Moonwatching spots for Mid Autumn | By Abigail Poh Lin Xian
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| Illustration By @lyisuen_ |
When was the last time you looked up at the night sky and took a moment to admire its beauty?
If you’re anything like me, you probably can’t remember. Most of us spend our days rushing around to work or classes, and by the time night comes around we’re likely curled on the sofa or holed up in our beds scrolling away on our phones. Looking skyward is unlikely to be something we actively remember to do. And yet, for a passionate community of stargazers, nightfall brings something special every single day.
As the Mid Autumn Festival arrives this year, it brings the brightest full moon along with it. This gives us a great opportunity for moonwatching. But where should one go to partake in this fun activity, you may be wondering? The good news is that Malaysia is packed with plenty of cool spots to admire the night skies.
Kuala Kubu Bahru
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| Photo By Grey Chow |
With its lush, foresty hills, this spot is touted by seasoned stargazers as an ideal place for night views, but often overshadowed by its famous sibling, Fraser’s Hill. Kuala Kubu Bahru is considered a great area for views of the moon since it is covered with natural foliage, meaning there is barely any light pollution. In addition, the towering Sungai Selangor Dam can be found here. This massive structure, while man made, may have somewhat ironically created an amazing wide open sky view for those trying to explore what the night sky has to offer. If you’re feeling adventurous, there’s even a camping zone so you can enjoy a great view of the moon as you fall asleep.
Sekinchan
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| Photo By Rahayu Ali |
Sekinchan is best known for its endless paddy rice fields, evoking a sense of nostalgia especially in those from the older generations who grew up in kampung areas. While it does suffer from some light pollution, as with most small towns that have modernised, it still has amazing views that are a far cry from busy cities like KL. Watching the moon over the paddy fields here would definitely be memorable!
Port Dickson
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| Photo By localnaturetrips |
Everyone comes to Port Dickson for the beaches, but did you know it has amazing forests as well? The Sungai Menyala forest reserve is an amazing place for those trying to get a great view of the moon at night. With swampy forests covered in young trees, this area is relatively quiet compared to the beaches, which means less light and noise pollution, and a much better view. Although a forest reserve may not be what you think of when you first picture Port Dickson, it is a reminder that taking the road less travelled can really pay off sometimes.
Dataran Astronomi Square
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| Photo By Utusan Malaysia |
Connected to the above forest reserve is something truly special - Malaysia's one and only astronomy park. This specialised zone offers clear skies like nothing else, and a unique sundial (though since the focus here is catching a nighttime view of the moon, this would be more of a novelty). While it remains relatively niche, this spot is not just great for moonwatching as it’s also known for other night phenomena like meteor showers. Who knows, a quick visit here out of curiosity could turn your moonwatching phase into a full blown hobby!
To conclude, Malaysia has no shortage of awesome spots for moonwatching. While life in the city can get hectic, even a quick escape to these places can remind us of how beautiful our world is at night. If you’re someone who doesn’t drive, like me, you can even admire the view from your own window or the balcony of a friend as you celebrate Mid Autumn together. The important thing is that you take some time to look upward at the skies. You may be surprised at what you see!
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