malaysia travel features

MALAYSIA Travel Guide: Trip Highlights, Itineraries, & Tips

Welcome to Malaysia!

Malaysia is an amazing and diverse country that has something to offer everyone.  If you’re looking for amazing food, gorgeous islands, and beautiful landscapes — Malaysia is a destination you should highly consider for your next holiday.  I have traveled pretty extensively through Peninsular Malaysia, and it has grown to become one of my favorite countries in entire world!  I’ve compiled this Malaysia Travel Guide as a source for people planning trips to this amazing country.

This guide will go over trip highlights, how to get around Malaysia, Malaysia itineraries, and general travel advice!

Hope you enjoy reading my Malaysia Travel Guide and favorite photos from my travels!

Note:  This Malaysia Travel Guide will focus entirely on Peninsular Malaysia.  I have never traveled to Sabah or Sarawak, and am not too well informed about those areas of the country. 

Traveling to Malaysia soon…?  I’d definitely recommend purchasing the Malaysia Lonely Planet Travel Guide !  I pretty much always travel with a LP guidebook, and it can definitely a huge asset on the road!

Pulau Kapas, Malaysia

 Malaysia Trip Highlights

Kuala lumpur.

You’ll most likely be starting your Malaysian holidays in the amazing capital city — Kuala Lumpur.  This is truly a special place with friendly people, beautiful sights, and delicious food (just like the rest of Malaysia).  During my travels in South-East Asia , I was lucky enough to call this city home for awhile.  The first time I visited Kuala Lumpur I actually didn’t enjoy the city too much, but after spending more time there I discovered how special the city really is.

Check out the following blog posts I’ve written:

• 10 Amazing Things to do in Kuala Lumpur
• Heli Lounge, Kuala Lumpur; Drinks + Sunset on a Helipad
• The Absolute Best Thing To Do in Kuala Lumpur

TOP KUALA LUMPUR TIP

Sign up for AirBNB , and stay at the REGALIA CONDOMINIUM .  I used to live there, and it’s by far the best place to stay in Kuala Lumpur.

It’s luxury complex that has all the amenities you’d want, perfectly located, and  has the most amazing infinity pool.   There is a mall right next door with a grocery store, movie theater, and tons of other shops.  Also, if you sign up for AirBNB with this link , you’ll get $38 off your first visit!   Which is easily a free-nights accommodation at The Regalia!   Trust me.  You want to stay here!

Best Hostel in Kuala Lumpur

Reggae Mansion

  Perfect location, amazing rooms, and wildly crazy rooftop parties every night!  If you’re backpacking around Malaysia, than you have to stay at Reggae Mansion!  This place does sell out, so check rates & availability !

Penang is the cultural hotspot in Malaysia!  You’ll fall in love with it’s busy streets, beautiful artwork, and enchanting history.  Oh, and the food is absolutely amazing.   Most people come to Penang only planning a few day stay, but end up staying much longer than they expected.  You can spend a day on Batu Ferringi beach, hike through the National Park, and take the journey up to Penang Hill for spectacular views of the entire city.        

Best things to do in Penang:

• Beach day and sunset on Batu Ferringi Beach
• Spend some time hiking through the National Park
• Take a visit to Penang Hill for spectacular views of the city
• Stroll through Georgetown and check out all the artwork
• Eat at Penang’s famous hawker stalls

Best Hostel in Penang

Ryokan Muntri Boutique Hostel :   This is a recently opened hostel in Penang,and has excellent affordable rooms, very well-located in George town, and a really cool Japanese theme.  It’s got terrific reviews by everyone, and you’ll love your stay here!   Check rates & availability .

Officially known as Langkawi the Jewel of Kedah, Langkawi is an archipelago of 104 islands in the Andaman Sea, around 30 km off the mainland coast of northwestern Malaysia.  It’s right at the border of Thailand, and is a popular place to visit for traveller’s going north/south between Malaysia and Thailand.  It is truly an amazing island with amazing things to do, cheap accommodations, tax-free booze, and beautiful landscape.

Check out some of my blog posts on Langkawi:

• A Backpacker’s Guide to Langkawi, Malaysia
• Top 5 Reasons to Backpack Langkawi
• Berjaya Resort Crashing in Langkawi
• Chasing Waterfalls in Langkawi

Best Hostel in Langkawi

Langkawi Dormitorio :  

Just footsteps away from the beach, this perfectly located hostel had comfortable rooms, great prices, and an excellent atmosphere!   Langkawi Dormitorio .

Cameron Highlands

The Cameron Highlands is a stunning hill station in central peninsular Malaysia, and has become a popular destination for visitors in Malaysia. Roughly the size of Singapore, the Cameron Highlands covers a large stretch of land, and there’s tons to see, do, and explore.  You’ll fall in love with the beautiful green tea plantations, and will leave you speechless when you visit the highest peak in the Cameron Highlands

For more information on the Cameron Highlands, check out the guide below!

• A Backpacker’s Guide to the Cameron Highlands

Best Hostel in The Cameron Highlands:

CH Traveler’s INN :  

A newly opened hostel in the center of Tanah Rata, and simply the best place to stay on a budget for traveler’s visiting the Cameron Highlands!   Check rates & availability .

Taman Negara

Teman Negara National Park is the perfect place for travelers who love wild life viewing, jungle trekking, hiking, rock climbing, fishing, camping and many more. It is well established as one of the most popular ecotourism in Malaysia.  Popular activities include the canopy walk, jungle trekking, rapid shooting, cave exploration, and boat cruises.

Recommend days spent here:  1-2 days max

Check out the Teman Negara National Park website for more information

The Perhentian Islands

Welcome to paradise.  The Perhentian Islands consist of both Perhentian Kecil & Perhentian Besar.  They are both absolutely stunning, and the minute you step foot on of the two islands you’ll never want to leave.   I’ve visited Perhentian Kecil on two different occasions now, and I definitely would not mind going back for a third.  The beaches are gorgeous, the atmosphere is relaxing, and the nightlife can get pretty crazy.

Perhentian Kecil is more for a younger crowd.  It’s much more lively at night and has an incredible fireshow.  Perhentian Besar has a lot more resorts, and is a bit more family oriented.

If you’re going to Malaysia — you’d be mistaken to skip the Perhentian Islands!

Check out my blog posts on this paradise island!

• A Backpacker’s Guide to the Perhentian Islands
• The Perhentian Islands: Perfectly Picturesque (Photo Essay)

Pulau Kapas

Pulau Kapas is an idyllic island escape for those looking for a bit more of a remote location.  You won’t find any big crazy resorts, fast wi-fi connection, or luxury restaurants.  What you will be rewarded with is amazingly beautiful water, suburb underwater life, and an extremely laidback atmosphere.  Pulau Kapas is truly a Malaysian gem, and I guarantee if you go for a couple days you won’t regret it!

For more information about traveling to Pulau Kapas:

• The Ultimate Guide to Pulau Kapas, Malaysia
• Longsha Beach Camping on Pulau Kapas, Malaysia
• Pulau Kapas: The Most Beautiful Island in Malaysia (Photo Essay)

Tioman Island

If you’ve looking for some more island action, than definitely make your way over to Tioman Island.  It isn’t as gorgeous as the Perhentians or Kapas, but it has some of the best scuba-diving sites in the whole country.  The island is pretty massive, and is a 2-hour ferry ride from the mainland.  It is a DUTY-FREE island, which makes drinking on this island pretty cheap!  It’s a popular destination for weekend trips from Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, so book in advance if you plan on being there on a Saturday & Sunday.  If you do plan on going, I’d definitely recommend staying on ABC Beach.

When I was there, I happened to catch really bad weather, and had some transportation issues.  I still had a great trip.  Read about it below:

• A Weekend Trip to Tioman Island

Melaka is just a short bus ride away from Kuala Lumpur, and can be a great place to spend one night.  It’s small enough to walk around, explore, and try some delicious food.  There’s not a whole lot to see here, but it’s definitely worth the visit.

To plan your visit, check out this post titled:

• Top 15 Places To See in Melaka

Getting Around Malaysia

The Malaysian transportation is some of the best I’ve found in all of South-East Asia.  Prices are relatively low, there’s tons of options, and they are all relatively comfortable.

Flights / Airfare

Malaysia is actually a really easy country to book extremely cheap domestic flights.

• Malindo Air

If you know your exact dates, you can actually get great flight deals.  Malindo Air is really great and includes 1 20kh checked bag.  These are particularly useful for flights to/from Kuala Lumpur.

Perhentian Islands

Traveling around Malaysia on the bus transport is actually really easy, budget friendly, and comfortable.  There are loads of different companies that offer a ton of different routes.  None of the journeys take that long, and the busses can actually be really nice.  For bus schedules, routes, and fares, check out the website below.  I’ve booked online tickets with them, and made the process extremely easy.  You can just show the email confirmation at the bus station, and receive your ticket.

• EasyBook.com

• Hitchhiking in Malaysia

Just like in any destination, you should be careful when hitching a ride alone.  With that being said, Hitchhiking in Malaysia can be done, and it’s actually not too difficult.  I met these Spanish girls on Pulau Kapas who found a ride all the way from Teman Negara – Kuala Terranganu.  It’s not that it saves a ton of money, but it’s a great way to meet some local people, and have a unique travel experience.  For more information on Hitchhiking in Malaysia check the website below:

Jalan Alor in Kuala Lumpur

• Trains in Malaysia

I’ve actually never taken a train in Malaysia, but I have heard that the system works out.  I almost boarded a train from Penang – Kuala Lumpur, but ended up extending my stay in Penang, and finding a flight that was cheaper than the train!  I honestly think that dealing with trains on other routes would just get complicated, so I’d just personally recommend Flights and Busses over taking trains in Malaysia.

Sunset on Tioman Island

Renting A Car

I’ve never rented a car and explored Malaysia on my own (mainly because I’m a solo budget traveler), but I have had some friends rent a van and go on weekend trips from Kuala Lumpur.  It’s definitely not the best option for everyone,

Jeep Excursions in the Cameron Highlands

Malaysia Trip Itineraries

If you look at each of these locations on a map, you can see that it actually fits pretty well

One Week Malaysia Itinerary

If you are only in Malaysia for a brief visit, than you want to enjoy your holiday.  My advice would be to enjoy 2-3 days in Kuala Lumpur, and fly to either Penang for 3-4 days.  You don’t want to rush around each destination, because you will want enough time to enjoy each place and do all the activities.

Two Week Malaysia Itinerary

Days 1-3 — Kuala Lumpur

Take a morning bus to Teman Negara

Days 4-5 — Teman Negara

Book the early bus ticket to the Cameron Highlands

Days 6-7 —  Exploring the Cameron Highlands

Book the early departure bus to Penang

Days 8-10 — Penang

Catch the two hour ferry to Langkawi

Days 11-13 — Langkawi

Catch a domestic flight from Langkawi to Kuala Lumpur

Day 14 // End of Trip — Kuala Lumpur for your outgoing flight..

Island Hopping Boats in Langkawi

Three Week Malaysia Itinerary

Book transportation to Marang Jetty for access to Pulau Kapas (Close to Kuala Terranganu)

Days 8-10 — Pulau Kapas & Gem Island

Book early morning boat back to mainland, and get to main bus station.  Book transport to Perhentian Islands

Days 11-15 — The Perhentians Islands

Book Domestic Flight from Kuala Terrananu Airport – Penang.  Cheap fares available if booked in advanced. 

Days 16-17 – Penang

Days 18-20 — Langkawi

Day 21 // End of Trip — Kuala Lumpur for your outgoing flight..

Water & Lights show at KLCC

One Month in Malaysia Itinerary

If you have a full month in Malaysia, I honestly would just recommend to follow the 3-week itinerary, but travel slower.  This will also allow flexibility with the domestic flights, and also spending less time on travel.  I would also recommend staying in Kuala Lumpur for an extra couple days, and doing a one-day trip to Melaka.  If you want to see it all, you can switch up this itinerary to add Pulau Tioman, but I would honestly skip it.  I found it to be really touristy, difficult to get to, and there are much better islands and beaches in Malaysia.

If you have even more time in Malaysia, look out for cheap domestic flights over to Borneo.  You could scuba-dive off the coasts of the world famous Sipadan island, or hike the highest peak in Malaysia — Mt. Kinabalu!

General Malaysia Travel Advice

Eat as much as you possibly can!  The food in Malaysia is absolutely incredible.  When you get to Kuala Lumpur, check out a Nasi Kandar and try the various curries, Roti Canai, and Nasi Lemak!

Interact with the locals!  Malaysian people are extremely friendly, and generally speak really great English!  They are very open and welcome to tourism, and can be a great experience.

Understand you are in a Muslim country!  Be respectful with your clothing!

Get a local SIM card!  Malaysia has a wide variety of phone plans, and it will come in handy to have 3G / 4G internet when your traveling.  I’d recommend Tune Talk.  There are great prices and deals, and it’s good coverage.

Download my Free E-Book — 77 Amazing, Helpful, Money-Saving Tips for Backpacking South-East Asia .  This goes over a ton of valuable information for Malaysia!

If you haven’t figured it out by reading this post, I have traveled pretty extensively throughout Malaysia.   I think it’s an amazing country, and am always thinking about going soon and exploring different parts.  I’m actually dying to get over to Borneo, but I’m sure that time will come eventually.

If you’re ever planning a trip to Malaysia, feel free to Contact Me with any questions!

Thanks for reading!

Share the Malaysian Love!  

What a great resource! Malaysia is toward the top of my travel list…hopefully I’ll have the time to do the 3 or 4-week itinerary!

Thanks for the great info!

Glad you like it Sarah! :) When you do go to Malaysia, I guarantee you’ll love it! It’s such an amazing country, and so much fun to travel around! Enjoy!

Glad I could help out man! It really is an amazing country! I can’t wait to get back and explore even more.

Thanks for the information. It is really helpful. I am planing to go to Malaysia next month but i only have a week. Perhentian islans sounds like an amaizing place. I am between going there or visit Bali. What do you reckon? Thanks

Regards Gara

Hmm. Bali or Perhentian? Tough Decision. TO be honest, I’d probably choose Bali because you can do a whole lot more in one week. Bali is kinda small, but packed with stuff to do. Perhentian is more of a chill-out, diving destination. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Hello, I am crazy about looking for amazing food, gorgeous islands, and beautiful landscapes ans Malaysia is my dream destination. your blog has very rich content which includes numerous photographs of spots, Island, culture..and many more. Nicely organized and detailed blog.

Thanks so much Jesse! Awesome to hear my site is helping you out! :-)

Hey thanks man for giving this list.I will go Malaysia with my friends in next years.But i don’t know which place to start travel.But after read this i got a brief idea.I will go for 15 days tour.Hope you list will fulfill my journey.Can you give me a list of affordable hotels of Malaysia?

Hey Tina, I normally stayed in hostels because I was a super budget traveler in Asia, lol. I’d just check booking.com and read reviews and everything. :-)

Hi if u wanna come to malaysia and need me to guide you just whatsapp me – +601129293631 or dm me on instagram @hakimzakaria98

What an awesome blog! I’m heading to KL tomorrow from Sebah, I only have a week and at abit of a loss with figuring out what i can squeeze in and what not to miss. This is really helpful, so much info all in one place.

Thankyou! :)

So happy to help! Enjoy Malaysia! :-)

Hi! I’m Thien from Vietnam. I was in Malaysia a couple of years ago. Your sharing strongly reminds me of my traveling experiences when in Malay. Thanks greatly for that!

Would you like to try out some wonderful places in Vietnam? Check out this Things to do in Vietnam for various useful suggestions.

Hope that you can visit and explore our country one day.

Wow! Nice post! I love KUALA LUMPUR in Malaysia. It is my favorite place! Me and my Keymalaysia team already visited there!

Been in love with Malaysia ever since our first visit. Their beaches and rich culture is outstanding! Definitely coming back soon. So many more islands and sites to explore. Such a detailed and informative post you have! Kudos!

Hey, this blog is so helpful!!

We’ve got 2 weeks in Malaysia, we’d like to go to Penang, Langkawi, Perhentian Kecil, Pulau Kapas and of course Kuala Lumpur which we fly in and out of. Could you give me any info on how to get from each place please?

Any advice would be great thankyou!

Do u have a travel agency ? or just a traveler ?

Nice Malaysia Travel post author. Thank you. Keep it up.

Nice post author.Thank you.

I adore Malaysia – the beaches, food, street art and culture is the best, not to mention the scuba diving! Your guide has inspired me to return when I can, thanks Jones!

Thanks so much for this! Very useful guide  

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Malaysia – The Ultimate 7 Day Travel Itinerary + Guide

The 7 Day Malaysia Travel Itinerary

Surrounded by beautiful beaches, lush greenery, high-towering skyscrapers and bustling metropolitan life, Malaysia is a wonderful multicultural paradise for all kind of travellers. Although many travellers treat Malaysia (and Singapore) as hop-over or pass-through countries for their south-east travel, Malaysia actually has a lot more to offer. Here’s our guide to planning your 7 days trip to Malaysia, including the Best Tours in Malaysia , so as to experience the best of everything! 

There actually are two different regions in Malaysia – Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia (Malaysian Borneo including Sabah ). In this travel itinerary, we have covered Kuala Lumpur, Cameron Highlands and Langkawi. The best time to visit Malaysia is between March to October. Since Malaysia is a tropical country, the temperature and humidity are high all year round. 

Reaching Malaysia is very easy too. There are direct flights to Kuala Lumpur from all major international airport around the globe and the flight-frequency is particularly high if you are travelling from an Asian country. Malaysia also has relative easy rules for travel-visa. A vast majority of the country can avail visa-on-arrival and for others, travel visa to Malaysia can be obtained online, without any hassle.

PS – Natvisa.com is a popular service that provides superb visa processing services.

Another step that has been taken in Malaysia towards the digital future is introduction of eSIM. eSIM is an embedded SIM that is built directly into electronic devices rather than using a physical SIM card allowing users to activate and switch mobile plans directly from their devices instead of having to insert or replace a physical SIM card. It makes life a lot more easy for travellers travelling to Malaysia. At the moment, Malaysia eSIM is using the network of top operators like Celcom, Digi and Maxis, offering eSIM service for iPhone and Samsung Galaxy devices, giving customers the flexibility and convenience of having multiple data connections activated on a single device.

Now, let’s dive into our Malaysia travel itinerary and find out the best way to explore this beautiful destination in 7 days.

PS – Useful Travel Resources to use while heading to Malaysia to tick off this 7 Day Malaysia Travel Itinerary –

• Book your Rental Car in Malaysia on Discover Cars and RentalCars.com
• Book the best Malaysia Tours at GetYourGuide or Viator or Klook
• Book your Accommodation in Malaysia on Agoda or Booking.com
• Book your train/bus travel tickets in Malaysia on 12Go.Asia
• Get the best flight deals on Kiwi.com
• Get an eSIM by Airalo to stay connected and Save on Roaming Fees
• Sign up for a Priority Pass before flying to Malaysia, and get access to premium Airport Lounges.
• Sign up for a Travel Insurance to enjoy a hassle free vacation in Malaysia.

Best Hotels in Kuala Lumpur

Day 2 – kl tower | bukit bintang | jalan alor food street, day 3 – putrajaya | kl china town | kl bird park, best hotels in cameron highlands, best hotels in ipoh, best hotels in langkawi, share this:, day 1 – kuala lumpur.

Just like most other Malaysian trips, ours too started from the capital city Kuala Lumpur, which is one of the Best Places to Visit in Malaysia . This skyscraper-filled metropolitan is not just about the Twin Towers. KL has many more amazing places and offers a plethora of pleasing experiences.

We started our first day by are heading straight to Batu Caves temple by cab. Although KL public transport is fantastic, a taxi or ‘grab’ makes life easier (trains are available and it takes 30 mins from KL Sentral). Batu Caves temple bears a gigantic golden statue of Murugan Swami at the gate. Also, these 140 feet (42.67m) tall statue is adorned with 270+ steps, which leads to the cave’s entrance. Be careful of the cheeky monkeys around you and it actually better not to feed them. 

There is no entry fee and you are free to explore the depths of this cave, as is an internal structure is comfortable, and shrines are lined up with rocky walls. 

Pro tip – Try to visit Batu caves early in the morning so as to get a free-from-crowd and Instagram-worthy photo of the colourful stairway!

Another advantage of starting the day early is you can also visit the Kuala Gandah National Elephant Conservation Center , only 90 km from Batu caves. Kuala Gandah is a tranquil Elephant sanctuary that allows visitors to come into close contact with one of the world’s most majestic creatures. You can see the Elephants taking bath in the wild and also feed them with your own hands. 

Also, the road trip from Batu caves to the Elephant sanctuary is full of lush greenery, postcard-perfect landscape with village homes and locals selling fruits by the highway. 

After a pleasant time at Batu Caves and Kuala Gandah, we returned back to KL city, because how can Day-1 be over without the icon of Malaysia. In the evening, it was time for the capital city’s most famous attraction – the iconic Petronas Towers !

These silver skyscrapers are 88 – storey tall and connected with a Skybridge on 41st and 42nd Floors, the observation deck is on the 86th floor. Since we had already bought the “skip the queue” tickets in advance (highly advisable), we didn’t have to wait long.

Pro-tip: Try to time your observation deck visit just before sunset, so that you can get the ‘light-view’ and ‘night-view’ both!

On the base of this stunning commercial place, there is a Suria KLCC, and Petronas Philharmonic Concert Hall. Also, don’t miss the musical fountain (once every 30mins) right in front of KLCC’s main entrance. 

Dinner near Petronas Tower can be checked out at best-rated KL restaurants at Petronas towers. The popular one’s Little Penang Café, Lai Ho peen, Madam Kwans.  If you are small budgeter, enjoy the Food trucks present in open space. They have the best of international dishes with superb variety.  You will also find the Petrosains Museum and Kuala Lumpur Aquarium, Kids Water Park, and it’s free for all. 

PS – Grab the Klook Kuala Lumpur Pass to save up to 30% on attraction costs in Kuala Lumpur.

Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur |  EQ Kuala Lumpur | The RuMa Hotel and Residences |  Banyan Tree Kuala Lumpur | Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur

On the 2nd day, it’s time for the KL Tower and the area surrounding it. KL Tower is another tourist attraction which specifically, is a communications tower.  This is 7th tallest freestanding tower, which has a high-speed elevator to take visitors from the base to top. The observation deck offers a 360-degree view of KL city and also has a revolving restaurant. At the base, there is an Upside-Down House, forest park, F1 experience and a mini-zoo. 

KL Forest Eco-park , a great family-friendly destination, is few meters from KL tower. There is 100-yr old Jelutong Tree standing alongside the tower which actually in Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve. It is a natural rainforest, that too right in the centre of the city. Rather than taking every trail, I would recommend taking a Canopy Walk that allows you to enjoy the experience from the treetops. 

Next on our list was the Bukit Bintang district. This is the heart of KL city , where you will see malls everywhere. Here, you can shop for souvenirs, trinkets, and ever-changing fashionable clothing, electronics and accessories.  All the shelves are stuffed with international brands and knockoffs too!! This is a haven for the shopaholics!!.  Check out Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, Lot 10, Sungei Wang Plaza, Starhill Gallery, Berjaya Times square. 

Towards to end of Day-2, we headed to Jalan Alor Food Street – must-visit for a complete KL experience. This street is the hub of street food in KL .  Here, you can try dimsums, grilled skewers and handcrafted famous fried-ice-creams, which are some of the Best Things to Eat in Malaysia . BBQ chicken and satay sticks are too good at Wong Ah Wah , is a famous eatery on this street.

