3 best tourist destinations in Malaysia

People who have visited Malaysia typically describe it as a great blend of hectic and bustling Thailand and lush and pristine Singapore.

Tourists may visit a variety of places in Malaysia. However, if this is your first visit, you should take in the natural beauty, culture, food, and way of life of the locals at three sites that are regarded the most famous and distinctive in Malaysia: Penang, Langkawi island, and Malaysia’s national capital city, Kuala Lumpur.

1. Penang

George Town – The ancient town

Source: No Rest For The Weekends.
Source: No Rest For The Weekends.

 

Source: nathandenny.com.

UNESCO has identified George Town, the capital city of the Malaysian state of Penang, as one of the sites you should not visit if you are on a diet. The reason for this is that you will be unable to resist the tasty and distinctive delicacies on offer.

Finished wall painting at Muntre 47, George Town, Malaysia. Source: Ernest Zacharevic’s official Facebook page.
Colonial buildings in George Town. Source:thepoortraveler.

 

Source:thepoortraveler.
Source:thepoortraveler.

 

Source:thepoortraveler.
Source:thepoortraveler.

Spending one day in George Town allows you to sample native cuisine like as Nasi Lemak, laksa, and char kwey teow noodles. You may also visit Nazlina Spice Station to participate in a basic cooking-Malaysian-dishes instruction that lasts 3 to 5 hours.

Nasi Lemak. Source: angsarap.net.
Asam laksa. Source: lonelyplanet.com.

The Heritage Road in George Town

This path is perfect for folks who enjoy walking. There are scores of historical landmarks in the area, ranging from ancient British-style palaces to architectural structures in Malaysian, Thai, and Indonesian styles. The Kapitan Keling Mosque, Little India, Armenian Street, and Fort Cornwallis are all nearby.

Kapitan Keling Mosque at night. Source: thepoortraveler.
Little India. Source: theroadtoanywhere.com.

 

A sign shows how to get to Little India in George Town, Penang. Source: live-less-ordinary.com.
A sign shows how to get to Little India in George Town, Penang. 

 

Entrance to Fort Cornwallis. Source: panoramio.com.

 

Fort Cornwallis. Source: hayleyincambodia.wordpress.com.
Fort Cornwallis. Source: wikipedia.org.
Fort Cornwallis. Source: wikipedia.org.

 

Fort Cornwallis. Source: panoramio.com.

 

Fort Cornwallis. Source: panoramio.com.

Penang hill

Penang hill, Malaysia. Source: flickr.com.
Penang hill, Malaysia. 

 

View while getting to the top of Penang hill. Source: ourvacationblog.com.
View while getting to the top of Penang hill.
Source: flickr.com.
Source: flickr.com.

 

Source: hype.my.
Source: hype.my.

 

Source: ourvacationblog.com.

On a clear day with little cloud, you can see the entire Penang island from the summit of Penang Hill. The air on top of the hill is exceptionally fresh due to its elevation of 823 meters above sea level. For a short while, the chill of the forest will make you forget you’re in a tropical region. You may either walk or take the cable car to the top of the hill.

Cable car in Penang hill, Malaysia. Source: topasiatours.com.
Cable car in Penang hill, Malaysia. Source: topasiatours.com.

The temples and pagodas

There are various temples and well-known pagodas in Penang. Especially Kek Lok Si, Malaysia’s most gorgeous and majestic temple. Kuan Yin Temple (also known as the Goddess of Mercy Temple) is well-known for its Kuan Yin statue, which stands 30 meters tall.

Kek Lok Si night view. Source: exotisiv.com.
Kek Lok Si night view. 
Kek Lok Si temple. Source: tohxiuling.wordpress.com.
Kek Lok Si temple. 

 

Kuan Yin temple. Source: travel2penang.wordpress.com.
Kuan Yin temple.

In addition, there is the Thai Buddhist temple Wat Chayamangkararam, which houses the famed gold-plated Reclining Buddha statue, and the Burmese Buddhist temple Dhammikarama, which boasts eye-catching features and distinctive architecture.

Thai Buddhist temple Wat Chayamangkararam. Source: thechroniclesofmariane.blogspot.com.
Thai Buddhist temple Wat Chayamangkararam. 

 

Reclining Buddha statue. Source: thechroniclesofmariane.blogspot.com.
Reclining Buddha statue.

 

Burmese Buddhist temple Dhammikarama. Source: expedia.com.
Burmese Buddhist temple Dhammikarama. 

Peranakan culture

Baba Nyonya, also known as Peranakans, are descendants of Chinese immigrants from Fujian province in southeast China. This group has a rich cultural past and is a source of great pride for Penang.

The Peranakan museum is a great place to learn more about this fascinating culture. It was erected on the foundation of a mansion built in the 19th century by Kapitan Chung Keng Kwee, the leader of Penang’s Chinese community.

