Malaysia Travel Guide

Explore the cultural and natural attractions, hiking routes, food and drinks, accommodations, local culture and customs, safety and health, transportation options, and nearby destinations of Malaysia with our tour guide.


Introduction to Malaysia

Malaysia is a multicultural country in Southeast Asia, bordered by Thailand, Singapore, and Indonesia. The country is known for its diverse culture, stunning natural landscapes, and vibrant cities. Exploring Malaysia is a unique experience, with visitors enjoying a mix of colonial architecture, lush rainforests, beautiful beaches, and delicious cuisine. Our comprehensive tour guide for Malaysia will give you an insider’s glimpse of everything the country has to offer.

List of Places to Visit in Malaysia

Malaysia is a tourist’s paradise with so many fascinating places to visit. Here is a list of the top places to visit in Malaysia.

Culturally Important Attractions: Museums and Historical Places

Malaysia is known for its rich history and culture, which is reflected in its museums and historical sites. Some of the popular cultural attractions and historical places in Malaysia include:

  • National Museum of Malaysia
  • Penang Museum and Art Gallery
  • Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia
  • Georgetown Historic Center
  • Malacca Historic City
  • Kuching Old Town
  • Batu Caves

Natural Attractions of Malaysia: Outdoor Adventures and Scenic Views

Malaysia is blessed with breathtaking natural beauty. The country has world-class beaches, pristine rainforest, and awe-inspiring mountains. Here are some of the natural attractions worth visiting in Malaysia:

  • Langkawi Island
  • Taman Negara National Park
  • Mount Kinabalu
  • Cameron Highlands
  • Perhentian Islands
  • Tioman Island
  • Bako National Park

Hiking/Biking Routes of Malaysia

Malaysia offers exceptional landscapes for hiking and biking enthusiasts. Here are some of the most popular routes:

  • Mount Kinabalu Summit Trail
  • Gunung Mulu Summit Trail
  • Cameron Highlands Trail
  • Bako National Park Trail
  • Taman Negara Canopy Walkway
  • Penang National Park Trail

Best Things to Do in Malaysia: Activities and Tours

Besides visiting historical sites and natural attractions, Malaysia offers a wide range of activities and tours for travelers. Some of the best things to do in Malaysia are:

  • Petronas Twin Towers
  • Theme parks (Sunway Lagoon, Genting Highlands)
  • Night markets (Jalan Alor, Petaling Street, Jonker Walk)
  • Shopping malls (Bukit Bintang, Suria KLCC)
  • Batik Painting and Cultural Workshops
  • Snorkeling and Diving in Perhentian and Tioman Islands

Week-Long Itinerary for Malaysia

Here is a week-long itinerary that covers the major attractions in Malaysia:

Day Destination
1 Kuala Lumpur
2 Malacca Historical City
3 Langkawi Island
4 Penang Island
5 Cameron Highlands
6 Taman Negara National Park
7 Kota Kinabalu

Food and Drink Scene of Malaysia

Malaysia is a food lover’s paradise, where you can find a broad range of flavors and cuisines. Here are some popular dishes and drinks that you must try in Malaysia.

Must-Try Dishes

  • nasi lemak
  • laksa
  • satay
  • roti canai
  • char kway teow
  • rojak
  • nasi kandar
  • durian

Local Beverages

  • Teh tarik
  • White coffee
  • Air bandung
  • Milo

Where to Stay in Malaysia: Hotels, Hostels, and Guesthouses

Malaysia has a wide range of accommodation options at various price points. Whether you are looking for hotels, hostels or guesthouses, you can find the perfect option that meets your budget and preferences. Some of the best places to stay in Malaysia include:

  • Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur
  • The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur
  • Four Seasons Resort Langkawi
  • Georgetown City Hotel
  • Holiday Villa Beach Resort & Spa Langkawi

What to Buy in Malaysia: Souvenirs and Local Products to Bring Home

Malaysia has many local products that are perfect for souvenirs or as gifts for your loved ones. Some of the popular items to buy in Malaysia include:

  • Batik fabric
  • Handicraft items like wooden masks and paintings
  • Pewter ornaments
  • Traditional Malay attire like baju kurung and baju melayu
  • Durian-flavored snacks
  • Palm sugar

Local Culture and Customs of Malaysia

Malaysia is a multicultural country with diverse ethnic groups such as Malays, Chinese and Indians staying together. Understanding the local culture and customs is essential to make your trip hassle-free. It is customary to remove your shoes before entering someone’s home or temple, and it is respectful to dress modestly and conservatively. It is also polite to greet anyone you meet in Malaysia, and the traditional greeting is “Selamat Datang”.

Best Time to Visit Malaysia

The best time to visit Malaysia is between March and October, when the weather is dry and sunny. However, it can be crowded during public holidays and festivals.

