Extravagantly embellished with precious stones, bright tiles, and carvings of Hindu gods and goddesses, the five-tier Sri Mahamariamman Temple boasts the title of Kuala Lumpur’s oldest Hindu temple. Along with its fabulous facade, the temple impresses with its murals, frescoes, shrines, and elaborate altars, all of which vibrantly depict deities and scenes from the Hindu religion.
Previously known as the Lake Gardens, the Perdana Botanical Garden began life as a public park in the 1880s. Spanning more than 220 acres (90 hectares) in the city center, it offers a sunken garden, herbarium, hibiscus garden, and rainforest trees, plus artificial lakes, a waterfall, a deer park, and a boardwalk through tropical ferns.
Kuala Lumpur may be the capital of Malaysia, but Putrajaya, about 15 miles (24 kilometers) away, is the nation’s seat of government. A planned city laid out in the mid-1990s, its grandiose buildings, manicured gardens, and space-age architecture spread out around an artificial lake.
Bask in the bioluminescence of thousands of fireflies as they do their mating dance in a mesmerizing display around the berembang trees along the Selangor River at Malaysia’s Kampung Kuantan Firefly Park, in Kuala Selangor. Each species of firefly has a different light pattern. They create a symphony of light in the mangrove swamps as they swarm around their chosen branches. It’s one of Mother Nature’s most spectacular displays.
With a history dating back to the 19th century, Petaling Street Market is a popular destination with locals and tourists looking for bargains. Packed with stalls selling a wide range of goods, from clothing, shoes, and bags to watches, electronics, and souvenirs, the covered market also offers a wide and diverse array of food options.
Jamek Mosque (Masjid Jamek), formally known as Masjid Sultan Abdul Samad Jamek, is Kuala Lumpur’s oldest mosque, dating back to 1909. Inspired by the Mughal mosques of India, it’s a beautiful brick-built affair in the heart of the city, where the Gombak and Klang rivers meet. Some areas are off-limits to non-Muslims.
Hidden in a maze of alleyways in Georgetown sits Khoo Kongsi (Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi Clan House & Museum), one of Malaysia’s most important clan houses. The legacy of the house dates back more than 650 years to the Khoo Kongsi clan from west China and manifests itself in intricate carvings, murals, and timberwork.
Jonker Street (Jalan Hang Jebat)runs through the heart of Chinatown in Melaka’s city center and was once known primarily for its antique dealers. Those on the hunt for Malaysian artifacts and relics—authentic and otherwise—will still find these rare items, but the area has evolved to include clothing boutiques, craft shops, and restaurants as well.
Housed in a beautiful Minangkabau-style building in Kuala Lumpur, the National Museum (Muzium Negara) details Malaysia’s rich history and diverse cultural heritage. Spanning the prehistoric age to present day, four distinctive galleries exhibit fascinating artifacts such as Palaeolithic-era tools thought to be more than 200,000 years old.
Malaysia’s oldest Chinese temple, first built in 1673, remains an active place of worship for the Chinese Buddhist community in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Melaka. Everything from the ornate roof to the painted murals within this temple dedicated to Guan Yin (Goddess of Mercy) have been restored using traditional techniques.
Silvered leaf monkeys flit through the trees on the climb up Melawati Hill (Bukit Melawati, the historic epicenter of Kuala Selangor. Besides a colonial-era lighthouse, other relics of past times include cannons, a royal mausoleum, a well with a gory history, the remains of a fort, and a small museum devoted to Selangor state history.
Fringed with mangrove forests and filled with houses on stilts, the relaxed fishing community of Crab Island (Pulau Ketam) couldn’t feel further from nearby Kuala Lumpur. The two villages, which are home to only 6,000 residents, are renowned for their seafood dishes, which tend to feature fresh prawns and crab.
Characterized by glittering stupas and fearsome green dragons, the Thai Buddhist Chayamangkalaram Buddhist Temple (Wat Chayamangkalaram) is one of the most ornate in Penang. The temple’s extravagant exterior alludes to the giant reclining Buddha statue inside, whose position signifies peace and freedom from the material world. Opposite the Thai temple sits a Burmese temple of similar grandeur.
Kek Lok Si Temple, which translates from Hokkien as the the Temple of Serene Bliss, stands majestically on the slopes of Air Itam, a hill on Penang Island. The largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia, Kek Lok Si attracts thousands of visitors with its 7-story white-and-gold pagoda, golden statues, and an elevated setting that provides panoramic views.
A unique structure with spectacular views of Malaysia’s Langkawi archipelago, the Langkawi Sky Bridge is a curved suspension bridge on Mt. Machinchang. The 410-foot-long (125-meter-long) span hangs from a single pylon, 328 feet (100 meters) above the ground, offering excellent views of the jungle-covered mountains below and the Andaman Sea beyond.
