15 Best Things to See in Malaysia

Visitors should not be confused by the names Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia, which include Sarawak and Sabah, as Malaysia is situated on the Malay Peninsula and extends to areas of Borneo where it borders its neighbour Indonesia (also known as Malaysian Borneo). With a total area of over 300,000 square kilometres, Malaysia is known for its capital, Kuala Lumpur, which is a major economic and commercial centre in Southeast Asia. It is also known for its stunning beaches, remote islands, high mountain towns, and UNESCO World Heritage Sites. There is also a strong commitment to diversity here, and as well as Malays and indigenous groups, there is also a sizeable Chinese and Indian population in Malaysia which is reflected in the architecture and cultural relics found in the country. Visitors have a wide range of options here, including hiking, diving, shopping, and trying the local cuisine. The finest things to do in Malaysia are listed below.

Observe the orangutans in Sepilok

The Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, which is situated outside of Sandakan in Sabah, East Malaysia, was the first facility of its sort to open when it was established in the 1960s. The centre’s mission is to rescue orphaned orangutans who have been abandoned due to illegal logging and poaching, or who have been discovered being kept as pets (which is against the law in Malaysia), and to provide the mammals with care and training so that they can reintegrate and survive in the wild. When they are capable of doing so, they are let go. Visitors can observe the orangutans in the centre, and tours are aimed to coincide with feeding times when the animals are usually present on the feeding platforms.

Sunbathe on Langkawi

If you want to escape the city, travel to Langkawi Island. Langkawi is an archipelago of more than 100 islands in the Andaman Sea, with more than 60,000 people living there. Only two of the other islands are inhabited. Both honeymooners and backpackers enjoy Langkawi Island, which offers accommodations for all budgets. Additionally, the island is duty-free, allowing travellers to stock up on inexpensive souvenirs.

Relax in Kuching

The mistake occurred when James Brooke, who discovered the area, tried to explain the name of the ground the city stood on to the local indigenous inhabitants, who mistook him for pointing to a stray cat. This is how the city of Kuching in Sarawak, East Malaysia, got its name. The region is found in Borneo, an island that shares a border with Indonesia, and the name stayed. Tours along the river are a popular activity for tourists in Kuching, which is situated alongside the Sarawak River and is frequently described as having a quiet and laid-back atmosphere. Additionally, there are numerous displays of colonial architecture, such as Fort Margherita, as well as a profusion of monuments honouring cats, the city’s namesake.

Visit the PETRONAS Towers in Kuala Lumpur

The PETRONAS Towers, commonly known as the PETRONAS Twin Towers since they are a pair, are the tallest twin towers in the world and are one of the most famous landmarks in the entire world. They are situated in the capital city of Kuala Lumpur. The postmodern building incorporates Islamic art motifs to symbolise Malaysia’s predominance of Muslims as well as its postmodern design. Visitors can enjoy the vistas that extend across Kuala Lumpur and KLCC Park at the base of the towers from the skywalk that spans the sky bridge that connects them.

Go trekking in Taman Negara National Park

The state of Pahang’s Taman Negara National Park is home to a numbeseveraltions that draw a continuous stream of tourists. One of them is the fact that this park has the longest rope path in the world and that it is the largest national park in Peninsular Malaysia. Along with longer, more strenuous hikes for beginners, the park offers some challenging treks that can last up to 100 km round trip. There is a wide array of wildlife and plant life in the park for nature lovers, and the area is even home to an indigenous tribe named the Orang Asli, or Original People, who are said to be the first inhabitants of Malaysia.

Climb Mount Kinabalu

Mount Kinabalu, the tallest mountain in Malaysia, is located in the Crocker mountain range and is part of Kinabalu Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A wide variety of vegetation, fauna, and fungi can be found on Mount Kinabalu. Because of the difficult terrain and high altitude, it is not advised for untrained hikers to attempt the Mount Kinabalu summit trek. Altitude sickness is also a possibility. There are two alternative routes to select from, albeit they overlap near the peak, and all hikers must be accompanied by a certified guide at all times. Experienced climbers can complete the hike in one day, but many choose to spend the night because there is lodging nearby.

