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    Malaysia

    Travel Guide Malaysia

    Malaysia unites Malay, Chinese, Indian, and indigenous cultures with Borneo's rainforests, cool highlands, colonial cities, and tropical islands.

    by Felix Gillen

    Contents

    • Why go
    • Highlights
    • Explore regions
    • Round trips
    • Local food
    • Good to know
    • Best time to visit
    • Travel advice

    Why Go To Malaysia?

    Malaysia combines Malay, Chinese, Indian, and indigenous cultures, showcased in architecture, festivals, and above all, its cuisine. Between Kuala Lumpur's skyscrapers, the old towns of Melaka and George Town, the tea plantations of the Cameron Highlands, and the rainforests of Borneo, are usually just short flights or bus rides away. It also offers islands like Langkawi and the Perhentians, where you can snorkel, dive, or spend a few quiet days on the beach.

    Where in Malaysia?

    Pick a region. The highlights, road trips and places below follow your choice.

    Kuala Lumpur
    Highlight 1 of 8

    Kuala Lumpur

    Malaysia's capital combines the Petronas Towers and modern shopping districts with colonial buildings around Merdeka Square, a vibrant Chinatown, and the hawker stalls of Jalan Alor and Kampung Baru.

    Kuala Lumpur, founded in 1857 as a tin-mining settlement at the confluence of the Klang and Gombak rivers, is now a metropolis of around two million inhabitants, with significantly more in the greater Klang Valley.

    Discover
    Batu Caves
    Highlight 2 of 8

    Batu Caves

    The limestone caves about 13 kilometres north of Kuala Lumpur are among the best-known Hindu shrines outside India. In front of the stairs stands a 42.7-metre-tall gilded statue of the god Murugan, and 272 brightly painted steps lead up to the temple cave.

    Discover
    Melaka
    Highlight 3 of 8

    Melaka

    Melaka was one of Asia's most important ports in the 15th century. Portuguese, Dutch, and British left their mark on the Old Town, while Chinese, Indian, and Malay communities built their temples, mosques, and kitchens.

    Melaka is located on the west coast of the peninsula, about 150 kilometers southeast of Kuala Lumpur. The bus journey takes two to three hours.

    Discover
    Cameron Highlands
    Highlight 4 of 8

    Cameron Highlands

    The Cameron Highlands are a mountain district in the northwest of the state of Pahang, about five hours by bus north of Kuala Lumpur.

    The district covers a good 700 square kilometers, with settlements located between approximately 800 and 1,600 meters in altitude, and Gunung Brinchang peak reaching 2,031 meters. The average annual temperature is 18 degrees, rarely exceeding 25 degrees during the day, and rain is frequent.

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    George Town
    Highlight 5 of 8

    George Town

    George Town, the capital of Penang Island off Malaysia's northwest coast, boasts one of Southeast Asia's best-preserved historic old towns and is considered one of the country's most important street food cities.

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    Langkawi
    Highlight 6 of 8

    Langkawi

    Langkawi is an archipelago of 99 islands off the northwest coast of Malaysia, just before the border with Thailand. You go there for gently sloping sandy beaches, rainforest-covered mountains, and boat tours through mangroves between limestone cliffs.

    The main island of Pulau Langkawi stretches about 25 kilometers from north to south. In the southwest, Pantai Cenang and Pantai Tengah offer the liveliest beach area with the most accommodations and restaurants.

    Discover
    Perhentian Islands
    Highlight 7 of 8

    Perhentian Islands

    The Perhentian Islands, off the northeast coast of the Malaysian Peninsula, are two car-free islands with white beaches and coral reefs. You come here for snorkeling, diving, and simple beach days, free from roads and traffic.

    Discover
    Taman Negara
    Vyacheslav Argenberg / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 4.0
    Highlight 8 of 8

    Taman Negara

    Taman Negara is Malaysia's most famous national park, protecting a lowland rainforest in the interior of the Malaysian Peninsula, often considered among the oldest rainforests on Earth.

