Malaysia
Updated October 19, 2026
Malaysia, in South-East Asia, is divided by the South China Sea into Peninsular Malaysia, bordering Thailand and Singapore, and East Malaysia, the states of Sabah and Sarawak on the island of Borneo. It is a federation of 13 states and three federal territories, with a constitutional monarchy in whi…
Must-See Places in Malaysia
Petronas Twin Towers
The world's tallest twin towers, about 452 m, with a Skybridge and observation deck, rising above the KLCC Park in Kuala Lumpur.
George Town Heritage Zone
A UNESCO-listed old town of shophouses, clan houses, temples and street art, famous for some of Asia's best hawker food.
Jonker Street and the Stadthuys
Malacca's UNESCO-listed core of Dutch, Portuguese and Peranakan heritage, with a lively weekend night market.
Langkawi Sky Bridge
A curved pedestrian bridge about 660 m above sea level, reached by cable car, with views over the Andaman Sea.
Mount Kinabalu
Borneo's highest peak, about 4,095 m, in Kinabalu Park, Malaysia's first UNESCO site, climbed for a summit sunrise.
Semenggoh Wildlife Centre
A reserve near Kuching where semi-wild orangutans come to feed in the forest twice a day.
Ipoh Old Town and Cave Temples
Colonial streets, murals and white coffee, surrounded by limestone hills hiding Buddhist cave temples.
BOH Tea Plantation
Rolling green tea terraces in the cool Cameron Highlands, with a café overlooking the valley.
Unique Experiences in Malaysia
Hawker Food Crawl in George Town
Eat your way through George Town's hawker centres and street stalls, tasting char kway teow, asam laksa, nasi kandar, cendol and oyster omelette.
Orangutans in Borneo
Watch orangutans in the rainforest of Borneo, at rehabilitation centres such as Semenggoh near Kuching or Sepilok in Sabah, or in the wild along the Kinabatangan River.
Climb Mount Kinabalu
Climb Mount Kinabalu, about 4,095 m, the highest peak in Borneo, over two days, reaching the summit at sunrise above the clouds.
Island Hopping in Langkawi
Explore Langkawi's archipelago of 99 islands, with mangroves, eagles, the Lake of the Pregnant Maiden and white sand beaches, by boat.
Dive the Perhentian Islands
Snorkel and dive among coral reefs, turtles, reef sharks and colourful fish in the clear water of the Perhentian or Redang Islands, off the east coast.
Travel Tips for Malaysia
Plan around the monsoons
Malaysia is hot all year, but the monsoons affect the coasts differently. Visit the west coast, Langkawi and Penang from…
Dress modestly and respect religions
Malaysia is a Muslim-majority country with Chinese, Hindu and Christian communities. Dress modestly in public, especiall…
Eat at hawker centres and mamaks
Some of the best and cheapest food in Malaysia is found at hawker centres, food courts, night markets and mamak restaura…
Use apps and budget flights
Grab is the most popular app for taxis and food delivery in Malaysia, and it is cheap and reliable. Budget airlines, suc…
Visit Borneo for nature
Sabah and Sarawak, on the island of Borneo, offer some of the best nature experiences in South-East Asia, with orangutan…
Protect yourself from heat and mosquitoes
Malaysia is hot and humid all year, with temperatures of about 30–34°C, so drink plenty of water, wear light clothing, u…
Must-Try Local Dishes
Nasi Lemak
Nasi lemak, the national dish of Malaysia, is rice cooked in coconut milk and pandan leaves, served with sambal, a spicy chilli paste, fried anchovies, peanuts, cucumber and a boiled or fried egg, often with fried chicken or rendang. It is eaten for breakfast, wrapped in banana leaves, or at any time of day. A simple packet costs about RM 3–6, and a full plate RM 10–20.
Char Kway Teow
Char kway teow is a dish of flat rice noodles stir-fried over very high heat in a wok with soy sauce, chilli, prawns, cockles, Chinese sausage, bean sprouts, chives and egg, giving it a smoky flavour called wok hei. It is a classic hawker dish, especially famous in Penang. A plate costs about RM 8–15 at hawker stalls.