Explore the culture in Kota Bharu

Located in the province of Kelantan on Malaysia’s west coast, Kota Bharu offers a fascinating contrast to the country’s east coast in terms of pace and atmosphere. Perhaps this is because Kota Bharu has a reputation for being more conservative than the majority of the rest of Malaysia. Although Kota Bharu has tougher rules for behaviour and dress, there are many mosques and other religious monuments to explore, including the former royal palaces, which are still the residence of the Sultan of Kelantan at the moment.

Dive in at the Perhentian Islands

ActuallAof islands in the state of Terengganu, the Perhentians lie close to the coast of Thailand. Visitors have the option to island-hop at their leisure thanks to the ferry service and water taxis that run between the numerous islands. Key attractions in the Perhentians are the pristine beaches and water and scuba diving is considered a favourite activity in these parts. Dine on freshly caught fish barbecued on the beach at night over coconut husks.

Ascend Maxwell Hill in Taiping

Taiping, a lesser-known location in Perak State, is the wettest city in Malaysia and also the only place with a Chinese name. It is situated outside of Penang. This second figure is more significant since it indicates that the Taiping Lake Gardens’ native flora is abundant and rich, and some of the trees there are more than a century old. Additionally, there is a hill station called Maxwell Hill that is situated at an elevation of around 1,000 feet and offers camping and trekking options to guests. Jeep tours to the station are a popular attraction for both residents and tourists.

Take to the skies at the Langkawi Cable Car

Start your ascent from Teluk Burau’s “oriental town” and ascend to the spectacular heights of Mount Machingchang, where the Langkawi Sky Bridge is located. Visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the island and, on a good day, can even see as far as the Indonesian island of Sumatra on the fifteen-minute cable car ride.

Sample some local flavour with Nasi Kandar

Nasi Kandar, a common dish in Malaysia, literally translates to “mixed rice” because customers are given a plate of plain rice and can top it with any number of different toppings and sauces. Due to a large number of South Indian immigrants, Nasi Kandar is based on Tamil cuisine, and the flavours reflect this with a focus on curry powder and chilli. Chicken, fish, or seafood in curry sauce, as well as vegetables like okra and cabbage cooked with mustard seeds, are common ingredients in Nasi Kandar meals.

Get away to the Genting Highlands

The Genting Highlands, popularly known as Resorts World Genting, is a resort with a height of more than 5,000 feet in the Titiwangsa Mountains. The resort is well-liked by local tourists and offers a variety of enjoyable activities. These include several different theme parks, bars, restaurants, and nightclubs, as well as a cable car attraction known as the Genting Skyway, which previously held the title of the world’s fastest and South East Asia’s longest gondola lift. A numbeSeveraland vegetable farms are nearby for guests to explore and select fresh produce.

Meander around Penang

Georgetown, the capital of Penang, an island off the west coast of Malaysia, was given that name in honour of King George VI of Great Britain. Penang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, places a strong emphasis on conservation and preservation, and tourists can learn more about this at one of the city’s many renowned hotels, like the E&O, which was founded by Stamford Raffles, who was also responsible for the establishment of the Raffles Hotel in Singapore. Penang is particularly well-known for its Tropical Spice Garden, which features the best of the area’s native flora and fauna, including the torch ginger plant, which is a common ingredient in Malay cuisine.

Enjoy the culture in Malacca

The historic state of Malacca, also spelt Melaka, is situated near the Malacca Strait, from whence it derives its name. The state, which was originally conquered by the Portuguese and has several red-lacquered buildings from the era, including Christ Church, is believed to have the most intriguing architecture in the entirety of Malaysia. Visitors can also tour a significant number of museums, galleries, and historic sites in Malacca.

Get out of town at Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park

Off the coast of Kota Kinabalu in Sabah, East Malaysia, is the group of five islands that make up Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park. Some of the islands, like Sulug Island, are almost unexplored, while others, like Gaya Island, are busier and more populated. The park is reachable via ferry. On the islands, there are lots of options for swimming and scuba diving, in addition to hiking and trekking.