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Where to Go in Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur skyline

As the country’s capital city, Kuala Lumpur is the perfect blend of Malaysia’s past, present, and future. It is where history meets modernity and where the present time is marked by a touch of both the old and the futuristic.

Alongside British colonial buildings of the Dataran Merdeka, which once were focal points of British rule, are now high-rising towers of offices and cosmopolitan projects. The traditional midnight lamps of night markets are also matched by the city’s display of neon lights. Kuala Lumpur is everything in between, a balance of both then and now.

Some of the biggest attractions of the city are the Petronas Towers. With a height of 1,453 feet, they stand as two of the world’s tallest buildings. Because of their size, the Petronas Towers have come to symbolize the growth Malaysia has achieved over the last two decades.

A small paradise is also hidden in the city. The Lake Gardens, as it is called, have botanical and bird parks that give visitors a glimpse of Malaysia’s abundant flora and fauna. The beauty of the country’s traditional music and artworks are likewise housed in the Central Market. Malaysia’s cultural history also continues to live on as the National Museum gives focus to it.

Whether you love exploring the past or picturing the future, Kuala Lumpur is the city to be.

Penang

George Town Penang Malaysia Aerial Scenic view from Penang Hill with City Lights at Night

When all you want to do is look around and experience that old-world feel, Penang is the right place for you.

As the oldest British Straits Settlement, Penang has become a melting pot of cultures and ethnicities. Its inner city of Georgetown was once where trade took place, leaving footprints of Chinese and Indian origins. The architecture is also arguably incomparable to other Southeast Asian townscapes.

Penang’s beaches, complemented by food stalls of authentic Malaysian cuisine, lure locals and visitors alike. You must never miss out on activities like swimming, sunbathing, and sampling culinary blends.

Penang is an exquisite mixture of cultures, which takes every traveler on an amazing journey of beaches, food, and architecture.

Mount Kinabalu

Mount Kinabalu, the highest peak in the Malay Archipelago, Sabah, East Malaysia.

Mount Kinabalu is the highest mountain in Borneo, with a height of about 13,435 feet. Known for its spectacular biodiversity, Mount Kinabalu attracts thousands of visitors each year. In this mountain alone, there are over 600 species of ferns, more than 300 species of birds, and about 100 species of mammals.

While Mount Kinabalu is easier to climb than other mountains, most people take three days and two nights to reach the top and climb back down. Hours and hours of trekking are needed if you intend to arrive at the summit. For this, guesthouses have been built at Laban Rata for climbers to rest in. Hot meals are also served for hungry and weary travelers.

The climb can be more than exhausting, especially for first-timers, but the sceneries along the way are worth every breath. The rainforests present an incredible picture of Malaysia’s flora and fauna, with green leaves of ancient trees reaching up to skies of blue. Birds sing sweet melodies only nature can understand, leaving you in awe of your surroundings’ grandeur. And when you reach the summit, the view would be everything you would expect and more.

Cameron Highlands

Tea plantation Cameron highlands, Malaysia

One of Malaysia’s finest natural beauties, Cameron Highlands is the largest hill resort in the country. Located on the Titiwangsa Range, its cool air and refreshing weather makes it an ideal spot for a getaway.

Cameron Highlands is made up of vast plantations of fruits and vegetables as well as flower farms and tea gardens. With flourishing agricultural lands such as these, you could expect to see color anywhere you look. Extraordinary sights of blooming flowers and budding fruit trees are sure to stimulate your senses.

If you wish to simply sit back and relax, Cameron Highlands has cafes where you can sip hot tea while waiting for the sun to set. You can then stroll around cactus plantations and go onboard a steamboat for dinner. You may also want to try a round of golf after for a little action.

Langkawi

The Langkawi archipelago has 99 islands scattered on the waters of Andaman Sea, just south of Thailand. These isles are best known for their pristine beaches and fun outdoor activities.

Long stretches of white sand cover the shores of Langkawi islands, making the archipelago a favorite spot for swimming and summer outings. Some of those frequently visited are the beaches of Panati Cenang, Panati Kok, and Pantai Datai.