On the third day in KL, we visited the spectacular Blue Mosque and Putrajaya – the administrative office town of Malaysia. But both these places are outside KL and if you are not keen on going out of KL, below are some of the options to visit in KL itself.

KL China town is one of the most exciting and no one is going to hassle you. Petaling Street is a well-known bargaining place with colourful markets, impressive bars around, sophisticated cocktail joints and best backpacker hotspots –The Berlin KL. Both, day as well as night walking tours are entertaining. 

Amongst the 5 most popular gardens, Asean Sculpture Garden features numerous sculptures and it is a peaceful place surrounded by botanical gardens. Butterfly Park Garden is a beautiful home to more than 5000 species of butterflies. Entrance fees are applicable.  

KL Bird Park is a world full of spectacular birds and a tropical paradise not to be missed by all. It is also the world’s largest covered bird park. 

Brickfields and Little India is also a must-visit district, which is the centre of colonial architecture, harmonious multicultural communities. Little India is an “another world” homely place for Indians, where you can browse around Indian restaurants, textile shops, dancing and singing with Indian Bollywood music. 

Pro-Tip: For hiring a cab in KL, we highly recommend that you download the Grab App . We noticed that it was more frequent and less price as compared to Uber.

Day 4 – Cameron Highlands

After completely enjoying KL, we took a bus from KL Central and headed to Cameron Highlands.

Cameron Highlands is of the most favoured places to visit in Malaysia. We started our day early at BOH plantations, for hiking among greenery and watching tea leaves picking activity is one the most favourite experiences in the entire trip. This is the largest producer of flowers and Tea in Malaysia. 

Cameron Valley Tea House 1 and 2 are beautiful locations where you can enjoy a yummy lunch, with panoramic views of the tea plantation s. We preferred Tea House 1 because it has a lovely waterfall, only a 5-10 minute walk up the hill.

Day 5 – Cameron

A beautiful way to start your 2nd day in the hill of Cameron is Time Tunnel Museum. It is the first memorabilia museum in Malaysia. Here you can check out over 4000 items on display about the way of life in Malaysia during the pre-War years, many historical photographs, and relive childhood memories. 

Cameron highlands also offer many strawberry farms and flower gardens for a leisurely evening stroll.

Additionally, Ipoh is just an hour’s drive from Cameron highlands. Ipoh is another unique place, especially for its streets filled with spectacular wall art. 

Pro Tip: When you visit Malaysia you can find exclusive discounts on your hotel bookings at Booking.com and Agoda and the best tours on Klook .

Day 6 and Day 7 – Langkawi

The last 2 days of our Malaysia trip was spent on the pristine islands of Langkawi. For us, Langkawi was love at first sight – primarily because of the view from the flight-window. Although being an archipelago of small islands, there are plenty of interesting places to visit and things to do in Langkawi .

We started our first day in Langkawi by visiting its most famous icon – the Sky Bridge and Sky Cab. Langkawi Sky Bridge is a cable-stayed 125-metre long curved walking bridge in Malaysia which is 2170 feet above sea-level. For me, the best part of the entire experience was the cable-car-ride – Sky Cab. It is by far the most exciting cable-car-ride I have ever done!

Pro-tip : If you are going during peak season, you can buy tickets in advance to avoid long queues .

After enjoying the spectacular panoramic views from the Sky Bridge, you can come down to experience many more interesting SkyGliding things at the base. Attractions like SkyRex (ride simulations), SkyDome (360 degrees 3D image projection theatre) and 3D Art Gallery will definitely fill you will excitement. 

While returning, don’t forget to visit the beautiful black-sand beach, which is only a few kilometres from Sky Bridge.

On the second day in Langkawi, take the Langkawi Mangrove tour – a speed boat ride through the Kilim Geoforest Park. The speed boat ride (usually 3 hours), which is one of the Best Tours in Malaysia , will take you through the different mangrove islands of Langkawi. A major attraction of this boat ride is watching eagles hunt for fishes – it is a sight like no other.

And, then the last afternoon and evening of your wonderful Malaysia trip can be spent at the beautiful Pantai Cenang Beach and also shopping around anywhere on Langkawi.

Pro-Tip: T he entire island of Langkawi is duty-free shopping! So, we recommend you can save all your shopping for Langkawi!

PS – Grab the Klook Langkawi Pass to save up to 30% on attraction costs in Langkawi.

In the end, we are sure that this 7-day travel itinerary for Malaysia will definitely help you to have a great vacation and you will be able to make the best of your time. Having said that, don’t forget to Pin this One Week Malaysia Travel Itinerary , for ready reference in the future.

You can also enhance your experience by taking the time to learn the basics of the language before your trip. You can take Malay lessons online, so this is something that you can do with ease and convenience – and it can help you to enjoy a more enriching experience when you visit Malaysia.

If you enjoyed reading this 7 Day Malaysia Itinerary and Travel Guide , you might want to check out some other 7 Day Travel Guides and Itineraries , for other Asian / South East Asian destinations as well.

• 7 Day Phuket Dive + Travel Itinerary
• 3 Day Chiang Mai Travel Itinerary
• Weekend in Bangkok – 3 Day Travel Itinerary
• 7 Day Japan Travel Itinerary
• The 7 Day Myanmar Road Trip Itinerary
• 7 Day Road Trip to Bhutan – The Last Shangri La
• One Week in Kerala – God’s Own Country
• The Epic 7 Day Leh Ladakh Road Trip Itinerary
• One Week in Cambodia – Travel Guide and Itinerary

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More travel information for Malaysia

From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to Malaysia

• Sports and Outdoor activities in Malaysia
• Culture and Etiquette in Malaysia
• Eating and drinking in Malaysia
• How to get to Malaysia
• Getting around Malaysia: Transportation Tips
• Travel Health Malaysia
• Shopping tips for Malaysia
• Best time to visit Malaysia

The climate in Malaysia remains remarkably consistent throughout the year, with typical daytime temperatures of around 30°. However, the northeast monsoon brings torrential rains and heavy seas between September and February, concentrating its attentions on the west coast of the Peninsula in September and October, and on the east coast after that.

Entry requirements

Customs allowances, gay and lesbian travellers, living in malaysia, opening hours and public holidays, public and school holidays, tourist information, travellers with disabilities, travelling with children, health advice, drugs: a warning, travel ideas for malaysia, created by local experts.

Uniquely Rustic Malaysia

Malaysia has it all: great beaches, fascinating history, natural habitats and remarkable wildlife. Bustling KL offers the perfect city break; while further afield hiking trails, pristine jungles and fascinating ecosystems will keep the more adventurous visitors entertained.

Hidden UNESCO Sites of Malaysia

Steeped in historical significance and natural beauty, Malaysia is home to several emotionally moving UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It seems fitting, given the country's cultural touchstones and awe-inspiring parks—from solitude amidst the mangroves to history walks among colonial buildings.

The Cameron Highlands in a Nutshell

Experience Malaysia's largest and most impressive hill station, the Cameron Highlands, in all their glory, with this compact trip. Let your picturesque surroundings soak in as you visit the famous Batu Caves, the Lata Iskandar Waterfalls and a local tea plantation.

Malaysian Wildlife Explorer

Experience the stunning and varied wildlife of Malaysia with this exciting trip: meet the world's smallest bear, the Bornean sun bear; encounter injured orangutans preparing to rejoin the wild; then embark on a series of cruises on the Kinabatangan River to spot yet more Malaysian wildlife!

Traditional Malaysia & Wild Borneo

Combine the culture and traditions of Malaysia with jungle outposts and adventure in Borneo. From lively Kuala Lumpur to desert island beaches, highlands and dense rainforest, this is a wonderful introduction to Southeast Asia.

Highlands and Islands of West Malaysia

Experience the rolling highlands and stunning islands of West Malaysia, with this exciting, compact trip that would make the perfect add-on to an existing trip to Malaysia.

Anyone entering Malaysia from Thailand will find that costs are slightly higher – both food and accommodation are more expensive – whereas travellers arriving from Indonesia will find prices a little lower overall. Travelling in a group naturally helps keep costs down. The region affords some savings for senior citizens, and an ISIC student card might occasionally pay dividends.

Note that bargaining is routine throughout Malaysia when buying stuff in markets or small shops, though you don’t haggle for meals or accommodation.

In Peninsular Malaysia you can scrape by on £12/US$20/RM60 per day staying in dorms, eating at hawker stalls and getting around by bus. Double that and you’ll be able to exist in relative comfort without thinking too hard about occasionally treating yourself. Over in east Malaysia , where accommodation and tours tend to cost a little more, the minimum daily outlay is more like £16/US$25/RM80.

Crime and personal safety

If you lose something in Malaysia, you’re more likely to have someone run after you with it than run away. Nevertheless, don’t become complacent: pickpockets and snatch-thieves frequent Malaysia’s more touristed cities, and theft from dormitories by other tourists is fairly common. If you have to report a crime, be sure to get a copy of the police report for insurance purposes.

Sensible precautions include carrying your passport and other valuables in a concealed money belt, and using the safety deposit box provided by many guesthouses and hotels. Take a photocopy of the relevant pages of your passport, too, in case it’s lost or stolen. If you use travellers’ cheques, keep a separate record of the serial numbers, together with a note of which ones you’ve cashed.

It’s worth repeating here that it’s very unwise to have anything to do with illegal drugs of any description in Malaysia.

To report a crime in Malaysia, head for the nearest police station, where someone will invariably speak English. In many major tourist spots, specific tourist police stations are geared up to problems faced by foreign travellers.

Restrictions on contact between people of the opposite sex (such as the offence of khalwat , or “close proximity”) and eating in public during daylight hours in the Ramadan month apply to Muslims only.

Electricity

Mains voltage in Malaysia is 230 volts , so any equipment using 110 volts will need a converter. The plugs in all three countries have three square prongs like British ones.

Nationals of the UK, Ireland, US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa do not need visas in advance to stay in Malaysia, and it’s easy to extend your permission to stay. That said, check with the relevant embassy or consulate, as the rules on visas are complex and subject to change. Ensure that your passport is valid for at least six months from the date of your trip, and has several blank pages for entry stamps.

Upon arrival in Malaysia, citizens of Australia, Canada, the UK, Ireland, US, New Zealand and South Africa receive a passport stamp entitling them to a 90-day stay . Visitors who enter via Sarawak, however, receive a 30-day stamp. Visa requirements for various nationalities are listed on w malaysia.visahq.com .

It’s straightforward to extend your permit through the Immigration Department, who have offices (listed in the Guide) in Kuala Lumpur and major towns. Visitors from the above countries can also cross into Singapore or Thailand and back to be granted a fresh Malaysia entry stamp.

Tourists travelling from the Peninsula to east Malaysia (Sarawak and Sabah) must be cleared again by immigration; visitors to Sabah can remain as long as their original entry stamp is valid, but arriving in Sarawak from whichever territory generates a new 30-day stamp, which can be easily renewed.

When you arrive, you will normally be given a lengthy landing card to complete; hang onto the small departure portion of the card for when you leave Malaysia.

Embassies and consulates

Australia 7 Perth Ave, Yarralumla, Canberra, ACT 6000 t 02 6120 0600, w malaysia.org.au .

Brunei No. 61, Simpang 336, Kg Sungai Akar, Jalan Kebangsaan, P.O. Box 2826, Bandar Seri Begawan t 02 381095.

Canada 60 Boteler St, Ottawa, ON K1N 8Y7 t 613 241 5182.

Indonesia Jalan H.R. Rasuna Said, Kav. X/6, No. 1–3 Kuningan, Jakarta Selatan 12950 t 021 5224947.

Ireland Shelbourne House, Level 3A–5A, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4 t 01 667 7280.

New Zealand 10 Washington Ave, Brooklyn, Wellington t 04 385 2439.

Singapore 301 Jervois Rd t 6325 0111.

South Africa 1007 Schoeman St, Arcadia, Pretoria 0083 t 012 342 5990.

Thailand 35 South Sathorn Rd, Bangkok 10120 t 02 629 6800.

UK 45 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8QT t 020 7235 8033, w malaysia.embassyhomepage.com .

US 3516 International Court, NW Washington, DC 20008 t 202 572 9700.

Malaysia’s duty-free allowances are 200 cigarettes or 225g of tobacco, and 1 litre of wine, spirits or liquor. There’s no customs clearance for passengers travelling from Singapore or Peninsular Malaysia to East Malaysia, nor for people passing between Sabah and Sarawak.

Though Malaysia’s largest cities have long had a discreet gay scene, the public profile of gays and lesbians was until recently still summed up by the old “don’t ask, don’t tell” maxim. However, cyberspace has helped galvanize gay people in both countries, providing a virtual refuge within which to socialize and campaign. While the environment in Malaysia is always going to be conservative – illustrated by the fact that Brokeback Mountain failed to be screened there, and by occasional raids on gay saunas – the Malaysian government has no obvious appetite, Islamically inspired or otherwise, to clamp down on the existing, limited gay nightlife.

For all the general loosening up over the years, it’s very much a case of two steps forward and one step back. Colonial-era laws criminalizing anal and oral sex remains on the statute book in Malaysia, and what gay-related campaigning exists tends to be channelled into the relatively uncontentious issue of HIV AIDS. Needless to say, all this makes legal recognition of gay partnerships a distant prospect.

This mixed picture shouldn’t deter gay visitors from getting to know and enjoy the local scene, such as it is. A small number of gay establishments are reviewed in this guide, and more listings are available on w www.fridae.asia and the Bangkok-based w www.utopia-asia.com .

A typical travel insurance policy usually provides cover for the loss of bags, tickets and – up to a certain limit – cash or cheques, as well as cancellation or curtailment of your journey. Some policy premiums include dangerous sports; in Malaysia, for example, this can mean scuba diving, whitewater rafting or trekking (notably in the Maliau Basin of Sabah). Always ascertain whether medical coverage will be paid out as treatment proceeds or only after return home, and whether there’s a 24-hour medical emergency number. When securing baggage cover, make sure that the per-article limit will cover your most valuable possession. If you need to make a claim, you should keep receipts for medicines and medical treatment, and in the event you have anything stolen, you must obtain an official statement from the police.

Internet cafés and shops can be found in all Malaysian cities and large towns, often in malls or in upstairs premises along central streets, and most backpacker guesthouses have free wi-fi connections. While many serve the odd coffee or coke, the emphasis often isn’t on beverages or even getting online, but on networked gaming, the terminals swamped by kids playing noisy shoot-em-ups late into the night. Periodic crackdowns temporarily compel the internet cafés to keep sensible hours and, it’s hoped, the youths in their beds. At least the cafés do provide reliable internet access, costing RM3–6 per hour in practically all cases.

For unlimited Wi-Fi on the go whilst travelling Malaysia, buy a Skyroam Solis , which works in 130+ countries at one flat daily rate, paid for on a pay-as-you-go basis. You can connect up to five devices at once. Prices start from as little as €5 a day.

Most Malaysian towns have laundries ( dobi ) where you can have clothes washed cheaply and quickly, according to weight (typically RM3 a kilo), picking them up later in the day or early the next day. Some hostels and guesthouses have washing machines that guests can use for a small charge. Dry-cleaning services are less common, though any hotel of a decent standard will be able to oblige.

Opportunities for non-residents to find short-term employment in Malaysia are few and far between. On an unofficial basis, helpers are often required in guesthouses; the wages for such tasks are low, but board and lodging are often included. On a more formal level, KL in particular is home to large communities of skilled expats with work permits, secured by their employer. In Malaysia expats can still expect elevated salaries,.

English-language-teaching qualifications are in demand by language schools in both countries, while qualified diving instructors can also find work in Malaysia. There are also a few volunteer schemes, mainly focusing on nature conservation fieldwork, though they’re seldom cheap to join.

Study and work programmes

AFS Intercultural Programs w afs.org. Community service schemes in Malaysia.

Earthwatch Institute w earthwatch.org. A range of nature-conservation projects; past projects include bat conservation and climate-change studies in Malaysia.

Fulbright Program w www.fulbright.org.uk . Regular opportunities for US citizens to spend several months teaching English in rural Malaysia, without requiring teaching experience.

Wild Asia w wildasia.org. Conservation group working to protect natural areas and promote responsible tourism and resource use across the region; offers internships.

W-O-X w orangutanproject.com . Orang-utan conservation in Malaysia, mostly at rehabilitation centres or upriver locations in Borneo.

Malaysia has a well-organized postal service operated by Pos Malaysia ( t 1300 300 300, w www.pos.com.my ), whose website details postage rates, express mail and courier (“PosLaju”) services and so forth. Expect airmail delivery to take one to two weeks depending on the destination.

The best commercially available maps of Malaysia are the city and regional maps published by the Johor Bahru-based World Express Mapping, sold in many local bookshops. Online mapping offered by the usual internet giants tends to be littered with inaccuracies, especially with regard to Malaysian road names. Most Malaysian tourist offices have their own free maps of the local area, though these are of decidedly variable quality and offer little that the maps in this guide don’t already include. Whichever maps you use, be aware that the high rate of highway construction and road alterations in rural and urban areas alike means that inaccuracies plague most maps almost as soon as they appear..

Malaysia’s currency is the ringgit (pronounced ring-git and abbreviated to “RM”), divided into 100 sen. Notes come in RM1, RM5, RM10, RM20, RM50 and RM100 denominations. Coins are currently minted in 5 sen, 10 sen, 20 sen and 50 sen denominations, with 1 sen coins still in circulation. You sometimes hear the word “dollar” used informally to refer to the ringgit.

At the time of writing, the exchange rate was around RM3 to US$1 and RM5 to £1. Rates are posted daily in banks and exchange kiosks, and published in the press.

Major banks in Malaysia include Maybank, HSBC, Citibank, Standard Chartered, RHB Bank and CIMB Bank. Banking hours are generally Monday to Friday 9.30am to 4pm and Saturday 9.30 to 11.30am (closed on every first and third Sat of the month), though in the largely Muslim states of Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu, Friday is a holiday and Sunday a working day. Banks in all sizeable towns and most tourist areas have ATMs; details are given through the Guide.

Licensed moneychangers ’ kiosks, found in bigger towns all over the country, tend to open later, until around 6pm; some open at weekends and until 9pm, too. Some hotels will exchange money at all hours. Exchange rates tend to be more generous at moneychangers, though they don’t generally exchange travellers’ cheques.

You’re only likely to be really stuck for accessing money in remote rural areas; if, for example, you’re travelling upriver through the interior of Sabah or Sarawak, it’s a wise idea to carry a fair amount of cash, in smallish denominations.

Credit and debit cards have limited uses in the region, except to pay for goods and services in upmarket locations – you won’t, for example, be able to use your Visa card at a local kedai kopi , though a café chain in Kuala Lumpur will likely accept it, as indeed might a guesthouse in either place. Watch out too for an ongoing spate of credit card fraud in Malaysia, involving data swiped in genuine transactions being extracted and used to create a duplicate of your card.

In Malaysia , shops are open daily from around 9.30am to 7pm, though outlets in shopping centres and malls are typically open daily from 10am to 10pm. Government offices tend to work Monday to Friday from 8am to 4.15pm or 9am to 5pm, with an hour off for lunch, except on Friday when the break lasts from 12.15 to 2.45pm to allow Muslims to attend prayers. Note that in the states of Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu, the working week runs from Sunday to Thursday, with Friday and Saturday as days off.

Opening hours for temples and mosques are given in the text where they keep to a formal schedule (often not the case).

As a guide, public holiday dates for 2012 are given here (the relevant government websites issue new lists for each year a few months in advance). Note that Muslim holidays (marked with an asterisk) move earlier by ten or eleven days each year, and that precise dates depend on the sighting of the new moon, which determines when each month of the Muslim calendar begins. Note also that each Malaysian state has its own additional holidays, which could be to do with its sultan’s birthday or an Islamic (in states with a largely Muslim population) or tribal event, such as Gawai in June in Sarawak. Some of the holidays here are marked by special festivities.

It pays to be aware of not just public holidays but also local school holidays , as Malaysian accommodation can be hard to come by during these periods. In Malaysia, schools get a week off in mid-March and late August, and two weeks off at the start of June, with a long break from mid-November to the end of the year.

Public holidays (2012)

January 1 New Year’s Day

January 23 Chinese New Year

February 5 Birthday of the Prophet Muhammad*

May 1 Labour Day

May 5 Vesak Day

June 2 Yang Dipertuan Agong’s Birthday

August 19 & 20 Hari Raya Puasa*

August 31 National Day

September 16 Malaysia Day

October 26 Hari Raya Haji (or Korban)*

November 13 Deepavali

November 15 Maal Hijrah (the Muslim New Year)*

December 25 Christmas Day

Malaysia has a comprehensive mobile network. If your phone is unlocked and GSM compatible (likely unless you’re from the US), you can buy a local SIM card from corner shops and 7–11 stores, which will of course give you a new number. Top up value at the same outlets; you either get a receipt with a pin number on it for you to dial and activate the recharge, or the shop staff will do this for you. If you need to buy a mobile (known locally as “hand phones”), outlets specializing in them are easily found, even in small towns.

There are public phones in most Malaysian towns. Local calls are very cheap at just 10 sen for three minutes, but for long-distance calls, it can be more convenient to buy a phonecard , from service stations, 7–Eleven outlets and newsagents. Your best bet is to use a card such as iTalk ( w tm.com.my ; from RM10), which enables you to make discounted calls from the line in your hotel room as well as from payphones.

The two big players in the mobile phone market are Hotlink/Maxis ( w hotlink.com.my ) and Celcom ( w celcom.com.my), with the smaller DiGi ( w digi.com.my ) bringing up the rear. On the Peninsula you’ll usually get a signal on both coasts, along highways and major roads, and on touristy islands. In the forested interior, as a rule your phone will work in any town large enough to be served by express trains (as well as at the Taman Negara headquarters). Sabah and Sarawak coverage is much patchier, focusing on cities and the populated river valleys, though even in the Kelabit Highlands mobile calls are possible.

Mobile tariffs can be complex, though you can expect calls made to other Malaysian numbers to cost no more than RM0.50 per minute.

Malaysia is eight hours ahead of Universal Time (GMT), all year. This close to the equator, you can rely on dawn being around 6.30am in the Peninsula, dusk at around 7.30pm; in Borneo both happen roughly an hour earlier. Not taking into account daylight saving time elsewhere, Malaysia is two hours behind Sydney, thirteen hours ahead of US Eastern Standard Time and sixteen hours ahead of US Pacific Standard Time.

Tipping is seldom necessary in Malaysia. When eating out at a proper restaurant, it’s customary to tip if a service charge isn’t included, though note that you are never required to tip in kedai kopis or kopitiams . It’s not necessary to tip taxi drivers either, unless they have gone out of their way to be helpful. Otherwise you might want to offer a modest tip to a hotel porter or hairdresser, or a tour guide who has been exceptional.

Tourism Malaysia ( w tourism.gov.my ) has offices in most state capitals. These are complemented by tourist offices, sometimes called Tourism Information Centres , run by state governments and again found in most state capitals. Such offices are generally helpful, if not widely knowledgeable: they have plenty of glossy brochures to hand out, but information here (and on websites) is often patchy, if not downright inaccurate. For out-of-the-way attractions you’re better off contacting local accommodation or tour operators – phone is best, as emails often elicit slow responses.

