You identify it, Malaysia’s most likely acquired it – seashores to lounge on, rain forests to trek and sweat by means of, unique wildlife to hunt out, unbeatable delicacies, deep-seated traditions, and wealthy cultural historical past. From my many visits to this attention-grabbing nation, listed here are my favourite locations…
1. Langkawi
I’m utterly in love with this place! It’s a surprising assortment of 99 islands nestled within the Andaman Sea within the West Coast of Malaysia. It’s a duty-free haven positioned 30km off the mainland, and simply accessible by ferry or air from Thailand or the mainland.
Honeymooners and backpackers are all catered right here with magazine-perfect seashores, swaying palm timber and tree-covered cliffs.
For the extra adventurous, I like to recommend testing your potential vertigo-issues at one among Langkawi’s predominant sights: the 1,700-metre cable automotive or SkyCab ascending Machinchang Mountain.
From there I like to recommend you’re taking a stroll alongside the SkyBridge, head as much as elevated viewing platforms and watch the clouds roll in and over the slopes at improbable pace.
If you happen to’re feeling hungry ask the locals to let you know the next location of the roaming night time market, the road meals right here is scrumptious!
A few of my favourite seashores included Black Sand Seaside (which had each black and white sands), the quiet Pantai Tengah, the luxurious resort-filled Datai Bay and Pantai Cenang which had some nice spots for backpackers.
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2. Pulau Tioman
Because the Seventies, Pulau Tioman has been often known as being one of the stunning islands on this unbelievable nation. Positioned simply off the east coast within the South China Sea, I personally suppose this place is an actual gem!
It has some beautiful seashores, a wealthy and dense rainforest, and an expanse of wildlife. I cherished scuba diving, snorkeling, strolling by means of the jungle, and touring the island on motorbikes. The islands even have some beautiful waterfalls, which I actually loved exploring and swimming in!
3. George City
I cherished the island state Penang which is positioned off the northwestern coast and thought it was such a singular journey vacation spot. It’s a diverse and enticing vacation spot full of an attention-grabbing historical past, melting pot of various cultures, beautiful seashores and a handful of luxurious resorts.
The UNESCO World Heritage Website of Georgetown is capital metropolis of the island and we actually loved staying right here for a number of days. It’s a bustling locations full of outlets, markets, eating places and previous colonial buildings.
We additionally cherished exploring and discovering all the previous crumbling mansions right here in addition to the beautiful temples reminiscent of Kek Lok Si, a really giant and essential Buddhist temple.
4. Penang
The island state is positioned off the northwestern coast it’s multiracial melting pot of various cultures, religions, and ethnicities which makes an excellent foodie vacation spot too.
We talked about the capital Georgetown above and wherever you wander, I promise it received’t be lengthy earlier than you’re drifting misplaced amongst the slender pastel streets, having your nostrils tugged and tempted by fried Nasi Kandar (a curry), and your eyes pop on the colourful sight of Ais Kacang (“bean ice” a Malaysian dessert).
The lengthy sandy seashores are pretty (though be careful for the jellyfish!) and the protected rainforests however I personally suppose the meals right here is among the finest components of the journey, and it received’t be lengthy earlier than you’re misplaced in a sea of tempting dishes.
My favourite highlights…
- Visiting the Butterfly Farm, which has a collection of masterful, must-see brief animated academic movies.
- Eating on the Tropical Spice Backyard on the island’s northern edge have been we dined within the treetops alongside Silver Leaf monkeys swinging amongst the branches.
- Taking the funicular practice to the highest of the Penang Hill which was a cool (as in temperature) and fairly spot with superior nature trails.
5. The Petronas Towers
Amongst the hustle and bustle of the chaotic capital, magnificence presents itself in an surprising type.
If you happen to grasp across the base of the Petronas Towers between sundown and moonrise, the world’s tallest twin buildings bear a magical transformation as day turns to nighttime and the workplace lights, carry shafts, and plane warning lights illuminate the 88 tales in a halogen-fuelled twilight haze.
