The Top 12 Activities in Malaysia
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| The Top 12 things to do in Malaysia |
Our list of the top things to do in Malaysia demonstrates how multicultural Malaysia is at its core due to its location at the intersection of Asia and its long history of international seafaring. This is where Malay, Chinese, Indian, and European cultures come together to form a distinctively Malaysian identity. The Malay Peninsula and the two eastern states of Sabah and Sarawak in northern Borneo make up the country's geographical boundaries. With some of Southeast Asia's best coral reefs and rainforests, it's a nature lover's paradise. Foodies will enjoy the plentiful and affordable local street food, while culture vultures will adore the ethnic diversity and multiple historical tiers.
1, George Town
What location is it? off the northwest coast of Malaysia, on the island state of Penang.
What's that? A mash-up of cultures creating the best street food in the country.
Why leave? Though George Town boasts historic buildings and colorful street art, the street food is the real attraction. Try the barbecue lok-lok (bite-sized fish balls, fried dumplings, baby octopus, or satay on a stick) at the massive Gurney Drive Market. Nearby, Kafe Kheng Ping is well-known for its lor bak, which includes pork, tofu, and shrimp.
2. Pulau Sipadan diving
What location is it? off Sabah's eastern coast.
What's that? Malaysia offers some of the best scuba diving in the world.
Why leave? Off the east coast of Sabah, Sipadan Island is a 600-meter-tall pinnacle covered in coral reef. It is an old volcanic relic. Abundant biodiversity is brought about by strong currents; you'll see a lot of sharks, turtles, and trevally and barracuda formations that resemble tornadoes. Rebels in the Philippines have abducted people, and while the Malaysian navy currently protects
3. Melaka
What location is it? In the southwest of Malaysia.
What's that? a fascinatingly diverse city with a rich history.
Why leave? World Heritage listed by UNESCO Melaka is a delightful cultural treat. For centuries, the city served as a major trading hub and was contested by the Portuguese, Dutch, and British. There are still historic sites throughout, and the city center has been meticulously preserved, complete with brightly colored trishaws waiting to whisk you around and rusty red buildings. Prior to the arrival of Europeans, Chinese traders established a stronghold of Straits Chinese (Peranakan) culture in Melaka. Explore the historic Peranakan townhouse that houses the Baba and Nyonya Heritage Museum to learn about a bygone era.
4. Madame Kwan
What location is it? Different parts of Kuala Lumpur.
What's that? a well-known Malaysian restaurant in Kuala Lumpur that serves regional specialties.
Why leave? The unofficial national dish is nasi lemak, which consists of fragrant coconut rice and a variety of sides like fried chicken, fried eggs, peanuts, small fried fish, and spicy sambal sauce. Madam Kwan's Nasi Lemak has been proclaimed the best by Malaysia's Ministry of Tourism. Even at 84 years old, Madam Kwan has been running her restaurants since 1977 and is constantly in the kitchen, starting at 5 a.m. Try the stores in Suria KLCC or Bangsar; you might even run into Madam Kwan herself.
5. Orangutan Rehabilitation Center of Sepilok
What location is it? In eastern Sabah, close to the town of Sandakan.
What's that? For rescued orangutans, a temporary residence before their release.
Why leave? Orangutans live in Borneo, but habitat loss and the pet trade pose a threat to these adorable apes. The rehabilitation facility takes care of injured or abandoned animals and is located next to the Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve. Adorably, young orangutans can be seen learning to swing, play, and wrestle in their outdoor nursery. An additional food source for older animals released into the forest is a feeding platform. Daily feeding times are 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
6. The Perhentian Island
What location is it? From Kota Bharu offshore; northeast of the peninsula.
What's that? Relaxed islands perfect for beach cocktails and snorkeling.
Why leave? Pulau Perhentian is a confusing term that describes two islands. Perhentian Kecil, a small island, is the destination for partygoers who head directly to Long Beach, while Perhentian Besar, a large island, is ideal for leisure and upscale lodging. If you can get out of your hammock, go snorkeling with harmless blacktip sharks and turtles, or take a dive trip to an island farther out. This area can only be reached by water taxi or inland walking tracks.
