Located on the Malay Peninsula and stretching till some parts of Borneo is a very beautiful Malaysia. Malaysia shares its border with the neighboring country of Indonesia. You should not confuse East Malaysia and Malaysia. East Malaysia also includes Sabah and Sarawak. The country covers an area of about 300,000 sq.km and is also comprised of the capital city of Kuala Lumpur.
The city of Kuala Lumpur is one of the largest financial and business hubs in the whole of South-East Asia. It is also a powerhouse and an amazing tourist destination with the serene beaches, beautiful islands, and picturesque hill stations. Moreover, Kuala Lumpur comprises quite a few tourist spots that are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Malaysia and Kuala Lumpur are diverse places with natives, Indonesians, Chinese, Indians and so on. The cultural relics and architecture of the country have a huge influence on the diverse cultures on them. When you are in Malaysia, there is simply no time to sit in the hotel. You can participate in so many activities such as hiking, food sampling, shopping, diving and so much more.
As you read further in this article, there is a list of all the exciting places and activities that you must not miss when you are in Malaysia.
Top things to do in Malaysia
The following places and activities are the best options to keep you busy during your Malaysia and Kuala Lumpur vacation.
- Kuala Lumpur PETRONAS Towers
Also known as the PETRONAS Twin Towers, this is one of the most spectacular views in the whole world. The name is such because the towers form an identical pair and are also declared as the tallest twin towers in the whole world. This iconic destination is in the capital city of Kuala Lumpur. There is a Muslim majority in the country of Indonesia.
The PETRONAS is made in a postmodern style of architecture. There are several Islamic Art motifs found on the walls to put light on the Islamic influence on this country and its people. The major attraction of these twin towers is the Skywalk that is built over the Sky bridge. The bridge is the link between the two towers. When you walk along the Skywalk, you will get an awesome view of the city of Kuala Lumpur and also the KLCC park that is present right at the base of the PETRONAS.
- Langkawi Island
You can get away from the buzzing city life and the pollution for some time. During this time, you must visit the beautiful Langkawi Island. People say that there were once more than a few hundred islands and now only two have people living on them. Out of the two, Langkawi has more population, say about more than 50,000 people.
People who have come for honeymoons or backpackers, everyone find this place ideal. The best part is that Langkawi never disappoints anyone. The island has to offer at least something for every budget. There is a duty-free status in Langkawi. So, when you visit the island, shop for all the souvenirs that you want to take back home.
- Taste some Nasi Kandar
Nasi Kandar is the traditional Malaysian food and it is delicious. Simply speaking, it is a plate of rice and they smear some spicy sauce or gravy on top. Nasi Kandar has a major influence on Tamil cuisine from India. The reason is that there is a considerable South Indian population that stays in Malaysia.
Nasi Kandar is usually made of chicken, kinds of seafood or fish. There are some common vegetables such as cabbage and okra. The whole curry is cooked in a tempering of mustard seeds, just the way South Indians prefer. The popularity of the curry sauce and the use of chili and curry powder enhances the South Indian flavors even more.
- Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park
Well, that is a big name to remember, but it is a spell-bounding location. The National Park is a collection of 5 islands that are there of the Kota Kinabalu Coast. Kota Kinabalu is a part of Sabah in East Malaysia. You must take a ferry to reach this park as it is not accessible otherwise.
Some of the islands in the collection are untouched and thus the beauty and serenity remain perfect. One such unexplored island here is Sulug. On the other hand, Gaya Island is buzzing and crowded with people. The major activities to participate, here are trekking and hiking. You can also indulge yourself in some scuba diving and swimming.
- Malacca
Also known as Melaka, this is called “The Historic State” and it is situated right next to the Malacca Strait. Now you can understand where it gets its name from. Malacca has unique architecture and that is what attracts all the crowd.
Once the Portuguese ruled Malacca and there are still some red lacquer constructions such as the Christ Church. The state of Malacca or Melaka also houses several places of interest such as galleries and museums. So, if you are a History enthusiast, you should not miss this place at all.
- Explore Penang
Comprising of the capital city of Georgetown, Penang is a beautiful island off the coast of West Malaysia. The island is already a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is also a popular tourist destination. Several preservation and conservation activities take place here and all the native people try their best to make this place more beautiful. When you are here, you must visit the Spice gardens of Penang and see the Torch Ginger plant. It is a common ingredient in a lot of traditional Malaysian dishes.
- Kota Bharu
Another nice place off the west Malaysian coast, Kota Bharu is a part of the Kelantan State. Kota Bharu is a conservative city unlike several East Malaysian cities and that is the reason why people often miss this place. However, if you visit Kota Bharu, you should explore all the mosques, royal palaces and all other cultural and religious places in the city. Therefore, Kota Bharu is an offbeat place that you can visit during your Malay vacation.
Final thoughts:
Malaysia is a large country and there are innumerable places to visit and activities to do. Words cannot be enough to list all of them so here are 7 of the best options for you.