    The Taman Negara was founded in 1938/39 as King George V National Park and covers approximately 4,343 square kilometers in the states of Pahang, Kelantan, and Terengganu. An age of over 130 million years is often cited for its rainforest; this is an estimate, not a confirmed measurement.

    Discover

    More highlights in Malaysia

    Unique experiences that make Malaysia unforgettable.

    Kuching

    Kuching

    Kuching , the capital of the Malaysian state of Sarawak in western Borneo, is a compact city on the Sarawak River, featuring buildings from the White Rajahs era, Chinese shop houses, and a long waterfront promenade. It is the best starting point for orangutans, proboscis monkeys, and the national parks in western Borneo. In the city: Waterfront, Main Bazaar, Borneo Cultures Museum, Fort Margherita Excursions: Bako National Park, orangutans at Semenggoh Wildlife Centre, Sarawak Cultural Village Travel time: year-round; most rain falls from November to February
    Bako National Park

    Bako National Park

    The Bako National Park , at the tip of a peninsula north of Kuching, is Sarawak's oldest and a manageable 27 square kilometers. On short hiking trails, you'll spot proboscis monkeys, bearded pigs, and pitcher plants; along the coast, sea-sculpted sandstone cliffs. All just over an hour's journey by bus and boat from Kuching. Tip: Most animals are active early mornings or late afternoons Equipment: Sturdy shoes and at least two liters of water; paths can be steep and root-filled Swimming: Prohibited at beaches due to saltwater crocodiles and jellyfish
    Mulu National Park

    Mulu National Park

    The Gunung Mulu National Park in northern Sarawak, a half-hour flight from Miri, has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2000 and is one of the largest cave areas on Earth. Here await the enormous Deer Cave with its evening bat exodus, the Clearwater Cave System with over 200 kilometers of explored passages, and the jagged limestone peaks of the Pinnacles. The park also contains the Sarawak Chamber, one of the world's largest known cave chambers. Getting there: by plane from Miri, Kuching, or Kota Kinabalu or by boat; there are no roads Planning: Book accommodations and guides early, especially from June to September Money: In…
    Kinabalu National Park

    Kinabalu National Park

    Kinabalu National Park in Sabah in northern Borneo protects the 4,095-meter-high Mount Kinabalu, the highest mountain in Malaysia. You come for the two-day summit climb to the sunrise or for the montane forests, which have been protected by UNESCO since 2000 as Malaysia's first World Heritage Site.On the way up, the vegetation changes from rainforest through cloud forest with pitcher plants and orchids to the bare granite dome. Even without the summit, the forest trails at the headquarters, the hot springs of Poring and the cool mountain village of Kundasang are worth it.

    How to plan your trip to Malaysia

    From the guide to the road: here is what comes next.

    1. 1
      Sunrise over alpine peaks and a sea of clouds
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      12 days · 4 stops

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      Trip to Malaysia

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      • 1Kuala Lumpur3 days
      • 2Batu Caves4 days
      • 3Melaka5 days
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    Regions to Discover

    Explore the diverse regions of Malaysia.

    Penang

    Penang

    Penang Island, off the northwest coast of the Malay Peninsula, is renowned for George Town: Its Old Town, with Chinese clan houses, Indian temples, and colonial architecture, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Other attractions include Penang Hill, a small national park with beaches, and a street food scene considered one of Malaysia's best.
    Cameron Highlands

    Cameron Highlands

    The Cameron Highlands are a mountain district in the northwest of the state of Pahang, about five hours by bus north of Kuala Lumpur. Coming from the tropical heat, visitors find a cool climate here between roughly 800 and 1,600 meters above sea level, along with tea plantations on steep slopes, vegetable fields, strawberry farms, and mountain forest.The towns line up along a winding mountain road: Ringlet in the south, then Tanah Rata with most accommodations, Brinchang, and the Kea Farm market. Plan at least two nights and bring a jacket; it gets cool at night.
    Kuala Lumpur