6. Pangkor Island
It is a dreamy tropical island positioned off the west coast of the mainland. It’s an unspoilt place full of pristine white sandy seashores, turquoise waters, diverse marine life and many alternatives for water actions.
I cherished snorkeling right here and in addition mountain climbing the jungle trails to expertise the character shut up.
Our favourite seashores on the island inluded Pasir Bogak which has clear shallow waters, the superior snorkeling spot of Coral Bay, and the unique resort of Emerald Bay.
7. Kota Kinabalu
Kota Kinabalu is the capital metropolis of Sabah. Though it’d appear like a typical metropolis at first look, with its strains of malls and buildings, you’ll encounter magnificent stretches of orange-sand shoreline and islands once you enterprise deeper into the town.
Probably the most fashionable sights is the floating mosque, however there are a number of different locations to go to, like Tanj and Ung Aru Seaside. For my part, it has one of the stunning sunsets. You would additionally stroll alongside Likas Bay and benefit from the day enjoying within the sand or the water.
The 5 islands listed here are collectively often known as Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, a well-liked spot for snorkeling and stress-free by foreigners and locals alike. Only a few miles from the town, there may be additionally an incredible jungle.
8. Malacca
Malacca Metropolis is a wonderful selection in case you are on the lookout for a richly endowed with historical past and tradition.
For a whole lot of years, Malacca was one of the strategically important cities on the Malay Peninsular. Its possession modified fingers between the Portuguese, Dutch, and British, amongst others, as they fought for management of this key buying and selling publish.
Quick ahead to modern-day Malacca, and also you get the impression the place hasn’t modified a lot.
Many streets are one-way, winding, and cramped, whereas the rickety buildings are poky and ooze historic character. Like Penang, Malacca is among the nation’s smallest states and proudly possesses UNESCO World Heritage Website standing.
If you happen to go to Malacca metropolis, I like to recommend visiting the well-known Jonker Avenue Evening Market, A Famosa Fort, and St. Paul’s Church.
9. Cameron Highlands
Guests are drawn to this enchanting area of Pehang to expertise the novelty and the respite of a cooler tropical highland local weather the place temperatures are sometimes within the low 20s.
The rolling hills are populated by tea plantations and flower nurseries, making the realm the main producer of tea and flowers in Malaysia.
It’s clever to test the climate within the monsoon season (November – February) and name forward or ask your transport operator earlier than touring, because the heavy rainfall can result in landslides, which have an inconvenient tendency to dam many roads.
10. Pulau Pangkor
I cherished this beautiful gem! A tiny island off the Malay Peninsular with broad, sweeping seashores that match Langkawi, it’s only accessible by ferry from the connecting city of Lumut.
Lumut is roughly three hours north of Kuala Lumpur by highway, and for these wishing to stay to the tracks, Ipoh (85km away) will sate your practice station wants.
11. Pulau Redang
This picturesque group of islands is a surprising sight. Positioned alongside the east coast, they rise from the South China Sea.
Redang sits inside protected waters, often known as the Terengganu Marine Park, and preserves the crystal clear waters and reef programs, making a flourishing scuba-tourism trade.
With crystal clear waters, the islands sit inside protected waters (the Terengganu Marine Park), so their magnificence is maintained at a premium. It has not too long ago grow to be a great place for scuba diving and vacationer actions.
The waters are often too tough for boats to maneuver on throughout these instances, so I counsel researching the finest time to go to. As with some central areas reminiscent of Cameron Highlands and far of the East Coast, the monsoons dictate when and when to not go.
Between November and February, the waters are sometimes too tough for boats to move keen sun-seekers to the island; many resorts take a vacation, so it’s at all times finest to telephone forward for availability or plan your travels away from the off-season.
12. Sabah, Borneo
Malaysia appears to be a endless supply of reverential snorkel and scuba websites, and Sabah doesn’t buck any developments. If you happen to’re excited by latitudes, Sabah ranks because the nation’s northernmost state, and other people flock to Sabah to benefit from the seas. I had an enormous delicate spot for this place!
Sabah is beautifully stunning, with lengthy, complete, and sandy seashores. It additionally has many unique onshore and offshore species, together with civet cats, snakes, clouded leopards, and pygmy elephants.
