Malaysia Travel Guide: A journey to the buzzing metropolis and the serene countryside

Explore Kuala Lumpur, the rainforest and its wildlife, tropical islands, and more in Malaysia

MALAYSIA ISLANDS EXPLORED

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MALAYSIA UNESCO SITES VISITED

MALAYSIA NATIONAL PARKS VISITED

Why should you travel to Malaysia?

Located in South East Asia, Malaysia is a vibrant country with bustling cities, crystalline beaches, enchanting islands, and wildlife. Through this ultimate Malaysian Travel Guide, we will walk you through the best time to visit, things to know and do while backpacking in Malaysia. You can find many other interesting and helpful information as well.

Malaysia has two geographical regions. They are Eastern and Peninsular Malaysia. In Eastern Malaysia, we have Sabah, famous for muck diving, scuba diving, and other adventure sports. Sarawak has several traditional lounge houses and national parks. On the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia, you can find Kuala Lumpur, Langkawi Island, and most of the World Heritage Center of UNESCO. On the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, you can find traditional locations, like the Taman Negara National Park, Johor Oil Plantations, and Jungle Railways. Malaysia has 4 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and 30 National Parks in total.

Interesting Facts Malaysia

Flag of Malaysia

Malaysia's National Animal

Malaysian Tiger

Malaysia's National Animal

Nasi Lemak

Currency in Malaysia

Malaysian Ringgit (RM)

Malaysia Time Zone

Malaysian Time (GMT+8)

Travel Photography Malaysia: Petronas Towers Kuala Lumpur

Malaysia Travel: Perhentian Islands Malaysia

Malaysia Travel: Cameron Highlands Tea Plantations

Best time to visit Asia: weather and climate

Best time to visit Malaysia

The best time to visit Malaysia is between December and April. The seasons in each part of Malaysia differ.

You can consider traveling to Malaysia between January and February. There are chances of rainfall. It is worth visiting during that time because of festivals like Chives New Year and Thaipusam. In May, there is a week-long festival celebrating Sabahan culture known as Sabah fest. In June, there is a festival related to rice harvesting known as Gawai fest. You can take part in these celebrations while you visit Malaysia.
If you are someone looking forward to spending time on the beaches, you can consider traveling in the spring season, between March and May.
The autumn season is also suitable for visiting beaches and museums.
Summer, between June and August, is best suited for water sports.
When you visit Malaysia between December and January, you can have a great time enjoying the festive season: Christmas, New Year, and Hari Raya.

Things to know before you travel to Malaysia

Safety in Malaysia

Malaysia is a safe country to visit. However, the rates of petty crimes like pickpocketing are high. You have to take care of your belongings to avoid any incidents. Places in Eastern Sabah and those close to the Sulu islands face threats of terrorism. Natural disasters like flooding and landslides happen during the monsoon season. In the coastal regions, tsunamis can also take place. You have to plan your trip by considering these factors. However, if you are traveling to tourist destinations, the chances of facing these issues are less. You can always follow the local Malaysian news to know in detail about the weather and any other problems in the country. It would help you prepare in advance.

Visa requirements for Malaysia

Visa requirements for traveling to Malaysia depend on the country you are coming, from and the number of days you plan to stay. If you are a citizen of a country belonging to the European Union, you can travel to Malaysia without a Visa for ninety days. It is also applicable to those visiting Malaysia from South Korea, Japan, Peru, South Africa, New Zealand, and Peru. The citizens of Andorra, Hong Kong, Kenya, Thailand, Singapore, Mexico, and other 92 countries can travel to Malaysia for 30 days without a visa. Citizens of Iran and Libya can travel to Malaysia for 14 days without a visa. You can always apply for a visa online through the Official Malaysia Electronic Visa Facilitation & Services website of the Immigration Department of Malaysia.

Responsible Travel in Malaysia

Malaysia is looking forward to creating sustainability. However, their policies have fallen short. There are issues concerning rainforests and the underwater environment. There are some places in Malaysia dedicated to ecotourism like Taman Negara, Endau Rompin, and Langkawi. Other regions offer eco-adventures for travelers like Kinabalu Park, Turtle Islands Park, and Danum Valley. The Malaysian government in 2010 shut down several diving sites temporarily to preserve coral reefs and marine ecosystems. Travelers have to take care of their surroundings and travel responsibly as well.

