Malaysia attractions

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.

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.

An essential stop for history buffs, Fort Cornwallis is an 18th-century fortress that played a significant role in the history of Penang. The structure, one of the largest standing forts in Malaysia, was built to defend Penang against pirate attacks and is still, to this day, guarded by vigilant cannons.

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.

Little India is the heart of multicultural Penang’s ethnic Indian community. It’s where you can find South Indian-style temples, food, market stalls, and other stores that are quite distinct from those elsewhere. Penang’s Little India doesn’t cover a very large area, but it’s within the UNESCO Penang Heritage Zone of George Town.

Nestled in the jungle outside Kota Kinabalu, the Mari Mari Cultural Village lets you discover the old lifestyles of five different Borneo ethnic groups. Enjoy traditional food (and rice wine, watch demos of crafts from tattooing to fire lighting, catch a dance performance, and learn about traditional beliefs and building styles.

Nestled among the mangrove forests of Semawang, the privately-owned Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary allows you observe the endemic primates during feeding times throughout the day. Fresh fruit and vegetables are provided to supplement the diets of the monkeys, who roam free in the surrounding forest.

Located at the northern tip of Langkawi, Tanjung Rhu Beach is considered one of the prettiest beaches in Malaysia. It’s known for its lack of crowds, clean waters, long stretch of pristine white sands fringed by casuarina trees (from which the beach gets its name), and scenic views of the Andaman Sea.

Sam Poh Tong is a Chinese Buddhist temple on the southeastern edge of Ipoh among the limestone hills of Gunung Rapat. This cave temple dates back to the 1950s but is said to have been discovered by a Chinese monk in 1890. Aside from its religious value, the gardens and open-air cave pagoda make this temple one of Ipoh’s most picturesque.

This 16th-century landmark in Melaka (Malacca)—believed to be the oldest Dutch building in Asia—was modeled after the Hoorn city hall in the Netherlands. It once served as the Melaka town hall and residence of the Dutch governor, and today houses several small museums, including the Museum of History and Ethnography.

Based on an original in Guangzhou, China, the Chan She Shu Yuen Clan House (or ancestral hall) is the Kuala Lumpur headquarters of the Chan (also written Tan or Chen) clan association. Unless your name is Chan, Tan, or Chen, you’ll likely visit the gorgeous heritage-listed temple with its gilded pillars, pottery-decked roof, and opulent altar.

Oriental Village Langkawi is the home of Langkawi Cable Car (SkyCab), which transports you 2,326 feet (709 meters) to the SkyBridge at the summit of Mt. Mat Cincang. Located at the bottom of the mountain, this open-air complex features souvenir and retail outlets, galleries, rides, health spas, a hotel, and a huge lake at its center.

Perched at the summit of the Genting Highlands, almost 6,500 feet (2,000 meters) above sea level, the Genting SkyWorlds Theme Park is a leisure and amusement resort in a unique Malaysian setting. Here, amusements, attractions, and rides get a fun twist. Each is designed around themes such as flying Zeppelins in the Robots Rivet Town or a roller coaster bike ride at Eagle Mountain.

Located beneath the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Aquaria KLCC is home to more than 5,000 aquatic and marine animals from more than 150 species. The 60,000-square-foot (5,574-square-meter) aquarium exhibits flora and fauna from around Malaysia and from areas across the world.

There are few places in the world with a healthier population of young orangutans than the jungles surrounding the Semenggoh Nature Reserve. This thriving population owes its success to a 30-year rehabilitation program that reintroduced hundreds of primates into the surrounding forest. Today, you can observe free-roaming orangutans during feeding times.

A scenic option for water-sports fans and wildlife lovers who don’t have time to travel to Mabul or Sipadan, Tunku Abdul Rahman National Marine Park is just a 20-minute speedboat ride from downtown Kota Kinabalu. Comprising five small islands, the park combines white-sand beaches with coral reefs, jungle, and abundant marine life.

The Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia is Kuala Lumpur’s standout museum, home to over 9,000 Islamic artifacts from around the world. Collections span the gamut from Korans to tiles, carpets to jewelry, textiles to calligraphy, and architecture to ancient medical texts. To understand the role Islam played in world civilization, start here.

