Malaysia’s Ten Best Tourist Destinations

Malaysia’s most famous tourist destinations are breathtaking, and the country’s great infrastructure makes travelling there a breeze.

Although Malaysia is consistently rated among the most visited nations in Asia, China generally takes the spotlight and the top place. Malaysia is frequently avoided by long-term budget visitors as being “too pricey” (mostly because alcohol does cost more than in Thailand). Meanwhile, short-term visitors to Southeast Asia appear to avoid Malaysia due to a lack of time.

However, as these tantalizing top places demonstrate, Malaysia has a lot of beauty, variety, and adventure to offer.

Kuala Lumpur

When visiting Malaysia, you’ll almost certainly fly into Kuala Lumpur, so this one is a no-brainer. However, unlike some other major Asian cities where visitors arrive and go as fast as possible, Kuala Lumpur is a great destination in its own right.

The combination of Malay, Chinese, and Indian influences means there will be no shortage of gastronomic adventures in Malaysia’s capital city. Kuala Lumpur’s attraction stems in large part from its cultural mix. You may explore the wonders of several civilizations by taking a short stroll or hopping on the large rail network.

Kuala Lumpur offers a plethora of distinct areas to discover. Before venturing farther afield in Malaysia, attractions such as the Petronas Towers, the Perdana Botanical Garden, and the Menara KL Tower give lots of delightful distractions.

Penang

Malaysians are right to be proud of their large west-coast island. The colonial city of Georgetown has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it contains museums, a seashore fort, ancient mansions, and, most significantly, a famed street-food scene.

Numerous painters have left their imprints on the streets of Georgetown in the shape of murals. There are cafes, stores, and things to do all throughout the place.

Penang is regarded as one of the greatest sites in Southeast Asia to experience many sorts of delectable street cuisine. Gurney Drive in Penang is a seaside esplanade dotted with kiosks and cafés where you may enjoy local Malay, Chinese, and Indian delights, among other things.

Malaysian Borneo

The option to replace polluted concrete for lush jungles and plentiful wildlife is simply an inexpensive, fast flight away! Tourists to Malaysia sometimes stay to the mainland, overlooking the natural delights of the world’s third-largest island, which is only a short flight away.

Borneo in Malaysia is split into two states: Sarawak in the south and Sabah in the north. Both have distinct personalities and attractions. The Rainforest World Music Festival, held each summer outside of Kuching, is one of Southeast Asia’s most spectacular music and culture festivals.

Malaysian Borneo should not be missed on any trip to Malaysia, with its endangered orangutans, rainforest canopy hikes, and some of the greatest diving in the world.

The Perhentian Islands

Travelling on a budget, backpackers like Malaysia’s Perhentian Islands, particularly Perhentian Kecil, the smaller one of the 2 islands, where beautiful beaches and fantastic snorkeling/diving fill the day before the nightlife begins.

Nearby Perhentian Besar — the big island — appeals more to families, couples, and those willing to spend more money to enjoy the turquoise ocean and avoid some of the partying. Regardless of the island you pick, getting to the Perhentians necessitates the use of a speedboat. There are a few obstacles to establishing a business on the islands.

These Perhentian Islands are a fairly seasonal destination. Accommodation on Perhentian Kecil might be difficult to locate during the busy month of July, although the islands are mainly deserted during the winter months owing to rain and dangerous waves.

Taman Negara

Taman Negara literally translates to “national park” in Malay language, and that is exactly what it is! Taman Negara is Malaysia’s first national park and one of the oldest known tropical rainforests of world. A lengthy canopy walkway allows visitors to witness life up in the trees that isn’t generally visible from the bottom.

You may enjoy waterfalls and gorgeous hikes, bird watching, rafting, fishing, night safaris, and if you’re lucky, you can even encounter wild elephants. Tourists stay in Kuala Tahan across the river and then take inexpensive boats to the park’s entrance.

Taman Negara has some significant guided trekking as well as caving.

Malacca

Malaysia’s Peranakan city of Malacca, spelled locally as “Melaka,” is a notable visit for cultural, historical, and colonial monuments. Malacca was been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008.

Malacca’s ancient town almost never disappoints visitors. If nothing else, the laid-back atmosphere is appealing enough to hold visitors for a few days. Getting there by bus is simple due to the near proximity to Kuala Lumpur. In Malacca, taking the train is not an option.

Tip: Many stores and institutions in Malacca are closed on Tuesdays; plan your visit appropriately!

Cameron Highlands

Malaysia’s eco-friendly The Cameron Highlands are one of the few areas in Southeast Asia where you’ll need a jacket or a warm blanket at night. You may welcome the difference in climate after sweating through tropical regions.

Cameron Highlands are unlike any other place in Malaysia. You’ll see lush landscape, see gorgeous tea farms, and have access to good hiking routes that wind through plantations and around volcanoes.

Strawberry fields, butterfly gardens, and flower greenhouses are just a few of the wonderful distractions available in the Cameron Highlands. The environment is ideal for cultivating fresh veggies and creating delectable local honey.

Tioman Island

Tioman Island, located on Malaysia’s east coast not far from Singapore, is a unique island resort. Accommodation and superb diving are surprisingly affordable; development is modest for such a beautiful island. The island’s abundant environment and landscape compensate for the island’s severe gastronomic inadequacies.

Tioman is divided into many beaches, which you must pick after coming by boat. Some beaches are isolated and encircled by vegetation. ABC Beach is likely the most popular, especially among budget vacationers. Unless you’re eager for a jungle trip through the interior, the most common way to travel between beaches is by boat.

Langkawi

Pulau Langkawi, located off the northwest tip of Malaysia, is one of the top island attractions in Malaysia for both international visitors and Malaysians.

Langkawi, Malaysia’s equivalent of Phuket, Thailand’s busiest island, has an airport and ferries linking it to the mainland, as well as a huge tourism infrastructure.

Langkawi offers various tourist attractions, including Malaysia’s largest indoor aquarium, a cable car, and the Sky bridge, which provides panoramic views of the island. Unfortunately, the drone of jet skis makes the busiest beaches less tranquil. Because beer is duty-free, it is sometimes just slightly more costly than bottled water!

Flights from Kuala Lumpur to Langkawi may be as low as US $20! The trip to the island is quick and affordable.

Selangor

Selangor really refers to Malaysia’s most developed and populated state, which leads up to the urban sprawl of Kuala Lumpur. A Formula One racetrack, the National Zoo of Malaysia, and massive entertainment parks, including an indoor winter park, may all be found here.

Selangor is bustling and thriving, with retail complexes sprouting in all directions. When you’ve had your fill of shopping, travel to Genting Highlands, Malaysia’s version of Vegas built on top of a mountain. With 10,500 rooms and a theme park, the First World Hotel and Plaza is the world’s biggest hotel.

But Selangor is more than just concrete and bright signs: the famed Batu Caves are a Hindu sanctuary with the world’s biggest statue of Lord Murugan (the deity of battle). The Batu Caves attract a considerable number of visitors, especially around the Thaipusam festival.

When you’re ready to be wooed by nature, the quantity of fireflies along the river in Kuala Selangor is a spectacular sight to see!