Visit Malaysia

Malaysia's capital, Kuala Lumpur, is also the country's largest city. Kuala Lumpur is a place every tourist visiting Malaysia should explore. The city of two million manages to preserve the different cultures of its residents while continuing to develop rapidly. Kuala Lumpur is home to many attractions, the most famous of which are the twin skyscrapers - the Petronas Towers, the Batu Caves and Perdana Botanical Garden. Malaysia's currency is the Malaysian ringgit (MYR), commonly recognized by the symbol RM.

Johor Bahru is the second-largest city in Malaysia and the capital of the state of Johor. It is located at the southernmost part of the Malay Peninsula, directly opposite Singapore, with which it is connected by two bridges. The city is an important economic, industrial and transport centre, known for its modern infrastructure and rapid development. Among its most visited attractions are LEGOLAND Malaysia, Sultan Abu Bakar State Mosque and the Istana Besar royal palace.

George Town is the third-largest city in Malaysia and the capital of the state of Penang. Founded in 1786, it is one of the country's most important historical and cultural centres. Thanks to its rich colonial heritage and well-preserved architecture, its historic centre is included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. George Town is known for its street art, diverse cuisine and attractions such as Fort Cornwallis, Kek Lok Si Temple and Penang Hill.

Batu Caves are one of Malaysia's most famous natural and religious landmarks. They are located about 13 km north of Kuala Lumpur and form a limestone complex of caves and temples more than 400 million years old. The caves are the most important Hindu shrine outside India dedicated to Lord Murugan. The main cave is reached by 272 colourful steps, and at its base stands a 42.7-metre gilded statue of Lord Murugan - one of the tallest in the world. Every year the site attracts more than a million pilgrims and tourists, especially during the Thaipusam festival.

Kek Lok Si Temple is the largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia and is located in Air Itam on Penang Island. Built in the early twentieth century, it is among the most visited religious complexes in Southeast Asia. The temple includes numerous monasteries, prayer halls, gardens and a turtle pond, and its best-known landmark is the seven-storey Pagoda of Ten Thousand Buddhas, combining Chinese, Thai and Burmese architectural elements. The complex also features a 30-metre bronze statue of the goddess of mercy, Kuan Yin, visible from much of the island.

Taman Negara National Park is the world's oldest tropical rainforest, estimated to be more than 130 million years old. Located in central Malaysia, the park covers more than 4,300 sq. km of pristine jungle and is home to exceptionally rich biodiversity, including Malayan tigers, Asian elephants, tapirs and hundreds of bird species. One of its most popular attractions is the Canopy Walkway - a suspension bridge more than 40 metres above the ground, offering impressive views of ancient tree crowns and a chance to experience Malaysia's unique nature up close.

Sarawak Cultural Village is a good place to experience life in a different culture, even if only for a few hours. The Sarawak Cultural Village is a living museum where visitors can learn more about the local people and their traditions and lifestyles. Buildings, including the Iban longhouse, represent major ethnic groups in Sarawak. Visitors can also take part in a multicultural dance performance perhaps be invited to sip tuak, a potent rice wine. Visitors can even be married in a traditional ethnic ceremony.

Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion – better known as the Blue Mansion because of its dazzling indigo-coloured facade is a heritage landmark on Leith Street in George Town in Penang which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage. It gives vibes and atmosphere of an Asian Gothic novel. Built in an architectural style known as Straits Eclectic, the mansion is currently a boutique hotel with a pool, a fine-dining restaurant and a bar. Before that it was the house of the Cheong Fatt Tze – Chinese businessman who was known as the ‘Rockefeller of the East’.

There is a Chinese belief that white is associated with death and mourning, so Cheong decided to paint the walls of his house bright blue for a cheerier effect. The eye-catching blue paint was made with a natural blue dye from the indigo plant, mixed with limewash.

The Snake Temple (officially known as Hock Hin Keong or Cheng Hoon Giam) was built in the mid-19th century to honor Chor Soo Kong, also known as Qingshui. He is a Buddhist monk and healer born in China during the Song Dynasty. The legend holds that during his lifetime, Chor Soo Kong sometimes offered shelter to local jungle snakes. After the temple was built in his honor, it’s said snakes began showing up there of their own accord.

Malaysia is full of amazing places for the diving lovers, where you can see different types of corals and hundreds of species of marine animals. The country is suitable for all levels of diving, because the waters are usually calm, the rifts are protected and most of the places can be reached with fast boats without the necessity of big vessel.

One of the best places for diving in Malaysia is the province Sabah, which has many small islands, perfect for the divers. There you can dive in the National Park “Miri-Sibuti” or you can go immediately to island Sipadan for access to dive in world level. Mabul island is suitable for macro diving fans. Next island Liang-Liang is deep dive zone up to 40 meters.

Borneo is one of the places where you can see hammerhead shark. The best way to see it is in Liang-Liang.

In the western part of Malaysia there is also some suitable places for diving. The islands Redang and Tioman are part of the archipelago Lengkawi and are perfect for diving with snorkel and scuba diving.

