By Mohd Afiq Zulkifli
BAGAN DATUK, Aug 19 (Bernama) -- For those seeking a relaxing getaway away from the hustle and bustle of the city, Bagan Datuk offers a memorable experience, from exploring fishing villages to visiting the picturesque Sky Mirror.
Located about three hours from Kuala Lumpur by road, this coastal district in Perak offers visitors the chance to experience rural life, enjoy various recreational activities and take photos at scenic locations, all in a single trip.
Recently, several media representatives and 55 Muslim-Friendly Tourist Guides participated in a media familiarisation trip, organised by the Islamic Tourism Centre (ITC), to explore the diverse tourism products and attractions in Bagan Datuk.
The programme started in the Bagan Sungai Burung area, from where one can explore the coastal fishing village by buggy, gaining a closer look at the lives of the local community and the fishing activities that have shaped the area’s identity.
The visit also highlighted how the village atmosphere and daily activities of the local residents can be developed as community-based tourism products.
Local tourism operator Khor Weng Kiang said efforts to develop tourism in Bagan Sungai Burung began in 2014 and later expanded with the introduction of attractions such as Sky Mirror, Sunflower Garden and Sungai Burung Aquarium.
“As a fisherman’s son, I saw many young people leaving the village for jobs in the cities after finishing school, while most of those who remained behind were older residents. We felt this needed to change, so we began developing our own tourism products,” he said.
The 1.5-hectare Sunflower Garden, featuring more than 2,000 sunflower plants, was developed in stages to ensure visitors can enjoy the blooms almost all year round.
Besides its vast sunflower fields, which are a favourite spot for selfies, the garden also offers various photo spots, including a heart-shaped arch, swings, colourful bridges and a ‘Stairway to Heaven’. Children can also enjoy feeding ducks and fish.
At Sungai Burung Aquarium, visitors can see various freshwater fish species, such as giant arapaima, arowana and gar, as well as animals such as rabbits and peacocks. They can also experiment with different poses and photo angles against 3D illusion murals.
The next stop was Beting Beras Basah, the venue for the Sky Mirror phenomenon, which occurs on a shallow sandbank several times a month when the tide recedes, creating a mirror-like surface that reflects the sky and clouds, as well as the visitors gathered at the site, accessible by a 15-minute boat ride from the Bagan Datuk jetty.
Tourist guide Rozy Sibon, who participated in the familiarisation trip, said Bagan Datuk has the potential to be promoted as a short getaway destination through well-planned travel packages, given that its various attractions are located relatively close to one another and can be visited along a single route.
“What makes Bagan Datuk unique is the variety of products it offers, such as the Sunflower Garden, Tuminah Hamidi Mosque, Sungai Burung Aquarium and Sky Mirror, which can be combined into a single tourism package,” she said.
She said the availability of parking facilities for large vehicles was also an advantage for tour operators bringing in groups, although more three- and four-star hotels would be needed to strengthen the district’s reputation as a holiday destination.
The next stop was Tuminah Hamidi Mosque, a floating-style mosque situated along the banks of the Perak River, offering a tranquil riverside setting that is particularly enchanting at sunset.
The mosque’s architectural beauty is reflected in its spacious main prayer hall with a high ceiling, adorned with intricate Islamic calligraphy and decorative motifs. Natural lighting further enhances the bright and serene atmosphere inside the mosque.
The mosque can accommodate up to 5,000 worshippers and features an air-conditioned prayer hall and ample parking, making it a comfortable stop for Muslim tourists, while also offering visitors an opportunity to appreciate Islamic architecture.
-- BERNAMA