Malaysia is in the top 10 for tourist arrivals in the entire world and it’s not hard to see why. Visitors to this Southeast Asian country can experience its diverse cultural influences as well as diverse geography, as it’s home to large island groups, highlands, tropical rainforests and beautiful beaches. The country is divided into two different land-masses, West Malaysia and East Malaysia. West Malaysia is the southern peninsula shared with Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam while East Malaysia rests across the South China Sea on the Borneo Island. Here are some of the best places to visit while exploring Malaysia.
Where to Go in Malaysia
1. Langkawi
Langkawi is the main island of an archipelago of 99 islands located off the Northwest coast of West Malaysia. Langkawi is very popular among tourists because of its beautiful scenery, stunning beaches, rainforests and mountains. Langkawi is home to get, modern resorts, hotels and restaurants that have been recently developed. Here, you can enjoy lounging on beaches of fine sand and take in the scenery surrounding you and inland on Langkawi are great tropical jungles to be explored. Nature lovers will be very impressed with the landscapes on Langkawi. Check out the 125-meter long Langkawi Sky Bridge from 700 meters above sea level for a unforgettable, picturesque views and take a 15-minute cable car ride to the top of Mount Cincang. Langkawi is one of the most beautiful destinations in the Southeast Asia area and your visit will absolutely leave you in awe.
2. Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur is the capital of Malaysia and is a beautiful city and a cultural melting pot. It’s a very vibrant city with tall skyscrapers and there’s great dining and shopping throughout the city. There’s great architecture and the Merdeka Square in the former colonial district. Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown is very popular among travellers for food and shopping. The Golden Triangle of Kuala Lumpur holds many of the city’s impressive buildings including the Petronas Towers. Check out the Central Market to really immerse yourself in the culture of Malaysia with great fresh food and shopping of homemade crafts from local artists. Also check out the Kuala Lumpur Bird Park for beautiful species of birds from the region.
3. Taman Negara National Park
Taman Negara is known as one of, if not the oldest tropical rainforest in the world. This national park that spans over 4,000 square kilometers and thee states in West Malaysia is a very popular adventure site among tourists that is home to many endangered species of wildlife including the Malaysian Tiger, exotic birds, Asian Elephants and Sumatran Rhinoceros. Though these animals are not often seen in this vast park, it’s definitely worth taking a trip and exploring the beautiful area. The most popular attraction in the park is the 530 meter long Canopy Walkway that takes you above the park to take in the beautiful scenery of the tropical rainforest.
4. Kuching
Kuching is the largest city on Borneo Island in East Malaysia and it’s a beautiful city with historic landmarks great city markets as well as beautiful natural recreation areas in and around it. The city sits on the Sarawak River with great views of the historic Fort Margherita and Astana Palace. Visit the Kuching Civic Center which has great aerial views and a planetarium. As for natural adventures, check out the beautiful Bako National Park, Semenggoh Natural Reserve where you can see orangutans and the Fairy Caves.
5. Cameron Highlands
After over 1,500 meters above sea level, the Cameron Highlands are beautiful green hill formations. Many tourists come to visit the Cameron Highlands for the picturesque scenes from the curved hills and to visit Malaysia’s largest tea plantations., which are housed here. There are also many trails within the highlands to hike and trek.
This article was written by Cameron Lafontaine