Malaysian state tourism contacts

Johor t 07 223 4935, w tourismjohor.com .

Kelantan t 09 748 5534, w tic.kelantan.gov.my

Labuan t 087 422622, w labuantourism.com.my.

Melaka t 06 281 4803, w www.melaka.gov.my .

Pahang t 09 516 1007, w pahangtourism.com. .

Penang t 04 262 0202, tourismpenang.net.my

Sabah t 088 212 121, w sabahtourism.com .

Sarawak t 082 423 600, w sarawaktourism.com .

Selangor t 03 5511 1122, w tourismselangor.my .

Terengganu t 09 622 1553, w terengganutourism.com .

Other tourist information sources

w allmalaysia.info Excellent tourism compendium put together by The Star newspaper, featuring travel-related news stories, state-by-state accounts of sights and background articles on culture and events.

w journeymalaysia.com Comprehensive, if patchy, coverage of just about everywhere and everything for tourists to see and do in Malaysia. Especially strong on outdoor activities.

w www.malaysiasite.nl Run by an enthusiastic expat, this site provides thumbnail sketches of popular destinations around Malaysia, including some out-of-the-way locations. Practical info isn’t always current, but it’s a useful resource with plenty of photos.

w virtualmalaysia.com The tourism portal of Malaysia’s Ministry of Tourism, with coverage of sights, tourism-related directories and assorted packages on sale.

w wildasia.org Dedicated to sustainable and responsible tourism, this Malaysia-based site features numerous articles on Southeast Asia with plenty on Malaysia itself, of course, including descriptions of forest reserves and dive sites, plus a list of the more environmentally aware resorts.

Malaysia makes few provisions for travellers with disabilities. Life is made a lot easier if you can afford the more upmarket hotels, which usually have disabled provision, and to shell out for taxis and the odd domestic flight. Similarly, the more expensive international airlines tend to be better equipped to get you there in the first place: MAS, British Airways, KLM, Singapore and Qantas all carry aisle wheelchairs and have at least one toilet adapted for disabled passengers. However, few tour operators in the region accommodate the needs of those with disabilities.

In Malaysia, wheelchair users will have a hard time negotiating the uneven pavements in most towns and cities, and find it difficult to board buses, trains, ferries and the LRT metro system in Kuala Lumpur, none of which has been adapted for wheelchairs. The situation is similar if not worse in east Malaysia, with little provision for disabled travellers.

Contacts for travellers with disabilities

Malaysian Confederation of the Disabled t 03 7956 2300, e [email protected]. A member of Disabled Peoples International, working for equal opportunities for disabled people in Malaysia.

Malaysia is a very child-friendly country in which to travel. Disposable nappies and powdered milk are easy to find (fresh milk is sold in supermarkets), and bland Chinese soups and rice dishes, or bakery fare, are ideal for systems unaccustomed to spicy food. Many restaurants and the slicker kedai kopis have high chairs, though only upmarket hotels provide baby cots or a baby-sitting service. However, rooms in the cheaper hotels can usually be booked with an extra bed for little extra cost. Children under 12 get into many attractions for half-price and enjoy discounts on buses and trains.

No inoculations are required for visiting Malaysia, although the immigration authorities may require a yellow-fever vaccination certificate if you have transited an endemic area, normally Africa or South America, within the preceding six days.

It’s a wise precaution to visit your doctor no less than two months before you leave to check that you are up to date with your polio, typhoid, tetanus and hepatitis inoculations. Tap water is drinkable throughout Malaysia, although in rural areas it’s best to buy bottled water, which is widely available.

Medical problems

Levels of hygiene and medical care in Malaysia are higher than in much of Southeast Asia; with any luck, the most serious thing you’ll go down with is an upset stomach.

Heat problems

Travellers unused to tropical climates may suffer from sunburn and dehydration. The easiest way to avoid this is to restrict your exposure to the midday sun, use high-factor sun screens, wear sunglasses and a hat. You should also drink plenty of water and, if you do become dehydrated, keep up a regular intake of fluids. Rehydration preparations such as Dioralyte are handy; the DIY version is a handful of sugar with a good pinch of salt added to a litre of bottled water, which creates roughly the right mineral balance. Heat stroke is more serious and can require hospitalization: its onset is indicated by a high temperature, dry red skin and a fast pulse.

Stomach problems

The most common complaint is a stomach problem, which can range from a mild dose of diarrhoea to full-blown dysentery. The majority of stomach bugs may be unpleasant, but are unthreatening; however, if you notice blood or mucus in your stools, then you may have amoebic or bacillary dysentery, in which case you should seek medical help.

Stomach bugs are usually transmitted by contaminated food and water, so steer clear of raw vegetables and shellfish, always wash unpeeled fruit, and stick to freshly cooked foods, avoiding anything reheated. However careful you are, food that’s spicy or just different can sometimes upset your system, in which case, try to stick to relatively bland dishes and avoid fried food.

Dengue fever and malaria

The main mosquito-borne disease to be aware of – and the chief reason to take measures to avoid mosquito bites – is dengue fever. The disease is caused by a virus spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquito (which has distinctive white marks on its legs) and there are periodic outbreaks, not just in rural areas but also in the major cities. Symptoms include severe headaches, pain in the bones (especially of the back), fever and often a fine, red rash over the body. There’s no specific treatment, just plenty of rest, an adequate fluid intake and painkillers when required.

Although the risk of catching malaria is extremely low, consider protection against it if you think you might be staying in remote parts of Borneo for some time. Most doctors will advise taking antimalarial tablets which, though not completely effective in protecting against the disease, do considerably lessen the risk and can help reduce the symptoms should you develop the disease. Bear in mind you have to start taking the tablets before you arrive in a malaria zone, and continue taking them after you return – ask your doctor for the latest advice.

Altitude sickness

Altitude sickness (or acute mountain sickness) is a potentially life-threatening illness affecting people who ascend above around 3500m. Symptoms include dizziness, headache, shortness of breath, nausea; in severe cases it can lead to a swelling of the brain and lungs that can prove fatal. In Malaysia it’s only likely to be relevant to those climbing Mount Kinabalu (4095m), and most people report only mild symptoms at this altitude. If you’re affected, there’s little you can do apart from descending to lower altitude, although certain prescription drugs may temporarily control the symptoms.

Cuts, bites and stings

Wearing protective clothing when swimming, snorkelling or diving can help avoid sunburn and protect against any sea stings. Sea lice, minute creatures that cause painful though harmless bites are the most common hazard; more dangerous are jellyfish, whose stings must be doused with vinegar to deactivate the poison before you seek medical help.

Coral can also cause nasty cuts and grazes; any wounds should be cleaned and kept as dry as possible until properly healed. The only way to avoid well-camouflaged sea urchins and stone fish is by not stepping on the seabed: even thick-soled shoes don’t provide total protection against their long, sharp spines, which can be removed by softening the skin by holding it over a steaming pan of water.

As for mosquitoes, you can best avoid being bitten by covering up as much as is practical, and applying repellent to exposed flesh. Note that most repellents sold locally are based on citronella; if you want a repellent containing DEET, which some say is more effective, it’s best to buy it at home. Rural or beachside accommodation often features mosquito nets, and some places also provide slow-burning mosquito coils which generate a little smoke that apparently deters the insects.

For many people, the ubiquitous leech – whose bite is not actually harmful or painful – is the most irritating aspect to jungle trekking. Whenever there’s been rainfall, you can rely upon the leeches to come out. Always tuck your trousers into your socks and tie your bootlaces tight. The best anti-leech socks are made from calico and available in specialist stores. If you find the leeches are getting through, soak the outside of your socks and your boots in insect repellent.

Venomous snakes are not that common, and any that you might encounter will usually slink away. If you are unlucky enough to be bitten then remain still and call for an ambulance or get someone else to summon help. If it’s one of your limbs that has been bitten, ideally a pressure bandage should also be applied to slow the spread of any venom present.

Pharmacies, clinics and hospitals

Medical services in Malaysia are excellent; staff almost everywhere speak English and use up-to-date treatments. Details of pharmacies and hospitals are in the “Directory” sections of the Guide for cities and major towns.

Pharmacies stock a wide range of medicines and health-related items, from contraceptives to contact lens solution; opening hours are the same as for other shops. Pharmacists can recommend products for skin complaints or simple stomach problems, though it always pays to get a proper diagnosis.

Private clinics can be found even in small towns – your hotel or the local tourist office will be able to recommend a doctor. In Malaysia a consultation costs around RM30, not including the cost of any prescribed medication; keep the receipts for insurance-claim purposes. Finally, the emergency department of each town’s general hospital will see foreigners for a small fee, though obviously costs rise rapidly if continued treatment or overnight stays are necessary.

Combating leeches

Leeches are gruesome but pretty harmless creatures that almost all hikers will encounter. A tiny, muscular tube with teeth at one end, they lie dormant in rainforest leaf litter until, activated by your footfalls and body heat, they latch onto your boot, then climb until they find a way through socks and trousers and onto your skin. Their bites (about the size of a pinhead) are completely painless, but they bleed a lot and sometimes itch as they heal.

Keeping leeches off isn’t easy; they can get through all but the closest-mesh fabrics. Tights work (but get very hot), though some guides recommend simply wearing open shoes and shorts, so that you can see them – an approach that requires an advanced jungle mentality.

The quickest way to remove a leech is to repeatedly flick its head end with your fingernail. Otherwise salt, tiger balm or tobacco juice, rubbed onto the leech, will cause them to let go rapidly.

Malaysia boasts plenty of newspapers, TV channels and radio stations serving up lively reportage of events, sports and entertainment, though don’t expect to come across hard-hitting or healthily sceptical coverage of domestic politics. The major media organizations are at least partly owned by the government.

Furthermore, the media are kept on their toes by a legal requirement that they must periodically renew their licence to publish. Thus the Sarawak Tribune was suspended indefinitely in 2006 after it reproduced the controversial Danish cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad; only in 2010 did it resume publication as the New Sarawak Tribune.

Given these circumstances, it’s no surprise that in the 2011/12 Press Freedom Index, issued by the pressure group Reporters Without Borders, Malaysia was far down the rankings at no. 122 – below much poorer nations not exactly noted for being exemplars of free speech, such as Mongolia and Lesotho. B

Foreign newspapers and magazines are sold in the main cities, and international TV channels are available via satellite and cable. That said, issues of foreign magazines containing pieces that displease the authorities have occasionally been banned.

If this all seems an unremittingly bleak picture, it should be said that coverage of Malaysia’s opposition parties has increased since they took power in several states in the 2008 general election. Furthermore, the advent of independent news websites and blogs has been a breath of fresh air in Malaysia. Elsewhere in cyberspace, it’s possible to turn up various YouTube clips of discussion forums and interviews with activists, offering an alternative take on local issues.

Newspapers, magazines and online news

Malaysia has English, Malay, Chinese and Tamil newspapers. Though Malaysia’s national dailies are available in towns in east Malaysia, locally published English-language papers such as the Borneo Post in Sarawak (wtheborneopost.com) and the Daily Express in Sabah (wdailyexpress.com.my) are more popular there.

• Aliran Monthly wwww.aliran.com. Campaigning magazine with an avowed pro-human-rights stance.
• Malaysia Insider wwww.themalaysiainsider.com. Considered more moderate than some of its online counterparts, the Insider provides intelligent news and commentary in English and Malay.
• Malaysia Today wwww.malaysia-today.net. This news website and blog was thrust into the international spotlight after the man behind it, Raja Petra Kamarudin, was interned under Malaysia’s Internal Security Act for two months in 2008.
• Malaysiakini wwww.malaysiakini.com. Invigorating reportage and opinion with an anti-establishment slant.
• New Straits Times wwww.nst.com.my. Closely linked to the UMNO party, this offshoot of Singapore’s Straits Times was created after the island separated from the Federation. A tabloid, it offers a broad range of news, sports and arts coverage.
• Sarawak Report wwww.sarawakreport.org. Not a Malaysian site – it’s run out of London – but worth a look for its hard-hitting coverage of issues such as logging, native peoples’ rights and the probity of Sarawak’s government.
• The Star wwww.thestar.com.my. Founded by the MCA party, The Star is Malaysia’s best-selling English daily and has a separate Sarawak edition.

Television and radio

TV and radio in Malaysia is dominated by state-owned broadcaster RTM, which puts out programmes in several languages. Terrestrial television features an unexceptional mix of news, documentaries and dramas made locally and abroad, cookery and talk shows, Islamic discussions and so forth; radio is even less original and tends to be dominated by pop music and talk shows. Various foreign TV channels, including CNN, BBC World, National Geographic, ESPN Sports and Al Jazeera (which has its East Asian base in KL), are available on cable and satellite in Malaysia.

• Cats FM wwww.catsfm.my. Kuching-based FM station offering music plus Sarawakian news; see the website for frequencies around the state.
• RTM1 & RTM2 wwww.rtm.gov.my. Malaysia’s staple state-owned TV channels, with some programming in English, Chinese and Tamil. News in English is broadcast on RTM2 at 8pm daily.
• Traxxfm wwww.traxxfm.net. Established RTM station with a mix of news and music in English, available on various frequencies around the Peninsula.
• TV3 wwww.tv3.com.my. English and Malay news, drama and documentaries, plus some Chinese programmes. Along with the youth-oriented channels NTV7, 8TV and TV9, it’s part of the same conglomerate as the New Straits Times.
• XFresh wwww.xfm.com.my. A good station for home-grown pop and rock music in Malay and English, though the patter is in Malay only. Audible in cities nationwide.

In Malaysia, the possession of illegal drugs – hard or soft – carries a hefty prison sentence or even the death penalty. If you are arrested for drugs offences you can expect no mercy from the authorities and little help from your consular representatives. The simple advice, therefore, is not to have anything to do with drugs in any of these countries. Never agree to carry anything through customs for a third party.

The Rough Guides to Malaysia and related travel guides

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7 next-level travel experiences to have in Malaysia

From iconic mountain climbs to once-in-a-lifetime wildlife encounters, Malaysia offers some of the world’s most incredible travel experiences.

There are several standouts that will stay with you long after savouring your final nasi lemak . Here are seven of the best to add to your itinerary:

1. Summit Mt Kinabalu

On top of Mt Kinabalu. Image by Tappasan Phurisamrit

Rising a whopping 4095 metres above the jungles of Sabah, Mt Kinabalu is the highest mountain in Southeast Asia , and offers one of the region’s most popular hikes. The dramatic climb through an array of incredibly diverse ecosystems is typically completed over two days, with hikers overnighting in a mountain hut before making the final push to the summit in time for sunrise. On the way down, you can opt to take the world’s highest via ferrata route , which was fully repaired following the 2015 earthquake.

EXPLORE MALAYSIA ON A SMALL GROUP ADVENTURE WITH INTREPID

2. Hang out with orangutans

Hanging out. Image by Ian Stuart.

There are few wildlife experiences more life changing than seeing a fuzzy orange orangutan swinging through the jungles of Borneo or Sumatra. The survival of these highly intelligent mammals, whose habitats are declining at an alarming rate, can largely be credited to the pioneering work of sanctuaries, including Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre in Sabah and the Semenggoh Nature Reserve in Sarawak. You can observe orangutans living free at both sanctuaries, swinging through the trees, and enjoying fresh fruit on the central feeding platforms.

RELATED: TURTLES AND ORANGUTANS: WITNESSING WILDLIFE CONSERVATION IN BORNEO

3. Eat your way around Penang

All the food. Image by Elena Ermakova.

Reflecting its multi-ethnic population and strategic geographical location, Malaysia’s cuisine is one of the world’s most tantalisingly diverse. While you can eat well anywhere in Malaysia, the sheer volume of hawker stalls, food courts and restaurants in George Town, the capital of Penang , make it the ultimate destination to unleash your inner foodie. From steaming satay sticks to rich Indian-style curries and endless varieties of kuih (dessert pastries), you won’t go hungry here. Thanks to George Town’s heritage architecture, elaborate temples, and colourful street art, you won’t get bored either.

4. Sleep over at a traditional longhouse

Sarawak longhouse. Image by Faiz Zaki.

Sarawak is famous for its longhouses, the traditional homes of the indigenous Iban people that typically accommodate several dozen (!) families at a time. Some Iban chiefs now open their traditional wooden dwellings to visitors hankering for a taste of longhouse life. If you’re lucky enough to visit – or better yet, stay the night in one – it’s considered good manners to bring a gift. Rather than opt for rice wine or sweets, check with your guide to ensure your gift is both useful and responsible.

SPEND THE NIGHT AT A TRADITIONAL LONGHOUSE ON THESE INTREPID ADVENTURES

5. Scuba dive in Sipadan

Underwater wonderland. Image by think4photop.

Divers travel from all over the world to experience the incredible array of marine life that can be spotted at the dive sites of Sipadan, which is located just off the southeast coast of Sabah in what’s known as the Coral Triangle – home to more coral species than anywhere else on Earth. Most visitors stay on the neighbouring island of Mabul to dive the technicolour reefs by day, and swing in hammocks and swap dive stories by night.

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6. Explore Gunung Mulu National Park

The Pinnacles. Image by Rafal Gaweda.

There are caves, and there’s Gunung Mulu National Park . This UNESCO World Heritage Site in northern Sarawak is famous for its limestone formations, from The Pinnacles that jut out of the forest canopy like giant white daggers, to the Clearwater Cave, thought to be the world’s largest interconnected cave system. There is some amazing wildlife to be spotted in these parts too, from eight species of hornbill to 27 species of bat, super-cute tarsiers, gibbons and more.

RELATED: MALAYSIA’S RAINFOREST WORLD MUSIC FESTIVAL: THE COOLEST EVENT YOU’VE NEVER HEARD OF

7. Spot turtles on Pulau Selingan

Turtle Beach. Image by PhilMacDPhoto.

If you’ve never seen a wild turtle – or simply love turtles – a visit to this island off the east coast of Sabah will blow your mind. Come nightfall, under the guidance of a ranger, you can spot enormous green turtles coming ashore to lay their eggs, and watch researchers release cute baby hatchlings they work to protect from the turtles’ main threat: humans. During the day, you can don a snorkel and spot turtles swimming around the reefs that fringe the island.

Ready for a next-level experience in Malaysia? Join us on a small group adventure now . 

Feature image by Sinseeho via Shutterstock.

Feeling inspired?

When my ‘little career break’ morphed into two ski seasons in Canada, followed by a year-long backpacking odyssey through Latin America, I could no longer see myself going back to the features desk on a women’s lifestyle magazine. My ‘office’ now ranges from exotic airports to Bedouin tents, Himalayan teahouses to hip co-working spaces. And I wouldn’t have it any other way. Between writing for travel titles around the globe and trying to adjust to whatever time zone I’m in, I also run a sustainable travel-focused blog, ecotravelist.com and recently wrote The Solo Travel Handbook, published by Lonely Planet.

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Things to Do in Malaysia

Common Greetings

Currency in Malaysia

Scams to Avoid

Visiting Kuala Lumpur

Neighborhoods to Know

Best Hotels

Public Transportation Guide

Top Things to Do

Guide to Malaysian Street Food

Where to Eat in Kuala Lumpur

Eating at Kuala Lumpur's Jalan Alor

Best Time to Visit

Weather & Climate

Kuala Lumpur International Airport Guide

Top Destinations in Malaysia

Malaysia's Top 10 Destinations

The Most Popular Places to Visit in Malaysia

The most popular places to visit in Malaysia are stunning — and the country's excellent infrastructure makes getting to them relatively painless.

Although Malaysia is always ranked well among the most visited countries in Asia, China usually steals the limelight and #1 spot. Long-term budget travelers often shun Malaysia as being "too expensive" (mostly because alcohol does cost more than in Thailand). Meanwhile, short-term vacationers in Southeast Asia seem to skip Malaysia for lack of time.

But Malaysia has a lot of beauty, diversity, and adventure on offer, as showcased by these tempting top destinations.

Kuala Lumpur

You'll most likely fly into Kuala Lumpur when traveling to Malaysia, so this one's a no-brainer. But unlike some other big cities in Asia where travelers arrive and get out of town as soon as possible, Kuala Lumpur is a worthwhile destination of its own.

The mix of Malay, Chinese, and Indian influence means you'll have no shortage of culinary exploits in Malaysia's capital city . The cultural diversity is a big part of Kuala Lumpur's allure. Take a short walk or jump on the extensive train network and you can see the delights of numerous cultures.

Kuala Lumpur has no shortage of unique neighborhoods to explore . Interesting sights such as the Petronas Towers , the Perdana Botanical Garden, and the Menara KL Tower provide plenty of enjoyable distractions before you head farther afield in Malaysia.

TripSavvy / Jess Macdonald

Malaysians are proud of their big island on the west coast — and they should be! The colonial city of Georgetown was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has plenty to offer in the way of museums, a seaside fort, historic homes, and most importantly, a famous street-food scene.

Numerous artists have left their marks in the form of murals along the streets of Georgetown. Cafes, shops, and things to do can be found dotted throughout.

Penang is considered one of the best places in Southeast Asia to sample delicious street food of all types. The waterfront esplanade known as Gurney Drive in Penang is lined with stalls and eateries for trying local Malay, Chinese, and Indian treats , among others.

The Perhentian Islands

Backpackers and budget travelers love Malaysia's Perhentian Islands , especially Perhentian Kecil — the smaller of the two islands — where fine sand and excellent snorkeling/diving fill the day before parties start at night.

Nearby Perhentian Besar — the big island — caters more to families, couples, and travelers who are willing to spend more to enjoy the blue water and skip some of the partying. Regardless of the island you choose, getting to the Perhentians requires taking a speedboat. There are a few challenges for setting up shop on the islands .

The Perhentian Islands are very seasonal . Accommodation can be difficult to find on Perhentian Kecil in July, the peak month, but the islands are mostly empty during the winter months due to rain and stormy seas.

Malaysian Borneo

The option to exchange dirty concrete for green rainforests and abundant wildlife is only a cheap, quick flight away ! Visitors to Malaysia often stick to the mainland and forget about the natural wonders on earth's third-largest island only a short hop away.

The Malaysian part of Borneo is divided into two states: Sarawak in the south and Sabah in the north. Both have different vibes and charms . The Rainforest World Music Festival held outside of Kuching each summer is one of the most exciting music-and-culture events in Southeast Asia.

From endangered orangutans to rainforest canopy walks and some of the best diving in the world, Malaysian Borneo should definitely be a part of any trip to Malaysia.

Spelled locally as "Melaka," Malaysia's Peranakan city of Malacca is a worthwhile stop for cultural, historical, and colonial sites . UNESCO even declared Malacca a World Heritage Site in 2008.

Visitors are rarely disappointed by the old town in Malacca. If nothing else, the relaxed vibe is pleasant enough to keep people around for a few days. The close proximity to Kuala Lumpur makes getting there by bus easy. Train isn't an option in Malacca.

Tip: Many shops and museums close in Malacca on Tuesdays — plan your visit accordingly!

Taman Negara

Westend61 / Getty Images

Taman Negara literally means "national park" in Malay, and well, that's what it is! Taman Negara is Malaysia's oldest national park and is considered to be one of the world's oldest tropical rainforests. A long canopy walkway gives visitors a chance to see life high in the trees that normally isn't visible from the ground.

You can enjoy waterfalls and beautiful trekking, bird spotting, rafting, fishing, night safaris, and there's even a chance to see wild elephants — if you're very lucky. Tourists sleep across the river in Kuala Tahan and then take cheap boats to the park entrance.

