Malaysia is a country of contrasts, sliced in half by the South China Sea. On one side, colonial treasure troves, tropical islands, and modern cityscapes captivate; while in Borneo, rain forests and wild animals dominate the landscape. Malaysia is crowned by its sleek capital, Kuala Lumpur, where the Petronas Twin Towers, the Batu Caves, and enticing street food reign supreme. In historical Malacca, UNESCO World Heritage sites jostle for attention; Kota Kinabalu magnetizes travelers with fiery sunsets and a vibrant art scene; in Penang, the colonial gems of Georgetown complement the country’s best food; and on the white-sand beaches of Langkawi, revelers and relaxers soak up the island atmosphere. Opportunities for outdoor adventures abound: Hike through the emerald tea plantations of the Cameron Highlands, trek to the fiery summit of Mount Kinabalu volcano, or explore the fauna-rich rain forest of Taman Negara National Park. Nature lovers can visit rescued elephants at the Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary, observe orangutans in Borneo’s dense jungle, or watch a dazzling display of fireflies at Kuala Selangor lagoon. Plus, Malaysia’s proximity to Thailand, Singapore, and Indonesia not only make it an ideal launchpad for traveling Southeast Asia, but also creates an engrossing cultural tapestry guaranteed to excite and enchant.
Malaysia has two main areas: peninsular Malaysia, south of Thailand on the Asian mainland, and East Malaysia, in Borneo. Malaysian Borneo is known for caves, rivers, rain forest, indigenous cultures, and orangutans; peninsular Malaysia includes the colonial-era cities of George Town (Penang) and Melaka, plus Langkawi, the nation’s favorite resort island.
...MoreOn peninsular Malaysia, George Town and Melaka hold UNESCO World Heritage status; the Taman Negara National Park boasts virgin rain forest; popular islands include Langkawi, Redang, and the Perhentians. In Malaysian Borneo, a river trip and orangutan viewing is a must; divers love Sipadan; the Gunung Mulu and Kinabalu national parks are UNESCO-listed.
...MoreMalaysia is a diverse country which is larger than Italy and includes almost 900 islands. Ideally, allow 14 days to see the highlights of peninsular Malaysia, and an additional 14 days for Sabah in Borneo: Sarawak, the other half of Malaysian Borneo, takes longer to explore in full.
...MoreMulticultural Malaysia is blessed with Chinese, Indian, Malaysian, and hybrid foods, so most visitors spend plenty of time eating. Nature lovers enjoy waterfalls, river trips, mangrove adventures, firefly viewing, rain-forest hikes, and wildlife encounters, including orangutans. Snorkeling and other water sports are popular on many islands, as are walking tours in heritage areas.
...MoreSame-sex activity is illegal in Malaysia and, while travelers are unlikely to face prosecution, LGBTQ visitors should avoid public displays of affection and install a VPN on their phone as many LGBTQ sites are blocked. Importing either drugs or unlicensed firearms may be punished with death, while penalties for drug possession include whipping.
...MoreNo. Although pickpocketing, petty crime, bag-snatching, ATM fraud, and drink spiking are not uncommon, most of Malaysia is safe. The US State Department advises against travel to eastern Sabah due to the risk of kidnapping. If renting a motorcycle, ensure you have both a license and full insurance, and always wear a helmet.
...MoreNumber of Attractions | 183 |
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Number of Tours | 3,520 |
Number of Reviews | 12,311 |
Currency | MYR |
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