Malaysia, this colorful, bustling country somewhere in Southeast Asia, is a real treasure chest, provided you’re looking for something beyond the usual beaches and cheap souvenirs. Here, you’ll find everything: from jungles clinging to mountains to islands that seem to have jumped straight off a postcard.
Caves where the spirits of ancient tribes might still linger, and cities where skyscrapers sprout like mushrooms — though, oddly enough, these mushrooms are made of glass and concrete. Malaysia is a place where everyone will find something for themselves. And so that later, while sitting in a dreary office, or at a countryside cottage with a view of a sagging fence, you’ll have something to reminisce about.
Have a tea time at the source in the Cameron Highlands
The Cameron Highlands — a place where the mist clings to the hills, and tea plantations stretch to the horizon like a green sea wedged between sky and earth. Here, you can sit on a slope, sip tea grown right under your feet, and muse about how life is simple.
Green hills, a cup of tea, a handful of fresh strawberries — and suddenly you’re almost happy. While the moment lasts, it feels like all your troubles are out there, beyond the horizon — a good 200 kilometers down a potholed road. Then you wander into the market, and buy honey that seems to smell like childhood, and flowers that will, of course, wilt, but while they’re in your hands, the world feels beautiful.
Climb Up The Batu Caves
Malaysia tourist attractions for those who want to improve their understanding of local culture include Batu Caves. So there you are, standing at the foot of the Batu Caves, staring at those 272 steps, and thinking, “Why did I even come here?” But you climb. Because inside—there are limestone vaults, Hindu temples, and monkeys that look like they own the place.
And if you happen to stumble upon the Thaipusam festival, you’ll see people in ecstasy piercing themselves with hooks and carrying giant structures on their shoulders. And you’ll realize that faith is something far greater than just a word.
Dive into the pristine Perhentian Islands
The Perhentian Islands are a place where the water is so clear it feels like it’s not even there. Coral reefs shimmer, and fish of every color imaginable dart around. Turtles glide past with an air of utter indifference to your existence. And if you’re lucky, you might spot a reef shark—it, too, will glance at you with the same detachment.
If snorkeling and diving are among your desirable activities in Malaysia, the Perhentian Islands are where you should be heading. You’ll find scenery so beautiful, you won’t believe it’s real.
Scale the summit of Mt Kinabalu
When it comes to Malaysia, things to do are almost endless. There are also physical challenges such as climbing the mountain. We are talking about Kinabalu, the tallest mountain in Malaysia standing at 4,095m above sea level. Mount Kinabalu’s height, initially, was believed to be 5 to 8 kilometers more than what it is now. After millions of years of erosion, Kinabalu has become lower, now only being 4,095 meters high, and this number can further drop. But it is still very high.
If your answer to the question “What to do in Malaysia” is “test your limits”, this is an activity for you. For two days, you hike, cursing under your breath, but then you reach the summit, and the sunrise unfolds before you. And you think, “Well, this was worth the sweat.” Years later, you’ll remember it as one of the most vivid adventures of your life. And, of course, you’ll tell your friends about it, embellishing the details just a little.
Visit Malacca
If you’re into history and culture, the list of things to see in Malaysia starts with Malacca. Malacca is a city where history doesn’t gather dust on shelves but roams the streets. Here, Malay, Chinese, Indian, and Portuguese traditions have mingled so thoroughly that you can’t tell which is which anymore. The Dutch Square, with its red buildings, looks like it was just pulled out of a toy box. So if recognizing different architectural styles is something you’re into, visiting Malacca should be among the first things to do in Malaysia for you.
The Cheng Hoon Teng Temple — the oldest Chinese temple — stands there modestly, as if oblivious to its own age. And Peranakan cuisine? That’s a whole other story. You take a bite, and it feels less like food and more like a cultural cipher you’re desperately trying to crack.
Hike through Taman Negara
Taman Negara is a forest older than your grandparents. Here, you tread across suspension bridges that creak so desperately, as if they’re about to collapse—though of course, they won’t. Because this is Malaysia, where even nature observes decorum.
Below, tapirs wander around, and hornbills strut with a sense of noticeable self-importance. And if you tire, hop into a boat, drift down the river, and listen as the forest whispers to you in its ancient dialect. You won’t understand a word, but you’ll nod along as if in agreement. Because in moments like these, it feels like nature is the only conversationalist who won’t interrupt you.