Roti Canai
Roti canai, a flaky, crispy flatbread of Indian origin, is stretched, folded and cooked on a griddle, and served with dhal or curry for dipping. It is a favourite breakfast and late-night snack in mamak restaurants, Indian Muslim eateries open 24 hours. A roti costs about RM 1.50–3, and variations include roti telur, with egg, and roti tisu, thin and crispy.
Laksa
Laksa is a spicy noodle soup with many regional versions: Penang asam laksa has a sour fish and tamarind broth with mint, pineapple and shrimp paste, while curry laksa, popular in Kuala Lumpur, has a rich coconut curry broth, and Sarawak laksa has a spicy, creamy broth with prawns and chicken. A bowl costs about RM 7–15 at hawker stalls.
Satay
Satay is skewered chicken, beef or lamb, marinated in turmeric and spices, grilled over charcoal and served with a rich peanut sauce, cucumber, onion and ketupat, rice cakes. Kajang, near Kuala Lumpur, is famous for satay. It is eaten in the evening at night markets and restaurants. Ten sticks cost about RM 8–15.
Rendang
Rendang is a dry curry of beef or chicken, slowly cooked for hours in coconut milk with lemongrass, galangal, chilli and spices until the sauce is thick and caramelised. It is a festive dish, served at Hari Raya and weddings, with ketupat or lemang, glutinous rice cooked in bamboo. A portion costs about RM 10–20 in Malay restaurants.
Teh Tarik
Teh tarik, pulled tea, is strong black tea mixed with condensed milk, poured back and forth between two cups from a height to create a frothy top, the national drink of Malaysia. It is served at mamak stalls and coffee shops, kopitiams, with roti canai. A glass costs about RM 2–4. Watching it being pulled is part of the experience.
Durian
Durian, the king of fruits, has a spiky shell and a creamy, custard-like flesh with a strong smell that many people find overpowering, so it is banned in many hotels and on public transport. Varieties such as Musang King are prized. The season is from about June to August. A fruit costs about RM 20–100, depending on the variety. Try it at a roadside stall.
History
Early Kingdoms and Trade
Humans have lived in the region for at least 40,000 years, and the Niah Caves in Sarawak contain some of the oldest human remains in South-East Asia. Lying on the sea routes between India and China, the Malay Peninsula was a meeting point for traders for centuries. From about the 2nd century AD, Hindu-Buddhist kingdoms developed, such as Kedah, whose remains can be seen in the Bujang Valley, and the region came under the influence of Srivijaya, a maritime empire based in Sumatra.
The Sultanate of Malacca
Around 1400, Parameswara, a prince from Sumatra, founded Malacca on the west coast of the peninsula, and its rulers adopted Islam, becoming sultans. Malacca grew into one of the richest ports in Asia, controlling the Strait of Malacca, where traders from China, India, Arabia and the Indonesian islands exchanged spices, silk, porcelain and textiles. The Chinese admiral Zheng He visited several times. The sultanate spread Islam and the Malay language across the region, and its court customs became the model for later Malay states.
Climate & Best Time to Visit
Dry Season (West Coast)
23–33°C
From about December to February, and again from June to August, the west coast of the peninsula, including Kuala Lumpur,…
Inter-Monsoon
23–34°C
From about March to May and September to November, between the monsoons, heavy thunderstorms are common in the afternoon…
Southwest Monsoon
23–33°C
From about May to September, the east coast of the peninsula, including the Perhentian and Redang islands and Tioman, ha…
Northeast Monsoon
15–32°C
From about November to March, the northeast monsoon brings heavy rain, rough seas and flooding to the east coast of the …
Fascinating Fun Facts
The world's tallest twin towers
The Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur, completed in 1998, about 452 m tall, were the tallest buildings in the world f…
A king elected every five years
Malaysia has an unusual system of rotating monarchy: the king, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, is elected every five years by…
Rainforests older than the Amazon
The rainforests of Malaysia, such as Taman Negara on the peninsula and the forests of Borneo, are among the oldest in th…
The world's largest cave chamber
The Sarawak Chamber, in Gunung Mulu National Park, in Sarawak, a UNESCO site, is the largest known cave chamber in the w…
Food that unites a nation
Malaysian cuisine combines Malay, Chinese, Indian and indigenous influences, and dishes such as nasi lemak, the national…
The highest mountain in Borneo
Mount Kinabalu, in Sabah, about 4,095 m high, is the highest mountain in Malaysia and Borneo, and its national park, Kin…
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