Things to Do in Malaysia

The Malaysian equivalent to Buckingham Palace, the King's Palace (Istana Negara) attracts thousands of visitors with its golden domes and Islamic-style architecture. Although you can’t explore the palace, you can learn about the Malaysian monarchy at the Royal Museum, located on the palace grounds.

National Mosque of Malaysia (Masjid Negara)

Beside the Lake Gardens of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s National Mosque (Masjid Negara) reinvents traditional Islamic architecture with its angular lines and neutral color scheme. Built in 1965, the mosque was designed as a symbol of Malaysia’s independence and is a center of Kuala Lumpur’s vibrant Muslim community.

Kuala Lumpur may be the capital of Malaysia, but Putrajaya, about 15 miles (24 kilometers) away, is the nation’s seat of government. A planned city laid out in the mid-1990s, its grandiose buildings, manicured gardens, and space-age architecture spread out around an artificial lake.

Located in Gunung Rapat, about three miles (five kilometers) south of Ipoh, Sam Poh Tong is thought to be the largest cave temple in Malaysia. Local lore tells of a Chinese monk who was passingthrough Ipoh in 1890 when he discovered the cave and decided to stop and meditate there. According to the legend, he remained in the cave for 20 years until his death.

The temple structure in its current form dates back to the 1950s, and to this day, it remains a place where Buddhist monks and nuns come to meditate. A series of 246 steps lead you up to themouth of the open cave, with its small reclining Buddha statue inside. Just outside the temple, you’ll find a Japanese koi pond where local devotees of the Buddha come to release turtles, as they’re thought to be a symbol of longevity.

The ornamental garden outside the front of the temple are worth walking through, and they offerbeautiful views of Ipoh below.

Melawati Hill (Bukit Melawati) served as a stronghold for the Selangor Sultanate during the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. Remnants of the fort still dot the landscaped park now occupying the hill, including sections of wall, grave sites, a few cannons and a flat stone that was once used for beheadings.

Today the hill, which is sometimes written Bukit Malawati (Malawati Hill), attracts not only history buffs, but nature lovers and other visitors who come to take in the panoramic views of the Selangor coastline from the top of the hill. On a clear day the Straits of Malacca are visible in the distance. A lighthouse, built in 1910 by the British, sits at the summit, through it’s not open to visitors.

Silver-leafed monkeys and long-tailed macaques often hang around the park, hoping for a meal of peanuts or stolen snacks from unwary visitors.

Putrajaya Bridge, perhaps the most important bridge in Malaysia, spans Putrajaya Lake at a length of 1,427 feet (435 meters). Inspired by the Khaji Bridge in Iran, the Putrajaya Bridge combines cable backstays and steel tiebacks to create an elegant, sail-like appearance reminiscent of Santiago Calatrava’s sculptural bridges.

The lower level of the bridge accommodates motor traffic and a monorail across the lake, connecting the Government Precinct in the North to a Mixed Development Precinct in the South, while the upper level carries a pedestrian path for jogging, walking or cycling. It’s also a popular spot for watching the sun set over Putrajaya Lake in the evening. At night, changing colored lights illuminate the bridge.

Housed in a beautifully restored art deco building, Kuala Lumpur’s Central Market (Pasar Seni) forms the backbone of the city’s commercial scene. Hundreds of stalls sell household goods, souvenirs, and traditional batik artwork, and Kasturi Walk offers visitors some of Malaysia’s most popular street-food dishes.

Looming 1,381 feet (421 meters) atop the Bukit Nanas (Pineapple Hill) in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, the Kuala Lumpur Tower (KL Tower) is one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks. Visible from all around, it also affords a spectacular 360-degree view from its observation deck.

Reigned over by the mighty Mt. Kinabalu—the tallest mountain in Malaysia—Kinabalu National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its biodiversity. A paradise for nature lovers, the park is home to around 5,500 plant species (including varieties of orchids and pitcher plants), about 326 bird species, and more than 100 mammals.

Laser Battle Johor Bahru (near Malaysia’s border with Singapore) is one of the largest laser tag venues in Asia and offers a wide range of arenas and game modes. The popular venue’s laser guns are technologically advanced, offering tournament features that make the game even more fun for large groups and special occasions.

Located in the heart of the city, the Perdana Botanical Garden (formerly known as the Lake Gardens) is Kuala Lumpur’s oldest public park. This 225-acre (91-hectare) site is home to a bird park, hibiscus and orchid garden, butterfly sanctuary and a deer park, with the main attraction being its central lake surrounded by lush greenery.

The gardens between the park’s attractions are dotted with sculptures (including a miniature model of England's Stonehenge) plus plenty of walking paths and benches for strolling around and relaxing in the shade. The gardens feature native and foreign plants, with sections dedicated to ferns, rare trees, medicinal herbs and aquatic plants.

The park offers an escape from the bustling metropolis of the city, and you’ll spot locals taking full advantage of this with running and early morning t'ai serving as popular activities here. A visit to the Perdana Botanical Garden is included in a variety of Kuala Lumpur tours, including photography tours (which include tickets to the Petronas Twin Towers and KL Tower) plus half-day and full-day city sightseeing tours, which often include the Batu Caves.

Jonker Street (Jalan Hang Jebat)runs through the heart of Chinatown in Melaka’s city center and was once known primarily for its antique dealers. Those on the hunt for Malaysian artifacts and relics—authentic and otherwise—will still find these rare items, but the area has evolved to include clothing boutiques, craft shops, and restaurants as well.

The extravagantly decorated Sri Mahamariamman Temple is the oldest Hindu temple in Malaysia—and a popular stop for locals and visitors navigating the streets of Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown. Rising 75 feet (23 meters) above the busy marketplace, the temple’s five-tiered tower is adorned with colorful tiles, precious stones and hundreds of carvings of Hindu deities, rendering the building a popular attraction as well as a place of worship.

The main prayer hall inside the temple is as ornate as its exterior, with murals and frescos lining the walls and shrines beneath the embellished dome ceiling. At the back of the complex, you’ll find the shrine of South Indian mother goddess Mariamman, also known as Parvati, as well as smaller shrines dedicated to Lord Ganesha and Lord Muruga. During the Hindu festival of Thaipusam, held in January and February, the sculpture of Lord Muruga is transported from the temple to Batu Caves on a silver chariot, drawing crowds in the tens of thousands.

You can visit Sri Mahamariamman Temple on a walk through bustling Petaling Street or as a part of a variety of cultural heritage tours, including city walking and night tours. Expect to be in the company of devotees in prayer, especially if visiting early morning or late evening.

Malaysia’s oldest Chinese temple, first built in 1673, remains an active place of worship for the Chinese Buddhist community in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Melaka. Everything from the ornate roof to the painted murals within this temple dedicated to Guan Yin (Goddess of Mercy) have been restored using traditional techniques.