The hike is manageable for most people, but the view at the top is what truly makes it worth the effort.
When the sun rises over the hills, the sky fills with warm colours and soft light. It’s a quiet moment, the kind that makes you feel like the world is waking up with you.
In those early moments of sunrise, your thoughts start to slow down, and you begin to feel more present.
It is the kind of experience that reminds you that peace doesn’t need to be complicated. Sometimes it just needs a new perspective.
Timah Tasoh Sunset Cruise
If sunrise gives you a new beginning, a sunset cruise at Timah Tasoh offers a gentle ending.
The lake is wide and calm, reflecting the sky like a mirror. The water moves slowly, and everything feels softer, quieter, and more peaceful.
The cruise is the perfect way to close the day after hiking or exploring the forest. It gives you time to relax, breathe, and appreciate the quiet beauty of nature. When the sun sets and the sky turn golden, it feels like the world is giving you a moment to simply be.
Night Safari at Hutan Simpan Mata Ayer, The Forest Comes Alive
The real magic of Wang Kelian happens at night. When the sun sets, the forest wakes up and reveals a world that is hidden during the day.
A night safari at Hutan Simpan Mata Ayer is one of the best ways to experience this. The forest becomes darker and quieter, and if you are lucky, you might spot some of the most unique animals in the area.
Here are some of the wildlife you can find:
Slow Loris, The Forest’s Quiet Survivor
The slow loris (Nycticebus coucang) or also known as ‘Sunda slow loris’ is one of the most memorable animals in Wang Kelian. It looks soft and gentle, with big round eyes that seem to observe the world carefully. But there is more to it than meets the eye.
Slow lorises live mostly in the forest canopy, moving slowly and quietly between branches. They are nocturnal, meaning they sleep during the day and become active at night.
FYI, their slow movement is not a sign of laziness, but a survival strategy. It helps them stay hidden from predators and avoid startling their prey.
They usually live alone or in small family groups. Their diet includes insects, tree sap, fruits, and small animals. They have a strong grip that allows them to hold onto branches for long periods, almost as if they are hugging the tree.
One of the most surprising facts about the slow loris is that it is one of the few venomous mammals in the world. It has a gland on its inner arm or elbow that produces a toxin. When it feels threatened, it licks this gland and mixes the secretion with its saliva. If it bites, the venom is delivered through its teeth.
A slow loris only uses its venom when it feels cornered or in danger. Loud noises, sudden movements, or the presence of humans can trigger this defensive response. When it senses a threat, it may raise its arms to reach the gland and deliver a bite. It is simply trying to protect itself and tell the world to give it space.
Seeing a slow loris in the wild is rare, and that is part of what makes it so special. It feels like a quiet secret shared between you and the forest.
Red Giant Flying Squirrel, The Nighttime Glider
The red giant flying squirrel (Petaurista petaurista) or ‘Tupai Terbang Merah’ is another iconic species in Wang Kelian. It does not truly fly, but it glides through the forest using a special skin membrane called a patagium. It is like a natural cape that stretches between its limbs, allowing it to move from tree to tree with grace and precision.
Some glides can reach up to 100 meters, making it one of the most skilled gliders in Southeast Asia. They are mostly active at night, so the best time to see them is during a guided night walk or a dawn trek.
When you see one gliding across the canopy, it feels like the forest is performing a silent, magical show.
Hornbills, the Forest’s Loud and Proud Residents
Wang Kelian is home to several hornbill species, and you will usually hear them before you see them. Their loud calls and strong wing beats echo through the forest, reminding visitors that the jungle is very much alive.
Fun fact about hornbills is they’re often called the “farmers of the forest.”
When they eat fruits and fly from tree to tree, they help spread seeds across the forest, allowing new trees to grow.
Hornbill (Berenicornis comatus) or also known as ‘Burung Enggang Jambul Putih’.
Hornbills also have a unique nesting habit. The female seals herself inside a tree cavity using mud and fruit pulp, leaving a small opening. The male then feeds her and their chicks until the young are ready to leave the nest. This teamwork helps protect the chicks from danger.
When a hornbill flies past or calls from above, it feels like the forest is speaking out loud.
Stump-tailed Macaque, the Playful Groups of Wang Kelian
Stump-tailed macaques (Macaca arctoides) or ‘Beruk Kentoi’ add movement and energy to Wang Kelian’s forests. They live in groups and are often seen climbing trees, moving across the forest floor, or resting together.
Did you know, these macaques are very social animals. They groom one another to build strong bonds and keep peace within the group. This behaviour helps them stay safe and connected in the wild.
They are easy to recognise by their short tails and expressive faces. Although they may look calm or serious, they are curious and intelligent, always exploring their surroundings.
Come and Experience the Calm of Wang Kelian
Wang Kelian is a place that invites you to slow down and reconnect with nature, encouraging visitors to come and experience a landscape that mesmerises with its calm beauty and rich wildlife.
Source: Perlis Nature Xplorer