Langkawi also has diving and snorkeling areas. One of these is Palau Payar Marine Park. Here you can swim with the creatures of the sea, after which you can relax in a viewing platform before going on another adventure.

Aside from its beach wonders, Langkawi’s rustic grounds draw visitors to its islands. Its bucolic view of rice fields and buffaloes gives it an alternative display of nature not commonly found on other islands.

Other activities such as riding boats through mangroves, feeding eagles, and spelunking can also be enjoyed.

Taman Negara

Canopy walkway, Taman Negara National Park – Best of Malaysia

Taman Negara, which translates to “national park” in Malay, is among the world’s oldest rainforests. With gigantic trees and long canopy walkways, it is basically a jungle you can safely explore and enjoy.

Home to several endangered species like the Asian elephant, leopards, and tigers, Teman Negara is well-preserved yet open to curious tourists. While sightings of the said species may be rare, you could still enjoy watching birds, lizards, snakes, and other wild animals. Jungle trekking and elephant tracking are among the things you can do here.

If you’re more on to getting wet and dirty, you might want to try fishing and kayaking. You could also spend a night or two at Kenyir Lake.

Mulu Caves

Large chamber within Deer Cave of Mulu National Park, Sarawak, Malaysia

If you’re tired of beaches and jungles and you want to try something new, perhaps you would want to give cave exploration a try.

The magnificent Mulu caves can be found at the Gunung Mulu National Park in Borneo. Aside from these caves, the park exhibits karst formations made of limestone. You could also find here the largest cave chamber in the world, the Sarawak chamber. It has been said that this chamber is so enormous that it could fit London’s St. Paul Cathedral five times over.

When exploring these natural wonders, you might want to avoid Deer Cave when the clock strikes 5 p.m., unless you like being swept away by dark nocturnal mammals. Over a million bats exit the cave at this hour everyday to find food, painting the sky a shade of turbulent black for a little while.

Nevertheless, exploring Mulu caves can be a great alternative to your Malaysian vacation.

Melaka

Considered as Malaysia’s historical city, Melaka stands out with many ancient buildings complemented by different cultural settings.

Once a port located strategically along the Strait of Malacca, Melaka’s edifice has been greatly influenced by the Dutch, English, and Portuguese. The remnants of the past still strongly rise, and it is best to walk when going around this tourist destination.

Some of the historical structures that must be visited here are Stadthuys, Christ Church, A’ Famosa, and St. Paul’s Church. These buildings have successfully withstood the tests of time and weather. They are also a concrete storyteller of Melaka’s colorful past.

Perhentian Islands

When you still want the best even when traveling on a budget, the Perhentian Islands are the place to go.

Situated just off the coast of northeastern Malaysia, the Perhentian Islands offer warm, lovely beaches and amazing diving spots. Whether you are in Perhentian Besar (Big Perhentian) or Perhentian Kecil (Small Perhentian), or in any Perhentian island for that matter, you are sure to get the same taste of white sand and blue seas.

Looking for cheap accommodation is also not a problem, for rooms in these islands are very affordable. While they may not be five-star hotels, you could expect to have a comfortable abode for your entire stay in this paradise.

Enjoying a beautiful day at the beach, playing with the waves, and watching the sunset don’t have to cost a fortune, and that’s what the Perhentian Islands prove.

Palau Tioman

Once named by Time Magazine as one of the world’s most beautiful islands, Palau Tioman exceeds the expectations of its visitors.

Palau Tioman is a diver’s haven. Surrounded by countless white coral reefs, many tourists have flocked to this island to explore the life beneath its waters. Aside from scuba diving, you could also go snorkeling and feel the warm embrace of the sea.

Turtles come to Palau Tioman to lay eggs, and this is one thing you would never want to miss seeing. You could document and photograph sea creatures as they go on with their everyday life, while you enjoy your own.

Palau Tioman, like other Malay islands, has bountiful flora and fauna. From the depths of its seas to the heart of its forest, no wonder it has been called one of our earth’s most beautiful patches of land.