Janda Baik

Janda Baik is a village town in Pahang, Malaysia. It is approximately 45 km and about an hour’s drive from Kuala Lumpur. It is a popular holiday and recreational destination for city folks, and foreign visitors especially backpackers.

Understand
The climate here serves in between 23-28°C during the day and below 22°C in the evenings. A simple Malay kampong or village with a population of approximately 1000 people. Janda Baik is set amidst a small valley bounded by thick rainforest laced together with picturesque streams and cool rushing brooks of waterfallswith. "Janda Baik" means "the good widow" in Malay. As the story is told by local folks, in the old days a path that connects Selangor and Pahang beats its way through the village. It was said that a mercenary, who was returning after fighting in a civil war in Selangor stopped at the village for a rest and to nurse some wounds he had sustained in battle. Upon seeing this ragtag team in the vicinity, a kindly widow immediately offered help and tended to the mercenary's wounds. As a mark of respect for this kind widow, the mercenary would always advise his men to call on the woman whenever they were in the vicinity.

Friends of Janda Baik (FOJB) was set up to promote the awareness and importance of preserving and protecting the ecological system and beautiful nature of Janda Baik and its surrounding hills and streams, while keeping and sustaining the original existing concept of Malay 'kampung (village)' environment and development.

Janda Baik had attracted an increasing number of visitors due to its strategic location for weekend escapism. It attracted investors to come here and build up semi-resort type accommodations, commercial facilities and training camps. However, the need for controlled development has to be taken into placed in order not to destroy the tranquility of real village character.

The other challenge faced by Janda Baik citizens is the rape of its surrounding hill, due to illegal hill farming and de-forestration activities. These have resulted in a rise in temperature, pollution of rivers and streams, erosion and landslip, and decreasing stream water level.

Nevertheless, Janda Baik has a wide variety of semi-type resorts that offer motivational courses, obstacle challenges, flying fox and abseiling. Camping grounds are available. Backpackers' chalets, however, are still very limited.

For those who wish to pursue rainforest trekking and 4-wheel drive trails, there is a local-run organisation facilitating such endeavors.

By car
Janda Baik is 45 km north of Kuala Lumpur and 1/2 hr drive from K.L. via the Gombak-Karak Highway. After the first tunnel, turn left, make a U-turn and turn left again after the Petronas petrol station and McDonald's. On that left turn, all the way in and there will be a junction and a 'Welcoming Arch'. Turn right into the main access to Janda Baik. There are signboards along the roads. Along the journey, you will see TanaRimba and Electricsola Factory on your right side. After the factory, either turning left at the T-junction at the Janda Baik's surau (small mosque) which is on the left side of the road or going straight in takes you to the centre of Kg. Janda Baik.

By rental car or taxi
The nearest airport is Kuala Lumpur International Airport, 100 km away. If you are flying in there, you should use either the ERL (Express Rail Link), taxi or shuttle bus, and get off at KL Sentral. From KL Sentral, you can either rent a car or get a taxi to go Janda Baik. Car rental prices vary according to the company. Taxi charges range from RM 100 to RM 180 for a one-way trip. A few of the major resorts in Janda Baik such as the Seri Pengantin Resort provide an airport transfer for their guests, and advance reservation is required. Charges apply and must be made upon reservation.

See
Janda Baik is a good place to seek rest and recreation because of its proximity to Kuala Lumpur. The following are the interesting places that one should explore and enjoy these unique experience.



Do
Rainforest TrekkingJanda Baik holds local avid trekkers and offer guide to those interested. This are fully run and managed by local trekkers. They are very active in nature preservation works and rescue mission. The trails varied from a day walk to a week depending on the peaks trail along Banjaran Titiwangsa ( Titiwangsa Range) natural rainforest. Contact: +60 19-2031256 (Adino).

4-Wheel Drive Trails These are fully run and managed by local Janda Baik. Location Kg. Hulu Lurah, Janda Wan Sharizan Baik. Contact: +60 19-611 2124 (Zaini)

Sleep
There are a few resorts and homestays available in Janda Baik for accommodation.



Connect

 * Pahang Tourism

Go next

 * Bukit Tinggi