Malaysia, jewel of Southeast Asia, has been inhabited for at least 40,000 years. These days it is made up of 13 states and three federal territories, separated by the South China Sea into Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo. Kuala Lumpur is the national capital and largest city, Putrajaya is the administrative centre. Almost 34 million people live in this tropical, exotic and incredibly diverse nation, one of just 17 official megadiverse countries on earth.
A brief introduction to the sheer, magical variety of Malaysia
Forced to become a member of the British Empire from the 1700s, Malaysia was occupied by Japan for three years during WW2. It finally won its independence in 1957 and in 1963 united with North Borneo, Sarawak and Singapore to form Malaysia. Two years later Singapore was thrown out, leaving us with the Malaysia we know today.
Unusually multiethnic and multicultural like the UK, we Brits fit right in. About 50% of Malaysians are ethnic Malays, the rest are Chinese, Indian, indigenous people and randoms from cross the world. While the official language is standard Malaysian Malay, English comes a close second. Tamil and other Indian incomers, Arabic, Australian, Hokkien, Mandarin, Cantonese and other European languages have also influenced the way the people speak. Add 111 living indigenous languages and you can see why ‘Manglish‘ is such a big deal. People blend all this variety into a Malay-English you’ll find surprisingly easy to understand, peppered with words you’ll recognise. According to the USA’s Pew Research Center, being able to speak the national language is valued by 83% of people in Malaysia. In real life it’s a lot more flexible!
Islam is the official religion here but, typically tolerant, their constitution gives people the freedom to believe anything they like. Because there’s such an exciting blend of cultures there’s always a colourful celebration of one sort or another going on, from secular to Christian, Muslim to Buddhist, whatever.
What are Malaysians like? As a culture they value humility and modesty over showing off, and prefer collaboration to competition. Unity is key. Respect and courtesy are important, as is gentleness and non-confrontation. 90% say it’s important to respect their country’s institutions and laws, and 88% feel it’s essential to be polite and welcoming. On the other hand Malaysians are not walk-overs. They have a strong sense of justice and they’re not afraid to take the mickey or point the finger of blame.
Tourism, including medical tourism, are hot on Malaysia’s official visitor menu, focused on by businesses and the authorities. They’re waking up to conservation, battling climate change with positive determination, dedicated to better workers’ rights and hell-bent on becoming a regional digital powerhouse. Kuala Lumpur’s deliciously exotic, achingly modern skyscraper skyline speaks to all of this, as do the ancient districts scattered around the city.
So what are the best things to see and do in Malaysia? Here’s our list.
The most popular places to see in Malaysia
The Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur overlook the city, two vast 452m high structures so dramatic and strange they’ll blow your mind, part of a wider city-scape offering some of the world’s most unusual and astonishing contemporary architecture. But the iconic Petronas Twin Towers with their famous Skybridge and observation deck are just one tiny aspect of this enormous, bustling city, which has all the international shopping you could imagine along with museums, parks, gardens and tourist attractions.
Take Thean Hou Temple in Kuala Lumpur, a place that delivers culture in spades as one of the largest Chinese temples in Southeast Asia and smothered with intricate carvings and sculptures, with more fantastic views of the city. Or visit the Batu Caves in Selangor, just outside the capital, to experience a huge limestone hill housing a series of intricate caves and temples. You can only reach the main temple cave by climbing a steep staircase, worth every step thanks to the spectacular views and giant golden statue of Lord Murugan at the top. Kuala Lumpur Bird Park is a record-breaker, one of the largest covered bird parks on earth showcasing more than 200 international bird species including rare and endangered species. The free-flight zone is a legend, where you can actually interact with the birds in an open natural environment. Sultan Abdul Samad Building in KL is another popular destination, this time in Dataran Merdeka, an historic gem and architectural marvel loved for its quirky blend of Moorish and Islamic style.
George Town, capital of Penang, is a UNESCO World Heritage site thanks to its unique colonial architecture, so beautifully preserved it almost looks new. Bringing things bang up to date it is also a haven for world-class street art, and the cuisine in the region is so good it defines ‘vibrant’. Head for Gurney Drive and Chulia Street for a thrilling choice of tastebud-inspiring treats. Then there’s Putrajaya, another city stuffed full of brilliant modern architecture and the administrative capital of Malaysia. The gracious wide avenues, beautiful parks and impressive buildings make it special. Don’t miss the Putra Mosque and Perdana Putra.
Nature is also high on the list here. Take lush Langkawi Island, a genuine tropical paradise with pristine sandy beaches, crystal-clear sea and deep green forests. The dizzying Langkawi Sky Bridge, a gorgeous curved suspension bridge, gives you spectacular views for miles around, while the Langkawi Wildlife Park and Langkawi Underwater World attractions are full of fascinating animals, birds, insects and more, the tip of a huge and fascinating Malaysian wildlife iceberg.
Mount Kinabalu in Sabah on the island of Borneo offers more natural magic, this time with adventure and adrenaline in mind. As one of Southeast Asia’s highest peaks it’s wonderful for hikers and walkers, an unusual climbing destination with stunning views of the surrounding landscape at every turn.
Then there’s the Cameron Highlands where the air is cooler and the pace of life more laid back. No wonder it’s so popular with the local holiday trade, high in the central part of the peninsula with famously balmy, cool weather and rolling hills smothered in rows of marching tea plants. For those of you who love a cuppa, a tour of a tea estates will take the biscuit, along with a stroll around one of the fragrant strawberry farms or a walk through the damp, chilled forests full of moss.
Sarawak is home to the Mulu Caves, a feature of the glorious Mulu National Park where spectacular limestone formations and caves are the name of the game, some of the world’s finest. This is where you can enter the world’s largest cave chamber, Sarawak Chamber. As another of Malaysia’s UNESCO World Heritage sites, you can rely on this place being eye-poppingly lovely. The Taman Negara National Park
Taman Negara is anther don’t miss destination with its ancient rainforests – some of the world’s oldest – and impressive biodiversity. Jungle treks, canopy walks, river cruises and wildlife spotting, including tigers, elephants and exotic birds, make it an experience to remember.
Malacca, aka Melaka, is yet another Malaysian UNESCO World Heritage site, famed for a colonial past you can still sense thanks to the strong Dutch, Portuguese and British influences. Visit St. Paul’s Hill, A Famosa fortress, and Jonker Street‘s vibrant shops and eateries, street food and lively feel. It is a far cry from the peace and calm you’ll find at the Perhentian Islands, rightly described as idyllic. You’ll find them off the coast of Terengganu, a haven of perfect beaches, colourful coral reefs and crystal waters ideal for snorkelling, diving, and chilling out.
Sabah’s magnificent Kinabatangan River is one of Borneo’s many gems, offering one of the best wildlife experiences in the whole of Malaysia. A river cruise reveals wild orangutans, proboscis monkeys, pygmy elephants and many other exotic creatures, all living a good life in their natural habitat.
Last but not least, how about some typical hot weather holiday fun? Selangor’s Sunway Lagoon is a massive theme park just outside Kuala Lumpur offering world-class water parks, amusement parks, wildlife parks, and a load of extreme sports to keep your inner adrenaline monkey happy.
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