10 of the best places to visit and things to do on holiday in Malaysia, from shopping and skyscrapers in KL to beaches in Langkawi.
1. Kuala Lumpur – The capital city of Malaysia. The heaven for entertainment, shopping, drinking, and people watching. Travelers need at least 3 days to visit tourists spots such as the Petronas Twin Tower, Batu Caves, Tasek Perdana with Birds Park, Orchid Garden, museum, zoo, royal palace, chinese temples etc. The best way to explore the city is by utilising its Integrated Railway System to connect to most travel sites. Commonly called KL by locals, this vibrant city is a cultural melting pot, noted for its impressive skyscrapers and buzzing scenes of shopping, dining and nightlife.
2. Langkawi - A tax-free heaven, Langkawi is a beautiful island in the northwestern part of Peninsular Malaysia; many people describe the island as one of the most beautiful islands in the world. The island is not (yet) spoiled by tourists, which makes it a perfect holiday destination for travelers. The island is especially renowned for the many great attractions. Besides that you can shop at some of the shopping malls, you can have splendid dinners at one of the many hawkers, or you can rent a motorcycle (moped) to explore the island.
3. Penang Island - Penang is a beautiful island in the northwestern part of Peninsular Malaysia. While Langkawi is well known for the pristine jungles and beaches, Penang is more renowned for the authentic (Chinese influenced) Asian atmosphere and the great food at the numerous hawkers. Should you ask Penangites to describe the island, many would probably tell you the great food is the main reason why tourists should visit Penang.
4. A Famosa - (Portuguese for 'The Famous') is a historical fortress found in Malacca, the capital city of the Malaysian Malacca state. Built in the early 1500s and continually expanded over the course of that century, today all that is left of the originally four-towered fortress is the entrance gatehouse. Still, A Famosa will sparkle the interest of the most curious and history-savvy, as it stands as an emblematic symbol of the city's past. The fortress, built by the Portuguese, later fell into the hands of the Dutch and the British, thus becoming a possession of all the Europeans who colonised the city. Malacca City also offers other interesting sights, such as the Stadthuys, the 17th century residence of the Dutch governor, and Jonker Street, very popular among locals and tourists alike for its many shops and eateries.
5. Ipoh - Now nicknamed as the 'Bougainvillea City', is the perfect spot to experience life in British Colonial Malaysia. Walk along the banks of the Kinta River in the city’s old town and take in the Edwardian railway station and town hall. For bigger thrills, try your hand at white water rafting, jungle trekking and caving in and around Malaysia’s fourth-largest city.
6. Sipadan Island - Sipadan is probably one of the best diving spots in the world. Every diving enthusiast knows that the underwater world 'beneath' the island is simply stunning. Sipadan Island used to be open to public, but after the government concluded that the island and its surroundings were quickly deteriorating the island became a protected marine park. Fortunately, diving is still possible, but visitors stay overnight at the neighboring islands of Mabul or Kapalai. Sipadan is a very exclusive diving spot, so you'll pay pretty high prices for a diving trip to the island. Diving conditions are usually excellent, though it is best to be an advanced diver due to strong currents (and depth of diving).
7. Taman Negara - With an extension of over 4,000 square kilometres, the national park of Taman Negara straddles three Malaysian states, and is under close protection, being the home to many species of endangered animals, such as the Malayan tiger, the crab-eating macaque and the Asian elephant. The area is so vast, however, that it’s rare to catch the sight of any of the big animals; but this should not discourage anyone from visiting the park, as many other surprises await. Bird watching, excursions through the dense jungles of the park, and the night walks – where the lack of light brings out the sounds of buzzing insects and sweeping trees – are particularly thrilling. The rainforest can also be viewed from above the treetops while trekking down the 530-metre-long suspended Canopy Walkway.
8. Genting Highland – Founded in the late 1960s, Genting Highland is the hub of entertainment with outdoor and indoor theme parks, shopping malls, Karaoke, restaurants, bars and most importantly, it is the home of the only legal land-based casino in Malaysia. Located on top of the 1700m above sea level mountain and on the border of Pahang and Selangor States, it is sometimes referred as the Las Vegas of South East Asia. The highlands are very popular with people that want to escape the hot and humid weather in Kuala Lumpur. Temperatures vary often around 16/24 degrees, which is quite cold for people from KL.
9. Cameron Highlands - Malaysia's green Cameron Highlands are one of the few places in Southeast Asia where you'll want a jacket -- particularly at night -- but after sweating across tropical climates, you may appreciate the change. You'll have plenty of lush scenery, beautiful tea plantations to tour, and access to decent trekking trails that weave through plantations and around volcanoes. Strawberry farms, butterfly gardens, and flower greenhouses are all enjoyable distractions in the Cameron Highlands.
10. Kota Kinabalu - formerly known as Jesselton, is the city capital of Sabah as well as the capital of the West Coast Division of Sabah. Strategically situated in the Northwest Coast of Borneo Island, facing the South China Sea and Tunku Abdul Rahman Park on one side, and set against the backdrop of Mount Kinabalu; this beautiful ‘Nature Resort City’ stretches for miles along the coast and towards the inland. Affectionately known as KK or Api Api by the locals, Kota Kinabalu is a popular tourism getaway and a major gateway into Sabah and Borneo Island. Apart from featuring a number of tourism attractions in and around the city, Kota Kinabalu is also one of the most thriving industrial and commercial centers in East Malaysia.
