Why Visit Malaysia?

Visiting Malaysia
 
Many people have asked me online what are the main reasons to visit Malaysia, and this article will help you answer some of the main questions. 

This article will shed light on why you should visit Malaysia, and it is done entirely by me, where I have extensively visited almost all of Malaysia.

Why Visit Malaysia?

The question in the topic here is Why visit Malaysia? And I am sure many of you who have not visited Malaysia would like to know what this multiracial and multicultural country offers for travellers.

Since I have been actively travelling around the country in the last 3 to 4 years, I will do my best to share my experiences and reasons why you should visit Malaysia.

This is, of course, without referring to Wikipedia or any other online information, and simply because I am a Malaysian who grew up here in Kuala Lumpur.


Where is Malaysia?

Malaysia is a relatively small country located by the earth equator and sandwiched between Thailand and Singapore.

Divided into two parts, there is Peninsular Malaysia, where the main cities lie, while over in the island of Borneo, there are the states of Sarawak and Sabah, which shares the island with Kalimantan and also Brunei.

More About Malaysia

The country has been independent since 1957 after British Rule, and therefore we are celebrating our 56th Independence Day this August 31st.

Each year, a different city is selected for the celebrations, which is a public holiday nationwide. Another fun fact is that Malaysia is also known as a country with the most public holidays globally.

The People of Malaysia

With almost 28 million people living in peaceful harmony, our multiracial society is broken up into three main races - Malay, Chinese and Indian.

The rest are from various ethnicities, mainly the Ibans from Sarawak, Kadazans from Sabah, Portuguese from Melaka, and many other smaller sub-ethnicity, which are too many to name.

The Language in Malaysia

English is widely spoken here, especially in the larger cities and towns, but our national language is Bahasa Malaysia, where every race speaks this.

For the traveller, fear not as you will somehow realize that your English is understood overall. For the record, government schools here teach English as a second language. However, basic English is easily understood nationwide.

Satay Malaysia
Malaysian Satay
The Food in Malaysia



The best part about Malaysia is the food! If anyone has been here before, try asking them, and they will easily vouch for our amazing Malaysian food.

As we are a multiracial nation, you can imagine the amazing melting pot of food found around the country. To this day, I can assure you that I am still finding new and interesting Malaysian food whenever I travel in my own backyard as a local. 

The most interesting food choices for the visitor to Malaysia would be the Chinese, Malay and Indian cuisines. From high-end restaurants right to hawkers, you have a choice of experiencing all of this.

It is highly recommended that you try some of the Malaysian signature dishes like Satay, Nasi Lemak and Rendang (Malay), Chicken Rice, Fried Kuey Teow and Laksa (Chinese and Malay) and Banana Lead Rice (Indian).

One dish shared by all the major groups is Rojak, a cut fruit salad mixed with peanut or shrimp paste sauce. You can find Indian, Malay and Chinese Rojak at many places around Malaysia.

Apart from these dishes, there are numerous sub-cultural ethnic dishes worth exploring throughout the country.

Mataking Island
Malaysia's Mataking Island
The Best Places to Visit in Malaysia

All depending on the type of holiday or vacation that you want, Malaysia offers the best of everything in one country.

This beautiful tropical country offers lush rainforest adventures, amazing shopping experiences, multiracial cultural encounters, fascinating food choices, endless white sand beaches and more.

Read this article about the best places to visit in Malaysia, which I wrote in 2017, and they are all based on my actual visits to those places. That, my readers, is a real list and not your top 10 listicles.

For the city lover

There are several main cities to explore in Malaysia; each city offers a different kind of experience. Kuala Lumpur is the capital where everything happens. All the major international brands for most things can be found here.

Melaka (Malacca), 2 hours from KL, is a UNESCO city with high historical value. Tourists come here especially for the culture, heritage, and food that is very recommended for first-timers to Malaysia.

Penang (Pulau Pinang) is another UNESCO city that is also a popular destination. Famous for the old British charm, the streets are lined with pre-war shophouses, while the island is famous for its local Penang hawker food. The capital Georgetown is best explored by foot too.

Another notable cities to explore are Kota Kinabalu in Sabah, a coastal city with a beautiful waterfront. At the same time, Kuching in Sarawak caters to the more mature and adventure type of place.

Malaysia Ecotourism
Malaysia's Ecotourism and rainforest
For the nature lover

Many places around the country offer amazing national and wildlife parks apart from the forest reserves, mountains and marine parks.

I will note the most popular as there are too many to name, which is Kinabalu Park, Sukau Kinabatangan and Danum Valley in Sabah Borneo.

There is also Niah and Mulu National Park in Northern Sarawak, while there is also the Bako National Park in the south.

Over in Peninsular Malaysia, there are numerous places worth exploring, like the Taman Negara National Park and the Endau-Rompin National Park.

You would be surprised to know that Penang Island has the worlds smallest national park too. Something worth exploring when you visit Penang.

What Malaysian cuisine looks like
For the food tourist



Malaysia is an abundance and variety of mouth-watering food, which can be found in just about any corner of the country.