Do’s and Don’ts of Malaysia

Do:

  • Dress modestly
  • Remove shoes before entering temples and mosques
  • Respect the local culture and customs
  • Greet people with “Selamat datang”

Don’t:

  • Disrespect the royal family or religion
  • Smoke in prohibited areas
  • Litter in public areas

Safety and Health

Safety in Malaysia

Malaysia is generally a safe country to visit. Violent crimes are relatively rare, but petty crimes like pickpocketing and bag snatching can occur in crowded areas. It is advisable to avoid political gatherings and protests happening across the country.

Health in Malaysia

Malaysia has good healthcare facilities and medical clinics across the country. It is advisable to have comprehensive travel insurance before your trip. Do not drink tap water and check if the restaurant meets cleanliness standards before having food there.

Getting to Malaysia: Transportation Options and Logistics

Airports Near Malaysia

  • Kuala Lumpur International Airport
  • Senai International Airport - Johor Bahru
  • Penang International Airport
  • Kuching International Airport
  • Kota Kinabalu International Airport

Bus Stations Near Malaysia

  • Johor Bahru Larkin Terminal
  • Kuala Lumpur Pudu Sentral
  • Melaka Sentral Bus Station
  • Kuantan Sentral

Other Options

Some travelers may also choose to take the train from Thailand or Singapore into Malaysia.

How to Get Around in Malaysia

Getting around in Malaysia is easy, with ample transportation options such as buses, taxis, and trains. Some popular ways to travel around Malaysia are:

  • Private Car or Taxi
  • Trains
  • Buses

Where to Go Next from Malaysia: Nearby Destinations and Excursions

Malaysia is a transportation hub to many destinations in Southeast Asia. Some popular options to explore next include:

  • Singapore
  • Thailand
  • Indonesia
  • Vietnam
  • Laos

Conclusion

Malaysia offers everything from cultural and historical sites to natural wonders and delicious food. A visit to Malaysia is an exciting adventure with so much to explore. Our comprehensive guide to Malaysia will help you plan your itinerary and make your trip unforgettable.

The iconic Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur The iconic Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur The Dutch Square in Malacca The Dutch Square in Malacca Fort Cornwallis in George Town (Malaysia), Penang marked the site where the British colonisation of Malaya began in 1786. Fort Cornwallis in George Town (Malaysia), Penang marked the site where the British colonisation of Malaya began in 1786. Malaysian flag flying in ''Dataran Merdeka'', Kuala Lumpur Malaysian flag flying in ''Dataran Merdeka'', Kuala Lumpur Visa policy of Malaysia Visa policy of Malaysia Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang, Selangor. Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang, Selangor. Bukit Kayu Hitam checkpoint in Kedah, on the border with Thailand Bukit Kayu Hitam checkpoint in Kedah, on the border with Thailand Ferry terminal in Iskandar Puteri, Johor Ferry terminal in Iskandar Puteri, Johor Inside a passenger car of the Sabah State Railway Inside a passenger car of the Sabah State Railway A map of Malaysia's expressways (all are in Peninsular Malaysia; none are in Sabah or Sarawak), with dotted lines indicating proposed ones that have yet to be built A map of Malaysia's expressways (all are in Peninsular Malaysia; none are in Sabah or Sarawak), with dotted lines indicating proposed ones that have yet to be built Taxi in Penang Taxi in Penang Taxis in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Taxis in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Public bus in Penang Public bus in Penang Wat Chaiyamangkalaram in George Town (Malaysia) Wat Chaiyamangkalaram in George Town (Malaysia) Tea plantations in the Cameron Highlands, Pahang Tea plantations in the Cameron Highlands, Pahang A beach on Perhentian Islands, Terengganu. A beach on Perhentian Islands, Terengganu. A first glance at Sipadan's colourful underwater life A first glance at Sipadan's colourful underwater life A silat match taking place. A silat match taking place. ''Bukit Bintang'', a popular shopping area in Kuala Lumpur ''Bukit Bintang'', a popular shopping area in Kuala Lumpur The interior of a kedai kopi near the railway station in Beaufort (Sabah) The interior of a kedai kopi near the railway station in Beaufort (Sabah) A vegetarian restaurant in Johor Bahru, Johor. A vegetarian restaurant in Johor Bahru, Johor. A tea house in Melaka. A tea house in Melaka. Tuak is widely consumed during Gawai Dayak festival and Christmas Day. Tuak is widely consumed during Gawai Dayak festival and Christmas Day. Cassava tapai is shown in plastic bags in the foreground Cassava tapai is shown in plastic bags in the foreground Public hospital in Kuantan, Pahang Public hospital in Kuantan, Pahang Phone booths in Sabah Phone booths in Sabah Post office in Arau, Perlis Post office in Arau, Perlis


    East Coast
    Johor
    Sabah
    Sarawak
    West Coast