Bukit Merah

Bukit Merah Laketown Resort is an eco-tourism destination in Perak, near the towns of Semanggol and Taiping. Most of its attractions are located by a lake. It is a family vacation spot. Keep in mind that prices here are not low, thus backpackers may want to give this stop a skip.

Get in

By car

Bukit Merah is primarily accessible via road. Take the Bukit Merah Exit on the North South Expressway, 10 minutes North of Taiping's Kamunting Exit and follow the signs.

By bus

Take a bus from the Kamunting Bus Terminal in Taiping to Semanggol. From Semanggol, take another bus into Bukit Merah

Get around

One can walk to most of the attractions as they are located close by. If you don't have a car, avoid staying at the apartments as they are located further out and are only accessible by car as there is no public transportation in this area.

See

• Orang Utan Island - Tucked away on the 35-acre Pulau Orang Utan, Orang Utan Island is the world's first and only 5-acre rehabilitation and preservation facility where Orang Utans roam free. The unique island serves as a breeding sanctuary as well as conservation, research and education center to better understand this endangered species. There is a boat service that ferries people to and from the Island every 30–45 minutes. Entrance is RM15 for Adults and RM10 for children. Children below 90 cm will not be admitted.
• EcoPark - A 3-acre eco-friendly sanctuary, the park features three large enclosures the Bird Park, Reptile Park and Tropical Trek, where rare indigenous and exotic bird, reptile, primate and mammal species roam freely in their natural habitat. Entrance is RM10 for Adults and RM7 for children.
• Take a walk by the lake at sunset, near Marina Village. The view is quite spectacular.

Do

• Skycycle - A monorail that gives you a breathtaking view of the surrounding tropic rainforest. The ride costs RM4 per person.
• Village Tours - Take a tour of a traditional Malay Village and see a Malay house and school and learn to weave a grass mat. There are special combo packages available. Ask ticket offices to provide the details.
• Water Park - Straddling an area of 11 acres, it is the largest in the northern region of Peninsular Malaysia. It has 10 different rides including Boomerang, the only of its kind in South East Asia. There is also a chairlift that will take you over the entire waterpark for a fee of RM4. Entrance to the waterpark is RM27 for Adults and RM23 for children.

Buy

Marina Village is a mall close to the waterpark that has many handicraft and souvenir stores to get nice items. Keep in mind that prices here are higher than in most other places as it is a predominantly tourist area.

Eat

Marina Village houses most of the F&B outlets like Cafe Le Lac, Ripple's Sidewalk Cafe and K'Bali Cafe. Bubbles Restaurant is located within the waterpark, it serves local and Western food at fairly high prices. Hong San Restaurant is located at the Laketown Apartments and serves Chinese cuisine while Colours Restaurant is located at Suria Service Apartments .

Drink

• Angler's Karaoke Corner is a pub also located in Marina Village and has Karaoke facilities.
• Mike's Place is a pub located in Marina Village. It has a live band.

Sleep

• Suria Service Apartment Hotel. Studio, 1 bedroom and 2 bedroom apartments available. Rooms come air-conditioned, with a mini fridge and television. Facilities include a swimming pool with jacuzzi, a gym, sauna, mini theatre, children's playground, BBQ area and karaoke lounge. Price ranges from RM150 to RM600 a night 
• Kampung Air (Water Chalets). Chalets built on stilts over the lake. Studio Suites, 1,2 and 3 bedroom suites are available.Prices are steep, ranging from RM500 to RM2000 a night. 
• Laketown Hotel. Is located close to the Marina Village wand Waterpark. Rooms are air-conditioned and have a mini fridge and in house movies. Recommended for those who do not have their own mode of transportation. Price ranges from RM200 a night to RM600 a night. 
• Laketown Apartments. Studio, 1 bedroom and 2 bedroom apartments available. Rooms come air-conditioned, with a mini fridge and television. Prices range from RM130 to RM400 a night. 

Go next

• Taiping, a town founded upon tin mining activities, it has a zoo and the country's first Lake Gardens. It is only 10 minutes south via the North South Expressway
• Ipoh, state capital famous for its local cuisine. It is about an hour south via the North South Expressway
• Penang, rich in history and known for good local food and beautiful beaches. It is about an hour North via the North South Expressway
• Langkawi, an archipelago of 99 islands. It is a duty free zone, thus shopping is cheap. It also has beautiful beaches and many other attractions. It is about 3 hours North via the North South Expressway. Flights and boat trips are also available via Penang