Some serious guided trekking is available in Taman Negara as is caving.

Cameron Highlands

Malaysia's green Cameron Highlands are one of the few places in Southeast Asia where you'll actually want a jacket or warm blanket at night. After sweating across tropical climates, you may appreciate the change of climate.

The Cameron Highlands are like nowhere else in Malaysia. You'll see plenty of lush scenery, tour beautiful tea plantations, and enjoy access to decent hiking trails that weave through plantations and around volcanoes.

Strawberry farms, butterfly gardens, and flower greenhouses are all enjoyable distractions to be found in the Cameron Highlands. The climate provides good conditions for growing fresh vegetables and producing delicious local honey.

Tioman Island

Located on Malaysia's east coast not too far from Singapore, Tioman Island is a different kind of island destination . Accommodation and excellent diving are surprisingly inexpensive; development is relatively minimal for such a nice island. Abundant nature and scenery make up for the island's severe shortcomings in the culinary department.

Tioman is carved into many different beaches; you'll have to choose when arriving by boat. Some beaches are secluded and surrounded by jungle. ABC Beach is arguably the most popular beach, particularly for budget travelers. Moving between beaches by boat is the regular option, unless you're up for a jungle hike through the interior.

Tioman Island enjoys duty-free status just as Langkawi does, but don't even consider taking your tax-free liquor across the border into Singapore !

simonlong / Getty Images

Located off the northwest corner of Malaysia, Pulau Langkawi is one of the top island destinations in Malaysia for both foreign tourists and Malaysians.

With an airport and ferries connecting it to the mainland, as well as a large tourist infrastructure, Langkawi could unfairly be called Malaysia's version of Phuket, the busiest island in Thailand.

Langkawi has many tourist attractions on offer such as Malaysia's largest indoor aquarium, a cable car, and the Sky bridge that allows views across the island. Unfortunately, the drone of jet skis cause the busiest beaches to be less serene. Duty-free status means that beer is sometimes barely more expensive than bottled water!

Flights from Kuala Lumpur to Langkawi can be found for as cheap as US $20! Getting to the island is fast and inexpensive .

Selangor actually describes Malaysia's most developed and populated state that leads up to Kuala Lumpur's urban sprawl. Here you'll find a Formula One racetrack, the National Zoo of Malaysia, and enormous theme parks including an indoor snow park.

Selangor is busy and booming; shopping malls sprawl in many directions. When you can't possibly shop anymore, head to the nearby Genting Highlands — Malaysia's version of Vegas perched on top of a mountain. The First World Hotel and Plaza is the world's largest hotel with 10,500 rooms and a theme park.

But Selangor isn't just about concrete and glowing signs: The famous Batu Caves there are a Hindu shrine with the largest statue of Lord Murugan (the god of war) in the world. The Batu Caves draw large crowds, especially during the Thaipusam holiday .

When you're ready to be wooed by nature, the abundance of fireflies along the river in Kuala Selangor is a dazzling spectacle worth seeing!

Top Islands in Southeast Asia

The Best Time to Visit Malaysia

The Top 12 Things to Do in Malaysia

Taman Negara in Malaysia: The Complete Guide

Weather in Malaysia: Climate, Seasons, and Average Monthly Temperature

Where Is Kuala Lumpur?

Your Trip to Malaysia: The Complete Guide

July in Asia: Weather, What to Pack, and What to See

Malaysia's Perhentian Islands: Pocket Paradise

Southeast Asia Countries to Travel

Langkawi, Malaysia Travel Guide

How to Find Cheap Flights to Borneo

The Banana Pancake Trail

Top 10 Tourist Destinations in Asia

June in Asia: Weather, What to Pack, and What to See

Important Tips for Malaysia's Perhentian Islands

Dive Into Malaysia

The Ultimate Malaysia Itinerary For The Ultimate Trip✅ 5 Days To 2 Weeks+ [2024]

Looking for the perfect Malaysia itinerary for your perfect vacation in Malaysia?

You are in the right place!

Between living in Malaysia and now travelling to Malaysia a couple of times a year, I have been to most corners of this awesome country. There are fabulous beaches, a bustling capital, an interesting history, some of the best food in world and so much more!

In fact, there are so many great options for where to travel in Malaysia that this can cause problems when it comes time to plan your Malaysia travel itinerary.

With limited time, where should you go?

I can help you answer this! Below, you will find my detailed Malaysia tour itinerary. It is perfect whether you are looking for a Malaysia 5 day itinerary, a Malaysia 7 day itinerary, a Malaysia 10 day itinerary, a 2 week Malaysia itinerary or anything in between!

This article will work whether you are looking for a backpacking Malaysia itinerary or a luxury travel itinerary – you can easily adapt it to your needs. I start by walking through a Malaysia 7 days itinerary and then give you suggestions for slightly more or less time. I then extend this into a 10 day itinerary and a 2 weeks in Malaysia itinerary before giving suggestions for longer periods.

So if you are lucky enough to have two weeks to explore Malaysia, keep reading through all the itinerary suggestions below!

If you have just 2 – 4 days in Malaysia then click here for all our 2 – 4 day Malaysia itineraries.

Travelling to Malaysia? Click here to download your free Malaysia Trip Planning checklist . We’ll help you get ready for your trip!  

Planning a trip to Malaysia? Have any questions? Join our Malaysia Travel Planning Facebook group here now! It’s the perfect place to ask any questions and to be inspired!

Malaysia Trip Planner

Before I dive into my Malaysia trip itinerary, I want to point out that if you are currently planning your whole Malaysia trip and wondering about flights, how to get around, how to book accommodation, what time of year you should go, etc etc then I highly recommend you read my detailed guide here to how to plan a trip to Malaysia.

It steps you through everything else you need to think about in addition to the itinerary for Malaysia trip below. In this article here, I’m strictly talking about the best Malaysia tour plan.

If you prefer to listen than read, you can also find a great Malaysia itinerary for 1- 2 weeks in my podcast here.

Malaysia Itinerary: 7 Days

The following 1 week Malaysia itinerary is exactly what you should do if you have that long. If you are looking for a longer or shorter itinerary, I’ll tell you what edits to make below.

A week is a great length of time to explore two of the best parts of Malaysia – the beaches and island scenery, along with the dynamic capital, Kuala Lumpur. These are the best vacation spots in Malaysia. The highlights of this Malaysia itinerary 1 week:

• Discover the best of Kuala Lumpur
• Visit the tallest twin towers in the world, the Petronas Twin Towers
• Learn the history of Malaysia
• Enjoy the best Indian, Chinese and Malay food in Kuala Lumpur
• Explore some of the most beautiful coastline in Malaysia
• Relax at the best beaches

You’ll spend three nights in Kuala Lumpur and four nights in Langkawi.

This would also work great as a Malaysia honeymoon itinerary, staying in the luxury choices noted below.

It’s also great for a family. Depending on your kids’ ages and interests, you may just want to cut down the itinerary a little and add some chill out pool or beach time to make it a bit easier.

Day 1 Kuala Lumpur

Three days in Kuala Lumpur is a great amount of time to get a good taste of this city in this Malaysia 1 week itinerary.

On arrival at the airport, book a transfer , catch a taxi or the express train into Kuala Lumpur so you aren’t wasting any time.

The itinerary below is based on my detailed 3 day itinerary for Kuala Lumpur here. Click here to get more detailed information or see an overview below. It assumes you hit the ground running and have three full days in Kuala Lumpur. If you don’t, edit out the attractions that seem least interesting to you.

• Start the day at Merdeka (independence) Square where the Malaysian flag was raised for the first time
• Take a look at the nearby Jamek Mosque
• Enjoy lunch at Brickfields, KL’s Little India. Take a stroll and soak it all in
• Visit the Skybridge at the famous Petronas Twin Towers. I recommend you buy tickets in advance
• Wander through KLCC Park
• Have sunset cocktails at SkyBar and enjoy unmatched views of Petronas
• Watch the Symphony Fountain Light Show at KLCC Park

Day 2 Explore Kuala Lumpur’s Variety

Today, you get to enjoy a great mixture of attractions which will show you why Kuala Lumpur is such a great place to visit. Starting at the famous Batu Caves, you’ll also be surrounded by rainforest, enjoy great views of KL and shop at modern shopping centres. Finish the day eating great food and hitting up the infamous drinking street.

• Start the day at the enigmatic Batu Caves. Walk to the top of the coloured stairs, check out the temples and look back over KL
• Visit the tropical rainforest in the heart of KL at KL Forest Eco Park
• Get high in KL at the KL Tower for fabulous views
• Shop in Bukit Bintang
• Eat fabulous food at Jalan Alor Food Street
• Have a drink at Changkat Bukit Bintang Street

Day 3 Kuala Lumpur’s Museums, Islam And Food

Today is a great mixture of enjoying how beautiful Kuala Lumpur can be combined with learning more about its history and Islam. Finish the day with an amazing food tour through Chinatown.

• Start the day at the beautiful KL Bird Park . Enjoy both the birds and the gardens
• Visit the impressive National Mosque
• Learn at the Islamic Arts Museum
• Discover Malaysia’s history at the National Museum
• Enjoy an amazing food tour through KL’s Chinatown. Find it here

Where To Stay In Kuala Lumpur

Here are our best options for each budget. Pick the one that corresponds to yours.

LUXURY – Traders Hotel Kuala Lumpur

For awesome views of the Petronas Twin Towers in a central spot with direct access to KLCC Park, you can’t go wrong at the Traders Hotel. There are a range of room types with huge windows for great views. You can also choose to stay in a room with Club Lounge access where you get special food and drinks.

There are also many other facilities including the Sky Bar which forms part of your Kuala Lumpur itinerary for excellent sunset views of the Towers. There is an indoor swimming pool, gym and day spa all for a very affordable price.

Click here for the latest prices or here to read my full review.

MID RANGE – Berjaya Times Square Hotel

The Berjaya Times Square Hotel has one of our favourite locations for a hotel in Kuala Lumpur thanks to being directly above the huge Berjaya Times Square shopping centre. This means easy access to hundreds of shops, restaurants and even a big indoor theme park.

It’s also home to one of the biggest swimming pools I have seen in a city hotel and many other facilities. Room types vary and include apartment-style rooms making this an extra good choice for families or groups. Prices are excellent and we have stayed here many times.

Click here for the latest prices or read our full review here .

BUDGET – Hotel Olympic

For bargain seekers, the Hotel Olympic is a solid choice central to many of Kuala Lumpur’s attractions. It is moments away from the new Merdeka 118 and two metro stations. It is also just a short walk from KL’s fabulous Chinatown.

Rooms are all air-conditioned (you will need it!) with private bathrooms and TVs. They also have a kettle and free wifi. Rooms range from double/twin to quad configuration. There are also suite options including a fabulous junior suite for families with a double bed and super cool bunk beds (built to look like a house) with a slide.

It’s also colourful and modern with a restaurant and convenience store on-site.

Click here for the latest prices.

If you would like something cheaper and don’t mind staying in a room without a window, also consider the Big M Hotel here . This is also conveniently located in Chinatown.

If you would like more options, read our full guide to the best accommodation in Kuala Lumpur for all budgets here.

Day 4 Fly To Langkawi

Today, you take the short flight to Langkawi leaving the bright lights of Kuala Lumpur behind. You can read more about travelling from KL to Langkawi here.

Langkawi is a beautiful tropical island off the north west coast of Malaysia near the border with Thailand. It has stunning scenery, great beaches and many fun attractions and activities. Many of Malaysia’s best resorts are located here and some time in Langkawi is the perfect accompaniment to Kuala Lumpur in a Malaysia one week itinerary.

• Take a flight to Langkawi in the morning. Find the best prices here
• On arrival in Langkawi, take a taxi to your hotel or book a transfer here to make things extra easy
• Enjoy the afternoon at your hotel or at the beach
• In the early evening, head to Pantai Cenang for sunset drinks and dinner. Yellow Cafe is a good place for sunset drinks
• If you want to party tonight, this is the area to be

Day 5 Explore Langkawi

Today, you are going to explore the island of Langkawi. Hire a car or taxi for the day and get going!

• There are many attractions in Langkawi but they can be quite spread out. I recommend you go through this list and pick out your favourite
• I particularly recommend the zipline adventure and the kayaking Mangrove tour. Ignore any cruising and the SkyCab as they are coming up next!
• In the evening, head to one of Langkawi’s night markets. They change location every night of the week. See the schedule here

Day 6  Langkawi Nature

Langkawi is famous for its gorgeous natural attractions and today you will explore them.

• In the morning, head to Langkawi SkyCab and SkyBridge for some of the most beautiful scenery in Malaysia
• In the afternoon, if you are staying at a luxurious resort, it’s time to enjoy it! Relax and enjoy what it offers. Otherwise, head to Pantai Tengah for a beautiful beach with services but without the huge crowds

Day 7 Langkawi Cruising

For your final day in your one week Malaysia itinerary, it’s time to enjoy Langkawi from the sea! This is the most beautiful and enjoyable way to explore this part of the world.

• Explore the Langkawi archipelago on a half day Langkawi Island Hopping adventure. These tours include beaches, optional snorkelling and eagle watching. Click here to book a good one now or read our full guide to Langkawi island hopping tours here
• Relax in the afternoon or go shopping at Cenang Mall and Zon Shopping Paradise in Pantai Cenang
• Finish your final day in Langkawi with a stunning sunset cruise. Click here to book now

You can read more details on all of the activities mentioned in Langkawi here.

Where To Stay In Langkawi

Luxury – the datai langkawi review.

This 5-star resort is a luxurious favourite. Not only is it located in a beautiful setting between the rainforest and a private beach, but it has all the facilities of a top resort. It’s perfect for nature lovers who want luxury.

There are three pools (one for adults, one for families and one for toddlers), water sports, a health club and many nature activities both for children and adults. There are many room types, but the downside is that it is removed from most attractions so factor in lots of taxi rides if you want to explore the island.

The Datai also has four restaurants and two shops. Rates include breakfast and minibar and the villas also have a private butler service.

Click here for the latest prices .

MID RANGE – Camar Resort

If you like being close to the action, this beachfront hotel in Pantai Tengah is close to the main area of Pantai Cenang. In addition to the beach, there is a huge pool, gym and on-site restaurant.

There is a huge range of room types including private villas and family suites. It’s very good value given the location.

BUDGET – Adya Hotel

The Adya Hotel Langkawi is a great choice for bargain hunters who love being in a central spot (it’s located in the main town, Kuah) but don’t mind being away from the beach. The Adya Hotel has a shopping centre next door and has two swimming pools (one is ladies only). It also has a gym and restaurant.

With all of this and solid room standards with air-conditioning, private bathrooms and flatscreen TVs, this is a great mid-range hotel at a budget price tag.

You can find more options for where to stay in Langkawi here .

Final Notes

Instead of a 7 days Malaysia itinerary, you could turn this into a Malaysia 6 days itinerary by removing one day in Langkawi. Pick which day least appeals and remove it. Or, if you prefer to be active on trips, you could remove the relaxing on day 6 in the afternoon and do the day 7 activities then.

If you are looking for a Malaysia itinerary 8 days, you have two choices. Pick whether you would like more time in Kuala Lumpur or Langkawi and add a day to that destination and then simply do less each day in that destination to spread it across an extra day.

If you would prefer to see an extra destination in Malaysia instead, I recommend spending an extra night in Kuala Lumpur and doing this day tour to Melaka . Melaka is an interesting place quite different to Kuala Lumpur and Langkawi and you are sure to enjoy it.

You can also get to Melaka very easily by booking our taxi service here.

Malaysia Itinerary: 5 Days

If you are looking for a Malaysia 5 days itinerary, I recommend you don’t go to Langkawi. You still can if you don’t mind moving fast but with just a couple of nights, I would focus on Kuala Lumpur and its surrounding area instead.

So for a 5 days trip to Malaysia, I recommend doing days 1 – 3 above. Day 4, I recommend you visit Batu Caves and follow the bonus 4 day mentioned here. Then on day 5, head to Melaka on a day trip. You can book that here.

If you are looking for a Malaysia itinerary 6 days and aren’t much of a beach person, you could also follow this 5 day Malaysia itinerary and spend an extra day returning to whatever you loved most in Kuala Lumpur.

Looking for the ultimate Malaysia Itinerary Planner for your trip? Click here to get it now!

Malaysia Itinerary: 10 Days

The following 10 days in Malaysia itinerary is exactly what you should do with a week and a half.

This timeframe is perfect to really get a good introduction to Malaysia by adding two more of the best tourist destinations in Malaysia to the one week itinerary. You don’t just get to see the capital and beaches but also UNESO-listed George Town and get to eat some of the best food in the world. The highlights of this Malaysia holiday itinerary are:

• Enjoy the best Indian, Chinese and Malay food in KL
• Eat the best food in Ipoh and Penang
• Explore the historic centres of Ipoh and George Town
• Enjoy the most beautiful coastline in Malaysia

Let’s start this Malaysia vacation guide!

Days 1 – 3 Kuala Lumpur

Follow the 3-day Malaysia city tour itinerary for Kuala Lumpur above.

Day 4 Explore Ipoh

Today, you leave Kuala Lumpur for the pretty city of Ipoh just over three hours bus journey north-west of Kuala Lumpur. Ipoh has a gorgeous Old Town area with fun street art, beautiful surrounding scenery and is known for having some of the best food in the country. You are sure to love your quick stopover!

• Take a morning bus to Ipoh ( book it here ) or take an easy taxi transfer ( book it here )
• Take a taxi to your hotel and drop off your bags
• Have one of Ipoh’s famous white coffees and egg tarts at Nam Heong White Coffee Shop .
• Spend the afternoon walking around the Old Town following the Ipoh Heritage Trail. You can download the map and more information on the sights here
• Take your time and keep a look out for Ipoh’s famous street art and gorgeous laneways
• Have dinner at the Tong Sui Kai Hawker Centre and try as many dishes as you can. Ipoh’s specialty dishes, like Ipoh laksa, ayam garam (salted chicken) or any of Ipoh’s special noodle dishes like Gai Si Hor Fun (shredded chicken noodles) or Chee Chong Fun, are especially recommended

Want the Easiest (and BEST) Way to travel around Malaysia?

We can book a taxi for you between anywhere in peninsular Malaysia. Travel straight from one hotel to your next without any fuss or sweat.

You can pick your own departure time, relax and know everything will go to plan.

Click here for prices and online booking.

Where To Stay In Ipoh

Regalodge is a solid mid range hotel option not far from the Old Town of Ipoh. There’s a restaurant and day spa, and the service is great.

There are a variety of room types from standard double hotel rooms to family suites. They are all a good standard with air-conditioning, private bathrooms and flatscreen TVs. It’s an amazing price for this standard of hotel.

You can find more options for where to stay in Ipoh here .

Day 5 Temples And Beaches

Today, you finish exploring Ipoh by visiting the surrounding temples and then take a bus on to Penang.

• Grab a taxi to visit a couple of Ipoh’s cave temples at Sam Poh Tong Temple and Kek Lok Ton Temple. Make sure you cover your shoulders and knees and wear sturdy footwear
• Eat a quick lunch before catching a bus or private taxi to Penang. This journey takes just over two hours and you can book a ticket here for the bus or make it super easy and book your private taxi here.

Penang island is one of the most popular Malaysia vacation destinations off the west coast of Malaysia. It has long served as a link between Asia’s two halves and, as such, has a more diverse culture. Its capital, George Town, has a UNESCO World Heritage listed centre. Penang isn’t just about tourist cities in Malaysia though. There are beaches, mountainous jungle and the best food in Malaysia.

• Drop your bags at your hotel before heading to Batu Ferringhi, the popular beach area. If you like water sports, go parasailing. Otherwise, relax with a drink on the beach at the Bora Bora by Sunset bar
• Eat dinner at Long Beach Kafe. This hawker centre has many delicious food choices
• Visit the surrounding night market

Day 6 Explore Penang

Today, you are exploring Penang particularly its UNESO-listed centre.

• Head to the funicular tram for a ride up Penang Hill for great views. Read more about Penang Hill here
• Visit nearby Kek Lok Si Temple, the largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia. Consider doing this morning tour to make it easy and to learn more. Otherwise, take taxis
• Have lunch in Little India in George Town
• While in George Town, visit Peranakan Mansion and learn about Penang’s original people. Then head to Fort Cornwallis and the museum at Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion. I recommend you walk around if the heat will allow it so you can take everything in and to keep a look out for Penang’s famous street art
• Consider taking this amazing food tour of George Town which starts around 4pm. You’ll see more of George Town and really get to enjoy and know the food. You can see my full review of this tour here (including what we ate)
• Otherwise, walk via Love Lane to Kapitan Keeling Mosque. You need to dress modestly to enter, and there are gowns on site you can borrow (if you do the food tour, you’lll visit all these places on the tour)
• Stroll down Armenian Street, once the home of Chinese clan-houses and secret societies. Today it has been gentrified and is home to many shops and cafes. This is also where you will find the famous “kids on a bicycle” mural
• You could also do this sightseeing tour instead to make things easier
• For dinner, head to another hawker centre. Some good options are New Lane Hawker Centre, Gurney Drive Hawker Centre and Sri Weld Food Court – pick whichever is most convenient for you.

Where To Stay In Penang

Luxury – shangri-la’s rasa sayang resort and spa.

The 5-star Rasa Sayang is set in a beautiful spot by one end of the beach in Batu Ferringhi. It’s only a short walk from the action of Batu Ferringhi where you can relax and feel a world away while lounging by the pool or in its spacious gardens. There are countless facilities here including multiple pools, restaurants, gym, kids club and golf course.

There are a variety of room types from doubles to family rooms. For a treat, book a room in the Rasa Wing which includes special benefits such as breakfast, afternoon tea, cocktails and pre-dinner canapes.

MID RANGE – Bayview Hotel George Town

This business style hotel is in a great location in George Town. It offers a pool, gym and a 360 degree revolving restaurant!

You will find a variety of room types including family options and suites for extra space.

This is all at a great value price given the location.

BUDGET – Chulia Heritage Hotel

If you are on a Malaysia backpacking itinerary. you will appreciate this budget friendly option in a central part of George Town. This is a simple hotel with bicycles available but without extra facilities and services.

Despite the low price tag, all rooms are a good standard with air-conditioning, flatscreen TVs and tea and coffee making facilities. Depending on your budget, you can pick a private or shared bathroom. There are family room options as well as regular twins and doubles.

You can find more great places to stay in Penang here.

Day 7 Head To Langkawi

This morning, it’s time to leave Malaysia’s cities behind for one of the best holiday spots in Malaysia, Langkawi.

I recommend you fly between the two places as travelling overland is a lot more mucking around. You can read about your transport options here.

If you fly, you can book a transfer here to your hotel.

• Travel to Langkawi in the morning
• In the afternoon, take it easy in your resort or on the beach at Pantai Cenang
• In the evening, head to Pantai Cenang for sunset drinks and dinner. Yellow Cafe is a good place to sit for sunset drinks.
• If you want to party tonight, Pantai Cenang is the place to be

Days 8 – 10 Enjoy Langkawi

Follow days 5-7 in the 7-day itinerary above.

Malaysia Itinerary: 2 Weeks

When designing a Malaysia 2 week itinerary, I recommend basing it on the 10 day itinerary above but with extra time everywhere and visiting Melaka on a day trip. Read through the 10-day itinerary before going through the Malaysia two week itinerary as it is more detailed.

