Discover the highlights of Malaysia

Tropical Malaysia arcs through the centre of Southeast Asia like a smile. Comprised of two quite distant landmasses – Peninsular Malaysia, below Thailand, and East Malaysia, some 640km east on the northern part of the island of Borneo – it certainly doesn’t have a straightforward geography. What Malaysia does have is a wonder-inducing diversity of places to go and things to see and do. From frenetic cities to remote islands and dense, ancient rainforests, there are multiple holiday habitats to explore here. Wildlife enthusiasts, food lovers and those on a quest for the perfect beach will find it all and more in Malaysia. Here we run through some of the top things to see and do in Malaysia, unveiling the many different faces of this fascinating Southeast Asian nation.

Top things to see and do in Malaysia: beaches and diving

With hundreds of islands and thousands of kilometres of coastline, Malaysia has a beach for everyone. The coral-white sands of the Perhentian Islands off the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia are known for their gentle waters, magnificent sunsets and snorkelling. They are a firm favourite for dreamy romantic breaks, as is the pristine Mataking Island in Sabah (East Malaysia).

Diving enthusiasts should head to Sipadan Island (Sabah) or Tioman Island (Peninsular East Coast) – the latter is also popular with surfers. Lovely Redang Island within Peninsular Malaysia’s Terengganu Marine Park offers a thriving reef, and the jungle-backed beaches are a haven for green sea turtles.

For a slice of old-school Malaysia, visit Penarik Beach in Terengganu on the mainland. This mellow Malay fishing village has a clutch of traditional wooden houses and a golden stretch of sand. Elsewhere, Langkawi Island off the west coast will satisfy socialites with its laid-back party beach scene.

Scintillating cities and culture

Malaysia’s melting-pot mix of people and cultures is dizzying. For thousands of years, this configuration of territories in the South China Sea has seen comings and goings from all over the world. The Malay people comprise dozens of diverse ethnic groups and languages. There are large populations of Indian and Chinese, and shades of British, Portuguese, and Dutch colonialism are all in evidence.

For urban charisma, Kuala Lumpur in Peninsular Malaysia claims the top spot as the multi-layered capital and financial powerhouse. Skyscrapers reach into the blue, standing alongside Islamic minarets and neon advertising. KL’s high-rises are topped by infinity pools and cocktail bars, making them ideal for bird’s-eye views, while down in the labyrinthine streets are many different places of worship interspersed with Art Deco buildings, age-old banyan trees, and buzzing night markets.

Heading south, Melaka City is a popular tourist destination with its well-preserved and UNESCO-protected city centre. To the north, George Town on Penang Island is a small, architecturally interesting city ideal for long, arty ambles fuelled by cafe and street food stops. East Malaysia is much less populated than the mainland and has smaller urban centres. Kuching, the capital of Sarawak, is a sophisticated riverside city with a rich cultural heritage.

Top places for wildlife in Malaysia

Malaysia’s tropical equatorial jungles and primal rainforest are some of the most ancient and diverse in the world. The wildlife here is exuberant, technicoloured and dazzling. In the forests of Malaysian Borneo live rare creatures, such as orangutans, pygmy elephants, and long-nosed proboscis monkeys. In fact, these forests are home to some 20% of the planet’s known animal, plant and bird species. The Kinabalu National Park, the Danum Valley Conservation Area, and the Bako National Park are all entrancing.

In Peninsular Malaysia, the Taman Negara is a vast national park with great swathes of rainforest-cloaked mountains cut through with rushing rivers. The Malay tiger stalks these lands, and parts of the forest are said to be 130 million years old.

The flavours of Malaysia

With its concoction of cultures, the Malaysian food scene is exciting and multi-layered. In its kitchen cupboards are Indian and Sri Lankan spices, notes of Chinese sweet and sour, and tropical cake recipes inspired by British high teas. In the street food markets of Penang, you can snack on fragrant fish cakes wrapped in banana leaves, sweet rotis, and rainbow-hued mounds of syrupy-sweet shaved ice.

Rice is a staple in many dishes, such as nasi goreng and nasi lemak. Also on the menu are noodles, tangy laksa soups, satay skewers, complex rendangs, and dim sum. If you would like to learn a few Malaysian culinary secrets, joining a cooking class is great fun. For the ultimate afternoon tea, head to the cooler climes of the Cameron Highlands, where the staple crops are tea and strawberries.

Top things to see and do in Malaysia: explore unique architecture

In line with its cultural diversity, Malaysian architecture draws on very different influences, from colonial European constructions to the domes and minarets of Islamic design. Kuala Lumpur Railway Station, built in 1910, combines the two. Designed by a British government architect in a neo-Moorish style, this Anglo-Asian edifice features white-and-cream archways festooned with domes and minarets.

Elsewhere in the city are the Masjid Jamek Mosque and the Petronas Towers, the tallest twin towers in the world. Other towns and cities in Malaysia mirror this mosaic of modern Islamic architecture combined with colonial influences and Chinese heritage.

Hiking and outdoor adventures in Malaysia

The lush forests, coral reefs, cave systems and mountains of Malaysia all promise adventure. Across the country are hikes of all levels, leading walkers along shady rainforest trails and up to lofty lookout points. In Peninsular Malaysia, the Titiwangsa Mountains run through the forested centre of the country. Over in East Malaysia, Mount Kinabalu, the country’s highest peak at 4,095m, demands a challenging two-day hike to the summit. For gentle walking in cooler climes, the Cameron Highlands give ramblers the option of a much more sedate pace.

The diving around Sabah and Sarawak is outstanding, with wildlife-rich reefs and gin-clear visibility. Swimming, surfing and snorkelling are all on the agenda, but there are also some wild rides to be had on Malaysia’s rivers. The Kampar River in Peninsular Malaysia has Grade 1-3 rapids, and in Sabah, the Padas River ramps things up to Grade 4.

For adventures underground, head to Sarawak and the Mulu National Park. It is home to the Deer Cave, one of the largest caverns in the world, along with many more caves and an intriguing landscape of limestone pinnacles.

Make it happen

Feeling inspired to dive into the diverse array of things to see and do in Malaysia? Chat with a local expert today and start mapping out your tropical adventure.