Breaking the bank for an exotic holiday? Opt for some sand-sliding fun at Melaka, Klebang Beach instead!

With nuances of the famed Gobi Desert, Klebang Beach (or Pantai Klebang) is a UNESCO Heritage Site in Melaka with an off-beaten path that leads to mesmerizing sand dunes. It’s the perfect mimic of a typical desert, right here in Southeast Asia!

The Klebang Dunes are a fascinating sight not to be missed. Although the sandy terrain can be slippery and difficult, the sceneries that greet you are definitely worth it. Many have cited that the changing colours in the sky during sunsets also transform the colours of the sand dunes, making it look like they stepped onto another planet! For this reason, increasing numbers of starry-eyed newlyweds are making Klebang Beach their wedding photoshoot destination (and maybe for a few rounds of couple sandboarding), as well as photo enthusiasts that dream for a magical scenic backdrop.

Klebang Beach is not as natural as you might first think. It is a man-made result of land reclamation activities that occurred almost a decade ago. Beachfront developments that were initiated unfortunately could not continue and developers were forced to leave piles of 10 to 20-metre-high sand behind. As the sand slides beneath your feet, you might have to work a little harder to cover ground as you hike the dunes, but we assure beginner hikers that it’s fairly manageable and the surreal white desert that greets you will be worth it!

Once you’ve found the perfect spot, go ahead and lay out a picnic spread while you watch the sun set or tick off “desert tobogganing” from your bucket list. A little off from the beachfront is a sizeable water-filled valley that makes for a mesmerizing lake. We don’t recommend swimming in it, but it’s the best spot for an insta-worthy shot. (So be sure to plan that hiking outfit!)