Kuala Sepetang is a small fishing town in Perak that will quietly surprise you. Its charm is rooted in its fishing heritage, mangrove forests, and simple, good food. Located about 25 minutes from Taiping, this riverside town makes a great half-day or overnight trip if you want something different from your usual city or island break.
I visited recently and found that Kuala Sepetang offers more than just seafood dinners. There’s history, nature, and glimpses into a way of life that hasn’t completely been taken over by tourism. Here’s everything you need to know before you go.
Kuala Sepetang at a glance
Geography
Kuala Sepetang sits at the mouth of the Sepetang River, about 15 kilometers west of Taiping in Perak. It’s a coastal fishing town surrounded by mangrove forests, mudflats, and waterways that flow into the Straits of Malacca.
The mangrove ecosystem here is one of the largest and best-preserved in Malaysia, making it both ecologically important and central to the local way of life.
History
This small town was once called Port Weld, named after a British governor, Sir Frederick Weld, during colonial times.
In 1885, it became the site of Malaysia’s very first railway line, which ran from Taiping to Port Weld to transport tin. Though the railway no longer exists, the old heritage still lingers in bits and pieces — you can even see the old railway signboard in town today.
Fishing, mangrove harvesting, and charcoal-making have shaped the economy here for over a century, and many of these traditional livelihoods are still practiced.
Population
Kuala Sepetang is home to a close-knit community made up mainly of Chinese (predominantly Hokkien), Malays, and a smaller number of Indians. Many families here have lived in the village for generations, tied to fishing, seafood restaurants, or charcoal kilns.
Hokkien and Malay are commonly spoken, though you’ll find plenty of locals who can switch to Mandarin or basic English when dealing with visitors.
Best time to go to Kuala Sepetang
Kuala Sepetang’s weather is consistently tropical, with no sharply defined seasons. The climate here mirrors much of the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia: steady temperatures (between 32°C and 34°C during the day) and rainfall throughout the year.
Rainfall is moderate and distributed all year, so while February to August tends to offer slightly sunnier, drier weather, the town remains visitable even during wetter months.
If you’re planning a firefly river cruise, avoid full moon nights as the bright light from a full moon can outshine the subtle glow of fireflies, making them far less visible.
How to get to Kuala Sepetang
Kuala Sepetang doesn’t have direct public transport links, so getting there takes a little planning. The easiest option is by car, but you can also get there using a combination of train, bus, and taxi.
By car
Driving is the most convenient way. From Kuala Lumpur, it takes about 3–4 hours via the PLUS North-South Expressway (E1). Exit at Changkat Jering (Exit 148), then follow the signs to Taiping and Kuala Sepetang (around 20 minutes from the exit).
- From Ipoh, it’s about 1 hour 15 minutes.
- From Penang, it takes around 1 hour 40 minutes.
Parking is generally easy in the town.
By train
KTM’s Electric Train Service (ETS) connects major cities in Peninsular Malaysia, including Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh, Penang, and Taiping.
- Take the train to Taiping Railway Station.
- From there, Kuala Sepetang is about 12–15 km away (20 minutes by car). You can take a Grab, local taxi, or arrange a transfer with your accommodation.
By bus
There’s no direct bus to Kuala Sepetang, but you can get close:
- Take a bus to Taiping bus terminal (from KL, Penang, or Ipoh).
- From the terminal, continue by taxi or Grab (around 20 minutes), or public bus (around 30 minutes).
How to get around in Kuala Sepetang
Kuala Sepetang is a small fishing town, so once you’re there, getting around is quite straightforward. Most of the main attractions — the fishing village, seafood restaurants, and boat jetties — are clustered close together, and you can easily explore them on foot.
The Matang Mangrove Forest Reserve and charcoal factory are a little further but still within walking distance.
Many of Kuala Sepetang’s highlights are best seen from the water. Local boat operators at the jetty offer trips to spot fireflies, visit fish farms, see eagles feeding, or explore the mangrove waterways. These are usually arranged on the spot or booked through your accommodation.
For short trips to and from Taiping or nearby towns, Grab works fairly well, though you may not always find a driver immediately in Kuala Sepetang itself.
It’s easier to book one from Taiping to Kuala Sepetang than the other way around, so if you rely on e-hailing, plan ahead. Otherwise, take one of the local taxis, but make sure you agree on the fare before boarding.
Things to do in Kuala Sepetang
1. Walk the Matang Mangrove Forest Reserve
This mangrove reserve is one of the best in Peninsular Malaysia. It’s an important ecosystem that protects the coast and supports local fishing livelihoods. There’s an easy wooden walkway where you can stroll among the mangrove trees, spot mudskippers and crabs, and learn about the area’s ecology from the information boards.
If you come in the late afternoon, you’ll often find it quieter and cooler.
Tip: Bring mosquito repellent and apply generously.