When Entopia by Penang Butterfly Farm opened in 1986 as the Penang Butterfly Farm, it was the first facility of its kind anywhere in the tropics. This living museum showcases more than 15,000 rare, endangered, and indigenous butterflies and dragonflies representing some 120 species alongside 200 species of plants. A multistory indoor discovery center known as the Cocoon lets visitors explore the world of invertebrates through a series of hands-on exhibits and activities. Entopia doubles as a research and conservation center for butterflies, insects, and their habitats.

Reigned over by the mighty Mt. Kinabalu—the tallest mountain in Malaysia—Kinabalu Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its biodiversity. A paradise for nature lovers, the park is home to around 5,500 plant species (including varieties of orchids and pitcher plants), about 326 bird species, and more than 100 mammals.

Peranakan men and women are known as baba and nyonya respectively, and the Baba & Nyonya Heritage Museum transports the traveler back to their 19th-century heyday. Immerse yourself in the costumes and rituals of this Chinese-Malay fusion culture as you explore this lovingly restored townhouse in the heart of historic Melaka.

With dozens of rides, LEGOLAND® Malaysia is the country’s first international theme park and one of Kuala Lumpur’s top destinations for families. Highlights include a water park with almost 20 slides, and Miniland, where more than 30 million LEGO® bricks were used to recreate Asian landmarks.

Set in Padang Matsirat on the Malaysian island of Langkawi, Atma Alam Batik Art Village is a craft center dedicated to batik, a traditional wax-dyed cloth technique and ancient art form. The center is owned by an oil painter and a batik artist, who designed it to celebrate the tradition and showcase the creative art of batik in Langkawi.

Formally known as Langkawi SkyCab, the Langkawi Cable Car takes riders high above the Langkawi rain forest on Mt. Mat Cincang (Gunung Mat Cincang) for a panoramic view of the surrounding islands and sea. It boasts Malaysia’s longest free span mono-cable car—at 3,117 feet (950 meters)—and is among the steepest on the planet.

One of Langkawi’s southern islands, uninhabited Beras Basah Island (Pulau Beras Basah is known for white-sand beaches and blue waters: Travelers rarely venture into its forested interior. Activities on offer run from banana boat rides to parasailing, as well as snorkeling, while there are simple snacks for sale.

Home to stunning limestone formations and mangrove forests rich with plant and animal life, it’s easy to see why Kilim Geoforest Park Langkawi is UNESCO–listed. Perched on the northeastern coast of the island, the natural expanse is a great place to spot eagles. It’s also home to pristine beaches, rugged caves, and fossils dating back millions of years.

Poring Hot Spring and Nature Reserve is nestled in the jungles of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Kinabalu National Park. Poring Hot Springs includes tiled pools used for soaking in sulfurous thermal waters; a suspended jungle walkway; a swimming pool and slide; and an orchid Conservation Center home to more than 1,200 species.

One of the highest mountains in Southeast Asia, the mighty Mt. Kinabalu (Gunung Kinabalu) attracts climbers from all over. But the 13,435-foot (4,095-meter) summit isn’t the only reason travelers visit Kinabalu National Park. With around 6,000 species of flora, the UNESCO-listed park is recognized as one of the most important biological sites in the world.

If you want to fill your suitcase with souvenirs, head straight to Langkawi Craft Complex (Kompleks Kraf Langkawi), where you can buy everything from hand-dyed batiks and silver jewelry to ceramics and woven tote bags. It’s also home to three museums, which reflect Malaysia's rich and varied culture, and regularly hosts performances and demonstrations.

Some of Kuala Lumpur’s best shopping—and eating—happens at night, at the city’s pasar malam, or night markets. Many locals come to Jalan Masjid India Night Market for cheap clothing and accessories. Most foreigners visit to enjoy the excellent Malay, Chinese, and Indian street foods, washed down with a dose of people watching.

The 2,965-acre (1,200-hectare) Templer Park is a green oasis on the northern edge of Kuala Lumpur. Its greenery, streams, ponds, and waterfalls attract visitors wanting to cool off from Kuala Lumpur’s hot, sticky climate. There’s also a country club within the park and a rainforest retreat resort just outside.