Sekinchan Paddy Fields (Sawah Padi Sekinchan)
Pekan Sekinchan, Sekinchan, Selangor, 45400
The sleepy coastal town of Sekinchan, north of Kuala Selangor, is Malaysia’s rice bowl, with spectacularly flat, fertile fields that yield more rice per acre than anywhere in the country. The Sekinchan Paddy Fields (Sawah Padi Sekinchan), vast rice fields that roll away toward the endless horizon, are Sekinchan’s star attraction.
The basics
Particularly beautiful early in the rice-growing cycle, when mile upon mile of young shoots gleam a vivid green, the Sekinchan Paddy Fields take their name from the Malay word for rice on the stem: padi. Egrets and the occasional heron feed on insects among the fields, while a paddy processing factory and museum let you discover the farming process and buy specialty rice to take home. Many tours from Kuala Lumpur include a firefly cruise in Kuala Selangor.
Things to know before you go
Photographers will want to visit at sunrise with a long lens to capture the best shots. The Nan Tian Temple towers can offer a good view.
Sekinchan is known for fishing as well as rice, so you may want to leave time for a seafood feast.
Many kids will find the rice-growing cycle interesting. Use back carriers or slings, not strollers, as the rice field paths are narrow.
The field paths are not wheelchair-friendly, but travelers who use wheelchairs can still enjoy the views from the road.
How to get there
Sekinchan sits on Malaysia’s west coast, about 18 miles (29 kilometers) north of Kuala Selangor. It’s about a 90-minute drive northwest of Kuala Lumpur, and public transportation is incredibly time-consuming, so the best options are driving, hiring a driver, or booking a tour.
When to get there
It’s vital to see the Sekinchan Paddy Fields at the right stage of the rice cycle. Farmers plant two crops a year, so come in March, April, September, or October to see the fields at their best. Expect slender shoots mirrored in the water early in the growing season, and lush green stems later in the season, with mud, stubble, or gold hues at other times.
About Kuala Selangor
Many travelers combine a visit to Sekinchan with a tour of Kuala Selangor town, best known for the Selangor River firefly cruises through the mangroves. But you can also visit Melawati Hill (Bukit Melawati), a stronghold for Selangor’s powerful 18th-century sultans, look for walking fish and silvered leaf monkeys in the Kuala Selangor Nature Park, or discover the Sky Mirror reflective sandbar when the tides are right.
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