    Kuala Lumpur

    Malaysia's capital combines the Petronas Towers and modern shopping districts with colonial buildings around Merdeka Square, a vibrant Chinatown, and the hawker stalls of Jalan Alor and Kampung Baru. Malays, Chinese, and Indians equally shape the city's appearance, which is particularly evident in its cuisine.
    Langkawi

    Langkawi

    Langkawi is an archipelago of 99 islands off the northwest coast of Malaysia, just before the border with Thailand. You go there for gently sloping sandy beaches, rainforest-covered mountains, and boat tours through mangroves between limestone cliffs. The main island offers beaches like Pantai Cenang and Tanjung Rhu, waterfalls, and the cable car up Gunung Mat Cincang. Since 2007, the archipelago has been a UNESCO Global Geopark. Since 1987, Langkawi has been a duty-free island; alcohol here is also significantly cheaper than on the mainland. Since 2021, however, duties have again been levied on tobacco products.
    Melaka

    Melaka

    Melaka was one of Asia's most important ports in the 15th century. Portuguese, Dutch, and British left their mark on the Old Town, while Chinese, Indian, and Malay communities built their temples, mosques, and kitchens. Since 2008, the Old Town, along with George Town, has been a UNESCO World Heritage site.The distances are short: From the red Dutch Square, you cross the river to Jonker Street or head up St. Paul's Hill. Two days are enough for the city; many visit as a day trip from Kuala Lumpur.
    East Coast

    East Coast

    The East Coast of the Malaysian Peninsula is more rural and conservative than the West Coast. Off the coast lie islands with clear waters and coral reefs: the Perhentian Islands , Pulau Redang , Pulau Tioman , and the smaller Pulau Kapas. On land, you'll find fishing villages, long beaches, and the cities of Kota Bharu and Kuala Terengganu with their markets and craft traditions. The weather dictates travel planning: From approximately November to February or March, the Northeast Monsoon brings heavy rain and high waves. The islands are not officially closed, but many resorts shut down, boats run infrequently, and not at all in…
    Sabah

    Sabah

    Sabah in northern Borneo is Malaysia's nature destination. In the west you can climb Mount Kinabalu, snorkel off Kota Kinabalu and hike the island forest of Pulau Gaya. The well-known wildlife areas of Sepilok, the Kinabatangan and Danum Valley, as well as the dive sites off Semporna, lie on the east coast, which is covered specifically by official travel advice. Kota Kinabalu is the starting point, with onward travel by bus or domestic flight.
    Sarawak

    Sarawak

    Sarawak in western Borneo is Malaysia's largest state. Here you'll find the Mulu and Niah Caves (both UNESCO-listed), Bako National Park's proboscis monkeys, Semenggoh's semi-wild orangutans, and Iban longhouses. The capital Kuching, on the Sarawak River, is the starting point.
    Taman Negara

    Taman Negara

    Taman Negara is Malaysia's most famous national park, protecting a lowland rainforest in the interior of the Malaysian Peninsula, often considered among the oldest rainforests on Earth. Here, you experience the jungle on hiking trails, during boat trips, and on guided night walks, three to four hours by car northeast of Kuala Lumpur.Experience: Hike to Bukit Teresek, Canopy Walkway, Boat trip on the Sungai Tahan to the swimming spots of Lata BerkohTip: Plan at least two nights in Kuala Tahan; bring cash, there is no ATM in the village

    Recommended Itineraries

    Discover the best routes through Malaysia.

    Malaysia West Coast Classics

    Malaysia West Coast Classics

    The route leads from Kuala Lumpur to the cool Cameron Highlands, on to Penang and finally to Langkawi Island. The bus from Kuala Lumpur to Tanah Rata takes around four and a half to five hours. There is no direct ferry from Penang to Langkawi at present: You fly in about 40 minutes or drive to Kuala Kedah and cross from there in about an hour.

