10 Must-Visit Sightseeing Places in Malaysia for A Memorable Holiday

A famous Southeast Asian country, Malaysia is a federal constitutional monarchy, having 13 states and 3 federal territories. It is a beautiful country with several attractions and sightseeing places, including historic cave temples, rainforests, breathtaking islands, nature parks, glamorous cities, and lip-smacking food. Malaysia is bordered by Indonesia in the west, Singapore in the southern part, and Thailand in the north. Since there are several beautiful places to visit and experience, the country tops the wish list of all travellers. This country is renowned for its diverse mix of history, age-old customs, and traditions with a touch of modernity. Here, the offbeat destinations and quaint places are home to biodiversity, while the bustling cities show the exciting lifestyle.

Top Places to Visit in Malaysia

Here is the list of the 10 must-visit spots you should not miss adding to your Malaysia tour package.

• Kuala Lumpur
• Perhentian Islands
• Cameron Highlands
• Langkawi
• Malacca
• Taman Negara
• Sarawak
• Penang
• Kota Kinabalu
• Petaling Jaya

Kuala Lumpur

The capital city of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, is one of the most famous places that attract tourists with its incredible food, gorgeous parks, tons of shopping opportunities, street markets, towering skyscrapers with city views, and more. The city consists of both natural and manmade landmarks, showcasing the best the city has to offer. The Malaysian capital is home to a multi-cultural community that comprises Indian, Malay, and Chinese residents. While the 88 floors high Petronas Twin Towers are the major attractions here, you should not miss on other tourist attractions like Batu caves, China Town, Oceanarium, Menara KL Tower, Sunway Lagoon Theme Park, and the Dataran Merdeka (the Independence Square).

Perhentian Island

The next tourist spot in Malaysia, the Perhentian Island, is a heaven for adventure seekers and nature lovers. The Perhentians are two small islands (Perhentian Besar and Perhentian Kecil) situated on the north-eastern coast of Malaysia. With crystal-clear water, pristine beaches, plenty of watersports, and nightlife, these islands make a perfect getaway for young backpackers. The Perhentian Islands offer people great opportunities to enjoy trekking in tropical forests, spot large spiders, and monitor lizards at Coral Bay and Long Beach. Apart from this, you can also get a chance to spot sea turtles and volunteer to conserve them. Some of the best things to do in the Perhentian Islands are enjoying a beach party, hanging out with other tourists, and watching the performances of local artists.

Cameron Highlands

One of the most beautiful sightseeing places in Malaysia, Cameron Highlands is just a few hours away from the capital city, Kuala Lumpur. Situated at 1,500 metres above sea level, Cameron Highlands is a group of quiet townships set on serene mountains. While the temperature of this mountain plateau is pleasant during the day, an ideal environment for activities like camping, trekking, and hiking, the weather becomes cooler at night. Cameron Highlands was named after a British government surveyor, William Cameron, who discovered the area in 1885. During the colonial era, this place became popular for its cool weather and calm environment, drawing many British tourists to this hill station. Here, you can visit a sprawling tea estate, cactus farms, and strawberry plantations.

Langkawi

One of the best things to do in Malaysia is to explore Langkawi, which is also called the ultimate island escape. Made up of 99 islands, this archipelago is situated on the west coast of Malaysia. Also famous as the Jewel of Kedah, Langkawi is home to some of the most striking beaches in the country, fringed by sand and coconut trees. Surrounded by the Andaman Sea, Langkawi offers a blend of scenic paddy fields, majestic waterfalls, and jungle-clad hills. This place is a hidden gem for tourists, offering them opportunities to enjoy delicious food, vibrant nightlife, and duty-free shopping. Those willing to experience a livelier atmosphere can visit Pantai Cenang beach, where they can spend days enjoying cable car rides, quad bikes, kayaks, etc., as well as bars, restaurants, and live music. Langkawi is one of the best tourist attractions in Malaysia that keeps visitors coming back for more.

Malacca

Also known as Melaka, Malacca is called the food capital of Malaysia, offering a variety of delicious cuisines and a mix of colonial and cultural delicacies. A point of trade for years, Malacca draws the attention of tourists with its unique blend of customs, traditions, and lifestyle. Situated in the southeast of Kuala Lumpur, Malacca is home to many old historical buildings and new ultramodern shopping centres. Here, the UNESCO-listed city centre showcases a blend of cultural and architectural charms from centuries. One of the most interesting sightseeing places in Malaysia, Malacca is a city showcasing multi-cultural living traditions from Middle Eastern, Chinese, Malay, British, Dutch, Indian, and Portuguese influences. Here, you can visit Famosa Fort, Jonker Street, Christ Church Melaka, the Stadthuys, and St Paul’s Church.

Sarawak

The largest state in Malaysia, Sarawak, is called the land of the Hornbills. Situated in East Malaysia, Sarawak boasts large tracks of rainforest and wildlife. This historic region is fast becoming a major tourist attraction in Malaysia for those seeking adventure and peace. Here, you will find forests of towering tapang trees, mysterious caves, limestone sea stacks in strange and wonderful shapes, and cascading waterfalls. Sarawak is home to more than 24 national parks and reserves, beaches, coastal mangroves, mountains, etc. Sarawak offers visitors the opportunity to explore the rainforest at Danum Valley, relax on the best beaches, cruise on the Kinabatangan River, and a lot more.

Penang

One of the most exotic and famous places in Malaysia, Penang is an idyllic island escape perfect for a fun trip with family or friends. With sandy beaches and British colonial architecture, Penang draws visitors from across the world. Situated off the northwest coast of Malaysia, Penang is known for its natural beauty, delicious street food, and rich cultural heritage. There is no shortage of sights and sceneries in this striking destination. Some of the most interesting sightseeing spots include the only spice garden in Southeast Asia called the Tropical Spice Garden, the sandy beaches of Tanjung Bungah, the crannies of Georgetown, and night markets and modern shopping malls.

Kota Kinabalu

Perched on the northwest coast of Borneo Island, Kota Kinabalu is the capital city of Sabah state in East Malaysia. Also referred to as KK, Kota Kinabalu is one of the major tourist attractions in Malaysia. This coastal city is known for its breathtaking sunsets, stunning beaches, rich cuisine, vibrant markets, modern boardwalks, and Kota Kinabalu City Mosque. One of the most happening cities in Malaysia, Kota Kinabalu, is named after Mount Kinabalu, the highest mountain in Malaysia, situated around 50 km northeast of the city. KK is also home to Kinabalu National Park, Malaysia's First World Heritage site that boasts many rare varieties of plants and wildlife. Other highlights of Kota Kinabalu include Sapi Island, Signal Hill Observatory Platform, Tanjung Aru, Manukan Island, Monsopiad Cultural Village, and Lok Kawi Wildlife Park.

Petaling Jaya

The next on the list of the must-visit tourist places in Malaysia, Petaling Jaya is known to be the richest city in the country. Also called PJ, Petaling Jaya was initially a satellite township for Kuala Lumpur, but later, it became a zone and commercial hub of Selangor State in Malaysia. The city has emerged as one of the most happening cities in the country, having great infrastructure, places of worship, many shopping malls, movie theatres, and entertainment hubs. It is also famous for its vibrant night markets, where tourists can find exciting deals. Some of the major tourist attractions in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia include Sunway Lagoon Theme Park, The Secret Garden Utama, Commonwealth Forest Park, Saujana Golf & Country Club, etc.

So, Malaysia has many sightseeing places that you can visit during your trip. Whether you are planning a family vacation or booking a Malaysia honeymoon package, there is so much to do in this beautiful Southeast Asian country.