Tourist Places To Visit In Malaysia

Malaysia is diversity personified. This beautiful country houses a conglomerate of varied customs, religions, cuisines, and ethnicities. Located in South-East Asia, Malaysia is sprawled across parts of the island of Borneo and the Malay peninsula. Its rainforests, beaches, high-tech infrastructure, and places of cultural heritage are visited by a flock of tourists every day. Here are the top tourist spots that you must visit during your Malaysia trip, from the famous Petronas Twin Towers of Kuala Lumpur to Langkawi, and Georgetown to Taman Negara.

Malaysia is not only a country of rich cultural and natural diversity but also of urban architectural excellence. The Petronas Twin Towers were designed by César Pelli, an American architect, inaugurated back in 1999. They stood as the tallest buildings in the world, with a height of 1,483 ft, till 2004 (replaced by the Burj Khalifa). 

Situated on the west-coast of Malaysia, Langkawi is an archipelago that consists of 99 islands. It is a great tourist spot and has vivid and breathtaking scenery of rainforests, mangroves, beaches with crystal clear water and mountains with green tops. Langkawi is picturesque and an instant favorite of nature lovers. It was little known before, but since the last few years, hotels, restaurants, and resorts have cropped up here making the spot accessible to tourists.

Penang island is quite famous as a tourist destination owing to the historic and cultural diversity. Named after British King George III, Georgetown is the capital of Penang. A huge number of people visit to catch a glimpse of the British Colonial construction. An amalgamation of European and Asian architectural influences is seen in this town. There are also a few historically significant Indian and Chinese temples you could visit here. 

Taman Negara is a huge national park in the Malay Peninsula. It sprawls across a vast area of over 4000 Kilometers, housing endangered species such as the Asian Elephant, Sumatran Rhinoceros, Macaque, and the Malay Tiger. This is one of the world's eco-tourism hot spots. A famous activity conducted in Taman Negara is the canopy walkway. Night safari is also a thrilling experience at Taman Negara. Rare nocturnal fauna like leopard cats, water dragons, owls, buzzing insects, and even glow in the dark fungi can be sighted.

The Gunung Mulu National park is located in the Sarawak state in Malaysian Borneo. This natural wonder is known for its exceptional limestone 'Karst' formations in cones and towers, extraordinary peaks, and spectacular caves. Sarawak chamber, the world’s largest cave chamber, is situated here. It is said that the chamber is vast enough to accumulate 40 Boeing 747s!

If you are fed up of the heat, Cameron Highlands is the perfect place for you in Malaysia. This hill station, resting 1500 meters above the sea level in the Titiwangsa Mountains, is among the oldest tourist destinations in Malaysia. A Britisher, William Cameron spotted these fuzzy green hills in 1885, and that’s why the spot is named after him. Cameron Highlands houses the largest tea plantation in the country and a huge number of tourists flock to witness its lush green forests, lakes, picturesque scenery and the cool climate every year. 

Menara is derived from the Arabic word ‘Minar,’ which means tower. Located in Kuala Lumpur, this is a communications tower that sits right in the centre of the city. A landmark in its own right, Menara is used by many broadcasting networks, utilised for Falak observation, and hosts events. A stair climbing race here is the most amusing of all, where contestants rush up the stairs to the top. You must visit Menara for its Islamic heritage architecture that has imbibed modern amenities.

More than 2000 feet high, the Sky Bridge of Malaysia is one of the longest bridges suspended on cable. The pedestrian strips have transparent floorings for a better experience. You can go for a walk here and enjoy the route through a thick dense jungle. A cable car will drop you to the summit of Mt. Mat Cincag, from where this bridge begins. And at a time, only 200 people can walk across.

An amazing amusement park in Malaysia, the Sunway Lagoon Theme Park dates back to the year 1993. There are a line of thrilling rides, swimming and ride pools, lagoons, scream parks and wildlife sports. Sunway Lagoon is known for the FlowRider, the first ever stimulator ride of this country. You can also visit the 5D Waterplexx, go for river rapid rides, enjoy roller coasters and zoom down on tube slides!