Many have said, 'You will never go hungry in Malaysia', which is a fact. Local Malaysian food comes in hawker and restaurant choices where it all depends on how you want to explore the foods here.

For first time travellers, you should always make it a point to experience the Malay, Chinese and Indian food in Malaysia.

Hotels are a great place to start and if you are ambitious enough, head out to the local food centres and restaurants. Hawkers have some of the best Malaysian food too.

However, for the international traveller, there are also many other cuisines found throughout the country.

From general Continental, Japanese, Mexican, Spanish, Korean, Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai, and even Middle Eastern food can be found at most cities in restaurants. In addition, some hawker centres offer stall that sells these kinds of foods.

In Malaysia, Seafood is a must try and coastal cities or town are the best places to experience this. Prices are pretty cheap, while the variety is simply stunning.

The best part is the way they are cooked with the local taste. While there are numerous high-end restaurants selling seafood, there are also local restaurants with some of the best taste in town. Ask around when you are in coastal cities or towns in Malaysia.

Durians and Tourist
A tourist trying the Durian in Malaysia
One thing that you MUST TRY is the Malaysian Durians. They are found all over the country, and there are even Durian Tour Packages in Penang.

The King of Fruits is pretty much the talk of Malaysia regarding visitors exploring food tourism.

Petaling Street Fake Bags
Knock off bags sold at some markets
For the Shopping Fanatic

If you think shopping is a must during your travels, then look no further as Malaysia is now one of the premier destinations for all sorts of shopping.

From bargains to luxury products, you can find all of this here. Apparels seem to be on top of the list to get bargain-priced clothes from night markets to shops in shopping malls. Designer clothes are also easily sourced from high-end malls in major cities.


For crafts, many major towns will have Malaysian crafts on sale. If you are in Kuala Lumpur, the Central Market is the best place to source these local crafts.

There is also the Craft Center nearby the Petronas Twin Towers, where you can see how Malaysian craft is done and then buy some souvenirs there.

Another interestingly choice for shoppers are shoes in Malaysia. Having a demand for this, the tourism ministry launched a Malaysian International Show Festival, which is held in March here in KL.

With local homegrown celebrity - Jimmy Choo, many local shoe designers found around Kuala Lumpur, so if shoes are your fetish, then start exploring the malls here.

If you are into international branded goods, they are aplenty around the major cities, with most of these outlets located in major shopping malls.

Duty-Free Shopping is another popular choice as some islands like Langkawi and Labuan offer great duty-free shopping. In addition, chocolates, liquor, cosmetics, electrical items and even clothes can be found at speciality shops on the islands.

Even at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport or KLIA, hundreds of shops sell duty-free goods ranging from local products to international brands.



For the Eco-Tourism Lover

The never-ending rainforest can only say one thing - Eco-Tourism, and Malaysia is filled with this. From Peninsular to East Malaysia, where Sabah and Sarawak are located, Eco-Tourism has endless opportunities here.

Explore rainforest, mountains, rivers and mangrove swamps where many travel and tour companies offer various packages.

Some national parks offer accommodations to suit any traveller. From basic lodging right to luxury, experiences are available.

Notable Eco places in Malaysia are Taman Negara, Endau-Rompin in Peninsular Malaysia. At the same time, over in Sarawak, there is Bako, Mulu and Niah National Parks, and in Sabah, there are Danum Valley and also Kinabalu Park.



For the Island Lover

Malaysia offers countless beautiful islands for you to choose from, and some of them can be visited all year round too.

Recommended islands in Peninsular Malaysia are Langkawi Island which is open all year, where some of the best resorts and attractions are found.

Further down south along the Straits of Melaka, Pangkor Island offers a more quiet escape. At the same time, over in the East Coast, there are world-renowned Tioman Island, Perhentian Islands, Redang Island, and Lang Tengah Island.

All the east coast islands have a monsoon period where it is not advised to visit from October to February.

Pulau Talang Island
Talang Island in Sarawak
Over in East Malaysia, Sabah has some spectacular islands to explore. Just 15 minutes out of Kota Kinabalu city, you can find crystal clear waters and white sand beaches at the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, where popular islands like Manukan, Sapi, Manutik and Gaya Island are located.

East of Sabah is where you will find world-famous diving spots and resorts at Sipadan, Mabul, Kapalai, Pom Pom, and Mataking Island, known as the Maldives of Malaysia.

Off Sandakan town, you will find turtle conservation on Selingan Island or Turtle Island, while there is also a speciality island in Sarawak called Talang Talang Island (right image)

For the Adventurer and Explorer

There are various kinds of adventures to explore in Malaysia as there is an abundance of rainforest and natural surroundings found all over the country.

Try White Water Rafting or tubing in Perak or Sabah, while rock climbing is also a favourite in many states.

Paragliding is also well known in some states, while mountain biking, trekking and hiking are common in most states.

Maybe a serious jungle camping experience in the rainforest of Borneo is your cup of tea or even self-driving yourself around the country in a rented vehicle.

For the explorer, several bicycle tours are available at most cities where you or your family can rent a bicycle and explore the city or town with a guide as this is one of the best ways to see a place. In addition, you can get more information from various tour and travel companies around Malaysia.

