5 Things To Do In Bagan Datuk, Perak (Sunflower Garden/Sky Mirror/Aquarium/Waterfront/Blue Tears)

 
Gonna start with this entry as it has the most enquiries has I thought I should rush it. Infact I have about 5-8 blog entries to rush for Perak. If you are a fan of outdoor/adventurous/food stuff, keep a close tab on my blog post yah…. You will be loaded with #TravelPeraklah for the next one month of so. Ahaks.
 
There’s a few things that surprised me when I got the itinerary, namely :
 
1. Pulau Bangau or Stock Island (or perhaps Bangau Island) – A place I highly recommend you guys to visit. A definitely MUST hokkay
2. Bagan Datuk – Sunflower Garden, Sky Mirror (and supposedly Blue Tears at Pulau Sembilan but it has been closed indefinitely due to illegal development) Aquarium and the town itself
3. Ladang Moccis – pronounced as Mokkis (do you know this?)

 
Others that I kinda of expected but never actually covered before (on my travel nor blog) is the Heritage Trail of Teluk Intan or Teluk Anson. Will be writing about this too. So yah… expect 4 blog entries from me covering Teluk Intan/Bagan Datuk.

1. Sunflower Garden
Many has asked me over DM whether is this similar to Lopburi in Thailand, the answer is NO. Having been to both (Lopburi in 2008 and 2012, and Bagan Datuk in 2020), trust me this 2 places is a world apart. Having said that, if you wish to check out Sunflowers and do a little OOTD or even a pre-wedding shoot, this is the place to be. As I have blogged on Lopburi before, I will be sharing solely on Bagan Datuk Sunflower Garden on this post.
 
Why you should visit Sunflower Garden, Bagan Datuk
- Is nearer and easier to reach than the one in Lopburi
- It is definitely cheaper, a roadtrip with friends/family over the weekend is a great idea to ponder upon
- Learn that sunflowers are approximately 6-10feet tall, taking a picture higher than the sunflower is kinda of weird unless you are that tall lah. Hence am dwarfed by them (most Malaysians are too)
- Buy them sunflower seed. Yah… they do sell them as well
- Instgrammable spots are everywhere (the favourite for you Gen Y and after), from the Staircase to Heaven to the Rattan Swing Chair and the Transparent Swing Chair, Swing, Heart-shape frame and etc. You name it, they have it (well, most of it lah)

 
#TravelTips
- Sunblock. Sunblock. Sunblock
- Wear nice dresses (ideas : white or red ie colours that pops-up against yellow/orange)
- Bring props if need be – Hats, scarf, umbrella and etc
- Bring a large bottle of water… its hot hot hot. Do stay hydrated hokkay.

Sunflower Garden
A128, Bagan Sungai Burung
Bagan Datuk, Perak
 
Operating Hours
Daily : 9am – 7pm
 
Entrance Fee
Children : RM5
Adult : RM13

 
2. Sky Mirror
Kinda similar to the one in Selangor. The operator that we engage somehow is more fun and funny (I have to credit them for this lah… super funny). The boat ride took around 30mins or so from the jetty, before you know it, you’ll be at the Sky Mirror. According to the operator, there are a few spots that gives you this illusion and that it is highly depending on the tide. The one that we visited was closer to the beach/island, and the operator will set it up for you as most of the time, the tide is not on your favour. Takkan nak jenuh tunggu air pasang surut pulak kan kan kan.

#TravelTips
- Check on the month, tides and time. Walk-in is NOT advisable.
- Bring/wear slippers/flipflops and waterproof bag
- Sunblock. Sunblock. Sunblock (Sumpah panas)
- Wear nice dresses (ideas : white or red ie colours that pops-up against the blue sky)
- Bring props if need be – Hats, scarf, umbrella and etc (if you take their package, they will prepare this for you. So do check before committing)
- Bring a large bottle of water… its hot hot hot. Do stay hydrated hokkay.
 
Nine Island Agency Sdn Bhd
64, Kampung Sungai Burung
Bagan Datoh, Perak

3. Sungai Burung Aquarium
It’s a privately own aquarium that is located in this quaint village. I have to give them 2 thumbs up on this, the folks here strive in growing/building their village. They have huger garoupa, spotted gar, monitor lizards and etc.

Sungai Burung Aquarium
75, Bagan Sungai Burung
Bagan Datuk, Perak
 
Operating Hours
Daily : 10am – 10pm
 
Entrance Fee
Children : RM15
Adult : RM18
 

 
4. Waterfront
Bagan Datuk Waterfront is the new ‘in’ thing, coupled with the beautifully coloured town, I foresee Bagan Datuk will draw visits from locals and be the latest hot-lepak-place soon. The shophouses where built back in 1926 has now being repainted (since 2018), the birth of the Tuminah Floating Mosque at the new Bagan Datuk water front are gonna boom this place up. Check-it out yourself, need I say more.

 
I heard that have a few great kopitiam that am yet to explore, next trip perhaps.
 

Credit : Malay Mail 20 June 2019

 
5. Pulau Sembilan Blue Tears
Disclaimer – I did not visit Pulau Sembilan but I thought I should also include this as an educational info on Bagan Datuk listicle post.

I read somewhere in 2019 that the Perak government is currently looking into gazetting Pulau Sembilan and its cluster of islands made famous for its “blue tears” phenomenon, as a marine park. The islands had been closed since 2017 when authorities saw the damages caused by visitors from unregulated tourism. The blue phenomenon is caused by algae called dinoflagellates.
 
The spectacle occurs when phytoplankton (microscopic marine plants), commonly known as dinoflagellates, produce light through chemical reactions in proteins, said researchers. Waves disturb these unicellular microorganisms and make them release blue light.
Credit : Indian Express 
 
Nine Island Agency Sdn Bhd
64, Kampung Sungai Burung
Bagan Datoh, Perak
 
 
Amazing right? Previously we don’t know much about Bagan Datuk except that it is the home of Datuk M. Daud Kilau (my late dad and my grandma’s favourite artist tau), now… we have a lot more reasons to visiting Bagan Datuk.
 
I doubt a day trip will be sufficient, 2 days 1 night trip lah kot kan.

#TravelPerakLah Teluk Intan Media Fam Trip 2020 is in collaboration with Tourism Perak and all its sponsors with #GayaTravel Magazine as media coordinator.