Malaysia

Malaysia is often dubbed a melting pot of culture, and it is due to this characteristic the country has gained a lot of tourism potential. This Southeastern country is replete with several activities that can leave a visitor awe-struck. Right from opulent history to stunning architecture, both ancient and modern; from happening nightlife to pristine and surreal beaches and islands that offer incredible adventure activities; and from amazing amusement parks to wildlife-rich national parks, everything that Malaysia features, has fun and exoticness and of course an experience that one can never forget.

1. Langkawi

Dubbed tropical paradise, Langkawi can be any beach lover’s dream holiday destination. Langkawi is an archipelago with 99 islands that have kept their natural state intact even though there is a fair about of resorts, restaurants and spa centres to satiate the dream vacation of the tourists. Known mostly for its pristine beaches, a relaxed ambience and a thick forest cover, these islands are just so perfect to enjoy an unforgettable holiday in Malaysia.

2. Cameron Highlands

For mountain goats, Malaysia has Cameron Highlands that can offer a holiday experience unlike any other. It is true, even for one time in Malaysia, you can never have the thought of not visiting the surreal destination when the emerald green hills and sprawling farms await to make your vacation in Malaysia the most amazing one. The Cameron Highlands comprise mainly of Tringkap, Brinchang, Tanah Rata and Ringlet area, and each of which offer incredible opportunity of hiking on some picturesque trails, sipping tea sitting at some paradisiacal place and relaxing thoroughly.

3. Perhentian Islands

The islands are known for their nightlife and plenty of watersport, and yes a crowd of young backpackers. So, if you are considering a budget Malaysia tour, Perhentian Islands is the right place to be. There are a plenty of water activities like snorkeling and scuba diving to enjoy, and one can even try water sports like sea-kayaking. Apart from this, at Perhentian Islands also give one the chance to not only watch the sea turtles but also to volunteer to save and conserve them. For those who enjoy hiking, the islands also offer some great opportunity of jungle trekking and sighting big monitor lizards and large spiders between Long Beach and Coral Bay. You can also self-invite to a beach party at Bubu Long Beach resort for enjoying hanging out with other travellers and watching the locals perform.

4. Tioman Island

This 20 kms long and 11 kms wide Tioman Island is the best example of what an happening island life is all about. This paradise for travellers is replete with adventure and leisure activities that compel to call the island one of the best places to see in Malaysia. Located in the South China Sea, Tioman Island boasts teal water, breathtaking waterfalls, lush forests and orange blossoms. The island is perfect to enjoy activities like snorkelling, diving, sailing as well as paddling. One also will enjoy taking a sneak peek at the rich village life on the island.

5. Taman Negara

If you have longed to explore a rainforest, then Taman Negara is your must visit destination in Malaysia. It is a national park which is believed to have been conserving a tropical rainforest which is 130 million years of age. The park offers boardwalk circuits (about 100 kms) that crosses through the longest rope walkway in the world. During your strenuous walk, you are expected to have the opportunity to sight some of the most bountiful wildlife and peek inside the lives of some indigenous tribes. Taman Negara is home to animals like the Malayan tiger, crab-eating macaque, Malayan gaur (seladang) and Indian elephant; and birds such such as great argus, red junglefowl and rare Malayan peacock-pheasant.

6. Gunung Mulu National Park

Another best place in Malaysia to fulfill your dream of exploring a tropical rainforest is Gunung Mulu National Park. Recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, GMNP is situated in Borneo and is home to 3500 species of vascular plants and exceptional 109 species of palm. What catches the eye in the national park are the 295 kms stretch of caves that reflect a geological history of more than 1.5 million years. The Sarawak Chamber, which is 600 m by 415 m and 80 m high, is the largest known cave chamber in the world and is housed in Gunung Mulu National Park. Aside this, canyons, wild rivers, rainforest-covered mountains, and limestone pinnacles all add to the mesmerizing beauty of this must see national park in Malaysia.

7. Kuala Lumpur

It is here in Kuala Lumpur you get to see the best of Malaysia. Even though, the city is struck with modernity, it did manage to keep the rustic charm intact. When we talk about KL, we ought to think about its scrumptious food, skyscrapers, shopping malls and markets, lively nightlife and of course the Petronas Twin Towers. The city has incredible experience to impart and there is no way you can give Kuala Lumpur a miss while visiting Malaysia.