Peranakan museum. Source: penangtouristcentre.com.
Peranakan museum. 

 

Sitting area inside Peranakan museum. Source: biscuitsandbackpacks.wordpress.com.
Sitting area inside Peranakan museum. 

 

Inside Peranakan museum. Source: penang.attractionsinmalaysia.com.
Inside Peranakan museum. 

The Blue Mansion – which have been owned by Chinese businessman Cheong Fatt tze – is also a place worth visiting. The building was built in the 1980s. After restoration, it has become a hotel.

The Blue Mansion. Source: asiabooking.com.vn.
The Blue Mansion. 

 

Inside the Blue Mansion. Source: lmschaeffer.wordpress.com.
Inside the Blue Mansion. 
Inside the Blue Mansion. Source: foreigngeek.com.
Inside the Blue Mansion.
Inside the Blue Mansion. Source: thebluemansion.com.my.
Inside the Blue Mansion. 

 

Inside the Blue Mansion. Source: transindus.co.uk.
Inside the Blue Mansion. 

The tour to visit these heritages starts at 11:00 AM, 1:30 PM and 3:00 PM everyday.

2. Langkawi archipelago

Beautiful Langkawi. Source: globixukm.wordpress.com.
Beautiful Langkawi. 

Langkawi is one of Malaysia’s most appealing archipelagos for tourists. Most visitors come here to appreciate the tranquil and quiet ambiance of this tropical archipelago, rather than to attend loud and chaotic parties.

Langkawi and its nearby islands were designated as a Global Geopark by UNESCO in 2007. This signifies that not only does this location have beautiful natural landscape, but it also has ecological and archeological significance.

Cable car / Hanging bridge

Langkawi cable car. Source: naturallylangkawi.my.
Langkawi cable car.

If you want to enjoy the entire view of Langkawi, you may utilize the cable car system, which has a height of 2.2 kilometers and takes you to the summit of Machincang mountain, which is 708 meters above sea level. You may also see the island from the Skybridge, which is 125 meters long and more over 100 meters above ground.

Skybridge. Source: langkawi-info.com.
Skybridge. 

 

Source: kintoy.blogspot.com.

3. Malaysian national capital city Kuala Lumpur

Source: dichvuhangkhong.com.vn.

Malaysia’s capital, Kuala Lumpur, is one of the most intriguing cities in Southeast Asia, practically never sleeps and is bustling 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Kuala Lumpur, like Penang, has a varied mix of tradition and modernity, which is evident in architecture, culture, art, and food.

Kuala Lumpur doesn’t sleep. source: malaysia-maps.com.
Kuala Lumpur doesn’t sleep. 

Most people believe that Kuala Lumpur is only a “transit” city on the way to other tourist destinations in Malaysia. This, however, is completely incorrect. Kuala Lumpur is a place worth visiting since it has a lot of intriguing features.

Kuala Lumpur – beautiful capital of Malaysia. Source: hafizothman.wordpress.com.
Kuala Lumpur – beautiful capital of Malaysia. 

Petronas Twin Towers

Source: klmun.org.
Source: klmun.org.

Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur are regarded the world’s highest architectural achievement that incorporates twin structures, with a height of 452 meters and 88 stories. The Skybridge, which is 28 meters long, connects two buildings on floors 41 and 42. Because the number of tickets sold to guests each day is limited, if you want to be on Skybridge, you should arrive early.

The bridge. Source: famouswonders.com.
The bridge. Source: famouswonders.com.

Shopping places

Kuala Lumpur is a heaven for the shopaholics. In addition to commercial center systems, there are many markets which sell full of items: clothing, shoes, handbags…

Some addresses for visitors to shop: KLCC (Lot No. 241, +60 03 2382 2828); Starhill (Starhill Gallery 181, Jalan Bukit Bintang, +60 03 2782 38556); Berjaya Times Square (1 Jalan Imbi, +60 03 2117 3111); The Curve (Mutiara Damansara, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, +60 03 7710 6868) và Pavilion (168 Jalan Bukit Bintang, +60 03 2118 8833).

KLCC. Source: thousandwonders.net.
KLCC. Source: thousandwonders.net.

 

Pavilion. Source: thousandwonders.net.
Pavilion. Source: thousandwonders.net.

Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia

Source: kuala-lumpur.ws.
Source: kuala-lumpur.ws.

If you enjoy Islamic art, you might pay a visit to the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia. This museum has one-of-a-kind treasures ranging from jewelry to a miniature replica of Mecca’s Masjid al-Haram. A peaceful and lovely landscape surrounds the museum. It is regarded as a pleasant area to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Balcony at the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia. Source: reddotstuff.com.