Below, I quickly share this Malaysia 2 weeks itinerary.

Days 1 – 5 Kuala Lumpur

Follow the 3-day Kuala Lumpur itinerary above for the first three days.

On day 4, pick one of the bonus 4th day activities you can find this in this Kuala Lumpur itinerary . This includes visiting either the Genting Highlands , Putrajaya or Sunway Lagoon for theme park fun.

On day 5, do a day trip to Melaka .

Day 6 Travel to Ipoh

Take it easy in the morning returning to any favourite spots in Kuala Lumpur. After lunch, take a bus to Ipoh ( book it here ) or treat yourself to an affordable private taxi ( book here ) to save some time. After checking in, enjoy a quick wander in the Old Town before dinner.

Day 7 Exploring Ipoh

Ipoh has a gorgeous Old Town area with fun street art, beautiful surrounding scenery and is known for having some of the best food in the country. Today, you explore the best it has to offer.

• Start the day with one one of Ipoh’s famous white coffees and egg tarts at Nam Heong White Coffee Shop
• Spend the morning walking around the Old Town following the Ipoh Heritage Trail. You can download the map and more information on the sights here
• In the afternoon, grab a taxi to visit a couple of Ipoh’s cave temples at Sam Poh Tong Temple and Kek Lok Ton Temple. Cover your shoulders and knees and wear sturdy footwear

Day 8 Penang’s Beaches

Today, it’s time to move on to the awesome island of Penang!

• Catch a bus to Penang. This journey takes just over two hours and you can book a ticket here . Alternatively, a taxi from Ipoh is very affordable and is faster and easier. Book it here.
• Drop your bags at your hotel before heading to Batu Ferringhi, the popular beach area. If you like water sports, go parasailing or you can try a banana boat ride
• Late afternoon, relax with a drink on the beach at the Bora Bora by Sunset bar

Day 9 Explore Penang

Follow day 6 of the 10 day itinerary above.

Days 10 – 13 Enjoy Langkawi

Follow days 7-10 of the 10 day itinerary above.

Day 14 Final Day

For your final day in this Malaysia itinerary 14 days, repeat anything you have loved in Langkawi so far, relax at your resort or visit some more places in this list of best things to do in Langkawi.

Malaysia Itinerary: 3 Weeks+

With three plus weeks in Malaysia, you have plenty of time to add in another region of Malaysia.

I recommend you follow the two week Malaysia itinerary above or you could follow the 10 day one instead if you like to move fast and see a lot.

If you are looking for a Malaysia 3 week itinerary, you can then spend the rest of your time following an itinerary east coast Malaysia or head to Borneo to explore a very different part of Malaysia.

If you have 4+ weeks, you could consider doing all of the above!

Here are some suggestions for an east coast Malaysia itinerary and a Borneo Malaysia itinerary for 7 – 10 days.

East Coast Malaysia itinerary: 7+ Days

This itinerary takes you to the best islands and most interesting cities on the east coast.

Day 1: Fly to Kota Bharu . This will take two flights. Click here to find flights. Check in to your hotel and take a walk around the attractions in Kota Bharu.

Days 2 – 3: Leave early for Kuala Besut and then a ferry across to the Perhentian Islands ( read how to do this here ). Stay 2 nights on the Perhentian Islands enjoying what these islands have to offer. This is primarily enjoying the beach, hiking and snorkelling/diving.

Days 4-5: Catch a boat to Redang Island ( see how here ) for more gorgeous Malaysia Island time for the next two nights. Read more about Redang Island here.

Day 6: Take a ferry to Kuala Terengganu. Explore this city

Day 7: Finish exploring Kuala Terengganu and fly back to Kuala Lumpur

With an extra three nights, you could spend longer at the locations above or also head to Cherating Beach and Kuantan and catch a bus or flight back to Kuala Lumpur from here.

A long-distance taxi is a great way to speed up your exploration of the region and is affordable. Find out prices and book here.

If you are trying to work out which east coast island to visit, read our guide here to whether Perhentian Islands, Redang Island or Tioman is best!

Borneo Malaysia Itinerary: 7+ Days

This Malaysia trip guide takes you to the best of the state of Sabah. Another alternative would be to spend a whole week in Kuching doing day trips to the jungle and surrounding attractions.

Day 1: Fly to Kota Kinabalu. This will take two flights from Langkawi. Click here to find flights.

Day 2: Explore Kota Kinabalu. Consider visiting Gaya Island or the surrounding islands or the Mari Mari Cultural Village. Read our guide to Kota Kinabalu here.

Day 3:  Climb Mt Kinabalu or take the easy option and enjoy Mount Kinabalu from some hot springs on this tour.

Day 4: Catch a bus or fly to Sandakan. Arrive as early as possible as there are some great things to do here. Explore the amazing wildlife attractions around this city. Head to the famous Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary and the Sandakan Rainforest Discovery Centre if you can fit it in. (You will have to push this to day 5 if you climb the mountain.)

Day 5: Visit Turtle Island for an amazing overnight experience getting to enjoy a tropical island then viewing a female turtle laying her eggs and other turtle related activities. More information here.

Day 6: Arrive back in Sandakan and take an overnight tour to explore the awesome wildlife at Kinabatangan River . Read more here

Day 7: Return to Sandakan and fly back to Kuala Lumpur

With an extra three nights, you could spend longer at the locations above or fly onto Miri and explore Gunung Mulu National Park.

I hope with these suggestions, you can make the best 3 week itinerary Malaysia for you!

Map Of Malaysia Travel Itinerary

The following map shows the 10 day and the 2 week trip for Malaysia. The one week trip is a simplified version of this with Langkawi and Kuala Lumpur.

Click here to download your free Malaysia Trip Planning checklist . We’ll help you get ready for your trip!  

Have any questions?  Join our Malaysia Travel Planning Facebook group here now!  It’s the perfect place to ask any questions and to be inspired!

I hope this has helped you create your best itinerary Malaysia! To help you plan your whole trip, click here for our ultimate guide or find all our planning guides here . If you plan to visit Singapore as well, find our best Singapore and Malaysia itineraries here . You can also find our best road trip itineraries here .

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By Sharon Gourlay

Sharon is a certified Malaysia travel expert and can't get enough of travelling and talking about Malaysia since she first visited 21 years ago. She travels around Malaysia multiple times a year both alone and with her kids. She used to call Penang home and especially loves this food paradise. Sharon also has a Bachelor of Arts in Asian Studies, a Certificate III in International Travel Sales and has been certified by Tourism Malaysia as a Malaysia Travel Expert. Through this site, she'll help you have the perfect trip to this amazing destination.

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Malaysia Travel Guide 2023: Everything You Need to Know When Travelling to Malaysia

Filled with a blend of Malays, Chinese, Indians and indigenous groups, Malaysia boasts a rich cultural heritage, ranging from a plethora of annual festivals and scrumptious cuisines, to traditional architecture and rural crafts. Malaysia has plenty of alluring natural beauty to take in too, this includes pristine beaches and some of the world’s oldest tropical rainforests, many of which are accessible to tourists. Malaysia’s national parks are top-rate for trekking and wildlife-watching, and sometimes for cave exploration and river rafting.

Being part of the Malay archipelago, which stretches from Indonesia and all the way to the Philippines, Malaysia has become a vital port of call on the trade route between the early world’s two greatest markets—India and China.

As a matter of fact, Malaysia has only existed since 1963, when the federation of the eleven Peninsula states was joined by Singapore and two Bornean territories of Sarawak and Sabah. In 1965, Singapore left the union to become an independent country.

In the present day, the dominant cultural force in the country is Islam, a religion adopted by the Malays in the fourteenth century. Besides, there are also significant Buddhist, Christian and Hindu minorities who often provide surprising juxtapositions of mosques, temples, churches and quills.

Plus, the colour and verve of Chinese temples and street fairs, Indian festivals and everyday life in Malay villages, as well as the indigenous traditions of Borneo, it’s easy to see why foreign tourists are exceptionally drawn into this melting pot.

Table of Contents

Facts About Malaysia You May or May Not Know 

• Home to 33.41 million inhabitants (as of January 9, 2023), Malaysia is divided into two distinct regions. Peninsular Malaysia, where the capital, Kuala Lumpur, is situated, is separated by over 600 km of the South China Sea from East Malaysia, comprising the states of Sarawak and Sabah on the very island of Borneo. Both regions are essentially one sea apart from each other.
• Malaysia is a British-style parliamentary democracy, consisting of a ceremonial head of state known as the Yang di-Pertuan Agung (the post will rotate amongst the sultans from each state of the federation).
• Rafflesia, or the world’s largest flower, is a Malaysian rainforest plant that measures a metre across and smells of rotten meat. It’s named after the naturalist and founder of Singapore, Sir Stamford Raffles.
• Historically dominated by agriculture and mining, Malaysia’s economy now features a healthy manufacturing sector.

Where to Go in Malaysia

A. kuala lumpur.

Malaysia’s capital city, Kuala Lumpur (locally referred to as KL), is the social and economic driving force of a nation eager for its own betterment, a fact apparent in the relentless proliferation of air-conditioned shopping malls, top-rated bars and restaurants in the city, and in the continuing sprawl of suburbia and industry surrounding it. However, KL is also strongly rooted in tradition, whereby the same Malay executives who go to work in traditional clothing at festival times, and roadside food stalls and markets are surrounded by high-rise hotels, bank towers and skyscrapers, especially in older towns such as Chinatown and Little India.

Only a couple of hours’ drive south of the capital spots the birthplace of Malay civilization, Malacca, whose astonishing historical architecture and vibrant atmosphere make it a must on anybody’s travel itinerary.

Much further up the west coast lies the island of Penang—the site of the first British settlement in Malaysia. Georgetown, its capital, still features beautifully preserved and restored colonial buildings and a mellow Chinatown district, and is, along with Melaka, recognised for its cultural and architectural diversity as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

d. Cameron Highlands

If you want a taste of Old England, head for the hill stations of Cameron Highlands where cooler temperatures and lush countryside provide endless opportunities for walks, birdwatching, golfing and sipping on cream teas.

e. Alor Star

North of Penang, Malay traditions hold sway at Alor Star, the last major town before the Thai border. This far north, the prime tourist destination is Pulau Langkawi, an island with international-calibre resorts and picturesque beaches. Here are 10 reasons why you need to visit Langkawi .

f. The East Coast

The Peninsula’s east coast is rather rural and serene, filled with rustic villages and astounding islands such as Pulau Perhentian and Pulau Tioman, a hotspot for backpackers and tourists alike. The state capitals of Kota Bharu, close to the northeastern Thai border, and Kuala Terengganu, further south, highlight Malay traditions at its finest, featuring craft production and performing arts.

g. Taman Negara

Traversing the Peninsula’s mountainous interior either by land or rail allows you to enjoy the magnificent tropical rainforests of Taman Negara. The national park’s 4000 square kilometres are interesting enough to keep you occupied for days: trails, animal-watching, aerial forest-canopy walkways, limestone caves, waterfalls, and so on and so forth. Here you will be welcomed by the Orang Asli, the Peninsula’s indigenous peoples, a few of whom still cling to a semi-nomadic lifestyle within the park.

h. Sarawak and Sabah

Across the sea from the Peninsula is where the east Malaysian states of Sarawak and Sabah are situated. The first taste of Sarawak comes at Kuching, the old colonial capital, and then the Iban longhouses of the Batang Ai river system. Much further north on the Ranjang River, Sibu acts as the starting point for trips to the less touristy Iban, Kayan and Kenyah longhouses. In the north, Gunung Mulu National Park is the main destination; many frequent here to climb up to view its extraordinary limestone Pinnacles, though spectacular caves also burrow into the park’s mountains. More remote is the Kelabit Highlands, further east, where the mountain air is refreshing and with endless opportunities to trek.

The reason why you should add Sabah in your itinerary is that you can conquer the 4095m granite peak of Mount Kinabalu, set in its own national park, though the vibrant modern capital Kota Kinabalu and its pristine offshore islands, Gaya and Manukan, have their unique appeals, too. On top of this, Sabah is worth visiting for its exhaustive wildlife: turtles, orang-utans, proboscis monkeys and hornbills are only a few of the exotic inhabitants of the jungle and bountiful islands. The far east at Pulau Sipadan is full of marine attractions, featuring a host of sharks, other fish and turtles whereas neighbouring Pulau Mabul boasts hip, but often pricey, diving resorts.

Check out things to do in Malaysia for more details.

Outdoor Activities in Malaysia that’ll Keep You Entertained for Days

Boasting some of the world’s oldest tropical rainforests, beaches and islands, trekking, snorkelling and scuba diving have since become common pursuits in Malaysia. You can find plenty of established resorts on the island of Penang, Tioman, and Langkawi who offer jet skiing and parasailing, making them a hot spot for nature lovers.

Langkawi’s private day resort—Paradise 101 offers bountiful water sport activities at competitive rates, including but not limited to jet skiing, parasailing, banana boat, aqua park, kayaking, together with other adrenaline-rushing outdoor activities such as zip lining across the mighty jungle and grooving beneath the gleaming stars at their OMG Bar. Bid a temporary fond adieu to the hustle and bustle of urban life, and take one step closer to nature as you indulge in Paradise 101’s all-inclusive Langkawi tour packages.

Book Your Experience Today!

a. Snorkelling, diving and windsurfing

The crystal-clear waters and plentiful tropical, marine life and coral of Malaysia are what make snorkelling and diving a must-do activity, this is especially when you’re an underwater enthusiast. You can experience this in Sabah’s Sipadan Island Marine reserve and the Peninsula’s east coast, with islands such as the Perhentians, Redang, Kapas and Tioman.

Enrol yourself in diving courses. Sabah’s Kota Kinabalu and Sarawak’s Miri for instance, offer some of the most wholesome internationally recognised certification courses, featuring a beginner’s open-water course (around RM1,300), to the dive-master certificate (RM 2,200). If you’re already a qualified diver, you can proceed to pay RM180 per day for dive trips that include gear rental.

Many beachside guest houses rent snorkelling equipment for about RM20 per day. Some well-known snorkelling spots mark out lanes for motorboats with buoy lines—remember to stay on the correct side of the line to avoid unwanted accidents. Always seek local advice if you’re not sure which river or sea to swim or snorkel. Stay away from corals if you want to avoid irreparable damage such as the armour-piercing spines of sea urchins or a painful encounter with the fire coral.

You can experience windsurfing in Cherating. Its expansive, open bay and shallow water provide near-ideal conditions during the northeast monsoon season.

b. Whitewater Rafting

Whitewater rafting has become a mainstream activity on Sabah’s Sungai Padas which runs through the spectacular Padas Gorge. If you’re planning to raft in Peninsular Malaysia, we recommend that you go with an operator that’ll cost you around RM250, including equipment.

c. Jungle Trekking

If you’ve been dreaming of jungle trekking through the mighty jungles of Malaysia, Taman Negara is probably the best place to begin. The national park boasts an impressive range of walks, many of which can be done without a guide, while Bako National Park in southwest Sarawak offers easy, day-long hikes.

In contrast, if you’re an expert, Gunung Mulu, Sarawak, should offer you sufficient challenges whereas Sabah’s Maliau Basin is a highly demanded trekking destination. The largely inaccessible Endau-Rompin Park in the south of Peninsular Malaysia is exclusively for serious expeditions only. Taking jungle trekking to another level, we have Mount Kinabalu in Sabah—the hike to the top of its mountain is a demanding but a highly rewarding combination of trekking and climbing.

Wildlife in Malaysia

Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo are known for being a paradise for wildlife-enthusiasts, harbouring over 600 types of birds and 200 mammal species—this includes Asian elephants, sun bears, tigers, tapirs, barking deer, gibbons, hornbills as well as pythons. Other wildlife you will stumble upon are the nose-drooping proboscis monkey, orang-utans, white-tip sharks, clown fish and barracuda, not to mention the green and hawksbill turtles, which lay their eggs by night ashore in season.

Malaysia Travel Guide: How to Save Money 

A little typically goes a long way in Malaysia, but it’s still easy to exceed your budget here if you splurge on lavish meals and tours. Here are some money-saving tips you can follow in Malaysia:

• Use Grab – E-hailing service Grab is just like Uber, much often cheaper than taxis, especially if you’re getting a ride from any airports in Malaysia. Just download the app and you’re set to book your cab!
• Eat street food – Street stalls are where you can get a taste of Malaysia’s authentic, local flavours. The best thing about these hawker food and meals is that it’ll only cost you a few bucks.
• Drink moderately – As Islam being Malaysia’s official religion, drinking is basically frowned upon, but pubs and bars are still widely available. To restrict it, the authorities have made drinking very expensive. So if you really want some booze, take it moderately so it doesn’t wreck your budget.
• Travel during off-season – Traveling during the monsoon season (late November to mid-February) is one of the ways to save money on flights and accommodation. With significantly fewer visitors, this also means that everything is cheaper. To stay away from the worst of rains, skip the east coast.
• Escape the city – Many of the popular tourist attractions in Kuala Lumpur are designed for tourists hence the high price points. We highly recommend you to skip the crowds and head to somewhere such as Langkawi, a faraway island where you get to explore clear waters, pearl white sand, and ancient rainforest idyllic in its natural beauty.

How to Get Around Malaysia

Public Transportation – Most cities in Malaysia boast an excellent public transport infrastructure, this is more prominent in Kuala Lumpur where buses, light rail, commuter rail, and monorail are connected to every part of the city. A ride will cost you anywhere from 1 MYR-15 MYR. Should you plan on mostly utilising public transport, we recommend you to pick up a Touch ‘n Go (TnG) card to use on all modes of public transportation, allowing you to save up to 20% per ride.

Bus – Buses are an easy and efficient means of transport that brings you around Malaysia. Expect to pay around 5 MY – 5 MYR per hour for a bus trip. Some of the well-known bus companies include Transnasional. Plusliner, Aeroline, SP Bumi, Mutiara Express, etc.

Train – Mainland Malaysia has 1,849 kilometres (1,149 miles) of rail, with the main line connecting Singapore to Kuala Lumpur, and all the way to Thailand.

There are two various types of service: air conditioned, express trains with three different classes as well as local trains, which are slower than the former. Both are operated by Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM), Malaysia’s national railway service.

Flight – The two leading domestic airlines in Malaysia are Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia. Kuala Lumpur’s two airports (KLIA and KLIA2) receive the most flight traffic, followed by Kota Kinabalu and Penang. There are also several smaller airports around the country as well, such as Langkawi International Airport, Kuantan Sultan Ahmad Shah Airport, and so on and so forth.

Best Time to Visit Malaysia

Malaysia’s two peak seasons occur from the beginning of December to the end of January, and then, from June to mid-September. The first tourist peak season occurs during Lunar New Year. Malaysia’s Chinese population celebrates by taking the week off so your travels could be disrupted if businesses are closed.

Late November to mid-February signifies the arrival of the northeast monsoon, affecting most, if not all of the east coast with heavy rainfall. September and October are considered the wettest months on the west coast, featuring downpours which can sometimes go on for hours. This is most prominent in mountainous areas such as Genting Highlands and Cameron Highlands.

Overall, the best time to visit Malaysia is from March to early November when it’s drier and less humid. To travel Malaysia right after the rainy season is actually a smart idea, as it’s still warm, the countryside embraces lush greenery and expansive waterfalls, and most importantly, tourism isn’t overly busy.

Check out the best time to visit Langkawi here .

In general, temperatures don’t fluctuate much across the country. The daily average is 22-32°C or 73-90°F, while in the hills the temperature stays on an average of 21°C or 67°F. Humidity is high all year round.

Where to Book Your Trip in Malaysia

Paradise 101 – Malaysia boasts 878 beautiful islands that are perfect for an ideal beach holiday, one of them is Langkawi. Paradise 101 offers some of the best outdoor activities there is in Langkawi, ranging from banana boat rides to jet skis, kayaking to parasailing, and so on and so forth. Whether you’re looking for an invigorating day out in the sea, or a tranquil day out by the beach, this private day resort will ensure you a tropical escape that’s second to none.

Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace filled with tours and excursions. They provide a myriad of tour options available in cities all over the world, including sightseeing, street art lessons, and so much more!

Intrepid Travel – If you wish to do group tours with a travel guide person, opt for intrepid. They offer interesting small group tours that rely on local operators at extremely competitive rates!

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Malaysia Travel Guide

National Geographic’s latest travel stories about Malaysia

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• 15 Reasons Why You Should...

15 Amazing Reasons To Visit Malaysia

Travelling to Malaysia should be on your bucket list for many reasons. A melting pot of most of the world, this beautiful country has much to offer that sets it apart from the rest of Southeast Asia. Here are 15 reasons to convince you to plan a trip here (and possibly help with some can’t-miss sights).

Cultural diversity.

Multitudes of Asian ethnicities have settled in Malaysia over centuries, forming their own special blends distinct from their original cultures. And with the increasing globalization, imports from all around the world have continued to diversifying thecountry. Each culture is expressed and celebrated harmoniously, creating a beautiful living atlas.

Religious variety

The amalgam of cultures and races brings a myriad of religions, making the Malaysian landscape extremely exciting with many Muslim , Hindu and Buddhist influences on the area’s temples. Some have even reached international fame as pilgrimage sites – the most notable of which are the beautiful Batu Cave Temples , Hindu shrines dedicated to Lord Murugan.

Continental food

With the many cultures that have found a home in Malaysia, food showcasing their uniqueness and specialties has become one of, if not the , highlight of a trip here. Even in ancient times, Malaysia was a designated stop on the world’s spice trade route. As a result, local foods bring together flavors from all over the known world to create a special flavor only found here. Cuisines from all over still continue to flow through this meeting point of the world, so an Indian breakfast followed by a Nyonya lunch and a Korean dinner is totally doable.

Continuous development

While Kuala Lumpur has been hailed as a first-class city, its surrounding areas are still pretty traditional, creating a mixed landscape of old and new. Its newer and more prominent buildings still derive their design from traditional Malay architecture, thus creating monuments with eclectic flair . Much of the Malaysian landscape is similar and still transitioning from antique to modern.

Long-standing tradition

While Malaysia’s people are quite urbanized and modern, most still adhere to some traditions passed down through their families and communities. Observe carefully, and you might witness some of these traditions still in practice, such as praying before meals or younger generations serving their elders before partaking in meals.

Rain forest trekking

Believe it or not, Malaysia is a part of some of the oldest tropical jungles in the world, more ancient than even the Amazon jungles. The majestic island of Borneo is also a part of Malaysia, containing Sabah and Sarawak. Peninsular Malaysia also preserves some of the ancient natural world and has areas open for trekking for those wanting to explore.

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Automatic multilingualism

Listening to Malaysians having a conversation is possibly one of the most interesting to do, as most locals have a habit of alternating between all the languages they know as they speak (known as code-switching). This often involves their mother tongue combined with English and Malay terms . Pay attention – you might catch words from other dialects that have made their way into the local vernacular.

Cheap goods galore

One of the attractions of Malaysia is the low cost of goods, be it of the edible, wearable or simply displayable variety. The distinctive day and night food markets , frequented by everyone regardless of income and class, provide great insight into the everyday life of Southeast Asian locals. Discover everything at a deliriously cheap price, but beware of knockoffs .