8. Penang

If an exotic holiday in Malaysia is in your mind, then you should choose Penang even if blindfolded. Truly, this amazing tourist destination is exotic with excellent cosmopolitan and diverse cultures. The island has some of the best tourist attractions in Malaysia in the form of beaches and fishing villages like Kampung Pulau Betong and Pulau Aman. Penang also has must see places like Balik Pulau which is surrounded by rice fields, nutmeg orchards and durian clove.

9. Kota Kinabalu

With its heart-warming locals, stunning sunsets, excellent arts and music scene, and culinary spectrum that is opulent, Kota Kinabalu is likely to win your heart. This breathtaking destination in Malaysia is ideal to plan a holiday, if exploring the diversity is in your head. An out and out modern place, Kota Kinabalu has astonishingly kept the rich history of the place alive. KK is famous for offering the best wildlife and diving adventures, and a trekking expedition to Mt Kinabalu.

10. Kuching

The island of Borneo houses Kuching, a city that certainly given Malaysia tourism a boom. Kuching is said to offer a kaleidoscope of cultures, crafts and cuisines along with a brilliant meld of modern and ancient to be witnessed. The city has many tourist attractions in the form of Chinese temples, markets , parks and eateries that serve some amazing food from other parts of Asia. Kuching is ideally a one-day trip destination, however, staying here a day or two would help you more to explore its diversity and beauty.

11. Melaka

One of Malaysia’s biggest tourist draw, Melaka is steeped in history with being amongst the greatest trading ports in Asia in 15th Century. Recognized as the World Heritage Site by UNESCO, Melaka today is bustling with weekend night bazaar, ancient buildings and attractive showy trishaws. Melaka also has some pristine beaches, lush forest covers; and family-friendly tourist attraction in Alor Gajah and Ayer Keroh.

12. Selangor

Encircling the city of Kuala Lumpur, Selangor is the place that is unmissable in Malaysia. One of the major attractions, Selangor offers so many places to be sighted and explored by the tourists. The state is home to the retail and commercial hub of the country, I-City in Shah Alam, where one has a snowalk indoor park. It also houses, Malaysia’s largest zoo, Negara in Ampang Jaya. The state is also home to Formula One International Circuit in Sepang and has another tourist attraction in the form of the mosque named, Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah, which by the way is one of the most beautiful buildings in Malaysia. The Batu Caves are yet another major places to see in Selangor. For leisure travellers, it is worth noticing, that Selangor is also the best spa centre in the country with parlours exclusively for reflexology.

13. Become a Kid Again at Legoland

Country’s first International theme park, Legoland is a place to relive your childhood. Plush with 70 hands-on rides, slides, shows and attractions for families and children of all ages, this amusement park is where you should be to enjoy the diversity of a country like Malaysia. A fun place to take your kids and also to become a kid yourself, Legoland in Iskandar Puteri, Johor is definitely the one of best places to visit in Malaysia during your holiday.

14. Skybridge

Connecting the twin Petronas Towers in Malaysia, the Skybridge is probably the best vantage point to enjoy the silhouette of Kuala Lumpur City. It is the highest 2-story bridge in the world and connects 41 and 42 floors of the two sky-kissing buildings. Visiting this bridge guarantees the best feeling along with the spectacular view of the city below from such a dizzying height. Therefore booking a ticket to be on skybridge is certainly one of the best things to do in Malaysia.

15. Cultural Museum in Sarawak

The Living Cultural Museum claims to help you know the whole of Sarawak in just half a day. Situated at the foothills of the mythical Mount Santubong, this one-of-its-kind and award-winning living museum in Malaysia exhibits the rich cultural heritage of Sarawak. It showcases the costumes, handicrafts like Sarawak beads and Pua Kumbu , lifestyles and dwellings of the state’s ethnic communities that fills tourist with abundant information. One can also enjoy cultural performance as well as international events such as the Rainforest World Music Festival and the World Harvest Festival.

16. Dine at KL Tower

Save some money to get this unique experience to make your Malaysia tour memorable. Sitting on top of Bukit Nanas at an elevation of 421 m, KL Tower along being city’s most popular landmarks also offers a revolving restaurant where you can enjoy a 360° view of the city’s skyline while enjoying a meal, which by no means you should miss out if you really want to explore different aspects of Malaysia.