    18 Days
    Stops at a glance
    1. 1.Kuala Lumpur
    2. 2.Cameron Highlands
    3. 3.Penang
    4. 4.Langkawi
    View Route Details →
    Malaysia Nature & Rainforest

    Malaysia Nature & Rainforest

    Few stops, nature, island calm: From Kuala Lumpur, head to Taman Negara rainforest, then the Perhentian Islands. From Kuala Tahan, a morning bus heads to Kuala Besut jetty; boats cross to the islands in 30-45 minutes. Boat services may halt during monsoon; plan island visits March-October.

    13 Days
    3 stops
    Malaysia Culture & Cuisine

    Malaysia Culture & Cuisine

    The route starts in the port city of Melaka, about two and a half bus hours from Kuala Lumpur Airport, and continues via Kuala Lumpur and Ipoh to George Town on Penang, finishing in Langkawi. ETS trains run between Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh, and Butterworth. To Langkawi, you fly from Penang in around 40 minutes or take the ferry from Kuala Kedah; currently, there's no direct ferry from Penang.

    19 Days
    5 stops
    Malaysia relaxing & family-friendly

    Malaysia relaxing & family-friendly

    The route has just three stops: Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Langkawi, each with multiple nights. After Penang, you travel by ETS train for around 3.5 to 4 hours to Butterworth. Langkawi is reached by a short 40-min flight or ferry from Kuala Kedah.

    19 Days
    3 stops
    Borneo compact: Kota Kinabalu and Mount Kinabalu

    Borneo compact: Kota Kinabalu and Mount Kinabalu

    From Kota Kinabalu, you drive about two hours to Kinabalu Park, the mountain rainforest area at the foot of Mount Kinabalu. There will be time for hikes on the park trails, birdwatching, and a detour to the Poring Hot Springs.

    6 Days
    2 stops
    Borneo gentle & diverse

    Borneo gentle & diverse

    The route begins in Kuching, Sarawak, leading to the coastal Bako National Park. Next, a domestic flight of about an hour and a half takes you to Kota Kinabalu in Sabah, concluding on Gaya Island. You reach Bako from Kuching with Bus No. 1 in 45 to 60 minutes to the jetty, followed by a boat ride of approximately 20 minutes. Gaya Island is about 10 boat minutes from Kota Kinabalu.

    15 Days
    4 stops

    What you eat in Malaysia

    Nasi Lemak

    Nasi Lemak

    Coconut rice with Sambal

    Rice cooked in coconut milk with spicy sambal, roasted peanuts, dried anchovies, cucumber and egg. Considered an unofficial national dish, it's mainly eaten for breakfast, often wrapped in a banana leaf.
    Laksa

    Laksa

    Spiced Noodle Soup

    Noodle soup in many regional variations. Asam Laksa from Penang is sour with mackerel and tamarind, Curry Laksa creamy with coconut milk, Sarawak Laksa from Kuching spicy with prawns, chicken and omelette strips.
    Roti Canai

    Roti Canai

    Flatbread with Curry

    Paper-thin, stretched dough, fried on a hot griddle, crispy outside and soft inside. Served with Dal or a chicken, beef, or fish curry for dipping. Typical of Mamak stalls and eateries, in cities and rural areas alike.
    Satay

    Satay

    BBQ Skewers with Peanut Sauce

    Marinated skewers, usually chicken or beef, grilled over charcoal. Served with peanut sauce, cucumber, onions, and Ketupat, pressed rice cakes. In Kajang near Kuala Lumpur, there's a unique version with larger pieces of meat.
    Char Kway Teow

    Char Kway Teow

    Fried rice noodles

    Flat rice noodles, stir-fried over high heat in a wok with prawns, cockles, bean sprouts, chives, and Chinese sausage. In Penang, the dish is often served on a banana leaf, which gives it an extra flavour.
    Rendang

    Rendang

    Braised Beef Speciality

    Beef, long-braised in coconut milk with chili, galangal, lemongrass, ginger, and garlic until nearly reduced. A Hari Raya festive dish, typically eaten in Malaysia with Lemang or Nasi Lemak.

