Profile Image

Top Tourist Attractions In Malaysia That Deserve A Spot On Your Itinerary

Travelling to Malaysia? Here’s everything you need to know about the tourist places in Malaysia that are a must-visit.

Team ZZ

Is it diving locations and tropical beaches, mountain hikes, or swanky city centres that you're most interested in seeing? Don't hesitate; Malaysia provides an unparalleled array of activities. Surprisingly diverse landscapes, customs, and cuisines characterise this Southeast Asian country. In urban areas, modern skyscrapers coexist alongside ancient architectural landmarks like minarets, mandirs, and Chinese temples. Hills, beaches, and jungles await outside of the city. There are so many tourist attractions in Malaysia, so we have narrowed it down so you can plan the best trip!

Despite the rapid adoption of modern architecture and cuisine in urban centres throughout Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo, many indigenous arts, crafts, and recipes have survived. Make sure you don't miss these amazing Malaysian tourist places!

Kota Kinabalu

This seaside metropolis is the administrative centre of Malaysia's Sabah state and is often abbreviated as KK. Kota Kinabalu stands out as one of Malaysia's liveliest towns due to its welcoming natives, stunning sunsets, delicious food, vibrant markets, stunning beaches, contemporary boardwalks, and the Kota Kinabalu City Mosque. Kota Kinabalu is a huge portion of the nation that will astound you with all the things to do and see. This tranquil abode showcases the authentic aspect of the nation with serpentine vistas of Mount Kinabalu set against a crimson sky and beautiful clouds, creating an idyllic postcard scenario that will captivate mountain fans. Kinabalu National Park, home to a variety of rare species and boasting stunning coral reefs, islands, and beaches, is the perfect destination for nature lovers. With humidity reaching 92% and temperatures between 25 and 30 degrees Celsius, this is the ideal place to go scuba diving. This is truly one of the best tourist places in Malaysia!

Langkawi

It is one of the most beautiful tourist attractions in Malaysia! The archipelago of 99 islands in Malaysia known as Langkawi attracts more than 3 million tourists every year. It is located in Kedah State. Langkawi, a popular place in Malaysia and a beautiful island in the Malacca Strait has tranquil beaches dotted with cliffs and rainforests, vast rice farms, trendy promenades, historical artefacts, art galleries, lively bazaars, and duty-free shopping. In addition to its white sands, proximity to museums, and seafood cafés, Langkawi beaches like Pantai Kok, Pantai Tengah, and Tengkorak are ideal for sunbathing. Pulau Payar Marine Park, Tanjung Rhu, and Pantai Cenang Beach are popular destinations for scuba divers and snorkelers. Gunung Raya, the highest hill in the area with a golf course at its base, the Skytrail Jungle, which is home to plants that are 500 years old, and Langkawi Wildlife Park are all popular places for hikes. At a height of 2,300 feet, tourists like strolling over the glass bridge that encircles the Telaga Tujuh Waterfalls.

Enjoy a mangrove tour at Kilim Karst Geopark, learn about Langkawi and Malaysian history at Mahsuri Tomb and Museum, spend a day in Eagle Square, and relax at Air Hangat Village's natural hot spring pools. Ulu Melaka's street cuisine and the Kedawang and Temoyong Night Markets' souvenirs and handicrafts will round off your Langkawi trip.

Discover the enchanted Batu Caves on a climb

Add this to your Malaysian travel itinerary! You are dwarfed by sheer limestone cliffs as you will have to climb the 272-step staircase ahead. A colossal statue of the Hindu deity Murugan, adorned with golden ornamentation, stares directly at you. Visitors to Malaysia will never forget the cheeky macaques that surrounded them as they made their first exhilarating climb to Batu Caves. This popular day excursion from Kuala Lumpur is readily accessible by rail and just 13km/8 miles away, therefore it attracts many people. Everyone from villagers to tourists to pilgrims is eager to see this spiritual and environmental beauty. Enchanting temples with dioramas depicting mythological scenes dot this network of limestone tunnels. A Hindu temple has stood in the heart of the Temple Cave since the year 1890. After exploring its two vast chambers, you may go on a side mission to the peaceful Ramayana Cave, where dioramas depict scenes from the Sanskrit epic tale about responsibility and virtue. The cave is accessible by a small bridge.

Visit George Town, Penang, and dine at its top food markets

This is one of the best tourist places in Malaysia! Street art abounds in Penang, the island capital, which is also filled with structures from the British Raj period and shops offering arts and crafts. Pay attention to your growling tummy before you visit these George Town attractions. The greatest activities in Penang are those that include food and drink, and the capital of the state hosts the largest banquet. The only problem in a city full of gourmet food markets, chic cafés, and everything in between is deciding where to start. We fantasise about dining at the famous Indian restaurant Hameediyah for its chicken curry, Lorong Baru Hawker Stalls for its Hokkien mee (noodles), and Anjung Gurney Night Market for their spicy-sweet Rojak salad and grilled satay skewers. Kafe Heng Huat serves some of the greatest char kway teow; rice noodles sizzled with giant prawns; and spicy, fishy Penang laksa are two other dishes that you must taste.

Kuala Lumpur

We know you will come here, but we can’t help but curate your Malaysian travel itinerary. Kuala Lumpur, or KL as it is more often known, is the nation's capital. The country's biggest metropolis, Kuala Lumpur, occupies almost 245 square kilometres and is formally known as the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur. That's Kuala Lumpur for you: steel-clad skyscrapers, giant malls, famous landmarks, busy marketplaces, and a growing nightlife! Different parts of Kuala Lumpur are famous for different things. Nevertheless, the Golden Triangle—which includes the Bukit Bintang, KLCC, and Chinatown districts—is the city's primary attraction. Some of the city's trendiest nightclubs, lounges, and pubs can be found here, making it a popular entertainment centre.

Kuala Lumpur is generally regarded as the retail and fashion mecca of Southeast Asia, and with good reason: it is home to three of the world's ten biggest shopping complexes. Kuala Lumpur is home to 66 shopping complexes, many of which sell authentic handicrafts from big worldwide companies. Atmospheric encounters are just as pleasurable in the city's historic marketplaces. The shopping extravaganza that takes place in Kuala Lumpur in March, May, or December is an adventure in and of itself.

Photo: Shutterstock