Required vaccinations for traveling in Asia

Vaccinations & anti-Malaria tablets for Malaysia

WHO recommends travelers get their regular vaccinations for Measles, Chickenpox, Diphtheria, Tetanus, Flu, Mumps, and Polio. It is also essential for most travelers to get vaccines for Hepatitis A and Typhoid. Some travelers would have to take vaccinations for Cholera, Hepatitis B, Japanese Encephalitis, Malaria, Rabies, and Yellow Fever. It depends on the places you are planning to visit and the country from where you are traveling.

Spoken languages in Malaysia

80% of Malaysians speak Malay, which is their national language. English is also a language commonly used by people. Apart from these languages, people also communicate in Tamil and Mandarin. There are more than 137 languages in Malaysia. However, you can always use English as a medium of communication. Most people associated with the tourism industry, like travel guides, can speak in English. If you find any need to communicate in the local language, you can depend on the Google translator. Google Lens is an excellent option if you have to translate signboards or other such things.

Things to do add to your bucket list while traveling to Malaysia

Petronas Towers

Petronas Towers are the tallest twin towers in the world, with 88 floors. These two buildings get connected with a sky bridge. They are on the 41st and 42nd floors. You can get the tickets from 8.30 am after the tower opens. The building resembles motifs from Islamic Art. On the 86th floor, there is an observatory deck. You can get an enchanting view of the city of Kuala Lumpur from there. The place offers an exemplary view in the evenings. It is also a fabulous place to click pictures.

Malaysia Travel: Menara Tower, Kuala Lumpur

Menara, Kuala Lumpur

Located in Kuala Lumpur, Menara is very close to Petronas Towers. It is the tallest freestanding tower in the world. It is also a part of the World Federation of Great Towers. Every year, they organize a race where participants climb the stairs to reach the topmost floor. The person who arrives first is the winner. Menara is also a representation of Islamic architecture. The building offers excellent views, entertainment, and restaurants as well. There is an XD Motion Theatre, Blue Coral Aquarium, and base jump that happens once every year. The place functions from 11.30 am to 2.30 pm on weekdays and weekends from 7 am to 11 pm.

Taman Negara

Located 3.5 hours away from Kuala Lumpur, Taman Negara is one of the best travel destinations in Malaysia. It has several ancient remains that have existed for millions of years. Taman Negara means a national park. It is a rainforest that preserves wildlife, including rare Asian elephants, Malaysian tigers, and several tropical birds. You can also spot monkeys, snakes, and rare birds.

Taman Negara has the longest canopy walk that is 130 million years old. It is a travel destination that gives importance to sustainability and ecotourism. The best time to visit Taman Negara is between March and April.

Malaysia Travel: Langkawi Skybridge (best thing to do)

Langkawi and its skybridge

Located in Langkawi Archipelago in Malaysia, Langkawi offers an astounding view of the Andaman Sea and the jungle in Mount Machinchang. While in Langkawi, visit the Langkawi Skybridge, a suspension bridge on Mount Machinchang. You can reach there by cable car. Some of the views in the region include the Telaga Tujuh Waterfalls. You can always get souvenirs from the shops near the sky bridge. Lang Kawi sky bridge is open on all days from 9.30 am to 7. pm. It is a safe bridge to visit with steel railings.

Street Art in Georgetown Malaysia (Best thing to do)

The Street-Art in Georgetown

Georgetown is the capital city of Penang. It is a historic town that can take you back to the ancient periods. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Georgetown is known for its street food that includes a blend of Malay, Chinese Indian, European and Thai cuisines. Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion and Fort Cornwells are historic buildings in Georgetown. Street art is yet another attraction in Georgetown. They portray the life of the people in Penang during the ancient days in humorous ways.

Batu Caves

Located 11 km north of Kuala Lumpur, Batu Caves has four caves. They have 100 years old idols and statues in these caves. It is also a religious landmark by Hindus. The Cathedral cave is the largest in Batu caves. There are numerous Hindu shrines and houses in the region. You can also visit the Art gallery cave and Museum cave at the foot of Batu Caves. Between January and early February, there is an annual Hindu festival of Thaipusam, held for three days. You can always browse back to our Malaysia Travel Guide for more details before you start your trip!