betong in 2 days, 1 night
Drive up through northern Perak and over the border for Betong chicken and the town sights, then a pre-dawn trip to the skywalk for the sea of mist and dim sum before the drive home.
Day 1 Across the border
- Morning
- Leave KL early and drive to the Pengkalan Hulu border in northern Perak, about 5 hours. Betong town is a short drive past the checkpoint.
- Lunch
- Betong chicken, free-range chicken poached and served with rice. It's the dish the town is known for.
- Afternoon
- Drive out to Piyamit Tunnel, dug by Malayan communist fighters during the insurgency, and walk through it. Then soak at the hot springs, a short drive out of town.
- Evening
- Phra Mahathat Chedi, the large pagoda on the hill above town, for views over the rooftops at dusk. Then a photo at the giant red postbox in the town centre.
- Night
- Dinner in town and an early night. The skywalk trip leaves before dawn.
Day 2 Sea of mist
- Morning
- Leave before dawn for the Aiyoeweng Skywalk, about an hour's drive, and walk out over the valley as the sun rises over the sea of mist. Back in town, have a dim sum breakfast at one of the Chinese tea houses.
- Lunch
- One last plate of Betong chicken.
- Afternoon
- Drive home, about 5 hours, crossing back at Pengkalan Hulu.
Good to know
- Betong is in Yala, one of the far-south provinces covered by many governments' travel advisories. Check Wisma Putra's latest advice before you go.
- Bring passports, your car's papers and Thai insurance, and check when the border checkpoint opens and closes.
- Bring a jacket for the early skywalk trip. It's chilly up there.