10 Amazing Top Destinations in Malaysia You Need to Visit

Time to introduce the top destinations in Malaysia worthy of more than a visit. Malaysia has more than just a single list of Top 10 destinations to visit.

The country’s excellent infrastructure for travel continues to drive global connectivity.

Malaysia’s infrastructure serves as the arteries for travel and tourism competitiveness. The connectivity includes an excellent road system, rail, port, and air.

Tourism services like hotel rooms, event facilities, car rental services make getting around relatively easy. Malaysian are multi-ethnic and multi-linguists; most speak English, Malay, Mandarin, and Tamil.

Malaysia is one of the most beautiful countries in the world.

Malaysia has a lot to offer in terms of beauty, beauty, diversity, and adventure, as evident in these ten attractive top destinations in Malaysia.

01 Kuala Lumpur

While many travelers fly into KLIA and KLIA2 as transit points, Kuala Lumpur is a worthwhile destination of its own.

Unlike other big cities in Asia, the cultural diversity and mix of Malay, Chinese, and Indian influence mean there is no shortage of culinary exploits to try. 

On arrival, you can take the KLIA Express to connect to the extensive train network to get to Kuala Lumpur City Centre.

You have a choice of 5 Stars swanky hotels right at KLCC

• W Kuala Lumpur
• Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur
• Mandarin Oriental

and a list of many others.

You can head to Central Market with 350 shops and kiosks selling handicrafts, batik, souvenirs, antiques, and collectibles.

Kuala Lumpur has a unique neighborhood.

Interesting sights include the world’s tallest twin towers, PETRONAS Towers, the Perdana Botanical Garden, and the Batu Caves. 

A beautiful kampung. Image: Tourism Malaysia Facebook

02 George Town

The colonial city of Georgetown was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008, with the most extensive collection of pre-war shophouses and residences intact in Southeast Asia.

Visit historic homes like Cheong Fatt Tze – The Blue Mansion and the green Pinang Peranakan Mansion, has the best of Straits Settlement Eclectic architecture.

Daily guided mansion tours allow you to immerse yourself in the history behind the mansion and its unique cultural elements.  

George Town has plenty to offer in the way of three promenades, the Clan Jetties is a complete floating village on stilts above the water, and an ancient seaside fort.

The island’s coast is where you can find beach hotels, lively night markets, and performing arts jostle with the street-lined hawker food stalls for attention.

Numerous artists have left their marks in the form of murals on the old walls of shophouses.

data-preserver-spaces=”true”>George Town is a city of cafes, coffee, and cakes that competes with local Malay, Chinese and Indian treats. 

Penang Assam Laksa is ranked no.7 on the World’s 50 Best Foods by CNN.

The fish broth noodle has an array of ingredients

• poached
• flaked mackerel
• tamarind
• chili
• mint
• lemongrass
• onion
• pineapple
• torch ginger

with a dollop of heko or prawn paste to add an intense umami punch to the dish. It will have your eyes water and nose running before the soup hits your lips. 

Penang Assam Laksa is a dish you will want to try from a top destination in Malaysia.

Penang Assam Laksa is ranked no.7 on the World’s 50 Best Foods by CNN. Image: Tourism Malaysia Facebook

03 The Perhentian Islands 

The Perhentian Islands are islands in Besut District, Terengganu.

Fine white sands and crystal clear blue waters are why backpackers and budget travelers flock to this paradise.

The bigger island, Perhentian Besar, caters to families, couples, and travelers willing to spend more to enjoy the blue waters.

Both the big and the small island Perhentian Kecil is accessible by speedboat.

The peak season is July, when it is almost impossible to find accommodation unless you book ahead of time. 

Travel Tips: During winter, the islands shut down due to rain and stormy seas.

04 Malaysian Borneo

Time to exchange your desktop screen saver for Emerald green rainforests and abundant wildlife.

All it takes is a cheap, quick flight away to head to the natural wonders of the world’s third-largest island.  

Malaysian Borneo surprises everyone with endangered orangutans, rainforest canopy walks, embracing the rock face of Mt. Kinabalu, and the best dive site in the world worthy of top destinations in Malaysia.

Two of the largest Malaysian states, Sarawak and Sabah, are in Borneo. 

The Rainforest World Music Festival is an annual three-day festival celebrating world music diversity in Kuching, Sarawak.

Travel Tips: Book your tickets early to join the Rainforest World Music Festival.

05 Melaka

Two hours from Kuala Lumpur, Melaka’s historical heritage city gained prominence as a vibrant maritime trading center in the 15th century.