Discover eerie Mulu Caves
If you’re still asking the question “What to see in Malaysia”, the answer is Mulu Caves. Hidden in Sarawak, the Mulu Caves are one of those places UNESCO added to its list for a reason. Take Deer Cave for instance, where millions of bats stage nightly performances. Clearwater Cave, with its stalactites and stalagmites, looks like the interior of some expensive apartment.
And then there are the Pinnacles—razor-sharp limestone spikes. The hike up there is for those who think life is too easy. You scramble, sweat, swear you’ll never do this again… Then you reach the top, gaze down, and think, “That deserves to be on my Insta.”
Visit Private jungle island in Royal Belum State Park
If you crave exclusivity, welcome to Royal Belum State Park in Perak. Here, in a rainforest where even the moss feels expensive, you’ll find Malayan tigers and Asian elephants. Though your chances of spotting them are akin to seeing a ghost in your apartment hallway—everyone knows they exist, but they never show themselves.
The silence here is so profound you can hear leaves fall, and even the mosquitoes hum softer as if sworn to uphold nature’s tranquility. You’ll sip tea, stare at the water, and think, “Ah, this is communion with nature.”
Dive with turtles at Sipadan Island
One of the best things to do in Malaysia is diving. You would be hard-pressed to find any better place than Sipadan Island – a “diver’s paradise”, for this purpose.
Especially when surrounded by water as clear as the one found here. It is a place where sea turtles glide around. Barracudas dart past, and hammerhead sharks eye you with their stare. In short, the biodiversity here is like a train station crowd: everyone’s rushing somewhere, but no one knows why. Still, it’s a must-visit for divers.
Discover Kinabatangan River
The Kinabatangan River is a living jungle ribbon where proboscis monkeys dangle from trees. The safari here is among the best Malaysia attractions. Pygmy elephants wander the riverbanks, and crocodiles pretend to be logs—right up until a tourist pokes them with a stick (which is strongly discouraged).
The best time for a safari is sunrise or sunset when the sun sinks into the water. Just don’t lean too far over the boat’s edge. After all, it is always wise to keep things safe.
Take a Tour of Kuala Lumpur
Fun things to do in Malaysia are endless, and this is especially true for Kuala Lumpur, the nation’s capital. This place reflects the architecture and culture of Malaysia. The Petronas Twin Towers appear as two glass pencils thrust into the earth. They are the world’s tallest twin towers. The first floors are occupied by stores and the top floor is an observation deck. It offers views of high-rises, highways, and green parks.
Jalan Alor Street is where you’ll find dishes from all over the world. The Islamic Arts Museum is where you nod solemnly, pretending to grasp the difference between Ottoman and Safavid styles. Speaking of Ottomans and Safavids, Turkish and Arab street food shops are commonplace in Kuala Lumpur.
Go Orangutan-spotting at Sepilok
Sepilok houses one of the most unique places in the world, a reserve that rehabilitates orangutans affected by human activity and treats their trauma. Here they are nursed, trained to live in the natural environment, and released into the wild.
Here you can also take part in the process of feeding orangutan cubs. You stand there, watching them swing from branches, and wonder: “Do they study us too?” The orangutans pretend not to notice the audience and the tourists pretend not to see the “Do Not Feed” signs. Everyone’s happy: the apes with their freedom, the humans with their Instagram snaps.
Laze on the Beaches of Langkawi
Langkawi is an archipelago where the sand is white, and the sea is blue. You just lie on the beach, sipping a cocktail, and it feels like life has finally worked out. This feeling itself is an achievement.
Sunbathing is a classic and simple tourist activity, but an attractive one nonetheless, given how clean local beaches are. Malaysia — a country where jungles whisper to skyscrapers, and tourists hunt for life’s meaning between a bowl of laksa and an ape selfie.
Things to do in Malaysia are fun and diverse. Want adventure? Here you go: climb a mountain, dive with sharks, haggle at a market. Want peace? Here’s a beach, a hammock, and a coconut with a straw. And if you ever leave—don’t worry. Malaysia will still haunt your dreams on the grayest of Mondays. Bags packed? Just don’t forget the sunscreen.
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