There are about 200 golf courses located in Malaysia. There are places where one will be surrounded by the cool and green hills of Malaysia, its numerous tea plantations or along the coast of the South China Sea. Apart of the spectacular view which the Malaysian golf courses provide, there are also equipped with the best buildings and facilities that can be found.

Malaysia offers thrilling safari experiences, letting visitors come face to face with its remarkable wildlife. Taman Negara, one of the world's oldest rainforests, offers guided safaris where travellers can spot Malayan tigers, Asian elephants and exotic bird species. The Kinabatangan River in Sabah offers river safaris where you may see orangutans, proboscis monkeys and pygmy elephants. Danum Valley, also in Sabah, is another leading safari destination, known for its rich flora and fauna, including clouded leopards and Bornean sun bears.

Langkawi is archipelago with 99 islands, located on the Malaysian west coast. The islands are part of the state Keda. In 2008 the name of the archipelago is changed into “Langkawi Permata Kedah” which in Malaysian means “Langkawi, the jewel of Keda”.

The largest island of the archipelago, which also bears the name “Langkawi”, offers something for every traveler. It gives its guests a chance to experience amazing nature, lively tourist attractions, ordinary local life and world-class resorts. The island can also fascinate you with its variety of birds, as it is home to over 226 bird species.

If you are at Langkawi Island one of the places you need to visit is Langkawi Sky Bridge. The sky bridge is 125 meters long and offers exciting view toward the mountain Mat Sinkang, the waterfall Telazha Tuzhu and several islands around Langkawi. It is located on 700 meter above sea level and is only accessible via the island final cable car station. The bridge can accommodate only 250 people at the same time.

The national Park Langkawi is amazing place for animal lovers, because it is home of 2500 exotic birds from 150 different types as: canary, gooses, parrots, owls, eagles, tucani and flamingo.

Pantai Cenang is a large beach with white sands and clear waters. It is the most popular beach on Langkawi. The beach is just a 10-minute drive from the island’s international airport. Pantai Cenang is a popular holiday destination for traveling families, thanks to attractions suitable for children such as the Langkawi Underwater World and the Rice Garden Museum.

The waterfall Telaga Tujuh is located in west part on Langkawi Island. The name means “The seven well” and it comes from the seven natural pools formed on different levels from water flows which flow from the mountain Mat Chanchang. The waterfall is most visited place on the island and the lover of adventures can try steep 45-minutes ascent to the top of the waterfalls through the seven pools, where you can find macaques, rhinos and squirrels.

The National Park Kinabalu is placed on Island Borneo and it is the first UNESCO World heritage site of Malaysia in 2000. The Park is found in 1964 and it is located in Sabah, the west coast of Malaysia. It has area of 754 km². The Park Kinabalu boasts one of the richest collections of biodiversity in the world, hosting over 4,500 species of animals and plants, including 326 bird species, over 100 mammal species and over 110 species of terrestrial snails. One of the biggest attractions in the park is the top Kinabalu.

Another attraction that attracts thousands of tourists to the national park is the flower Rafflesia. It is a type of parasitic plant that does not have a root stem, but only a large color. Rafflesia is found only in Southeast Asia on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra. The interesting thing about the flower is that it blooms only 5 days, and then dies.

Although popular in other Southeast Asian countries, the Nasi Lemak is considered Malaysia’s national dish and can be found anywhere in the country. The main component in it is rice, which is boiled in coconut milk and pandan leaves. The traditional Malaysian version of Nasi Lemak often contains anchovies, chilli paste (sambal), peanuts and boiled eggs.

Translated “Mee Goreng” means fried noodles. In Malaysia the word “mamak” is used for the Muslims from India. The fried noodles are made from Chinese cabbage, fried tofu, beans sprouts, potatoes, chilly peppers, chicken or shrimps.

Satay is meat on sticks on grill and are very famous in the whole South Eastern Asian region. It can be made from chicken, beef or lamb. In Malaysia the dish is often served with onion, cucumbers and sauce of peanuts. Usually Satay is served with another dish called Ketupat, which is rice dumplings rolled in palm leaves.

Asam Laksa is chilly soup from rice noodles. This is one of the most famous dishes in the chilly cuisine. This type of food is combination of the Chinese and the traditional Malaysian cuisine, developed around the Peranakans who are descendants of the Chinese immigrants, settled in parts of Malaysia and whose culture has mixed with the culture of the local Malaysian. The soup contains fish, grated cucumber, onion, pineapple, red chilly peppers, ordinary mint, lettuce and ginger. It is most served with rice noodles and shrimp paste.

Roti Canai is a dish came with the Indians immigrants settled in Malaysia. The dish is flatbread which is served with different types of curry. There is also sweet version – it is sprinkled with sugar.

Ais Kacang is popular Malaysian dessert. The main ingredients are ice and red bean. Frequently the dessert is served with sweet corn, grass jelly, cube agar-agar (jelly), peanuts and ice cream. Ais Kacang is poured with condensed or coconut milk, with syrup from rose.