Malaysia Legoland
Legoland Malaysia in Johor
For the Family Traveler

Theme parks are a must for those with children, and Malaysia is now set to be one of the main countries with a variety of theme parks. Popular ones are Legoland Malaysia, Legoland Water Park and Hello Kitty Town in Iskandar Johor.

Over in the Klang Valley (KL and PJ), there is the Berjaya Times Square Indoor Theme Park, Sunway Lagoon and iCity Water Park, while in Genting Highlands, there is the Genting Indoor and Outdoor Theme Park. For a complete list, see my Theme Parks in Malaysia article.

Some other activities for families which are child friendly include visiting the island of Langkawi, where there is an abundance of family-related activities.

Iskandar Johor is where you find the latest theme parks and also the Johor Premium Outlet or JPO for some shopping bargains and also Melaka, where a good balance of culture, heritage, food and parks are available.
 

For the Art Aficionado

Art tourism in Malaysia has promoted where the 1Malaysia Contemporary Arts Tourism Festival (1MCAT) was launched in Kuala Lumpur, attracting many local and regional artist.

During the festival, a 1MCAT Art Tour Shuttle will ferry visitors from selected hotels to Shopping Complexes in the capital where the art is on display. This is pending and not confirmed currently.

The Annex at Central Market in Kuala Lumpur is also a great place to see some of the local art for sale and even artist at work.


For the Cultural Explorer

With so many cultures offered in Malaysia, there are practically endless choices from all over Malaysia.

Each state offers a unique cultural experience in Peninsular Malaysia. Still, if you go over to Sabah and Sarawak, you will be in for a different surprise with the massive ethnic and sub-ethnic cultures available there.

A great place to start is in the state of Melaka (2 hours drive from KL), where you can experience the unique Baba-Nyonya Peranakan cultures by visiting local museums, homes and restaurants located in the core heritage zone of Jonker Street.

Must Not Miss Experiences in Malaysia

There are many not-to-miss experiences found throughout Malaysia, but I will highlight the most popular ones in the major cities for this article.

This will be much easier for the first-timer to Malaysia or those with limited time to explore Malaysia to try out some of these experiences here.


Pasar Malam (Night Market)

I am recommending that you try visiting a local Malaysian Night Market or Pasar Malam. This is where all the locals buy their daily or weekly groceries and even food for dinner or supper.

The Pasar Malam is found usually in large housing areas and move around from day to day to different locations.

Places where you can find some of the best night markets in Malaysia are;
  • Jalan TAR in Kuala Lumpur (Saturday Night)
  • Kuah Town Pasar Malam in Langkawi (Wednesday & Saturday Night)
  • Batu Feringgi Pasar Malam (Nightly)
  • Connaught Pasar Malam, the longest in Malaysia (Wednesday night)

But you will need to get a Grab driver or taxi to send you there. These night markets usually open from 5.00 pm till 11.00 am.

Teh Tarik in Malaysia
A Mamak doing Teh Tarik in Malaysia
Roti Canai and Teh Tarik



At any state or place in Malaysia, you will most likely be able to find this at any local Mamak restaurant.

Mamak Restaurants are actually Indian Muslim eateries that are open 24 hours. The combination of Roti Canai (Flat Dough Bread) and Teh Tarik (Pulled Tea) is one of the most common breakfasts and supper meals for most Malaysians.

Even I do this regularly as a local. Remember to tell the waiter to make your drink order 'Less Sweet' or Kurang Manis as the locals say it. 

Banana Leaf Rice Meal

All walks of life in Malaysia enjoy this local culture brought over from Southern India over a hundred years ago. These days, the Banana Leaf meal is considered a semi-luxury meal, usually eaten for lunch.

Hot steaming rice is served on a piece of banana leaf accompanied by three vegetable choices. Add-ons are usually chicken, meat or fish curries, a piece of fried fish or chicken and a choice of dried salty chilli, yoghurt or Rassam (Spicy soup).

Mixed together and eaten with your hands where this is one of the few dishes that locals keep coming back for more.

Malaysia Banana Leaf Meal
Visitors trying out the Banana Leaf meal with their hands

There are veg-only banana leaf meals served for the Vegetarian, so please do let the server know your options. Places that you can find this dish are usually around Indian communities the country over.

The best places to experience this is at Brickfields area in KL City, Little India in Penang and Klang. You will never find this at any of the hotels too.

Malaysia Homestay
Homestay in Malaysia
Homestay program

As there are numerous homestays available throughout the country, some are available just outside of KL city.

These homestay programs are specially created to stay in a local village home for one or two nights to experience the common village or kampung life.

Eat, bathe and sleep like the locals do while exploring the farms or orchards and learn how things are done here. Excellent for those with children wanting to experience the Malaysian way of life.

Conclusion

With this article, I hope that the first time traveller to Malaysia will find something suitable for your travel style.

If you would like to ask, please do so by using the comment form below, and I will do my best to assist you.

You can also visit the official Tourism Malaysia website for additional information about why you should visit Malaysia.

Malaysia Asia

Blogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. Since 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards). After 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.

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