The Malacca River (Sungai Melaka) cuts across the city of the same name, now most commonly spelled Melaka, and is also known as the Melaka River. In recent years, the river has been revitalized into a top destination, with both Malaysians and international visitors coming to soak in its history and marvel at the diverse architecture from the city’s Portuguese, Dutch, and British heritage.
A magnet for architecture fans, Putrajaya sits on an artificial lake crisscrossed by eight bridges. Highlights include the Seri Wawasan Bridge, shaped like a futuristic sail; the Putra Bridge, a three-tier bridge with minaret-style piers; the Seri Saujana Bridge, with an arcing suspension span; and the Moorish-inspired Seri Perdana Bridge.
The acid-green Pinang Peranakan Mansion offers insight into the culture of the Peranakans (Babas, a community from the China Straits. Inside, more than 1,000 items showcase the affluence of a typical Baba household, while cosmopolitan decor combines traditional Chinese-carved wood panels with English and Scottish features.
A colonial-era hill station, Penang Hill sits behind George Town, about 2,733 feet (833 meters) above sea level. Visit in style on the Penang Hill Funicular Railway, a cliff-side railway dating back to 1924. The trains and tracks are modern, and the sheer ascents through the jungle and over bridges make for a spectacular journey.
Set atop a hill in George Town, the 68-story Komtar skyscraper towers above Penang and houses a range of dining and entertainment options. From the Rainbow Skywalk, a glass bridge suspended 816 feet (249 meters) above the city, to aquariums, amusement rides, and 200 animatronic dinosaurs, there’s plenty to see and do here.
Opened in 1985 following 15 years of planning, Penang Bridge (Jambatan Pulau Pinang) connects George Town in Penang with Seberang Prai on the Malaysian mainland. At 8.4 miles (13.5 kilometers), the cable-stayed toll bridge is the second longest in the country and the fifth longest in Southeast Asia.
So-called because of the 40-foot (12-meter at its center, Eagle Square (Dataran Lang sits beside Langkawi’s main port and is, therefore, the first thing you’re likely to see if arriving at the island by boat. The star-shaped square is home to several ponds, fountains, cafes, and plenty of duty-free shops that sell alcohol and souvenirs.
The second-largest island in Langkawi archipelago, Dayang Bunting Island (Pulau Dayang Bunting) and its surrounding lake are enshrouded in folklore. Visit the lake where legend says a celestial princess placed her baby after his death (the waters are thought to aid in conceiving). Try snorkeling, bird-watching, and cave exploring too.
The sprawling 88-acre (36-hectare) Sunway Lagoon ranks among Southeast Asia’s biggest theme parks and boasts rides, water slides, a man-made beach, a wildlife park, and Malaysia’s first surf simulator. It’s one of Kuala Lumpur’s top family attractions, offering activities that will suit kids of all ages.
Home to the iconic “I LOVE KL” sign and a 2,000-square-foot (185-square-meter model of Kuala Lumpur, the Kuala Lumpur City Gallery sits on Merdeka Square. Part city museum, part tourist information office, it’s home to a café, a gift shop, and exhibits about KL city history, but for many, the heritage building is a big part of the charm.
Established in 1964, the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre rehabilitates baby orangutans that have been orphaned as a result of illegal logging and deforestation in Malaysia. Visit the center for an opportunity to see this endangered animal in its habitat at scheduled feeding times and in the rehabilitation nursery.
Kuala Lumpur Bird Park (Taman Burung Kuala Lumpur) is the largest free-flight aviary of its kind, with 20 acres (8.1 hectares) of space for more than 3,000 birds to roam. Home to iridescent blue peacocks, flamingos, hornbills, ostriches, and many more bird species, this Malaysian park is a popular choice with nature lovers and families.
Reigning supreme from the center of Penang Island, Penang Hill (Bukit Bendera Pulau Pinang) offers travelers much more than panoramic views. Ride up in a century-old funicular, or take a hike, keeping an eye out for grey macaques and elusive dusky leaf monkeys. At the top, you’ll find a Hindu temple, an owl museum, and even an earthquake and typhoon pavilion.
Kuala Lumpur Butterfly Park, one of the largest butterfly gardens in the world, is home to more than 6,000 species. Its tropical rain forest setting provides a tranquil escape from the bustle of Kuala Lumpur and offers an engaging and educational experience for kids and adults alike.
Known by locals as the Blue Mansion, Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that attracts visitors with its architectural fusion of European and Chinese styles. Featured in the Oscar-winning movieIndochine, the mansion, an important part of George Town’s heritage, is now part hotel, part museum. Indigo blue walls and decadent ornamentation make for stunning photographs.
