Kuala Terengganu
On the eastern flank of the hill near the Central Market is the sultan’s palace. It’s built in colonial-era style, but renovations have given the…
Must-see attractions in Malaysia
Sabah
Mr Foong Choon Sang founded this coffee factory in 1986 and became a local legend, growing Malaysia's best coffee – a lowland robusta bean. Come here to…
Johor
Just 90km southwest of Johor Bahru city centre, on the southernmost tip of mainland East Asia, this national park protects shorebirds and mangrove swamps…
Melaka
This small but informative museum illustrates the island's culture, history and spiritual significance, in particular its role as a rest point and source…
Sarawak
Opened in 2018, Similajau's Interpretation Centre offers modern and interactive exhibits covering the park's flora, fauna and natural history. In front of…
Sarawak
Many of artist Stephen Baya’s paintings have traditional Kelabit motifs. In April 2013 his colourful illustrations of the Kelabit legend of Tuked Rini…
Kota Bharu
Muzium Islam occupies an old villa once known as Serambi Mekah (Verandah to Mecca) – a reference to its days as Kelantan’s first school of Islamic…
Kuala Terengganu
The Central Market is a lively place to sample tasty local snacks, sniff a durian and purchase other fresh fruit and fish. Browse a wide collection of…
Sarawak
Some of the goods unloaded at the waterfront end up in this colourful covered market. It’s a chatty, noisy hive of grassroots commerce, with a galaxy of…
Sarawak
Similajau National Park, 30km north of Bintulu, is a quiet coastal park with nice white-sand beaches, good walking trails and simple accommodation. A new…
Kuala Lumpur
A large white stone statue of Buddha sits serenely cross-legged in the main prayer hall of this temple which celebrated its centenary in 2017. Meditation…
George Town
Housed in an exquisitely restored three-storey shophouse mansion, this interesting museum is dedicated to a former resident, itinerant barber-turned…
Pulau Perhentian
This pair of wind turbines can be reached either by the hiking path between Long Beach and Teluk Kerma or by a water taxi that will drop you off at a set…
Sarawak
Kapit’s waterfront is lined with ferries, barges, longboats and floating docks, all swarming with people. Porters carry impossibly heavy or unwieldy loads…
George Town
The contents of a former portrait studio have been relocated to this shophouse on Lr Armenian. A guided tour escorts you to a camera obscura, more than…
Kudat Turtle Conservation Society
Sabah
Run by Roland, the Kudat Turtle Conservation Society is based at the south end of the Bavang Jamal beach. There's an education centre nearby and it's…
Kuala Terengganu
Domes and minarets made up of facets of bronze-tinted, smokey glass and reflecting each other provide for a striking riverside apparition. Built in 2006,…
Marine Park Information Centre
Pulau Tioman
With coral displays, short videos and plenty of information on marine flora and fauna, this centre, north of Tekek Airport, is a worthwhile stop…
Sri Poyyatha Vinayagar Moorthi Temple
Melaka City
One of the first Hindu temples built in Malaysia, this temple was constructed in 1781 on a plot donated by the religiously tolerant Dutch and dedicated to…
Penang
It's fun for all the family here, but be warned: adults report being more challenged than kids by the adventurous games and attractions at this play park,…
Johor Bahru
Step through the looking glass into this wonderland of a temple built from mirrors, glass and metal – not a single inch of the vaulted roof or wall has…
Sarawak
Although much smaller than originally envisaged, this 59,900 Ha park includes Sarawak's highest mountain, 2423m Gunung Murud, and encompasses mixed…
Sabah
This pretty park offers refuge to a wide range of species (580, apparently) in three geodesic domes, and a swath of rainforest. The birds look a little…
Sarawak
This classic Chinese temple adds vibrant colour to the rather drab city centre. The serenity is somewhat marred by the sound of cock-a-doodle-doos…
Cameron Highlands
A picturesque, thoroughly refreshing stop if you're driving route 59 up to the Cameron Highlands, this cascade tumbling over granite boulders is popular…
George Town
Penang artist Chuah Thean Teng is credited with applying the age-old local craft of batik (a dye-resist process) to making works of art. Several of his…
George Town
The oldest Anglican church in Southeast Asia, St George's was constructed in 1816, with backing from the East India Company. In the grounds is a memorial…
Kuala Terengganu
The gleaming Zainal Abidin mosque dominates the city centre. The interior is relatively austere, but enlivened by sunlight streaming through nine domes…
Malaysia
For an overview of the birding scene, visit the Bird Interpretive Centre on the 2nd floor of the golf-course clubhouse, across the village square. Hours…
Sabah
On the coast just east of the centre, the Labuan International Sea Sports Complex houses a decent little museum with a good shell collection and displays…
Kuching
Perhaps the nicest of Kuching's several statues of kucing (cats) is Gaye Porter's life-size bronze sculpture of playful felines cavorting on the lawn…
Kuala Terengganu
Across the road from the Central Market, look for an escalator and steep flight of steps leading up to Bukit Puteri, a 200m-high hill with good views of…
Kuala Lumpur
Swap consumerism for culture at this excellent art gallery showcasing Petronas' art collection, including photography and paintings. It’s a bright, modern…
Miri
Miri's oldest Chinese temple was founded in 1913. During the weeklong celebration of Chinese New Year, virtually the whole of this area, including Jln…
Miri
An attractive open, landscaped park with Chinese- and Malay-style gardens and ponds that is a popular spot for walking and jogging. The complex also…
Kuantan
The east coast’s most impressive and imposing mosque presides regally over the Padang. At night it’s a magical sight with its illuminated spires and…
Penang
About 8km south of Teluk Bahang is this 10-hectare hillside farm, which cultivates more than 250 types of tropical and subtropical fruit trees, native and…
Cameron Highlands
This dense area of tangled, moss-choked forest near Brinchang is the most atmospheric hiking destination in the highlands. A jungle boardwalk starts near…
Mt Kinabalu & Kinabalu National Park
Many of the plants found on Mt Kinabalu and in Kinabalu National Park are cultivated in the Botanical Garden, north of the visitors centre. Guided tours…
Kuala Lumpur
It took street artist Kenji Chai 21 days to paint the 87.1m tall mural of a Dayak woman with native flora and fauna on the side of the Red by Sirocco…
