Best places to visit in Malaysia

Malaysia Essentials

This selection spans Malaysia’s geographical and cultural breadth, from Kuala Lumpur's architectural giants like the Petronas Twin Towers and Merdeka 118 to the natural wonders of Borneo. It includes the limestone Batu Caves, the biodiversity of Bako and Gunung Mulu National Parks, and the colonial heritage of George Town and Malacca. Key landmarks such as the Langkawi Sky Bridge and the Sepilok Orang Utan Sanctuary highlight the country’s unique mix of modern engineering and wildlife conservation efforts.

Slyronit / CC BY-SA 4.0

Petronas Twin Towers

Iconic pair of 88-storey skyscrapers standing 451.9 meters tall, featuring a double-decker skybridge and an observation deck. These towers held the title of the world's tallest buildings from 1998 to 2004.

Basavaraj M / cc-by-sa-4.0

Batu Caves

400-million-year-old limestone hill featuring a series of caves and a Hindu temple complex established in 1920. It is characterized by a 140-foot golden statue of Lord Murugan and 272 colorful steps leading to the main cave.

Azreey / cc-by-sa-4.0

Merdeka 118

118-story megatall skyscraper standing 679 meters tall, currently the second tallest building in the world. This mixed-use development features office spaces, a luxury hotel, a seven-story shopping mall, and the highest observation deck in the region.

George Grinsted / CC BY-SA 2.0

Langkawi Sky Bridge

Langkawi Sky Bridge is a 125-metre curved pedestrian cable-stayed bridge in Malaysia, completed in 2005.

Bernard DUPONT / CC BY-SA 2.0

Sepilok Orang Utan Sanctuary

Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre is located about 25 kilometres west of Sandakan in the state of Sabah, Malaysia.

Ahmad Rithauddin / CC BY 2.0

Malacca Strait Mosque

Malacca Straits Mosque is a mosque located on the man-made Malacca Island in Malacca City, Malacca, Malaysia, which was opened on 24…

Gunung Mulu National Park

UNESCO World Heritage site in Sarawak known for its dramatic karst formations and vast cave systems, including the world's largest cave chamber. The park features the iconic jagged limestone Pinnacles and diverse rainforest ecosystems.

Michael Pang Pbs / CC-BY-SA

Penang Hill

Penang Hill is a hill resort comprising a group of peaks near the center of Penang Island, Malaysia.

Danilo Mistroni / CC BY 2.0

Kuala Lumpur Tower

Finished in 1995, this 421-meter high tower makes for a fabulous viewing spot of the city beneath it.

Haakon S. Krohn / CC BY-SA 3.0

Independence Square

Situated in the very heart of the city, this square is surrounded by greenery and several historical buildings.

khalzuri / CC BY-SA 3.0

Chinatown

This is the place to go to if you are looking for anything that can be bought in a street market.

www.photosbypaulo.com / CC BY-SA 3.0

Bako National Park

Bako National Park is a national park in Kuching District, Kuching Division, Sarawak, Malaysia.

Pinang Peranakan Mansion

A restored 19th-century mansion in George Town showcasing the opulent lifestyle and culture of the Peranakan community. It houses over 1,000 antiques and collectibles, featuring intricate woodcarvings and traditional architecture.