Malaysia Tourism For Leisure

Most Popular Places to Visit In Malaysia

Hi Friends, Edwin here talking about places worth visiting when you are in Malaysia.

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The Malaysia Tourism industry is still sexy and attractive despite aggressive invasion of the concrete jungle colony. Thick virgin tropical rainforest of Malaysia is greatly in abundance and there is certainly no short of World-class hotels and resorts built along the wonderful beaches at the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia.

I have been living in and around Malaysia for almost 3 decades and I know Malaysia like the back of my hand. I have friends all over Penang, Perak, Kelantan, Pahang, Malacca, Sarawak and Johor and I can safely say that all states have their own unique attractions.

If you are a shopaholic, I recommend you to read more at our Shopping in Malaysia section, because getting a good taste of Malaysia mean going out there and get dirty!

Visiting Malaysia without guidance can be daunting. But there is no need to worry! I’m here to share with you our opinion on where to go in Malaysia and take you through what Malaysia has to offer.

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Before we start our journey, there are a few things that you need to know ;-

Do you need a Visa to Visit Malaysia? What are the types of visa and how to apply for a visa?

Read more at the Malaysian Custom and Immigration section

Getting around Malaysia can be a headache if you are unfamiliar, read more at the Transportation in Malaysia Section so that you understand how transportation system works in Malaysia and what modes of transport are available to take you to your destination

Not sure what Boleh and Tidak or Mana means? Read the Malaysia Language Guide section and get equipped with basic Malaysia Language. Trust me, knowing a little local language goes a long way.

Haven’t heard of Nasi Lemak or Rendang? These are local Malay dishes most commonly found in Malaysia. Read the Malaysian Food section and get an introduction to our local cuisines

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Beaches in Malaysia

Everyone loves beach. Sun, Sea and Sand! What else can anyone ask for?

When it comes to beach, most people in the World think of highly publicized beaches like the Gold Coast in Australia. Malaysian beaches are no less attractive and may even be better in terms of less congestion thanks to less publicity. This is what I used to think.

However, times are changing. My recent leisure visit to Langkawi has proven myself wrong. Westerners are coming in huge waves. Mostly Caucasians, a majority of them are from the European Region

I got to mingle with a few couples in Rimba Bar at Berjaya Langkawi Beach Resort. One Danish couple hinted their choice for Langkawi was because it has just ask wonderful picturesque beach and greeneries but with a huge bonus of stability. What they meant was political stability as well as it’s shelter from major natural disaster assures a peace of mind.

Beaches in Malaysia are generally easily accessible from any major town or cities. However, the best beaches in Malaysia are on the Islands and most of these Island beaches are located on the East Coast of Peninsula Malaysia as well as northern Borneo.

While driving is not possible to reach the Island Beaches, traveling by Air is an excellent alternative. These routes are often small scale and unprofitable which means major airlines generally do not provide services to these Islands (except for Langkawi and Penang).

The good news is Berjaya Air provides flight services that cover these routes, albeit at steep prices. Their routes within Malaysia include Redang Island, Tioman Island and Pangkor Island. Berjaya Group of Companies has resorts and hotels at these Islands.

Hopping on a ferry from mainland seems to be another viable and cheaper option. Ferry trips may take up to 3 hours and may not be comfortable especially for people with sea sickness. Here are the top popular beaches to visit when you are in Malaysia.

Nature Adventures in Malaysia

Malaysia has done a great job in preserving her virgin rainforest despite the increasing threat of deforestation as a result of rapid economic growth. With a 75% of Malaysia land area remains forested; there is no better place in the world to get close with Mother Nature.

If you are a nature enthusiast, you will find animal species such as Malayan Tiger and Orang Utan and the World’s biggest Flower, Rafflesia.

If you are in Kuala Lumpur, just go to Puduraya Bus Terminal and hop on to any bus or taxi bound to Kuala Tembeling (Pahang) and visit Taman Negara National Park, which is one of the oldest national parks in the World.

If you are only thinking of sightseeing at Taman Negara, you will be amazed that there is a variety of other activities you can do at all national parks in Malaysia, such as jungle trekking and river cruising.

But if you insist on sightseeing, then proceed to the canopy walk and watch wildlife live their lives at their natural habitats. Or just relax and let Mother Nature pamper you with fresh air and beautiful sights.

Malaysia is also home to some of the greatest caves in the World. If you are in KL, just take a taxi or train to Batu Caves in Selangor. Batu Caves is also a site of a Hindu Temple where thousands of devotees gather during the Thaipusam festival.

Cultural and Heritage in Malaysia

Getting to know a foreign country’s history is to appreciate the rich culture and heritage. If you have just landed at KLIA and wanted to get a taste of Malaysia’s history, just hop on a taxi and proceed to the Museum Negara (National Museum) located at Jalan damansara, offering a host of artifacts of our ancestors.

Museums are the best places to see and read about the cuture and heritage of the past. But you won’t be able to feel and touch the artifacts. One of the better way to feel Malaysia is to stay with the locals themselves.

There are more people offering homestay programs especially at rural areas. Ever wondered how it feels like staying in a Kampung house? If you are adventurous, head on to Seri Tanjung Homestay in Malacca. Other than eating and mingle with the locals, cultural performances are usually staged during your stay.

Visiting a religious place of worship is also a good idea. If you are in Penang, just take a taxi or the town bus to the Kek Lok Si Temple at Air Itam. Kek Lok Si temple is a worship place of Chinese and is also a local attraction. Many Malaysian Chinese visit the temple to watch the 30 Meters tall statue of Goddess Kuan Yin.

There are so many more historical sites and cultural places to visit in Malaysia that one page are not enough to fit. So stay tuned for more reviews on cultural and heritage sites.

Restaurants in Malaysia

If you have just landed in KLIA after midnight hoped on a cab and suddenly your stomach rumbles. No worries! Most fast food chains like Mc Donalds and KFCs in Malaysia are 24 hour in Kuala Lumpur as well as other cities.

Local restaurants are in abundance and availability of them is much more than convenience. Like my friend told me that he was a hard time deciding on where to eat rather than searching for them. 24 hour restaurants are also getting more common nowadays and this culture has been spearheaded by Mamak Restaurants, who were the firsts in Malaysia to operate around the clock

If you decide to splurge on food, then going for some Italian, Japanese or French restaurants can be a good idea, but if you do not want to splurge around then just pop inside any Malay, Chinese or Indian Restaurants. If you urge to have your meaty fix then going into a steakhouse is an excellent choice.

Say if you are in KL and crave for something spicy and aromatic, then waste no time and head straight to Nasi Kandar Pelita Restaurant at Jalan Ampang. Nasi Kandar Pelita is a muslim mamak restaurant so do not expect to be served alcohol or pork here, instead taste their variety of curries.

If curry is too spicy for you, then hop on a taxi and head to Chinatown, Petaling Street. Chinese food is generally less-spicy. Chinatown has restaurants and street market so you have a variety or Wantan Noodles, Yong Tau Foo and Cendol to name a few. The varieties are too many to be listed in this page, so stay tuned and click on the link below to find out more about what Chinatown has to offer and reviews on other popular Malay, Chinese and Indian Restaurant.

I hope this information is useful for you. If you have anything to add or to comment, you may Contact Us.

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Where to Visit in Malaysia

Malaysia Tourism For Leisure