Located in Selangor, Batu Caves are home to a Hindu Temple where Bhagwan Murugan is revered since 10th Century CE. The religious aura of this place only adds to its beauty and natural charm. The caves here also ensconce many different types of local flora and fauna. The festival of Thaipusam is celebrated with grandeur here, while tourists throng this place all through the year.

Bako National Park is a huge park in the region of Kuching. The eco system of this national park is decidedly tropical rainforest, and is very well protected with the animals within it. People come here to indulge in forest treks, to enjoy the wildlife scuttling past (including flying squirrels, leaf monkeys, macaques etc) and reach the tranquil little secluded beach nearby.

A beautiful park in Langkawi, Kilim Karst is all thick green mangroves and limestone cliffs. This geo forest is a part of the Langkawi islands, where boats penetrate the backwaters and streams to take you on an unforgettable tour. You can go swimming in the rivers here, learn fish farming, bird-watch, delight in the sights of flying foxes, bats, tree crabs and Bogak trees! A bunch of medicinal plants, shrubs and herbs are also abundant here, so botany fans can have a blast.

Another park, this one is located in Kota Kinabalu. A set of islands come together to make this park, including Pulau Manukan, Pulau Mamutik Pulau Sapi, Pulau Gaya, Pulau Sulug. From beaches to island activities, snorkelling to diving, Tunku Abdul Rahman Park shows you all the fun. You can ride on boats and jetties, interact with the locals and enjoy some quaint time away from the hustle of Kuala Lumpur.

Visit Melaka Historic City for its heritage, culture and history. It is a beautiful city, that is wholly been protected under the UNESCO World Heritage Site list. From temples to museums, rivers to monuments, spas to streets — everything here is worth seeing and conserving. Visit the St. Paul’s Hill, Baba & Nyonya Heritage Museum, Jonker Street, Straits Chinese Jewellery Museum, Cheng Hoong Teng Temple and Red Square. When free for a while, sit by Malacca River. The hardcore travellers prefer to leave the concrete city of Kuala Lumpur to come here for a few days.

Think vivid coral reefs, water sports and underwater dives, colourful diverse marine life and quaint island life — that is Perhentian for you. The place is rich in all kinds of beach activities, enhanced by it cultural fiesta of the Big Island and Small Island. Visit between June and October to make the best of its weather.

Mount Kinabalu is a place of unparalleled beauty, adorned with rich flora and fauna. It is a tall mountain, considered one of the tallest in the region. At a summit of 4096 m, Kinabalu is an adventurer’s dream. Trekkers come here to not only reach the summit, but also to enjoy the flora and fauna and biodiversity on the way. You can only trek from Timpohon Gate and Mesilau Nature Resort though.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Sarawak region of Malaysia, Gunung Mulu National Park is a rainforest with carved caves of limestones. It makes for an educational as well as rejuvenation trip. You get to explore the flora, fauna, caves, endangered and rare species of the area as well as breathe in the air of the thick green forest. Hikes up Mount Mulu are coveted, as are canopy walks, boating and caving.

Home to domestic cats and monitor lizards (look like mini crocs!), Tioman Island is a rare and pretty glimpse into nature-meets-man. About 8 villages come together on this little group of islands, attracting tourism for its scuba diving, snorkelling and coral reefs. Surfing is also a great water sport here, but preferred during monsoons. For everything else, visit in summer or winter.

A hill station in the country of Malaysia, Penang Hill is renowned all around for its gorgeous honeymoon-isque vibes and colonial style architecture. From a hilly misty weather almost all year round, to never-ending lush plantations, Penang is a sight for sore eyes. People come here to absorb and rejuvenate amid nature, walk through colonial buildings and bungalows, declutter the mind and enjoy the sceneries.

An amusement park in Malaysia that is also its first global theme park, Legoland is filled with all kinds of fun rides and shows. A number of amusing rides, theatrical shows and restaurants await you. Their roller coasters are to die for, while most of the rides are based off lego, obviously! If you have kids with you, then do also visit their small workshop class that is around 45 minute long. And if you are there in summer, then the waterpark is also open!