Unfortunately, it was closed during our visit, but here’s the info:
📍 Jalan Taiping – Kuala Sepetang, Kampung Kuala Sepetang, 34650 Kuala Sepetang, Perak (Mon – Sun, 8am – 6pm)
2. Visit the charcoal factory
Kuala Sepetang is famous for its traditional charcoal-making, which uses mangrove wood. Some of these kilns have been operating for decades, and apparently you can even step inside the domed ovens to see and feel the process (I didn’t!). The factory welcomes visitors for free or you can arrange a guided tour with the factory manager for a small tip.
It’s fascinating to see the old techniques still being used today to produce high-quality charcoal. Charcoal-based products are also sold here if you want to bring some home as a souvenir.
Jalan Taiping – Kuala Sepetang, Kampung Menteri, 34650 Kuala Sepetang, Perak (Mon – Fri, 10am – 4pm; Sat & Sun, 10am – 5pm)
3. Join a river cruise
A boat trip along the Sepetang River is one of the best ways to see the town from a different angle. Depending on the operator and timing, cruises can include:
- A visit to a fish farm. Our tour took us to the puffer fish farm where we got to see the poisonous fish, along with other species like the horseshoe crabs, mudskippers, and in our case, a stray monitor lizard that managed to get into one of the fish enclosures.
- Bird-watching and feeding. The boatmen will throw fish into the river and you will see hundreds of eagles and herons suddenly swarming overhead and swooping in just in time to catch the feed.
- Mangrove forest views from the water.
- Dolphin spotting (best chance is at sunrise).
- Night-time firefly watching (similar to Kuala Selangor).
Some tours also pass through the fishing villages, where you can see locals mending nets or bringing in the day’s catch.
Our guide was a super-enthusiastic uncle who offered to take tons of photos for us. We booked through Kuala Sepetang Port Weld Eco, details in the picture:
4. Explore the fishing village
The main village area is small enough to walk around. You’ll see wooden stilt houses, small jetties, and boats moored along the riverbank. It’s a working village, so be mindful when taking photos and don’t block pathways.
If you come in the morning, you can watch fishermen unloading fresh catches at the market.
Beyond the market, you’ll see fish, squid, and even prawns being laid out under the sun to dry — a practice that’s becoming rare in bigger towns.
As you wander, look out for the little provision shops and sundry stores tucked between houses and jetties. These are the kind of shops that have all but disappeared in big cities — selling everything from biscuits in large tins to old-fashioned household items.
If you grew up during that era, it’ll probably bring back memories. If you’re younger, it’s a fascinating glimpse into what everyday life in Malaysia’s cities must have looked like a few decades ago.
5. Stand on the Kuala Sepetang Port Weld bridge
Originally part of Port Weld, this covered bridge crosses Sungai Reba and has become one of the town’s most recognizable landmarks. Locals still use it daily to get across, but for visitors it doubles as one of the best scenic spots in town.
Come at sunrise or sunset and you’ll see why it’s a favorite photo stop. The view of colorful fishing boats moored beside stilted houses gives you a real sense of Kuala Sepetang’s character as a working fishing village.
6. Visit the old Port Weld railway station
Kuala Sepetang was once the terminus of Malaya’s very first railway line, which connected the busy tin-mining town of Taiping to the coast in 1885. The railway was vital back then, carrying tin from Taiping’s mines to Port Weld for export.
Today, trains no longer run here. What remains is the original multilingual station signboard in English, Malay (in Jawi script), Tamil, and Chinese — reflecting the diverse communities who lived and worked in the area.
7. Eat fresh seafood
Seafood is the main draw for most visitors. Restaurants here are mostly no-frills, family-run places. Steamed fish, butter prawns, salted egg crab, and deep-fried squid are all favorites.
Some well-known spots include:
- Restoran Tepi Sungai (Mon – Sun, 12pm – 8:45pm)
- Rasa Sayang Seafood (Thu – Mon, 11:30am – 9pm; closed on Tue & Wed)
- Xin Seafood Restaurant (Mon – Sun, 11:30am – 8:20pm)
- Kang Kao Seafood Restaurant (Mon – Sun, 11am – 10pm)
- D’port Ikan Bakar Seafood Kuala Sepetang (Fri – Tue, 3pm – 11pm; closed on Wed & Thu)
Prices are generally reasonable compared to bigger tourist towns.
Tip: Go to a riverside restaurant around sunset, and you’ll get rewarded with views like this one:
8. Try the famous mee udang
Mee Udang (prawn noodles) is a must-try when you’re in Kuala Sepetang. It’s a comforting bowl of yellow noodles and big juicy prawns in a subtly sweet and mildly spicy broth.
Some of the popular stalls are Kak Nor Mee Udang Kuala Sepetang, Restoran Mee Udang Mak Jah, and Mee Udang Warisan. Portions range from RM 10 to RM 20, depending on size and toppings.
9. Tour the mushroom farm
Just a short drive from town, the Wonder Farm Mushroom is a family-run business that’s been cultivating mushrooms (white oyster, grey oyster, lingzhi, and tiger milk varieties) for over 30 years. This was a place we regretted not having enough time to visit, so I guess we will have to go again.
