The coronavirus pandemic forced the entire globe to go under lockdown in order to mitigate its spread.
This meant that border restrictions had to be put in place. It also meant that everyone's travel plans were abruptly halted.
However, travel can be really expensive. But it doesn't have to be.
Here are 8 budget travel destinations you need to check out if you're in Malaysia.
1. Taiping Lake Gardens – Taiping, Perak.
They say that the former tin mine city of Taiping is the wettest town in Malaysia. If the lushness of the Taiping Lake Gardens is any indication, then we find it hard to disagree.
Formerly used as a tin mine itself, the Taiping Lake Gardens was developed back in 1880 into the green lung it is today.
It used to house a golf course as well, but authorities later deemed it too dangerous for those taking a stroll through the many pathways, closing the course in 1995.
If you want to make the most of your visit, make sure to be there in the mornings or evenings. Afternoons will be too blazing hot to enjoy anything.
Most visitors come here to soak in the lush greenery and enjoy a nice cozy picnic.
The city of Taiping was recently named the third most sustainable city in the world, bested only by Vancouver, Canada (#2) and Ljubljana, Slovenia (#1).
2. Batu Caves – Gombak, Selangor.
Less than 20 km away from Kuala Lumpur, Batu Caves is one of those must-see destinations for both international and domestic tourists.
The site itself is home to a Hindu temple and features a gigantic statue portraying the religion's deity of war, Lord Murugan. It was erected in 2006 and measures 140 feet tall.
Because of the religious nature of the site, it's now a major pilgrimage destination for Hindus all across the world. They usually make their way to Batu Caves around the first half of the year for Thaipusam.
To get from the bottom of the colorful set of steps up to the Vel, you'll have to count 272 steps. It's a good workout, but made easier with the abundance of photo opportunities along the way.
Watch out for the monkeys though.
3. Taman Negara Gunung Kinabalu (Kinabalu Park) – Kundasang, Sabah.
Home to thousands of bird and animal species, Kinabalu Park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site way back in 2000, becoming the first park in Malaysia to be awarded the distinction.
There's a wide variety of activities in the surrounding areas of the park, like hiking, mountain biking, golf, bird watching, as well as an incredible amount of photo opportunities amid the breathtaking scenery.
Note: If you do plan on hiking, make sure to wear comfortable clothes and footwear, since the various trails can get a little tricky to traverse.
Those wishing to climb the famous Mount Kinabalu are advised to make reservations at least 6 months in advance – yes, it's that popular.
4. Gua Tempurung Cave – Gopeng, Perak.
Once used as a hideout by communist guerrillas from 1948 to 1960 during the Malayan Emergency, Gua Tempurung is a rather interesting cave.
In fact, some communist graffiti is still visible on the cave walls today.
Comprised mainly of limestone, the cave is also home to a few deposits of tin, marble, and other precious minerals.
Don't worry about getting wet or dirty though. Gua Tempurung is lined with paved paths and steel railings to make sure people get to enjoy the cave at their own comfortable pace. The total length of the cave is 4.5 km, with only 1.9 km open to the public.
Various features of the cave are also illuminated so you know exactly where to look.
For dry tours, wear a tshirt and long pants or shorts. The cave interior can get pretty humid and sticky, so you'll want to be in breathable clothing.
Make sure your choice of footwear is also comfortable. Your best bet would be hiking boots or any other shoes that offer a lot of grip.
5. Mossy Forest – Cameron Highlands, Pahang.
When most people think of Cameron Highlands, they think of strawberry farms and tea plantations. But perhaps something more people should be paying attention to is the Mossy Forest.
It's a lush haven of greenery that makes you feel like you've magically teleported to a misty forest in Scandinavia.
It's perfect for those who want to beat the sweltering heat that people would normally experience in Malaysia.
But bear in mind it's still humid as hell, so wear something that'll keep you warm from the cool drifts, but still breathable enough to allow your sweat to dissipate.
Visitors were initially allowed to explore the entirety of the forest, but now are limited to the boardwalks. Don't worry, you'll still get beautiful photo opportunities here.
6. Sasaran Beach (Sky Mirror Malaysia) – Kuala Selangor, Selangor.
If you hadn't heard by now, Malaysia has its very own version of the Uyuni salt flat in Bolivia.
It's called Sasaran Beach, located in Kuala Selangor. But no, you won't see any lumps of salt here. Instead, it's technically a beach (as the name suggests).
You can achieve the same mirror-like effects as the Uyuni salt flat in Bolivia thanks to the occurrence of low tides. But you'll have to make a booking at least two days in advance.
Because you can only get these cool photos during low tide, the site is only open to tourists twice a month – during the new moon and full moon periods.
Watch out for the shells of sea snails that are commonly found lurking beneath the sand however. One wrong step and you could wind up with a bloody foot.
7. Sekinchan Paddy Fields – Sekinchan, Selangor.
Sekinchan is a small fishing village in Malaysia's most populous state, Selangor.
People often flock to its paddy fields because of their bright green color and the seemingly vast nature of the fields.
A lot of people come here to take outdoor wedding photos. Many amateur photographers also make their way to the Sekinchan Paddy Fields for their photoshoots.
The serene views make the drive up completely worth it.
8. Sungai Lembing Rainbow Waterfall – Sungai Lembing, Pahang.
What's better than a regular waterfall? A rainbow waterfall.
A frequent visitor told Mashable Southeast Asia that you can actually see a rainbow, but it really depends on weather conditions, when the mist illuminates the morning sun's rays.
Getting there can be a little tricky, but the trek is well worth the effort.
"This was one of my favorite waterfalls I have ever seen in my life! We came from KL and had to stay one night at a lodge nearby as the next morning, the SUV ride leaves at 4am," says the frequent visitor.
Make sure to bring a waterproof bag to store all your precious belongings. You'll be wading through a river at one point during your hike.
Which of these destinations will you be adding to your bucket list?
Remember, just because regulations have loosened, it doesn't mean you can forget about social distancing and good personal hygiene!
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Cover image sourced from @max.and.daphne and @k56atk.
