Category: Kedah

Hiking Gunung Pulai, Baling

Matsuda MashimaruLeave a comment

Okay, let’s be real — this time, we weren’t hiking, but we were rock climbing. There, I said it out loud. Gunung Pulai may look small from afar, but trust me, this mountain is about 95% rock, basically a giant chunk of stone sitting proudly next to another chunk of stone called Gunung Baling in the middle of Baling town. And yeah, climbing it? Way tougher than it looks.

If you’re like me, the kind who’s always craving a panoramic view of the town framed by the sea of Butterworth and the Penang Strait, then you have to do Gunung Pulai for the sunset view. I know, I know, it sounds a bit odd to climb in the afternoon, but curiosity got the best of me. I just had to see the sunset from the Butterworth-Penang side.

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Hiking 2.0

Matsuda MashimaruLeave a comment

We made a pact to have at least one adventurous hiking trip every year, no excuses, just a bunch of us pretending to be outdoorsy for a weekend.

We’re not hardcore hikers by any stretch; we hike for the snacks, the laughs, and that glorious moment at the peak when we can finally say, “Yeah! Totally worth it!” (and later goofing around with our limping legs for days). This year marks my second time organising our annual hiking trip with a bunch of thrill seekers, but not ‘physically fit’ best friends.

This time around, I decided to spice things up for our 5-day, 4-night adventure. One mountain? Too easy. I told the team, “We’ve got five days gais, let’s make our legs regret it!” So, we set our sights on 2 mountains around Gerik, Perak, and another one at Baling, Kedah.

(Click each link ⬆️ for more stories)

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The Tree of Life at Pedu Lake

Matsuda MashimaruLeave a comment

I will be at the Kuala Lumpur Photography Festival (KLPF) 2025 (15-17 August 2025/ 11AM to 8PM), proudly showcasing my work at the Profile Exhibition, Booth A16.

For this special occasion, I’m exhibiting 31 photographs from my ongoing project, The Tree of Life: A Tualang Tree of Pedu Lake, Kedah. This project has been a labour of love. A journey into the heart of the forest to document one of Malaysia’s tallest and most awe-inspiring trees, the Tualang.

For over three decades, this very tree has been home to colonies of Tualang honey bees, cared for by local honey hunters who practice a centuries-old tradition of sustainable harvesting. Through my lens, I’ve sought to capture not only the tree’s towering beauty, but also the intricate web of life it sustains, from the buzzing of bees to the stories of the people who protect it.

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Hiking Gunung Fakir Terbang

Matsuda Mashimaru2 Comments

Gunung Fakir Terbang is located at Tasik Pedu, Padang Terap, Kedah.

It sits next to the Malaysia and Thailand border. You will witness a golden panorama view of Pedu Lake during sunset on Malaysia’s side and a gorgeous view of the green forestry landscape of the Yala province of Thailand during sunrise. The easiest entrance to the trail is through the Mutiara Tasik Pedu main gate. Mutiara Tasik Pedu Resort has long ago closed for business (closed in 2010) but the landowner is still actively guarding the area.

  • Location: Gunung Fakir Terbang, Mutiara Pedu Lake, Tasik Pedu, Kedah (570 meter)
  • How to go: Waze for “Seri Mahawangsa Boathouse” or “Gate Mutiara”, Tasik Pedu
  • Attraction: Thailand and Malaysia border. Panorama view of Tasik Pedu during sunset
  • Difficulty: Moderate hike
  • Distance out and back: ~ 4 km
  • Time spent: half-day trip
  • Caution: Kutu babi/ tick and leeches during the rainy season
  • Tips: Gorgeous view during sunset and sunrise. Discuss with your guide how to maximize your experience while hiking the mountain
  • Leech level: Minimal during the dry season
  • Entrance Fee: No
  • Require Permit: Yes
  • Local Guide: Abang Long Naser 019-506 8667
  • Hiking date: 27 January 2024
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Hiking Bukit Kodiang

Matsuda Mashimaru1 Comment

I first saw this place on Instagram, posted by my fellow photographer friend.

The view of the flat agricultural landscape during sunrise and sunset from the peak of Bukit Kodiang is gorgeous. A chunk of a giant limestone sits in the middle of acres and acres of paddy fields in Kodiang, Kedah. This small hill is popularly known as Bukit Mok Cun, named after a famous local TV series ‘Mok Cun’.

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