7. Temples in Batu Cave
What location is it? 13 kilometers away from Kuala Lumpur.
What's that? An important place of worship for Hindus in Malaysia.
Why leave? A massive gold statue of Lord Murugan, a Hindu deity, watches over the Batu Caves. Assuming you manage to get past him, ascend the 272 steps and pass through roving monkeys to reach the limestone caves that house Hindu temples, notable for their elaborate murals and statues. Don't miss the amazing Thaipusam festival if you happen to visit in late January or early February. Devotees, many of whom are impaled with skewers, walk from the city to the caves in a trance-like procession.
8. The Kinabalu Mountain
What location is it? two hours' drive from Sabah's Kota Kinabalu.
What's that? A two-day trek to the highest peak in Southeast Asia.
Why leave? Every year, thousands of hikers ascend Mount Kinabalu, which is 4,095 meters high. There are multiple routes, one of which involves a via ferrata (clip-on cable traverse). The trip starts in a steaming rainforest and ascends through numerous climate zones before coming to an icy, desolate rock summit. The mountain is home to an incredible diversity of plants, including the Rafflesia, which is the largest flower in the world and measures one meter in width. It smells like rotting flesh. After spending the night in a simple lodge, you'll ascend in the dark to witness the break of dawn over Sabah's roof. There is a cap on the number of guests, so reservations and guides are required.
9. The Cave of Deer
What location is it? Sarawak's Gunung Mulu National Park.
What's that? A massive network of caves, with bats included.
Why leave? The world's largest accessible cave, Deer Cave, is located in Gunung Mulu National Park. The Garden of Eden, a sinkhole with a bottom covered in rainforest that is about one kilometer across and up to 300 meters deep, is accessible through the entrance of the cave. During the day, this cave is home to about three million bats. Head to the viewing platform before dusk to see the bats wheeling and turning together as they pour out of the cave in large numbers.
10. Highlands of Cameron
What location is it? three and a half hours away from Kuala Lumpur by car.
What's that? Tea plantations and a cool climate atop a hill station from British era.
Why leave? At 1,829 meters above sea level, the Cameron Highlands offer a refreshing respite from the heat. During the colonial era, the British developed the Cameron Highlands for recreation. They constructed stately bungalows that now coexist with some less striking architecture. The Boh Sungai Palas Tea Estate offers a tour and a contemporary café with a stunning view of the surrounding greenery. The British also introduced tea plantations. There are strawberry farms and nature trails in the Cameron Highlands.
11. Cultural Village Mari Mari
What location is it? In Sabah, just outside Kota Kinabalu.
What's that? An entertaining and engaging look at Sabah's principal tribes.
Why leave? The head-hunting tribe of Murut, as well as the Dusun, Rungus, Lundayeh, and Bajau, give engaging presentations that introduce visitors to five of Sabah's forty-two major ethnic groups. Visitors are guided between exhibits via rainforest trails. In addition to tasting traditional rice liquor, you will learn how to shoot a "poison" dart. A variety of dances are displayed, with dancers showcasing their intricate footwork as they hop over moving bamboo poles. Tribal warriors in the Murut longhouse laugh at guests who fall off the traditional wooden trampoline, the lansaran, as they bounce and touch the ceiling.
12. Pulau Langkawi's Kilim Karst Geoforest Park
What location is it? Peninsula Malaysia's extreme northwest.
What's that? A boat ride around Langkawi Island's mangrove and limestone formations.
Why leave? Try taking a tranquil boat or kayak trip through Kilim Karst Geoforest Park, which leaves from the jetty at Tanjung Rhu, if you'd like to escape the monotonous roar of the jet skis while on Langkawi. Boat tours include going to a bat cave, dining at a floating restaurant, and searching for Lang (Malay for eagles), which is how Langkawi got its name. Select a moral business that doesn't feed the eagles in the wild because doing so upsets the equilibrium of the natural ecosystem. Take an Eco-tour with Langkawi.