    Good to Know

    Essential info for your trip planning.

    Land & People

    Malaysia consists of two parts: the Malay Peninsula and the states of Sabah and Sarawak in northern Borneo.

    History & Society

    Melaka: A Trading PowerAround 1400, exiles from Sumatra founded the city of Melaka, which, as a port on the Strait of…

    Food & Drink

    Malaysia’s cuisine combines Malay, Chinese, Indian, Peranakan Nyonya, and Borneo specialties.

    Practical Info

    For current and binding information on entry, health and safety, see the UK FCDO Travel Advice (gov.

    Getting Around

    Malaysia is well-developed for individual travelers. Between cities on the peninsula, you travel by train or…

    RV Travel

    Malaysia is not a traditional RV travel destination; the infrastructure for campers is still under development.

    Traveling with Kids

    Malaysia is an easy destination for families: infrastructure in cities and resorts is good, and many dishes are not…

    Best Time to Visit

    When is the best time for your trip?

    March
    April
    June
    July
    29–29°C·170–250 mm(heavy rain)
    Are you planning a trip to Malaysia and wondering when the best time to go is? That's a great question, as Malaysia is a country with diverse climate zones, and the 'perfect' travel time highly depends on your exact destination.Generally, Malaysia experiences a tropical climate year-round – meaning it's warm, humid, with the possibility of short, heavy showers. There's no cold season, but there are rainy seasons that vary regionally.West Coast (e.g., Langkawi, Penang, Kuala Lumpur): The drier months here are generally from December to February and from June to August. During these times, you'll usually enjoy plenty of sunshine and less rain.East Coast (e.g., Perhentian Islands, Tioman, Redang) & Borneo (e.g., Sarawak, Sabah): For these regions, the best time to visit is between April and October. From November to March, the Northeast Monsoon prevails, which can bring heavy rain and rough seas, leading many island resorts to close during this period.So, if you primarily want to experience the fantastic beaches of the East Coast or the natural wonders of Borneo, you should focus on our European summer. If you'd rather explore the West Coast cities or visit the Cameron Highlands, the months around the turn of the year or our spring/late summer are well-suited.No matter when you travel, pack light clothing and be prepared for occasional rain showers – they're often brief and refreshing!
    Malaysia zeichnet sich durch ein tropisches Regenwaldklima aus, das das ganze Jahr über hohe Temperaturen, hohe Luftfeuchtigkeit und reichlich Niederschläge mit sich bringt. Das Klima wird maßgeblich von zwei Monsunperioden und den dazwischenliegenden Inter-Monsunzeiten beeinflusst, was zu deutlichen regionalen Unterschieden führt.Temperaturen: Die Durchschnittstemperaturen liegen konstant zwischen 28°C und 30°C, mit geringen Schwankungen über das Jahr hinweg. Auch nachts bleibt es mit 22°C bis 25°C warm.Luftfeuchtigkeit: Die Luftfeuchtigkeit ist ganzjährig sehr hoch und liegt meist zwischen 80% und 90%.Niederschlag: Regen fällt häufig, oft in Form kurzer, heftiger Schauer oder Gewitter, die meist am Nachmittag oder Abend auftreten. Lange Perioden durchgehenden Regens sind seltener.Regionale Klimabesonderheiten:Westküste der malaysischen Halbinsel (z.B. Langkawi, Penang, Kuala Lumpur): Hier dominiert der Südwest-Monsun (Mai bis September) die vergleichsweise trockenere Zeit. Die stärksten Niederschläge treten während der Inter-Monsun-Perioden im April/Mai und Oktober/November auf. Der Nordost-Monsun hat hier geringere Auswirkungen.Ostküste der malaysischen Halbinsel (z.B. Tioman, Perhentian, Redang): Diese Region ist während des Nordost-Monsuns (November bis März) von starken Regenfällen, rauer See und hohen Wellen betroffen. Viele Inselresorts schließen in dieser Zeit. Die beste Reisezeit mit trockenem Wetter und ruhigen Gewässern ist hier von März/April bis September/Oktober.Borneo (Sabah & Sarawak): Die Insel Borneo ist tendenziell ganzjährig feuchter als die Halbinsel. Die heftigsten Regenfälle fallen typischerweise während des Nordost-Monsuns von November bis Februar, können aber auch während des restlichen Jahres stark sein. Es gibt hier keine so ausgeprägten Trockenzeiten wie an der Ostküste der Halbinsel.Für Reisende ist es wichtig, die regionalen Wetterunterschiede zu beachten, um die optimale Reisezeit für die gewünschte Region Malaysias zu wählen.