Tropical climate

Malaysian weather is truly an experience. Since it’s right on the equator, the country’s tropical humidity – a mixture of both high heat and sudden rains – is like no other. While this almost unpredictable weather pattern may seem daunting to some, it’s all part of the charm. Explore the many landscapes of Malaysian climate: from sweltering heat in the urban jungle, to perfect strawberry-growing climate in the Cameron Highlands , to absolutely gorgeous beach-lounging weather.

Natural monuments

Some of the world’s most fascinating natural sculptures are found within Malaysian borders, namely the Kinabalu mountain in Sabah and the Quartz Ridge in Klang. Both are extremely popular venues for hikers and mountain climbers from all over the world, so get ready to cross hiking the most amazing limestone crags off that bucket list.

One-of-a-kind wildlife

Malaysian jungles are home to some of the most bizarre and interesting wildlife that can’t be found anywhere else. Relive an evening of watching Borneo -set nature documentaries by exploring the rain forests and seeking out strange animals you’ve only ever seen on screen: the tapir, the binturong and the elusive pangolin. For simpler alternative, drop by the National Zoo or some of the animal reserves to learn more about the local flora and fauna from the experts and the conservationists.

UNESCO Heritage sites

Since much of Malaysia has been inhabited by traders and job-seeking immigrants from many parts of the world since the 1800s, it is no wonder that many towns still bear the cultural remnants in their architecture. States such as Penang and Malacca are particularly famous for maintaining these historical towns buildings and have been declared UNESCO World Heritage sites to protect these relics of eras past for future generations.

Multicultural art

The diversity of Malaysia’s population has brought together the many art styles and techniques from all over Asia, producing a distinct design in architecture , fashion and food . The best of these fusions is seen in the Peranakan, or Baba-Nyonyan, tradition, which combines beautiful Indonesian and Balinese batik print patterns with oriental embroidery and beading, creating one of Southeast Asia’s most beautiful styles. The architecture is unique , as well, and mixes Chinese designs with Malay motifs.

Festivals for every season

With a multitude of cultures and religions come the celebrations for every special occasion. Malaysia’s many races come together to celebrate each other’s festivals of in perfect harmony. A Ramadan evening market will be filled with representatives of all races eager to feast on the many Malay Muslim delicacies. Chinese New Year will be lively with Indian and Malay friends visiting their Chinese peers’ open houses to collect ang pau packets and join in on the tossing of y ee sang salad to bring in prosperity and well wishes. It is truly a sight to see, so do not fret about planning to visit during the hectic holiday seasons.

The beautiful archipelago that spans all of lower Southeast Asia is a destination adventure all by itself, but Malaysia has its own islands worth making a little trip up north. The west coast islands of Penang and Langkawi are exceptionally famed for being among the top must-visit spots in lower Asia, and east coast islands such as Redang and Perhentian are popular among backpackers and snorkelers for their beautiful beaches and clear, reef-filled waters.

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Malaysia travel guide: the true Asia, two ways

Combine a city break in Kuala Lumpur with island relaxation on Langkawi for the best of multicultural Malaysia

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• Why you should visit

What to see and do

Where to stay.

To say one country encapsulates the world's largest continent is quite the claim, yet the "Malaysia, Truly Asia" tourism slogan lives up to the hype. But what no tagline could capture is the sheer vibrancy of this multicultural peninsula, where worshippers pray in temples dotted between towering skyscrapers, while mischievous "mafia" monkeys prey on unwitting tourists (of which more later).

Why you should visit Malaysia

Set at the meeting point between the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean, Malaysia has been dubbed "Asia's Melting Pot". Following centuries of trade and colonisation, the population comprises three main ethnic communities: Chinese, Indians and Malays.

For a concentrated taste of the resulting rich cultural stew, head to Kuala Lumpur . The world's sixth most visited city last year, the Malaysian capital is a chaotic blend of sleek hotels and crumbling colonial-era buildings, Michelin-starred restaurants and street-food stands, upmarket malls and outdoor markets, plus world-famous sights such as the Petronas Twin Towers.

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Kuala Lumpur is also home to some great green spaces, but to experience Malaysia's tropical rainforests and golden beaches, you'll need to go a little further afield. An hour from the capital by plane is Langkawi , an archipelago of 99 islands along the country's northwest coast. The main island, also called Langkawi, is home to around 100,000 people, whose numbers are being bumped up by a growing stream of tourists.

Langkawi's mangrove forests cover more than 3,000 hectares (7,400 acres)

Yet Langkawi is not over-developed: it was awarded Unesco Global Geopark status in 2007, prompting a push towards geotourism. The local tour guides have plenty of material to work with in the island's ancient jungles and labyrinth of mangroves housing sea caves and millions-year-old rock formations.

And then, of course, there's the wildlife. The island is named after the reddish-brown (kawi) sea eagles (lang) that dominate the skies above. Other, less obvious, predators to watch out for are Langkawi's gangs of long-tailed brown macaques, nicknamed the "monkey mafia" by locals owing to their habit of snatching not only food but also phones. A tip for targeted tourists: offer the gangster macaque food with both hands to make them drop the loot.

Assuming visitors hang on to their phones, both Langkawi and Kuala Lumpur are packed with Instagram-worthy sights. 

The capital also has plenty to offer nature lovers, who can find tranquillity in the 227-acre Lake Gardens in the heart of the city. A short stroll away is Kuala Lumpur's Bird Park, an enclosed aviary of more than 3,000 birds from more than 200 species. And there are more attractions to get visitors' hearts aflutter at the neighbouring Butterfly Park, billed as the world's largest, with more than 5,000 butterflies.

Kuala Lumpur claims another record with the Petronas Twin Towers, the world's tallest twin skyscrapers at 1,483ft (452 metres). The towers' Observation Deck offers unbeatable views of the city's eclectic architecture and neighbourhoods, each of which have a distinctive vibe.

Among the most atmospheric is Brickfields, aka Little India, a colourful maze of shops and stalls selling saris, spices, flower garlands and more, amid packed temples, churches and mosques. There are plenty of opportunities to feed body as well as soul here too, at low-key restaurants serving high-quality food including Malaysia's national dish, nasi lemak , a spicy coconut rice.

Foodies are equally well served on Langkawi, where floating fish farms double as restaurants where diners can select their still-flapping meal from containment nets and aquariums. These fish farms are popular stopping points on mangrove river cruise tours, an unmissable experience for any visitor.

Mangrove cruises on the Kilim River are a great way to spot wildlife and learn about this delicate ecosystem

Highlights of a cruise through Kilim Karst Geoforest Park, one of the island's three main conservation areas, include hand-feeding stingrays and exploring limestone caves where hundreds of bats hang overhead (visitors are advised to close their mouths when looking up, to avoid an unwanted feeding of droppings). 

Expert guides also help cruise-goers to get up close – but not too close – to the park's many other inhabitants, from crocodiles and kingfishers to otters and snakes. And visitors can do their bit to help with conservation efforts by planting mangrove trees, which can store up to 10 times more carbon than forests.

Slightly less virtuous but just as unmissable is a sunset cruise around the archipelago. Guests can sip cocktails and cool off from the tropical heat in the bath-temperature Andaman Sea. Along with water sports, there is further entertainment to be had watching local fishermen's dogs living their best lives after swimming to nearby island shores for doggy playdates.

The St. Regis Kuala Lumpur sits amid skyscrapers besides the city's largest park, the Lake Gardens

Tourists also looking to live their best lives in Malaysia can get off to the right start by checking into a St. Regis hotel. 

Offering grandeur with a great location, the St. Regis Kuala Lumpur overlooks the Lake Gardens in the Sentral district, a key transportation hub. In a nod to the city's multicultural identity, the 48-storey hotel blends Asian aesthetics with art deco style, with acres of gleaming marble and crystal-chandeliered high ceilings.

Those high ceilings are a boon come sunset, when, as in all St. Regis properties, a daily champagne sabring ritual takes place. Inspired by Napoleon Bonaparte, who opened bubbly with his sabre in both victory and defeat, the hotel's bottle-chopping fun offers guests the chance to enjoy a free drink and even have a go at sabring. Though, presumably, only while sober.   

The ritual is one of a series introduced by the St. Regis chain founder John Jacob Astor IV, who later went down with the Titanic. Astor's other innovations include a 24-hour butler service tailored to meet guests' every need, from unpacking luggage to delivering a morning cuppa.

The hotel's suites and bathrooms have stunning views over Kuala Lumpur

The rooms are equally top-notch, with floor-to-ceiling windows and mod cons including hi-tech toilets with an electronic bidet and seat warmer (don't knock it till you've tried it). On a more high-brow note, the hotel's attractions also include an impressive collection of artwork by big names including Andy Warhol and Terry O'Neill.

Food is another draw at the St. Regis Kuala Lumpur, which is home to seven restaurants and bars, including a sushi joint overseen by three Michelin-starred chef Takashi Saito.

The Brasserie has a French cafe vibe and a superb menu that blends vibrant European and Malaysian flavours

The hotel's largest restaurant is The Brasserie, which along with French-Mediterranean cuisine, serves an incredibly extensive buffet breakfast. Possibly the only thing not on the menu is durian, an extremely pungent Malaysian fruit that is banned in most public buildings.

Only the sweetest of smells can be scented at the hotel's spa, where bespoke massages are a great way to relax after a stint in the rooftop pool or adjacent gym. With all these facilities, little wonder that some people decide to stay for good: while the hotel's first 21 storeys house 208 guest rooms, those above are filled with residences inhabited by permanent "guests", including families with pets.

The St. Regis Langkawi hugs the turquoise Andaman Sea

Sadly for visitors considering selling up back home, no residency options are available at the St. Regis Langkawi . But few will forget a stay at this idyllic island retreat, tucked between rainforest and the sea, a short drive from Langkawi’s main town, Kuah. 

The vibe throughout the hotel is laid-back glamour, with grand, light-drenched spaces full of local artworks, and colour schemes influenced by the sea and the island vegetation. 

Suites at the beachside hotel are havens of luxury and comfort

Those themes continue in the 85 spacious suites and in Kayuputi, a fine-dining restaurant standing on stilts above the water beside the hotel's private beach. Designed by top architect Bill Bensley, Kayuputi ("white wood" in Indonesian) is like the world's plushest beach hut, with teak columns and antiques galore inside, and an outdoor deck that's the perfect setting for sunset cocktails.

The Bill Bensley-designed Kayuputi restaurant is evocative of an art collector's holiday home 

Come morning, the place to be is the hotel's all-day dining restaurant L’Orangerie, where the St. Regis team again score top marks with the vast breakfast buffet. 

For a quintessentially island experience, though, nothing beats the beachfront Pantai Grill. With platters of succulent charcoal-grilled meats and seafood served at tables on the golden sand, this is how barbecues are meant to be done.

Diners can enjoy delicious wood-fired food only metres from the shore at Pantai Grill

The St. Regis Langkawi also provides a lesson in meeting guests' many other wishes, with a hair salon, spa, gym, boutique and ballroom, plus live music every evening in the bar. A host of activities are on offer too, from paddleboarding and kayaking to wine tasting and batik painting.

Of course, some guests may prefer to just relax in the seafront infinity pool. But as with Malaysia in general, the beauty lies in the "endless possibilities", to quote another of the country's tourism slogans. Just watch out for the monkeys.

Kari Wilkin was a guest of the St. Regis Kuala Lumpur and the St. Regis Langkawi

Room rates start from £176/$223 (double room) at the St. Regis Kuala Lumpur, 6, Jalan Stesen Sentral 2, Kuala Lumpur Sentral, Kuala Lumpur, 50470 Malaysia. Room rates start from £221/$280 (double room) at the St. Regis Langkawi, Jalan Pantai Beringin, Langkawi, 07000 Malaysia. For more information, visit marriott.com

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Kari Wilkin is The Week Digital’s global managing editor. She joined the UK site as production editor in 2017, after moving across from The Week magazine. Her career as a journalist began as a sub-editor at newspapers including The Sun, Metro, the Daily Star and News of the World, followed by stints at Elle and Asda Magazine. She also helped to launch the UK edition of Women’s Health magazine, as chief sub-editor with a sideline in writing; has penned travel and lifestyle articles for titles including The Telegraph and The Sun; and is a contributor on “The Week Unwrapped” podcast.

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Malaysia at a glance

During my one and a half years in Asia , I had the chance to visit Malaysia multiple times. I’ve been to Kuala Lumpur at least 5 times but I also took the time to explore more of this country. I’ve seen the beautiful tea plantations in Cameron Highlands, visited Melaka, admired the temples of Penang and enjoyed the beaches of Langkawi.

Malaysia is a country of deep contrasts, a destination surrounded by a certain old world charm, yet more developed than you might imagine. As soon as you leave Kuala Lumpur, the awe-inspiring skyscrapers are replaced by deep jungles filled with one of the richest and most diverse wildlife in the world.

Malaysia can be divided into the west part, located on the peninsula south of Thailand, and the east part, located in the northern third of Borneo Island, sharing borders with Indonesia and Brunei. The west is where most of the people live and is much more developed, while the east is more rural and mostly covered in jungles.

Wherever you’re going, the Malay people will receive tourists with open hearts and big smiles, eager to make you fall in love with their country and culture.

This short travel guide of Malaysia will uncover the most important things you need to know when traveling to Malaysia. I’m sharing with you all my tips and tricks and I hope that you’ll love this country as much as I did.

Malaysia quick facts

The official language of Malaysia is Malay, similar to Indonesian and usually mutually understandable. There are also parts of the country where local dialects are spoken, but usually the people will also speak Malay. While both Malay and Indonesian have common ancestors, the Malay language has been influenced by English, Tamil and Chinese in more recent times. The language is written using two different scripts, although the Roman alphabet based Rumi is more common nowadays. English is leaned in all Malaysian schools and usually in bigger cities. In touristy locations, people will also speak decent English. In the countryside, it would be a good idea to speak a few words in Malay or use a translation app like Google Translate . Many people in Malaysia can also speak Arabic, Mandarin, Cantonese, Tamil, Thai and others.

The official currency of Malaysia is the Malaysian Ringgit or RM (currency code is RYM), formerly known as the Malaysian Dollar. The exchange rates are approximately 4RM for 1 US Dollar and 5RM for 1 Euro. When exchanging money, you can use this website to check the official rates (it also has mobile apps). Foreign currency is not accepted in Malaysia. If you want to exchange money, use offices located in shopping malls and such. The rates, especially for larger amounts, are usually negotiable and it’s a good idea to ask for the best quote. International cards can be used in places like hotels, restaurants or shopping malls in bigger cities, while things like taxis, street food or souvenirs, will usually require cash. ATMs are also found across the cities, towns and main travel destinations in the country and many of them do not charge fees for international cards.

Getting a Malaysian Visa

All foreign visitors of Malaysia must have a passport valid for at least 6 months from the time of entry. Most tourists will also have to obtain a VISA before arriving, although there are many countries whose nationals do not require a VISA and can visit for 14, 30 or 90 days. These include most countries on the American and European continent, many Asian countries, Australia and several others. My recommendation would be to check the requirements with your local authorities before visiting.

SIM Card/ Internet

Malaysia is pretty advanced technologically, compared to many countries in Asia. Internet is widely available in the more populated parts of the country and the speed is actually very decent. In many rural areas, dial-up internet technology is still in use and quite cheap. Broadband and wireless internet technologies can be found in Kuala Lumpur and other major cities in Malaysia. Most hotels and some restaurants will offer free wireless internet connections. Cellphones are called handphones in Malaysia and foreign visitors can purchase them or a SIM pay-as-you-go card to make calls. If you want to buy a SIM card with good internet, I recommend this one .

Tipping etiquette

Tipping is not a very common practice in Malaysia and usually people will not expect a tip, although it is widely accepted. Some restaurants will already have a 10% service fee included in the price. You might want to tip tour guides, driver, hotel staff and maybe restaurant workers if the service fee is not included (10% is usually enough).

The usage of ATMs in Malaysia is free of charge and only the home bank of the card owner could charge a fee for international withdrawals. Nevertheless, it’s important to keep in mind that only the first 8 transactions will be free each month and the fees for further transactions are around 1RM. ATMs can be found almost anywhere in Malaysian cities, from airports to bank offices, shopping malls, bus stations and other places.

Socket types

Malaysia uses the type G power plug types (used in Great Britain) and operates on a 240V standard voltage. To find out how each socket type looks,  click here . I recommend buying a universal adapter  like this one .

Best time to visit

The best time to visit Malaysia varies from one destination to another. The weather is usually different between West and East Malaysia, as well as some islands. As a general rule, Malaysia is hot (average around 30 0 C) and humid (over 80%) for most of the year, with rainfall being a constant problem. The mountains and highlands are usually colder and drier than the rest of the country. Generally, the best period to visit is considered between March and October, although some remote destinations have different weather conditions.

Malaysia Dos

• Learn a few common words and phrases in Malay to get around easily. Locals will be much friendlier if you try to speak their language a little.
• Street food is quite safe in most cases and a great way to discover the diverse cuisine of Malaysia.
• Salam is the traditional handshake in Malaysia. This is done by joining both hands.
• Dress respectfully, especially in rural areas and religious monuments. Also, you should take your shoes off before entering mosques, temples or homes.
• It is quite common to negotiate for some things in Malaysia, especially if you are paying large sums of money.

Malaysia Don’ts

• Refrain from doing anything illegal or trying to bribe officials in Malaysia. The jail penalties can be extremely severe.
• Although Malaysia has pretty low crime rates, caution should be practiced and you should avoid deserted areas, especially after dark.
• Don’t use your left had to eat or offer gifts! Also, avoid pointing at things with your forefinger and use the fisted thumb instead.
• Malaysia is one of the countries where drug consumption and/or trafficking is punished severely, sometimes by death penalty.
• Beware of tourist scams such as the scratch and win one that is very popular in tourist areas.
• Don’t start discussions on politics or ethnic relations in Malaysia because this is a somewhat sensitive subject.

Kuala Lumpur Travel Guides

Most travelers who visit Malaysia only explore Kuala Lumpur. It’s a big city, with lots of shopping malls, impressive buildings but also beautiful temples and a vibrant culture. To see the main attractions in the city, I recommend spending at least 3 days in KL. Here are a few guides to help you plan your journey.

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Malaysia is a diverse country, with big cities, beautiful beaches and endless tea plantations alike. If you’re adventurous and want to explore beyond Kuala Lumpur, I recommend adding Cameron Highlands, Penang and Langkawi to your itinerary.

Here are a few guides about some of the most beautiful places in Malaysia that I had the chance to explore. Be prepared to be amazed by this country’s natural wonders!

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Public transport

Malaysia has a very developed public transport system, especially compared to many South Asian countries. Nevertheless, the difference between the peninsular and the Borneo part of the country is huge and there are even differences between the west and the east side of the Malaysian peninsula. For general travels within a certain area, the bus is the best and cheapest option, with plenty of connections to almost every destination. For fast short trips, taxis are available in most towns and cities and they’re affordable. Kuala Lumpur has a good network of subways and suspended trains and you can buy a travel pass to save money. There is even a free bus that connects the major tourist attractions in the city called Go KL City Bus . In other parts of the country, trishaws are quite popular just make sure to negotiate the price beforehand. Malaysia traffic is on the left side, a legacy from the British rule.

Train service is pretty reliable and decently priced in Malaysia, with two main lines going along the eastern and western coast of the peninsula. The state operator is known as KTMB and it has introduced the fast Electric Train Service (ETS) on almost all lines, making travel much faster and more comfortable. Tickets can be bought online in advance. In East Malaysia, there is only one line run by the JKNS operator and it runs from Tanjung Aru close to Kota Kinabalu to Tenom.

Malaysia has an incredibly well-developed road network, with many highways and roads, although only on the peninsula. Buses are the best option for traveling within the country, with a lot of connections and decent ticket prices. All towns usually have a bus terminal and there is plenty of information online about routes and connections. There are many bus companies, but two of the most popular include Transnasional and NICE/Plusliner.

Air travel is the best way to get to Borneo from the mainland and sometimes, it is also the best choice for traveling between distant destinations within West Malaysia. Budget companies like AirAsia and even the state company Malaysia Airlines have discounts and special offers that will make it a very affordable choice. Other smaller companies fly to more remote destinations and communities with small airplanes but the prices are usually higher.

Best dishes

• Nasi Lemak – Probably the most popular dish in Malaysia, it has a lot of varieties, but the base is rice cooked in coconut oil, with spicy sambal chili sauce, boiled egg and other things.
• Laksa – There are many varieties of laksa in Malaysia, but two popular ones are Assam and curry Laksa. These are noodles in either brown fish soup or coconut milk curry, with added seafood or chicken and herbs.
• Satay Chicken – The skewered grilled chicken dish is available everywhere on the streets of Malaysia and is a popular and delicious snack. The chicken is covered in local herbs and spices.
• Char Kway Teow – Very popular in Malaysia and Singapore, it is a filling street dish with many varieties. It is made with flat rice noodles, shrimps, eggs, bean sprouts, chives, Chinese sausage, fried and coated in soy sauce.
• Roti Canai – A very popular breakfast dish, it has an Indian influence and consists of grilled flatbread and some curry or dhal (lentils) sauces for dipping.

Best accommodation

Malaysia has a wide range of accommodation options, from budget options to luxurious resorts found in the most stunning locations. There are plenty of guesthouses, bed and breakfasts, homestays and vacation rentals all around the country.

Three star hotels are usually a mid-range option that offers decent services and moderate prices. Kuala Lumpur and other major cities, as well as some islands have luxury resorts with amazing services, usually cheaper than similar accommodation choices in other countries.

The only platform I use when traveling is  Booking.com  and I warmly recommend it to anybody looking for a trustworthy website.

Malaysia – top tourist attractions

The capital of Perak State, Ipoh is a beautiful city with an amazing old town filled with beautiful architecture, museums and temples. It’s also a great starting point to explore the nearby countryside. While in Ipoh, make sure to plan a day to explore the Lost World of Tambun theme park.

Petronas Towers

The symbol of Kuala Lumpur, these twin towers used to be the highest structures in the world for a few years. They’re linked by a high sky-bridge and can be visited through guided tours that get you to the observation deck at the 86 th level.

Langkawi Island Hopping

Langkawi is one of the most popular destinations in Malaysia. Go on an island hopping tour around the islands and islets close to Langkawi, including splendid places like Pulau Dayang Bunting lake, Pulau Beras Basah beach or the Pulau Singa Besar wildlife sanctuary.

Sunway Lagoon Theme Park

Located about 15 km away from Kuala Lumpur, this exciting theme park features incredible rides and activities, including water slides, an artificial river, a wave pool, the world’s largest surf beach and much more.

Genting Highlands

Renowned for its casinos and nightlife, Genting Highlands is a vibrant hillside resort, easily reachable as a day trip from Kuala Lumpur . It also features several interesting temples, a thrilling Skyway cable car system, wildlife sanctuaries and more.

Cameron Islands Tea Plantations

With great hiking trails and stunning landscapes featuring lush green tea plantations, this natural wonder is one of the most picturesque destinations of Malaysia. Explore the tea plantations and the Mossy Forest !

Penang Hill

Located close to the city of George Town, on the island of Penang, this hillside area offers an insightful natural and cultural experience. You can discover breathtaking panoramas from the top of the hills and explore the nature paths as well as the famous Habitat .

Take a Helicopter in Kuala Lumpur

One of the most thrilling and unforgettable ways to see Kuala Lumpur is from a helicopter and some tours can fly you over the city. Relax and admire the most striking attractions from above.

