What better way to spend quality time with your family members than to bring them on an adventure to an unfamiliar territory? And what could possibly be better than having one of the best waterfalls to look forward to at the end of that journey?
Said waterfall is located at a certain river which you can access when you take a train to the northernmost station in the state of Selangor. That river is called the Chiling River.
Situated near the border of Pahang, visitors actually have two options; to go to the river near the small bridge or go to the Chiling Fish Sanctuary.
The Chiling Fish Sanctuary is a heaven on earth – the site is still unspoiled as there is no rapid development and, thankfully, no rubbish all over the place as is typical of other nature recreational spots in Malaysia.
Upon entering, every visitor is required to pay RM1 as a conservation fee.
Dustbins are not provided here, so remember to leave nothing but footprints and take nothing but photos. If you happen to have rubbish on you, hang on to it until you leave the area and find a proper dustbin.
This sanctuary is also the starting point for those who intend to go to the Chiling waterfalls.
Rumours have it that the waterfall is indeed beautiful, and requires a bit of a hike and a crossing of five rivers to get there.
As for the sanctuary itself, it is filled with kelah fish, a type of local fish normally found in rivers. Visitors are allowed to feed them but not catch them.
The river, although clean and clear, is extremely cold even on a hot afternoon. The base of the river is full of rocks, making it one of the best spots to relax and chill, as the name might have suggested.
No doubt, this is one of the places to go with your family if you are looking for a place to mingle with nature and unwind from that hectic city life.
Getting there
To get to Chiling River via car, drive to Kuala Kubu Bharu. From there, drive towards Fraser’s Hill.
You will pass the Selangor Dam before reaching a small bridge. The entrance to the Chiling River is on your left while the entrance to the Chiling Fish Sanctuary will be on your right, both of which are a minute’s walk from the bridge.
To go by public transport, take the KTM Komuter to Kuala Kubu Bharu Station. From there, take the taxi to Chiling. The price is approximately RM70 to RM80, including return.
Khai and wife Amira are Malaysian travel bloggers who blog at Kaki Jalans. Their travels have taken them to almost all the countries in Asean and five countries in Europe. They are still actively travelling and adding to this list.