    Seasons

    Jan
    Feb
    Mar
    Apr
    May
    Jun
    Jul
    Aug
    Sep
    Oct
    Nov
    Dec
    Trockenzeit (Westküste)
    Regenzeit (Westküste & Inter-Monsun)
    Best Time to Visit
    ▶Show detailed monthly data
    MonthTemp (°C)Rain (mm)Sun (h)
    January28.02206.0
    February28.01607.0
    March29.01907.0
    April29.02506.0
    May29.02506.0
    June29.01807.0
    July29.01707.0
    August29.01807.0
    September28.02406.0
    October28.02805.0
    November28.03005.0
    December28.02605.0

    Travel advice

    Safety, entry requirements and health: the official, up-to-date advice for Malaysia is published by the UK government on GOV.UK.

    Go to GOV.UK

    Sources & method

    • Photos: Wikimedia Commons, Unsplash, Pexels. Each photo carries its credit.
    • The content is based on web research from public, traceable sources. How the content is made · The role of AI
    Felix at Kuirau Park in Rotorua, New Zealand

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    All places in Malaysia

    • Bako National Park
    • Batang Ai National Park
    • Batu Caves
    • Batu Ferringhi
    • Brickfields (Little India)
    • Brinchang
    • Bukit Bintang
    • Bukit Teresek
    • Cameron Highlands
    • Canopy Walkway (Jambatan Kanopi)
    • Cherating
    • Chinatown
    • Danum Valley Conservation Area
    • Dutch Square
    • East Coast
    • George Town
    • Ipoh
    • Jonker Street
    • Kampung Baru
    • Kea Farm
    • Kilim Karst Geoforest Park
    • Kinabalu National Park
    • Kinabatangan
    • KLCC and Petronas Towers
    • Kota Bharu
    • Kota Kinabalu
    • Kuah
    • Kuala Lumpur
    • Kuala Tahan
    • Kuala Terengganu
    • Kuching
    • Langkawi
    • Lata Berkoh
    • Little India (Melaka)
    • Marang
    • Melaka
    • Melaka River
    • Miri
    • Mulu National Park
    • Niah National Park
    • Orang Asli Settlement (Kampung Orang Asli)
    • Oriental Village and SkyCab
    • Pantai Cenang
    • Penang
    • Penang Hill (Bukit Bendera)
    • Perdana Botanical Garden
    • Perhentian Islands
    • Portuguese Settlement
    • Pulau Dayang Bunting
    • Pulau Gaya
    • Pulau Kapas
    • Pulau Redang
    • Putrajaya
    • Ringlet
    • Sabah
    • Sandakan
    • Sarawak
    • Sarawak Cultural Village
    • Semenggoh Wildlife Centre
    • Semporna Islands
    • Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
    • Setiu Wetlands
    • St. Paul's Hill & A Famosa
    • Taman Negara
    • Tanah Rata
    • Tanjung Rhu
    • Tasik Kenyir
    • Tioman Island

    More about Malaysia

    • Best Time to Visit Malaysia
    • Malaysia with Kids