Malaysia Daily Costs

Malaysia is a moderately priced destination for travelers. However, it’s more expensive than other places in Southeast Asia like Thailand , Indonesia or Vietnam . To get an idea about the prices in Malaysia, see the table below.

Malaysia Money-Saving Tips

• Avoid traveling during religious events. Many services including accommodation and transportation are more expensive and crowded.
• Try the delicious street food. It’s usually safe and clean.
• Search for discounts when booking plane or bus tickets in Malaysia and, if possible, try to book way in advance to get the best rates.
• Kuala Lumpur is usually much more expensive than the rest of the country. If you’re on a budget, choose off-the-beaten-path destinations.
• Avoid taxis in large cities and use the Grab ride-hailing app to get around.
• Use Air Asia to travel around the country and to other Asian destinations. This is a very cheap airline with decent services.

Useful websites & apps

1. Hotel booking –  Booking.com

2. Offline Maps – Maps.me  –  Android  &  iOS

3. Online bus tickets – 12go Asia

4. Kuala Lumpur Rail Map – Android & iOS

5. Grab Taxi app – Android & iOS

10 Cool Facts about Malaysia

1. Malaysia has a unique rotating monarchy system where nine ethnic states take turns in proposing the king for 5 years.

2. The Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur used to be the tallest buildings in the world from 1998 to 2004, sitting at over 450 meters.

3. The tallest mountain in Malaysia is Mount Kinabalu (over 4.000 meters) and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

4. The largest cave chamber in the world is also located in Malaysia, part of the Gunung Mulu National Park.

5. Kuala Lumpur has had about 200 rainy days within a single year, while Kuching in Sarawak recorded 253 rainy days in a year.

6. Malaysia has a staggering over 65 thousand km (about 41,000 miles) of highways, more than the circumference of the Earth.

7. According to the World Tourism Organization, Malaysia was the 9 th most visited country in the world back in 2009.

8. There is a small patch of rainforest right in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, surrounded by skyscrapers. It is also the oldest nature reserve in the country.

9. Singapore is located off the coast of Peninsular Malaysia and it is linked to it by a causeway and a bridge.

10. Durian is one of the most beloved fruits in Malaysia, although it has one of the most unsupportable smells imaginable.

Travel Insurance

When planning for your trip to Malaysia, don’t forget about travel insurance! You never know what might happen and it’s best to be safe than sorry. Use the box below to get a quote for a travel insurance that best fits your needs.

What to pack for Malaysia – must-have items

Microfiber towels

Packing cubes

Collapsible water bottle

Travel organizer

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Top 25 Things To Do in Malaysia for Nature Lovers

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Malaysia is one of my favorite countries– a place I fell in love with the first time I visited. When people ask me why, I normally start talking and never stop. I mean, what’s not to like?

There are so many things to do in Malaysia, including exploring modern cities and tiny villages, a cuisine that ranks among the best in Asia, and an incredibly diverse culture.

Wandering around Kuala Lumpur or Georgetown, you’ll glimpse the onion domes of mosques, smell incense floating out of Buddhist temples and jasmine from flower garlands outside Hindu temples.

In Borneo, you’ll have the chance to discover the life and culture of indigenous tribes that have remained largely unchanged for hundreds of years.

But what makes Malaysia truly special is the country’s natural beauty. From rainforests to crystalline seas, Malaysia offers once-in-a-lifetime ecotourism experiences.

You can see wild orangutans, spend the night in a hut in the Taman Negara rainforest, and Scuba dive the incredible sites of Pulau Sipadan.

Here are our picks for the 25 top things to do in Malaysia for nature lovers . I can virtually guarantee that these experiences will make you fall in love with this stunning country.

READ MORE: Saving Endangered Asian Animals (Best Wildlife Conservation Programs)

• Peninsular Malaysia
• Island of Borneo
• Island of Penang
• Other Islands of Malaysia

PENINSULAR MALAYSIA

Explore the Batu Caves

Located just outside of Kuala Lumpur, the Batu Caves are one of the major ecotourism attractions in Malaysia. If you love nature, it’s a place you won’t want to miss when traveling around the country.

You can get to the area by public transport from Kuala Lumpur, and it’s an easy half-day trip when you’re based in the city.

At the entrance, you’ll see the famous golden statue of Lord Murugan next to quite a few souvenir stalls, as well as the hundreds of steps leading up to the caves.

Just beware of the monkeys along the way! They’re full of shenanigans, and are know for stealing things when tourists aren’t looking. The caves also serve as Hindu temples, you’ll see people praying and giving offers inside the mountain.

Although the site is often too full of visitors for some people’s taste, I enjoyed my visit to the Batu Caves. The beauty of both the caves themselves and the temples inside them were very impressive.  -Patrick Muntzinger of  German Backpacker

READ MORE: 10 Amazing Caves For Your World Travel Bucket List

Look for Rafflesias in Cameron Highlands

When the heat and humidity gets too much, do as Malaysians do and head to Cameron Highlands, a hilly area near Kuala Lumpur.

There’s plenty to see and do in Cameron Highlands, including visiting tea and strawberry plantations, where you can enjoy delicious tea and strawberry jam!

Cameron Highlands also offers hiking opportunities, with a dozen numbered hill trails offering stunning views.

If you’re lucky, you may also be able to see Rafflesia flowers in bloom. These giant, stinky flowers can be found in the area all year-round.

Ask your hotel or lodge for details, as flowering locations vary and you’ll likely need a local guide to help you find them. -Margherita Ragg of The Crowded Planet

Hike to Chiling Waterfall

Chiling Waterfall is a beautiful waterfall and fish sanctuary located in a tranquil tropical Malaysian forest.

Located within a gazetted forest reserve, the waterfall is only open to the public on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The local authorities did this order to maintain the area’s pristine ecosystem.

Other than serving as a fish sanctuary, the waterfall is also one of the main water sources for people living in the surrounding Klang Valley.

Reaching the waterfall requires a relatively easy hike of about 45 minutes, including six river crossings. Although the deepest water level that you will come across is only up to your knees, crossing is fun because the river is teeming with fish .

Chiling Waterfall is easily my favorite hiking spot in Malaysia. Even though it’s not considered one of the best waterfalls in the world , I feel completely connected to nature whenever I’m here.

It’s also becoming my preferred hiking location whenever a friend from another country drops by.   -Wayne Liew of  kuaby

  READ MORE: The Best Hiking Trails (For Your World Travel Bucket List)

Explore Forest Research Institute Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur is a busy, crowded, polluted city. It’s definitely worth a visit for the famed Petronas Towers, Batu Caves, and great street food scene.

But the constant traffic and concrete of this major metropolis may leave diehard nature lovers yearning to get away from all the chaos and commotion.

FRIM (short for Forest Research Institute Malaysia) is a great location for spending a day or more in the great outdoors. Located just 15 miles outside of central Kuala Lampur, it’s a beautiful forest surrounded by trees, birds and silence.

There are numerous walking trails there, with information about the rainforest ecosystem, a canopy walk, and an interesting visitor center.

It’s a tranquil haven of serenity that makes for a perfect escape when the hustle and bustle of the city becomes too much to bear. – -Margherita Ragg of The Crowded Planet

Asian Colonial History in Malacca

For centuries, the East and West have been in contact through trading and colonization. Some of the best historical cities in Malaysia that highlight this era of history are located in the state of Malacca.

Known locally as Melaka, the area is affectionately known as the Historic State. Malacca is the center of the Malay culture, and has had an impact on the cultures of both modern Malaysia and Indonesia.

Along with Georgetown (which is located in Penang, to the north), the Old City of Malacca has been granted UNESCO protection as the Historic Cities of the Straits of Malacca.

The old town of Malacca is lined with Portuguese and Dutch-style churches, impressive colonial government buildings and squares, along with walls and fortifications. The layers of multicultural heritage found in Malacca is both staggering and exciting.

My favorite thing to do there is to visit the tombs of Hang Tuah and Hang Jebat, who were classic heroes from the 15th century Malacca Sultanate.

Growing up in neighboring Indonesia, we learned all about these iconic figures in history class. -Halef and Michael of  The Round The World Guys

READ MORE: The Top 5 Things To Do In Indonesia

Get Lost in Taman Negara

Malaysia’s oldest national park is Taman Negara (which means “national park”), which is located in the center of Peninsular Malaysia.

Taman Negara is a wonderful place to explore the rainforest. You can spend the night in a hide in the hope of spotting elusive wildlife species such as Slow Lorises and Leopards .

Make sure you hire a guide if you’re planning to sleep out. The trails are overgrown and hard to follow, and you may end up getting lost in Taman Negara, like we did!

If you’re not into extreme adventures, there’s also a canopy walk and shorter trails available near park headquarters.

READ MORE: Visiting the Orang Asli, the “Original People” of Taman Negara

THINGS TO DO ON THE ISLAND OF BORNEO

Find Flora & Fauna in Bako National Park

Situated just 30 minutes by car from the city of Kuching, Bako National Park is Sarawak’s oldest national park.

Bako is small, covering just 27 square kilometers. But, despite its small size, the park is home to all kinds of verdant vegetation, including mangrove forests , swamp forests, and delicate cliff vegetation.

Bako is so diverse that you can actually find every type of vegetation Borneo has in this one park.

It’s also home to a diverse array of wildlife. You’ll see plenty of long-tailed macaque monkeys and silver leaf monkeys, both of which are always on the lookout for things that they can steal from you.

Another animal you’re likely to see is the wild boar, many of which are so tame that they’ll come right up to you. Like the monkeys, they’re looking for things to steal, so keep your hand on anything valuable or anything they shouldn’t eat.

Perhaps the most exciting animal that lives in Bako is the bizarre-looking proboscis monkey . Bako is home to roughly 300 of them, and you’re most likely to spot them at dawn or dusk.

During the rest of the day, the park has 16 fantastic walking trails to suit every need and ability. Some take as little as 30 minutes to trek, while others can take an entire day.

This is a remarkably beautiful part of Malaysia. Its natural beauty is so serene that it’s almost impossible not to relax here. – James of the Portugalist

READ MORE: Visiting the Borneo Sun Bear Conservation Centre, Malaysia

See the Bird’s Nests of Gomatong Cave

One of our favorite things to do in Malaysia is to visit Gomatong Cave.  The cave is located in Sandakan, which makes it a convenient place to explore after a jungle stay along the Kinabatangan River.

The prime reason most people travel to this cave is to see the edible bird’s nests, a Chinese delicacy , which are harvested there.

It was an interesting place to visit, as not only birds but also bats call the cave home. As a result, there’s a huge pile of guano in the center of the cave which, in turn, attracted other creepy crawlies.

I will not go into the details, but let’s just say we witnessed an ecosystem there the likes of which we had never seen before.

The Gomatong Cave is situated in a protected wildlife area. So, as you make your way along the path towards the cave, you should definitely keep your eyes open for orangutans.

We saw two of them during our visit, and other people reported that they’d also seen lemurs and colorful kingfishers.  -Sylvia Van Overvelt of Wapiti Travel

READ MORE:   Conserving Ring-Tailed Lemurs at Anja Reserve, Madagascar

Climb Mount Kinabalu

Mount Kinabalu rears 4,095 meters (13,435 ft) above the lush forests of Borneo, an enormous granite monolith that has become a magnet for adventurous visitors to Malaysia.

Tens of thousands of people climb the mountain each year. But fortunately the UNESCO-protected Kinabalu National Park carefully controls the tourist footprint, issuing a limited number of permits and requiring all trekkers to hire a local guide.

The first day’s hiking follows a clear path through richly-canopied forest , where mosses and bright tropical flowers are picked out by shafts of sunlight.

Climbing through the various vegetation zones of the mountain is fascinating. You’ll go from lowland rainforest, through cloud forest, and on to sub-alpine meadows before reaching the granite fields of the summit plateau.

Getting up at 2 AM and summoning every iota of determination to make the final trek at altitude is tough. But breathtaking views from the top at dawn are worth every gasping breath.

As the sun turns the granite to silver and gold, ribbons of white cloud drape the vast jungles of Borneo. – Natasha von Geldern  of World Wandering Kiwi

READ MORE: 20 Best Mountains in the World (for your World Travel Bucket List)

Wildlife Watching Along the Kinabatangan River

One of my most memorable experiences from my time in Malaysia was a rainy half-day cruise I took down the Kinabatangan River.

Now, many people go on three-day small ship cruises on the mighty body of water and never see any endangered animals (which include orangutans, proboscis monkeys, pygmy elephants, and more).

It can even be difficult to see some of the animals that live in abundance here, such as hornbills and crocodiles. However, even without any wildlife sightings, an afternoon on the river is an enchanting experience.

The day of my trip it was raining so hard that we couldn’t even see out from our bungalow. We napped until the storm passed, and at dusk we headed out on the river without any high hopes of coming across any majestic creatures.

However, luck was on our side, and the rainy afternoon called all sorts of animals to come out and enjoy the crisp evening weather.

We even came across a family of five pygmy elephants , which is a memory I’ll cherish forever. If you do go on a wildlife-watching cruise on the Kinabatangan River, it’s crucial to do so in a responsible way.

Book your cruise with a company that employs locals and takes measures not to leave a negative impact on the already fragile environment, such as Sticky Rice Tours. – Lola Méndez of  Miss Filatelista  

READ MORE: 50 Interesting Facts About Elephants

Snorkeling near Kota Kinabalu

One of the best things to do if you’re in Kota Kinabalu is to go snorkeling in Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park. This underwater park is full of amazing wildlife , but my favorite moment of our day trip was swimming next to a wild hawksbill sea turtle.

Even if you’re not a diver , some of the reefs are shallow, which allows you to see parrot fish, clown fish, and even lionfish up close. It was incredible to see the marine ecosystem at work, especially in terms of seeing “Nemo” hiding amongst the anemone.

Just be warned: There are barracudas here. However, your knowledgeable guide will tell you how to stay safe while exploring in this easily accessible reef.

Our tour had all the snorkeling gear and lunch included, but I strongly recommend that any snorkelers wear sunscreen to avoid a nasty sunburn on your back.

Parts of the reef have suffered in the last ten years, but thankfully ecotourism is helping to fund the protection of the coral reef for the future. – Karen Turner of   Wanderlustingk

READ MORE: Cancun Underwater Museum (Artist Jason Decaires Taylor On His Marine Conservation Masterpiece)

Go Rainforest Kayaking Near Kuching

Borneo is one of the wildest parts of Southeast Asia. Indeed, much of this Malaysian territory’s jungle canopy is far from the tourist trail. Yet it remains easily accessible, with great opportunities for guided rainforest kayaking.

When we went near Kuching, a slow drizzle tickled my neck as we pushed through the tropical air and down the gentle river.

The soft buzz of water hitting leaves added another sonic layer to the sounds of our paddles and the life in the jungle on either side.

As the sun emerged, our local guides taught us all about the flora and fauna we were floating past. Then they fed us an indigenous lunch of bamboo chicken and local greens.

Thanks to the lazy current, it was easy to turn and stay on track. It was a fun adventure for the adults, but easy enough for our kids as well.   -Jason Andrew Jenkins of  An Epic Education  

READ MORE: 20 Biggest Forests in the World (For Your World Travel Bucket List)

Go Caving in Mulu National Park

Gunung Mulu National Park is renowned for its immense biodiversity, the distinctive tropical karst terrain, and its vast cave network.

Located deep in the Borneo jungle, Mulu is recognized as one of Malaysia’s two natural UNESCO World Heritage Sites . Criteria for this designation include Mulu being the most studied tropical karst area in the world.

It has at least 295 kilometers of explored caves, including the largest known cave chamber in the world, Sarawak Chamber.

We ventured to this famous chamber, which is not an easy task. First, it takes a flight to reach Mulu’s isolated location. Then you must prove your spelunking skills to national park guides, who deem if you’re fit enough to attempt a trip into the Sarawak Chamber.

Each month, only a few two-day excursions to this cave are scheduled. It takes a 16-hour round-trip trek through the dense jungle. Finally, it’s a wet entry, swimming into the cave, where a huge racer snake greeted us in the dark water.

Unfortunately, we were unable to penetrate the expansive space of Sarawak Chamber because the cave was too flooded from recent rains. Yet just the attempt to get into the cave chamber was such an incredible and worthwhile adventure in and of itself.

Thankfully, Mulu National Park offers other cave superlatives, many of which are more easily accessible. For example, it only took a short stroll through the beautiful rainforest-covered mountains in order visit Deer Cave.

This is the largest known single passage cave in the world and contains the most species of bats found in a single cave.

Linger there at sunset and you’ll see millions of them taking flight into the night sky. -John Widmer of  Roaming Around the World

READ MORE:   Exploring Rio Secreto, the Riviera Maya’s Amazing Underground River

See Wild Orangutans in Sabah

Along with Sumatra, the island of Borneo is the last one where wild Orangutans can be found.

But unfortunately rampant deforestation to clear land for the palm oil industry has reduced Borneo’s orangutan population to a fraction of what it once was.

One of the best places to see wild Orangutans is Sabah, the northern Malaysian state in Borneo. The most accessible location is the Kinabatangan river, which is located near from the city of Sandakan.

But, for a truly unforgettable experience, we recommend heading further afield to the Danum Valley, which is immersed in the rainforest.  -Margherita Ragg of The Crowded Planet

READ MORE: Top Ecotourism Attractions in Sabah Borneo

Visit an Orangutan Rescue Center

If you’re really pressed for time, the easiest way to meet Malaysia’s beloved “men of the forest” is by heading to a rescue center at feeding time.

This when the Orangutans leave their forest hideouts and head to raised platforms. There, the rangers feed them fruit to the excited oooohs and aaaahs of onlookers.

The best Orangutan rescue centers to visit are Sepilok in Sabah and Semenggoh in Sarawak, which is near the state capital of Kuching.

READ MORE :  Bornean Orangutan Conservation at Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre

THINGS TO DO ON THE ISLAND OF PENANG

Climb Penang Hill

The island of Penang is known for its excellent food and colorful cultural festivals . But it’s not generally considered a nature destination.

Surprisingly, there are several locations not far from the capital of Georgetown where you can enjoy nature and outdoor activities.

For instance, you can ride a mountain bike up to the Air Itam dam, or go parasailing on Batu Ferringhi beach.

But our favorite nature activity in Penang was climbing Penang Hill, which is easily accessible from Georgetown.

The climb is honestly quite difficult in the heat. But it offers a stunning view from the summit, and the opportunity for excellent wildlife encounters along the way. We spotted a Cobra and lots of Macaques!

READ MORE: 20 Best Festivals In The World for your World Travel Bucket List

Visit Penang National Park

Penang National Park in Malaysia is considered the world’s smallest national park. But don’t judge it for its size, as it’s packed with tropical plants, animals, and geological features.

This park was one of our favorite highlights of our long trip to Malaysia. We felt like intrepid explorers in the tropical forest, with the added bonus of having plenty of opportunities to go Scuba diving and sunbathe.

Penang National Park has two main hiking trails: One trail goes through the jungle to Turtle Beach , while the other goes along the coast to Monkey Beach.

The first trail is 3.4 km, and it will lead you to a beach with a sea turtle nesting reserve. To protect the turtles, you shouldn’t swim here, but the turtle center has some information and a few ambassador turtles to show you.

The other trail is about 3.3 km, and will lead you to the Monkey Beach, where you can swim and relax . On the way there you’ll almost certainly see plenty of monkeys and even monitor lizard s .

That’s one of many reasons why this park is totally worth exploring. -Jorge & Claudia of  Travel Drafts

READ MORE:  57 Simple Sustainable Travel Tips Any Traveler Can Use

Get Spicy at the Tropical Spice Garden

Malaysia’s superb food scene is world famous for its unique blend of spices and chilis. But most visitors have never seen any of these up close, growing in the natural environment.

On a recent trip to Penang, Malaysia with our kids, we spent a half-day exploring the Tropical Spice Garden, which is located about 30 minutes outside of Georgetown.

This lush and large spice garden is just a short ride from the popular beach resorts, but has the feel of a remote forest jungle. It’s a perfect activity for the whole family!

Informative signs direct you to multiple walking paths spanning more than six acres of densely planted gardens , with over 500 spice specimens to learn about along the way.

Malaysia’s “four siblings” spices– cinnamon, star anise, cardamom, and cloves– can all be seen growing in their natural environment.

We saw a surprising number of insects, sleeping bats, reptiles, and butterflies too! The garden offers guided tours with a naturalist or audio tours you can listen to independently, as well as night walks and a cooking school. -Cerise Roth-Vinson of  Enchanted Vagabond

READ MORE: 5 Weird Foods the French Consider Delicacies

THINGS TO DO ON OTHER ISLANDS OF MALAYSIA

Go Island-Hopping in Tunku Abdul Rahman Park

There are a lot of gorgeous places to visit in Malaysia, but one that really stuck with me was Tunku Abdul Rehman Park. The park is located off the coast of Borneo, and encompasses five different islands– Gaya, Sapi, Manukan, Mamutik, and Sulug.

What makes this park so interesting is that it has beautiful waters so crystal clear, it draws tourists from all over the world.

So two of the things that I loved doing the most in Tunku Abdul Rahman Park were snorkeling and Scuba diving. The number of different species of clams and tropical fish that we saw present in the park was amazing.

If you get a chance to visit Gaya island, check out the amazing work that MERC (the Marine Ecology Research Centre) is doing to help restore the coral reef system there.

There are a number of day trips that head out to the different parts of Tunku Abdul Rehman Park. But, to be honest, you could easily spend as many as five days there, discovering a different island each day.

That’s one of many reasons it ranks so high on my list of things visitors should do in Malaysia. -Penny Fernandes Viegas of  Globetrove

READ MORE: 10 Best Places To Scuba Dive For Your World Travel Bucket List

Tour the UNESCO Geopark on Langkawi Island

Langkawi is a Malaysian archipelago packed with history and outstanding natural beauty, making it a must-see for adventurous travelers.

One of the top places to visit in Langkawi is the Kilim Karst Geoforest Park, which is part of a complex of 99 islands that are collectively listed as a UNESCO Global Geopark.

The Kilim Karst Geoforest Park is formed by seven protected forests filled with caves, mangroves, and a diverse array of wildlife.

The dynamic limestone landscape here dates back 350 to 490 million years, and it’s fascinating to see these impressive rock formations up close.

The park tours are guided and include a boat ride through the mangrove forest, with stops to visit caves and admire the stalactites that have been formed over millions of years.

If you like bats (which is not my case), you can also see and learn about the three different species of insect-eating bats that are native to the region.

But, for me, the highlight of my Langkawi visit was to see the beautiful flight of the Langkawi Eagle, a majestic bird of prey that lives in the geopark and the symbol of this exotic island. -Natalie Deduck of  Love and Road

READ MORE: 20 Exotic Islands for Your World Travel Bucket List

Beach-hop in the Perhentian Islands

The Perhentian Islands (Perhentian Kecil and Perhentian Besar) are two small islands located off the east coast of Malaysia.

In addition to being home to some of the best beaches  in Malaysia, these islands are also a paradise for those who love underwater activities.

This area is a mecca for avid snorkelers and Scuba divers, since the islands are home to different kinds of sharks  and sea turtles, and the possibility of spotting these marine animals is very high.

Various operators organize snorkeling tours from both main beach areas (Coral Bay and Long Beach). But we often found great snorkeling spots just off the beach.

Note that both islands are part of a protected marine park, and you will have to pay a nominal conservation fee on arrival.