The city’s colonial relics, artifacts, and buildings are relatively intact. 

Malaysia’s oldest Chinese temple, the Cheng Hoon Teng Temple, is a premier historical monument that survived the ravages of time.

Catch Encore Melaka, a 70-min show with over 200 local performers where the audience goes through the six centuries of history, and embraces diversity and inclusiveness– an excellent multicultural coexistence model.

The performance is one of the top destinations in Malaysia.

Melaka’s relaxed vibe is perfect for Nyonya-style treats, homemade ice cream, and the city’s best cendol.

Visitors are rarely disappointed by the old town in Malacca; take a 45 min Melaka River Cruise, and enjoy the shops and museums.

While there are no train stops in Melaka, its proximity to Kuala Lumpur makes the bus ride an easily affordable travel choice.

Travel Tips: Tuesdays are off days for shops and museums— plan your visit accordingly!

06 Taman Negara, Pahang

Malaysia’s national park, the Taman Negara, is one of the world’s oldest tropical rainforests.

If you are a fan of NAT GEO, you will enjoy walking high along a long canopy walkway to see life high in the trees.

There is beautiful trekking, bird spotting, rafting, fishing, night safaris, waterfalls, and even a chance to see wild elephants – if you’re lucky. 

Most travelers take cheap boats across the river to the park entrance in Kuala Tahan.

Part of the experience of Taman Negara jungle is the guided trekking and caving. 

07 Cameron Highlands

There are two places in Malaysia where you will need a jacket and a warm blanket at night. Most Malaysian escape the sweltering tropical heat and escape to the Cameron Highlands. 

You will see lush scenery, tour beautiful tea plantations, and hike through the Mossy Forest in Cameron Highlands. Strawberry farms, butterfly gardens, flower greenhouses, English scones, and tea.

Travel Tips: Get fresh farm vegetables for a hearty vegetarian steamboat dinner.

The mossy forest is a natural environment that grows only at the highest elevations of Cameron Highlands. Image: Tourism Malaysia Facebook

08 Tioman Island

Tioman Island on the east coast is the top destination in Malaysia for Singaporeans. Tioman’s duty-free status is an excellent reason for most tourists to visit for an island holiday while in Malaysia.

Beautiful Tioman island is trendy among newlyweds.

Accommodation and excellent diving are inexpensive.

Tioman has 11 beautiful beaches their own unique characteristics. There is a perfect beach for everyone. 

Want to go for a swim or challenge the waves? Specific beaches are better for a stroll or just well-deserved peace!

09 Langkawi

Langkawi’s pristine beaches – Datai Bay, Pantai Cenang, and Tanjung Rhu – are rated among the world’s best.

A good system of vast roads provides Ironman Langkawi, Malaysia, one of the most challenging Ironman circuit editions. 

Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition is a maritime and aerospace exhibition held once every two years. Le Tour De Langkawi and Royal Langkawi International Regatta are some of the events that keep the island abuzz. 

The island has four marinas and several bases with top-notch facilities for yachts to sail around the islands.

Duty-free alcohol, cars, electronics, and more chocolate than you can eat in a lifetime, plus fresh seafood, are some reasons visitors keep returning.

Imported beer cost less than USD1.

Aside from the sandy shores, jungle-cloaked valleys, and bargain shopping for kitchenware at cost.  

Ironman Langkawi, Malaysia, is one of the most challenging editions of the Ironman circuit. Image: Tourism Malaysia Facebook

10 Selangor

Selangor is the wealthiest, most urbanized, and populous of Malaysia’s states.

Aside from Kuala Lumpur’s urban sprawl, the state’s sights include enormous theme parks, including Malaysia’s first indoor snow park where you can ski and snowboard.

Other sights are the Sepang International Circuit Formula One racetrack, the National Zoo of Malaysia, and Farm in the City.

Batu Caves temple is a Hindu shrine with the largest statue of Lord Murugan in the world.

Annually, the Thaipusam celebrations draw over 1.6 million devotees and tourists.

When you can’t shop anymore, head to the nearby Genting Highlands, a cool hill station amidst the cold mountain air and a majestic 100 million-old rainforest.

The First World Hotel and Plaza is the world’s largest hotel with 10,500 rooms and a theme park.

Dubbed the City of Entertainment, this incredible resort town is famous and packed with local KLites and Singaporean during the weekend.

When you’re ready to be wooed by nature, the abundance of fireflies along the river in Kuala Selangor is a dazzling spectacle worth seeing!