You can join a guided tour for a small fee and even bring home a DIY mushroom-growing kit if you’d like. It’s a hands-on, informative, and surprisingly fun detour.
Lot 1626, Lorong 1, Kampung Setia, 34700 Matang, Perak. (Tue – Sun, 9am – 12pm, 2pm – 4:30pm)
10. Visit Pulau Sangga
Another place we didn’t get to visit was Pulau Sangga, a tiny fishing village reachable via a ~30-minute boat ride from Kuala Sepetang. What makes the village unique is its complete absence of modern utilities — no electricity or piped water! It relies on rainwater and solar power for daily life.
The community here is small and largely of Chinese heritage, with roots tracing back to Teochew settlers. Despite the lack of modern infrastructure, the villagers maintain institutions like a public school, a temple, and even a chapel.
Visitors to Pulau Sangga can try coffee or tea prepared with rainwater at the local coffee shops. If you’re interested in seeing how different life can be, this is a detour you won’t forget.
11. Buy seafood products
Before leaving Kuala Sepetang, it’s worth stocking up on local seafood-based products. The town is known for its prawn crackers, dried shrimp, fish, and anchovies. They are mostly produced by small family businesses and make good souvenirs that are more practical to take home than fresh seafood.
You’ll find these products in small shops around the village or near the jetty area where seafood restaurants are located.
Where to stay in Kuala Sepetang
Kuala Sepetang isn’t exactly a tourist hub, so accommodation options are quite limited. You’ll find more in nearby towns like Taiping, but if you’d rather stay within the village itself, here are a handful of homestays and unique lodgings:
- The Happy 8 Retreat – This was where we stayed at. It’s a super-unique artsy place, where almost every surface of the interior is hand-painted with murals, and the furniture is crafted from wood, rattan, coconut shells, and even fishing nets.
- Crosview Hotel – A relatively new riverside hotel offering clean, modern rooms with lovely views of the Sepetang River from the floor-to-ceiling windows.
- CK Homestay Kuala Sepetang – A clean, one-bedroom homestay for a maximum of 4 guests. Offers contactless check-in/check-out.
- KS Homestay – Centrally located with excellent river views, clean rooms, private bathrooms, and easy walking access to the market, jetty, and food; the balcony offers lovely sunrise and sunset scenes.
- Cai Fu Homestay – No-frills budget rooms with private bathrooms.
- Homestay Dolphin Kuala Sepetang – Entire bungalow with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. Can fit up to 14 guests.
How long to stay in Kuala Sepetang
You don’t need a lot of time to see Kuala Sepetang. A half-day trip is enough if you just want to stroll the mangrove reserve, eat seafood, and get a feel of the fishing village.
If you’d like to take things slower — join a river cruise, visit a charcoal factory, or stay for firefly watching — then plan for a full day. Staying overnight is also an option if you want to experience the quieter side of the village once the day-trippers leave, but it isn’t strictly necessary unless you’re the type who enjoys lingering in small towns.
Suggested Kuala Sepetang itinerary
Morning
- Start with a visit to the Matang Mangrove Forest Reserve for a walk along the boardwalk. It’s cooler earlier in the day and you’ll avoid the big crowds.
- Head to the charcoal factory. It’s the best time to see workers busy with the process.
Lunch
Try the local specialty: scrumptious prawn mee at one of the recommended restaurants. Finish off with a bowl of refreshing cendol at Cendol Kuala Sepetang.
Afternoon
- Take a leisurely walk around the fishing village, watch boats come in, and browse local shops.
- Rest at a café or head to Taiping if you want to combine the two towns in one trip.
Evening
- Go on a river cruise around sunset. This way, you’ll see the mangroves, river life, and catch the golden hour views.
- Stay on for a firefly cruise after dark — it’s the highlight of a visit here and usually lasts about 30–45 minutes.
Night
Have a late seafood dinner by the river, then head back to Taiping or your hotel. If you prefer, you can check into a riverside homestay and enjoy the quiet atmosphere overnight.
Additional tips for visiting Kuala Sepetang
- Wear light, breathable clothing — it gets hot and humid.
- Bring cash, as many places don’t accept cards.
- Respect the local community; it’s a working village, not a staged attraction.
- If you’re visiting mangroves or going on a boat tour, wear comfortable walking shoes or sandals with good grip.
Final thoughts
Kuala Sepetang’s appeal lies in its slow pace and down-to-earth vibe. A walk through the mangroves, a boat ride at sunset, and a table full of fresh seafood are more than enough reasons to stop by if you’re exploring Perak.
If you’re planning a bigger trip around the north, you can easily combine Kuala Sepetang with Taiping (guide coming soon!), Ipoh, or even Penang. Each of these towns has its own character, and I’ve written detailed guides to help you plan your route.
Also, be sure to check out the rest of the blog for more practical tips and destination ideas around Malaysia.
Happy travels!