We quite enjoyed the local vibe of the islands, where there are no international hotel chains around. Perhentian is easily accessible by boat from Kuala Besut on the mainland.

But do consider the fact that the waters are very rough during Malaysia’s monsoon season (which lasts from October to March), so the islands are practically closed for visitors then . -Gábor Kovács of  Surfing the Planet

READ MORE: The Ultimate Beach Vacation Packing List

 Dive Pulau Sipadan

Malaysia has many excellent Scuba diving sites, many of which rival those of nearby hotspots such as Indonesia and the Philippines .

Arguably the best of the bunch is Pulau Sipadan, a tiny island off the coast of Sabah that’s easily accessible from the larger island of Semporna.

Pulau Sipadan is famous for its steep walls and rich coral life, where sightings of Sea Turtles and Reef Sharks are almost guaranteed.

Be forewarned: The number of daily diving permits in this area is strictly limited. So you’ll need to plan ahead and make reservations with a responsible Scuba diving operator in advance.

READ MORE: Top 10 Things to do in Coron, Palawan

Get Wild on Tioman Island

Tioman is a tropical island just off the southeast coast of peninsular Malaysia, and it’s one of the most beautiful and laid-back places I’ve ever visited .

The island is not very big, around 20 km long and 10 km wide, but it’s a wonderful place both above the water as well as below.

Much of Tioman Island is part of the Pulau Tioman Wildlife Reserve, so you can find many different kinds of monkeys there. Don’t be surprised if you spot a big lizard lurking in the river!

The ocean surrounding the island is a marine reserve, with beautiful coral and lots of dive sites where you can spot moray eels, sting rays, and sea turtles.

You can reach Tioman island via a daily jetty from Mersing, which costs 35RM each way. Departure times are dependent on the tide, and therefore vary slightly each day.

There are several small villages on the island where you can find basic accommodation and a couple of restaurants. It’s not fancy: The simple bamboo bungalows usually have just a bed, fan, cold-water shower, and not much else.

The island can get crowded during weekends with visitors from Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. So it’s best to visit during the week if you’re looking for some peace and quiet. – Lotte Eschbach of  Phenomenal Globe Travel Blog

  READ MORE: How to choose a Responsible Scuba Diving Operator

See Sea Turtles in Turtle Island National Park

Off the coast of Malaysian Borneo in the Sulu Sea sits a small island participating in a big conservation effort. It’s home to one of the world’s oldest sea turtle hatcheries, and a small group of rangers and researchers live there in order to oversee the process.

Endangered green and hawksbill turtles have routinely come to this island to lay eggs, so the program monitors the turtles and transplants the eggs to the hatchery for protection.

What do they need protection from, you may ask? Poachers, monitor lizards, birds. and poor weather conditions can all threaten the  baby turtles’ survival.

Their chances of reaching the ocean increase substantially if they can self-incubate at the hatchery and then be released into the wild.

There are a limited number of guests allowed for overnight stays on the island, and there are many rules to follow in order to ensure the safety of the turtles.

But if you have the opportunity, it’s a totally unique experience to be in the dark on a remote Malaysian island, watching nature in an ethical and responsible way! -Abbie Synan of Speck on the  Speck on the Globe  

  READ MORE: Sea Turtle Conservation

Get Real on Pulau Tiga (a.k.a. Survivor Island)

Located just 10 kilometers off the island of Borneo, you’ll find a secluded, almost untouched island whose biggest claim to fame is being the first-ever location for the hit reality TV show, Survivor .

If you’ve never seen the show, just imagine white sand beaches, vivid turquoise waters, and lush forests where the only inhabitants are wild animals.

With only two resorts on Pulau Tiga and no permanent residents on the island, you can come close to experiencing what it would have been like to be one of the show’s very first contestants.

Arrival to the island is by speed boat from Kuala Penyu, which is approximately two hours from Kota Kinabalu. Once you’re on the island, there are several beautiful beaches and hiking trails to explore.

One of the big draws to the island these days is the opportunity to soak in a mud volcano . This bubbling mud pit is said to have therapeutic properties, but mostly it’s just downright fun to roll around in the mud like a buffalo!

While on the island, you can also enjoy swinging on the beach, jungle hiking, snorkeling, and spotting the island’s wild animals.

Keep your eyes peeled for bats, macaques, monitor lizards, and more! Just watch out for the macaques, as they will literally steal the food right off your plate! -Karilyn Owen  of No Back Home

READ MORE: What is an Eco Lodge? (The Top 10 Eco Lodges in the World)

Where to Stay in Malaysia

There are many other adventurous things to do in Malaysia for nature lovers . There are also a lot of great hotels and eco lodges in the country.

We started out at Sukau Rainforest Lodge ,  an award-winning eco-lodge in the Sabah rainforest. There we saw pygmy elephants , wild orangutans and proboscis monkeys. Sukau is committed to sustainability, with hot water supplied by solar heaters, lamps using cooking oil , and electric boats used for river cruises to minimize wildlife disturbance.

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Malaysia is not one to be missed, with its vibrant cities, lush rainforests, and delicious cuisine. Climb the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur, explore the ancient rainforest of Taman Negara, or taste the flavors of Penang’s street food. Discover what makes Malaysia a gem in the continent with our travel guide.

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9 of the best places to go in Malaysia

Jan 29, 2024 • 8 min read

From the top food destinations to getting away from it all in the highlands, here are the best places to visit in Malaysia © Matteo Colombo / Getty Images

Split across two different land masses, Malaysia instantly poses a dilemma. Do you visit Peninsular Malaysia, which borders Thailand to the north and Singapore down south? Or do you head across the South China Sea to Borneo – a jungly island shared by Malaysia, Indonesia and the Kingdom of Brunei? 

Good news: both sides of Malaysia have soft sandy beaches and snorkel-worthy coves, though Malaysian Borneo has superior access to marine life. Borneo is also the best pick for jungle trekking, though you can explore national parks and hilly hiking terrain across Peninsular Malaysia, too – like Taman Negara and the Cameron Highlands . Many parks and beauty spots are almost on top of the cities, making Peninsular Malaysia an excellent choice for families who want to spot hornbills by day, but bed down in modern comfort.

Peninsular Malaysia is also where you'll find the buzz. Gastronomes, shoppers and museum hounds can enjoy their fill in cosmopolitan Kuala Lumpur , food-forward Penang  and cultural jigsaw Melaka . Plot your own path with a little help from our list of the best places to go in Malaysia.

Kuala Lumpur is the best place to go for a whirlwind tour 

If you have grand ambitions but limited time, head to Kuala Lumpur. Parts of KL feel like a quintessential capital city, with chic shopping malls (like Pavilion KL and Suria KLCC), a competitive cocktail scene and a sci-fi skyline – the Petronas Towers rise up like twin rockets, while Menara KL glows like a futuristic lighthouse (head to the 300m-high (984ft) sky deck for an expansive view). But KL offers more than fast-paced urban commotion. 

KL's city swagger comes accompanied by nature and history, courtesy of time-worn temples, kopitiam (traditional coffee houses), and rainforests almost side by side with high-rise buildings. Places of worship like scarlet multi-story Thean Hou Temple and ornate Masjid Jamek Sultan Abdul Samad inspire contemplation and wonder.

If you're looking for places to visit in Malaysia in three days, KL has day-trip potential, too. Listen to birdsong at KL Forest Eco Park , picnic by a waterfall at the Forest Research Institute ; and less than an hour's drive away is Mah Meri Cultural Village , where you can immerse yourself in indigenous Orang Asli art and history. 

Encounter pristine nature in Gunung Mulu National Park

Remarkably rocky, tremendously old and a theater for eye-popping natural spectacles, Gunung Mulu is arguably Malaysia's best national park. Between Gunung Mulu (2376m/7795ft) and Gunung Api (1710m/5610ft) are old-growth forests, limestone pinnacles and deep caves, home to millions of bats that take flight every twilight – watch the drama unfold at Deer Cave . 

Where to begin exploring? DIY experiences include the Mulu canopy walk (a suspended ladder through the treetops), an easy ramble to Paku Waterfall or the Botanical Heritage Loop Trail.

If you have tough hiking boots and even tougher endurance, book a guide and tackle the three-day Pinnacles trek. The climbs are steep, but you'll be rewarded by panoramic views of dense jungle spiked with fins of limestone. 

Penang is the top destination for food, drink and sensory pleasures

Penang's foodie status is uncontested. Travelers flock from across Malaysia (and beyond) to experience Gurney Drive's seafood restaurants, slurp Penang laksa at Lorong Baru Hawker Stalls , and follow their noses to barbecued seafood at the Chew Jetties . But even beyond the sizzle of char kway teow (rice noodles with prawns, eggs and more), Penang can tickle your senses.

Inhale the tang of 500 herbs and aromatics at Tropical Spice Garden . Listen to the chatter of macaques at Penang National Park , the country's smallest. Gawp at the architectural splendor of Khoo Kongsi clubhouse and the intricately carved Pinang Peranakan Mansion . Alternatively, get bang up to date with contemporary art at Hin Bus Station .  

Tip for timing your visit: Penang is one of the best places to visit in Malaysia in December, when the west coast enjoys good weather while winds batter the east. 

Kuching is the perfect urban-jungle mash-up

We hear the dilemma: you want access to nature without committing to a tent in the jungle. And you want to experience the buzz of a Malaysian city without the high-octane hubbub of KL. Kuching , the capital of Bornean state Sarawak, is your happy medium. 

Kuching is a launchpad to Borneo's glorious wilderness. From here, you can easily meet orangutans at Semenggoh Wildlife Centre , or day-trip to Bako National Park to look for bearded pigs and proboscis monkeys.

But before stepping beyond the city limits, let Kuching work its charms. Stroll the waterfront promenade, where you can see views of Kuching's architectural treasury: the Astana (palace) and its trim gardens, the State Assembly  and the swirling Darul Hana pedestrian bridge. Admire Chinese temples, browse the weekend market and learn the history of Sarawak's White Rajas at hilltop Fort Margherita . 

Pulau Perhentian are the best islands for sunshine and snorkeling

Mentioning the Perhentians to Malaysian people elicits a longing smile. The Perhentian Islands are synonymous with brilliant beaches and marine life, plus there's a party scene to keep beach bums dancing until the wee hours. The trick is to find your perfect beach.

Searching for spectacular sunsets? Head to Coral Bay. Green turtles? The turtle project on Main Beach. Late-night beach parties? Long Beach. There are numerous beaches where you can go sea kayaking and snorkel among parrotfish and giant clams; hardened divers can go deeper to visit wrecks and commune with clownfish, reef sharks and stingrays. Time your visit for dry season between March and October (but avoid July, when crowds reach their peak).  

Melaka is a cultural smorgasbord 

Nowhere in Malaysia is the tumult of past colonial rule felt more strongly than in port cities, and Melaka is emblematic of this cultural collision.

Melaka is perched on Peninsular Malaysia's west coast, and successive colonists (Portuguese, Dutch, British) vied for control over this trading port and maritime waystation. Today, Melaka harbors a number of variegated food cultures, a hodge-podge of architecture and alluring night markets.

Glimpse Portuguese history by clambering aboard the replica Flor de la Mar ship and sampling baked fish at Medan Portugis. Time-travel forward to Dutch rule by touring the Stadthuys (now a history museum) and salmon-pink Christ Church . Other cornerstones of history are "China Hill" cemetery and Peranakan (Straits Chinese) mansions, notably the Baba-Nyonya Heritage Museum . 

Melaka's multidimensional cultures have helped fuel a roaring tourist trade. Colorful trishaws offer joyrides and history tours, while Jonker Walk Night Market is the evening's entertainment, offering everything from open-air karaoke to nibbling on Nyonya zongzi (glutinous rice dumplings).

Take refreshing upland hikes in the Cameron Highlands

Malaysia's most famous hill stations snooze among the vivid green tea plantations of the Cameron Highlands . Temperatures seldom stray higher than 30°C (86°F), attracting locals and tourists alike to cool off in these 4265ft to 6000ft (1300m to 1829m) heights. Many folks pick strawberries at Raaju's Hill or make a beeline (sorry) for the honey farm – but there are more authentic natural encounters in the Camerons. 

Take a guided hike with Eco Cameron to marvel at orchids and hunt for the whopping rafflesia flower. You can also go alone: numbered hiking trails extend right from main towns Brinchang and Tanah Rata (ask locally about trail safety, as robberies have been reported on some routes). Inevitably, you'll reward your outdoor exertions by sipping a cup of tea (or three) at a plantation. Boh Sungei Palas has some of the best views, with Boh Tea Garden a close second. 

Ipoh is Malaysia's best unsung destination

To Malay people, Ipoh is deservedly famous. For one, Ipoh's sweet, creamy white coffee is legendary. The town is the capital of Perak, a region of past tin-mining wealth that spawned colonial follies like Kellie's Castle . Then there are the regional delicacies – chicken bean sprouts, bean curd pudding – that bring KL day trippers piling into Ipoh eateries. 

But for international travelers, Ipoh has remained firmly off the map – overlooked on the rush between KL and Penang. So if you're looking for unique places to visit in Malaysia, buck the trend and head to Ipoh. Its hilly outskirts are jeweled with cave temples; statue-studded Sam Poh Tong has a crimson pavilion secreted away among the limestone cliffs. In town, street art by famed Lithuanian muralist Ernest Zacharevic splashes the walls, shophouses on once-notorious Concubine Lane retain their antique flavor, and the train station has attracted the nickname Taj Mahal (you be the judge). 

Tioman Island is the best place to unwind

Picture it: palm trees and hibiscus flowers swaying in the sea breeze, and perhaps a sea breeze cocktail making its way into your hand as you settle in at a bar. This 52.5 sq mi (136 sq km) island begs you to unwind, embrace a slower pace and maybe get that tie-dye T-shirt.

Your only burden? Picking a village where you can settle down, uncrick your neck and maybe catch a wave or two. Kampung Juara is the best surf spot, with two wide, sandy beaches, plenty of places offering board and kayak hire, and, better yet, a turtle sanctuary on Mentawak Beach. Kampung Salang is backpacker central, with access to popular shores like white-sand Monkey Beach and occasional beach parties. To feel far from the beaten track, head to tucked-away villages like quiet, traditional Kampung Mukut . But wherever you sling your rucksack, make time for marine encounters. Tioman has extensive coral reefs (and abundant manta rays), and March to October is prime time for divers.

This article was first published Feb 23, 2022 and updated Jan 29, 2024.

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Goodbye Genie+? Big changes are coming to Disney World’s ride reservation system

• Disney Genie+ is going away at Walt Disney World, sort of.
• Starting July 24, Genie+ will be called Lightning Lane Multi Pass, and Individual Lightning Lanes will be called Lightning Lane Single Passes.
• Guests will be able to reserve rides and shows ahead of time instead of having to wait for park days.

Disney Genie+ is going away at Walt Disney World , sort of.

Starting July 24, Genie+ will be called Lightning Lane Multi Pass, and Individual Lightning Lanes will be called Lightning Lane Single Passes, but that’s not the biggest change. 

Beginning that same day, guests will be able to reserve rides and shows ahead of time instead of having to wait for park days, as part of changes first teased in May 2023 .

“Lightning Lane passes will blend features from our current services and the previously offered FastPass+ service, giving guests the choice to plan ahead and removing the hassle of planning during their vacation,”  the Florida resort announced Tuesday .

Here’s what guests should know.

How does Disney Lightning Lane work?

The Lightning Lane Multi Pass will include the same rides currently covered by Genie+ as well as Tiana’s Bayou Adventure , which opens on June 28. A la carte Lightning Lane Single Passes will be available for the most popular attractions at each park, like Individual Lightning Lanes .

However, starting July 24, guests will no longer have to wait for their park day to reserve experiences. 

• Guests staying at Disney World’s resort hotels can make selections up to seven days in advance, all at once, for up to 14 days of their stay. Other guests can make selections up to three days in advance.
• Guests can make up to three advance Lightning Lane Multi Pass selections for each day of their trip. Once they arrive at the park and complete their first experience, they can book additional experiences pending availability. Lightning Lane Single Passes remain limited to two per day, like Individual Lightning Lanes are currently.
• Guests will also be able to see prices and select attraction times before purchasing passes “​​so you know what you’re getting.” Currently, guests have to purchase Genie+ before they can see availability. Disney World’s app and website will be updated for easier planning and purchasing.

How much is the Lightning Lane at Disney World?

Disney Lightning Lane pricing varies by date and park. 

There will be no price increase related to these changes.

Halfway to the holidays: Disney announces the return of Jollywood Nights

Why is Genie+ changing?

Disney World said: “Guests have told us they would prefer to have the option to do more of their planning before their theme park day. So, this summer we will make changes to our Disney Genie+ service and individual Lightning Lane entry, including new ways to plan ahead.”

Will Disney Genie still be available?

The free Disney Genie planning tool will still be available for all guests to help plan their trips. The paid Genie+ service is the one changing.

Is Disneyland’s Genie+ changing?

Disneyland will also adopt the new names for Disney Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lanes, but they will still operate the way they do currently.

The Key Points at the top of this article were created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and reviewed by a journalist before publication. No other parts of the article were generated using AI. Learn more .

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Malaysia picks up pace in tourism, thanks to China tourists

Sunday, 30 Jun 2024

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Malaysia’s beaches, like this one in Tanjung Aru, Sabah, are always popular with tourists from China. — Photos: Pixabay

Japan and Thailand top the list of Asian destinations for Chinese tourists heading abroad this summer, as the world’s biggest market of travellers look for holidays that offer good value.

South Korea and Japan have already seen a surge of Chinese tourists after their currencies weakened against the yuan, while South-East Asian countries including Malaysia and Thailand lure tourists with visa-free entry and relatively lower costs, according to Cirium seat capacity data, flight ticketing analysis from ForwardKeys and online travel sites’ bookings.

Amy Li, who lives in Chengdu, is planning a nine-day trip to Malaysia next month with her husband and two children. Pricing was the single biggest factor in choosing Malaysia, where they will visit Kuala Lumpur and beaches in Kota Kinabalu, she said.

“It’s good value for money,” Li said. “I like ocean views and it’s not that far.”

The return of Chinese tourists to the global travel market is being closely watched, as their numbers and spending are crucial for the tourism industry’s recovery. Forecasts on when overseas trips by Chinese will return to pre-pandemic levels vary – some expect it will rebound fully by the end of this year, while others including Fitch Group say mainland tourists are still restraining spending.

Bookings and search data show there’s increased demand for international travel this summer.

Trip.com sees outbound travel from China doubling year-on-year, with family group sales for overseas holidays accounting for half of current bookings.

The World Travel and Tourism Council earlier this month forecasts Chinese holidaymakers will splurge CNY1.8 trillion (RM1.17 trillion) on overseas trips this year, exceeding pre-pandemic levels for the first time.

For now, Chinese tourists haven’t fully returned in the numbers that were seen in 2019. Regional destinations for the June to August summer season are set to recover to about 80% of 2019 levels, according to flight ticketing analysis as of June 7 from ForwardKeys.

The only two countries in Asia that are expected to exceed their 2019 levels are Singapore, with a 15% spike, and Malaysia, which is seeing a 32% boost, according to ForwardKeys.

Asian nations that have implemented visa-free policies have seen faster bookings growth, with Thailand and Singapore becoming popular weekend getaways, said Tongcheng Travel, an online agency popular among Chinese users.

Easier entry

Taking advantage of relaxed visa requirements, Bella Huang, a 27-year-old teacher from Jiangsu, is headed to Thailand in August with two girlfriends. A big fan of Thai television, this will be her first and only overseas trip this year. Her budget for the trip is about CNY8,000 (RM5,193). She didn’t even entertain heading to Europe this year, as she said getting a visa might have been difficult.

Still, some European destinations are also expected to show growth, with Belgium, Spain, Britain and Italy topping the list of favoured countries, according to data from Cirium and Trip.com.

Tourists making the longer flight to Europe are also willing more to fly in comfort.

More travellers headed to Rome (Italy), London, Milan (Italy), Madrid (Spain), Brussels (Belgium) and Barcelona (Spain) are splashing out on premium seats than they did in 2019 – even as most European destinations in economy class haven’t returned to pre-pandemic levels.

“We have observed a promising upswing in premium and business travel,” said Nan Dai, ForwardKeys’ China market analyst.

Friendly destinations

Other destinations that are expected to outpace 2019 levels show hints of geopolitical influence. Turkiye, Hungary, Uzbekistan, Georgia, Saudi Arabia, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan top the list of countries expected to see an increase in travel from China, according to Cirium. All are part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

Visitors to Hungary are expected to jump as flight capacity increases sixfold – the biggest growth of all countries – albeit off a low base.

“A lot of these countries are feeling a lot of love for China,” said Mark Tanner, managing director of Shanghai-based marketing firm China Skinny.

“They are much more China friendly, which is adding to the appeal.” – Bloomberg

Related stories:

Tags / Keywords: Travel , Tourism , China Tourists , Top Asian Destinations , Malaysia , Tourism Malaysia , holiday , trends , vacation , cirium , forwardkeys

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Expert claimed to have 'found' missing MH370 aircraft after Google Maps search

Mh370 has been missing since 2014.

Britt Jones

A tech expert has claimed to have 'found' the missing Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 using Google Maps.

It was a harrowing day on 8 March, 2014 when the flight disappeared suddenly, never to be seen again.

Carrying 239 passengers and crew on board, it set off from Kuala Lumpar for Beijing, China before radars were left unable to locate the plane .

Sparking a number of documentaries and theories about what could have befallen the flight, the incident has come back to the forefront in recent years as a result of the Netflix docuseries - MH370: The Plane That Disappeared .

Since its disappearance, several pieces of wreckage have been found, however, formal investigations led by Australia and Malaysia have yet to understand exactly what happened that night .

According to the official script for the disappearance of MH370, the aircraft allegedly executed a dramatic U-turn less than an hour into its flight before crashing into the ocean .

Though, some experts suggested that the plane could have been hijacked, and others have believed that the aircraft was shot down by the US Air Force.

However, nothing has come from these various theories.

Now, tech expert Ian Wilson has a differing view on the tragedy, suggesting that the remains of MH370 are lying deep in a jungle in Cambodia.

According to The Mirror, he said : "Measuring the Google sighting, you're looking at around 69 metres, but there looks to be a gap between the tail and the back of the plane. It's just slightly bigger, but there's a gap that would probably account for that.

"I was on there [Google Earth], a few hours here, a few hours there. If you added it up I spent hours searching for places a plane could have gone down. And in the end, as you can see the place where the plane is. It is literally the greenest, darkest part you can see."

Even though a 1,500-page report was released by investigators, it was still decided that they couldn't be certain what happened to flight MH370.

In December last year, new information from an aviation expert suggested a criminal plan to sink the plane forever.

The landing gear door of MH370 was found at the home of a Madagascan fisherman in November - some eight-and-a-half years after the plane went missing.

However, Richard Godfrey, a British engineer, and Blaine Gibson, an American MH370 wreckage hunter, believe that the gear proves the plane was crashed deliberately.

The experts believe that the damage to the landing gear door - known as a trunnion door - suggests that one of the pilot's lowered the aircraft's wheels in the final seconds of the flight, subsequently pointing to criminal intent.

Though, nobody can be certain about what happened and this new piece of information about it’s possible whereabouts could finally help solve the mystery once and for all.

Topics:  Conspiracy Theory , MH370 , Travel

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