These are among the many 222 mammals (44 endemics), 420 birds (37 endemics), 100 amphibians, and 394 fish (19 endemics) discovered!
13. Gunung Mulu Nationwide Park
What appears to be like like a stone’s throw away from Brunei on the map, Gunung Mulu represents yet one more of this nation’s UNESCO World Heritage Websites.
It’s a well-documented, visited, and filmed world, as achieved by the BBC’s Planet Earth workforce, however with eye-catching, otherworldly options such because the Pinnacles at Mount Api, it’s simple to see why. Gunung Mulu Nationwide Park is the biggest of Sarawak’s parks.
14. Ipoh, Perak
Ipoh, the capital of Perak, is nothing in need of magnificent. Nicknamed rightly ‘The Metropolis of Bougainvillea,’ I’m a giant fan of its classic magnificence!
It’s surrounded by rocky limestone hills that add to the town’s full visible aesthetic centered round its colonial historical past. The town contains a number of Hindu and Buddhist cave temples, and it’s shortly turning into one of many prime vacationer locations on the planet!
It’s unimaginable that Ipoh was a sleepy Malay village just some years in the past. Now, it’s drawing consideration and recognition worldwide, with folks desirous to take pleasure in a few of its many stunning spots.
Just like the Ipoh Heritage Stroll, which is barely 6.5 kilometers lengthy, it’s lined with majestic structure that also harbors a magnificence and magnificence that nearly sums up the whole Ipoh expertise.
Another nice locations to go to in Ipoh are Kellie’s fort, which isn’t for the faint of coronary heart, as there have been a number of supernatural reviews and sightings inside this cave, and the Tambun cave, which you’d actually take pleasure in seeing a number of the Neolithic work, and the Geological Museum, which is stuffed with all types of lovely and thrilling tales and reveals.
15. The Perhentians
Positioned within the South China Sea, this is a small archipelago off the coast of Terengganu, often known as the “Perhentians.” The primary islands of the Perhentians are Besar and Kecil (Huge and Small), two stunning coral-covered islands of white sand and crystal-clear shallow water.
You may take up a number of actions on the Perhentians, like snorkeling, scuba diving, and canoeing. You’d have a pleasant stress-free day and gaze on the stunning water because it laps in opposition to the shore.
16. Danum Valley
Danum Valley in Sabah is the most effective place to go to for a improbable jungle expertise. The conservation space is positioned deep contained in the 130 million-year-old lowland forest.
It has range of vegetation and animals scattered over 438 sq. kilometers. Once you go to the Danum Valley, you may see orangutans, leopards, and even pygmy elephants.
The realm is solely wildlife and plants as there’s a lack of human settlement, making the expertise and setting even purer. The forest is lush, and you may partake in jungle treks with an skilled information and even go for an evening safari.
17. Alor Setar
Visiting Langkawi is often the most well-liked exercise for individuals who go to Kedah. However in my view, they’re lacking out on an unexplored metropolis referred to as Alor Setar.
The town stands simply a few kilometers to the southeast of Langkawi, and it options some important buildings just like the Royal Corridor, the Huge Clock Constructing, the Zahir Mosque, and the Sultan Museum.
It’s also possible to go to the imposing 250 million-year-old Gunung Keriang limestone hill. There are additionally some historic Seventeenth-century ruins you may see at Kuala Kedah.
18. Pulau Sipadan
The island of Pulau Sipadan is positioned within the state of Sabah and is among the prime diving locations on the planet.
The island stands about 600 meters above the ocean flooring and is residence to numerous marine life, together with satan rays, hammerhead sharks, dogtooth tuna, and barracudas.
It’s a good spot for marine lovers and divers as a result of there may be a lot magnificence in and across the water. Nevertheless, restrictions have been carried out to maintain the steadiness within the ecosystem, so you’ll solely be allowed day visits.
However if you wish to keep in a single day, I counsel arranging a spot on close by islands like Mabul, Mataking, or Kapalai.
Location of Malaysia
Malaysia is positioned in Southeast Asia with the well-known nations of Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, Indonesia, Singapore and The Philippines.