Malaysia
Asia · Kuala Lumpur · MY
Malaysia is a country split between two worlds, sharing the Malay Peninsula with Thailand and a large slice of Borneo, where orangutans swing through dipterocarp forests and coral reefs glow in the Celebes Sea. Kuala Lumpur's Petronas Towers pierce the tropical sky while hawker stalls in Penang serve laksa and char kway teow from open-front shophouses. The Cameron Highlands roll with manicured tea plantations cooled by altitude breezes, and Langkawi's beaches attract divers to underwater shipwrecks and mangrove kayaking. Melaka's colonial squares carry traces of Portuguese, Dutch, and British rule, layered over a vibrant Peranakan culinary tradition. Off the east coast, the Perhentian Islands offer pristine snorkeling without the crowds found further south. Malaysia's cultural fabric blends Malay, Chinese, Indian, and indigenous influences into something distinctly its own, expressed most vividly through the food that permeates every street, market, and gathering.
Overview
Malaysia is a country in Asia. Its capital is Kuala Lumpur and the international dialling code is +60. Languages commonly used in everyday life here include Malay. Local currency is the Malaysian Ringgit (MYR). Our guide covers 1 airport, including Kuala Lumpur International Airport. We also list 1 city in Malaysia: Kuala Lumpur.
George Town's Street Art and Hawker Caves
George Town's UNESCO-listed core is a walkable labyrinth of colonial shophouses, clan jetties, and murals that have turned the city into an open-air gallery. Children on bicycles, a boy on a tricycle, a giant cat perched on a wall: each mural interacts with its surroundings in playful ways that invite photography. But it is the hawker culture that truly defines the city. At New Lane Hawker Centre, rows of stalls emit plumes of wok hei as chefs toss char kway teow over roaring flames. Penang assam laksa, sour and spicy with tamarind and mackerel, is served from a single cart near Chulia Street with a line that never shortens. Walking between meals, you pass ornate Chinese temples, Indian mosques, and British-era administrative buildings within a few blocks, a density of cultural layering that gives the city an identity entirely its own.
Borneo's Sepilok Orangutan Centre
The Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre sits on the edge of the Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve in Sabah, a thin line between reclaimed jungle and the buildings where rescued primates are gradually returned to the wild. The morning feeding platform is the focal point: young orangutans swing in from the surrounding canopy, pause to assess the scattered fruit, and then eat with a dexterity that feels almost human. Rangers explain the rehabilitation process with patience, detailing how orphaned or injured apes are taught to climb, forage, and nest over several years. Beyond the platform, the reserve's boardwalk trails wind through lowland rainforest where you might spot macaques, gibbons, and an astonishing variety of birds. The experience is quietly moving, not just because of the animals, but because of the visible commitment to a conservation model that prioritizes the long-term return to wild living.
Langkawi's Sky Bridge and Dark Skies
Langkawi archipelago straddles the equator, earning it the rare designation of UNESCO Global Geopark for its ancient geological formations and diverse ecosystems. The Sky Bridge, suspended from a single pylon at over six hundred meters above sea level, curves through the canopy of Gunung Mat Cincang and delivers panoramic views of the Andaman Sea and the surrounding islands. Taking the cable car up through the misty hillside, the temperature drops noticeably and orchids cling to the railings. At night, Langkawi's status as a duty-free island means fewer light sources on the southern beaches, making stargazing surprisingly vivid. On Pantai Cenang, you can eat grilled stingray at a beachside stall while Orion rises over the water and fishing boats blink in the distance. Mangrove kayaking tours the next morning reveal eagles, monkeys, and hidden limestone caves accessible only by tidal river.
Cameron Highlands Tea Plantations
Rising into the Titiwangsa Mountains, the Cameron Highlands feel like a different country from the lowland heat of Kuala Lumpur. The BOH Tea Plantation spreads across the hillside in undulating rows of bright green, and the visitor center offers a free tasting overlooking the valley where clouds drift between the ridges. Walking trails cut through mossy forest, past wild orchids, carnivorous pitcher plants, and strawberry farms where you can pick your own fruit. The cool air makes outdoor exploration far more comfortable than at sea level, and early morning hikes bring mist rolling across the plantation with an almost theatrical effect. Afterward, a scone with strawberry jam and cream at the plantation cafe feels earned. The nearby town of Tanah Rata has a small but lively night market on weekends, serving corn on the grill and steamed dumplings warmed by the mountain chill.
Malacca's Dutch Squares and Nyonya Food
Malacca's Stadthuys, a row of Dutch colonial buildings painted in distinctive terracotta red, stands at the heart of a city that has been shaped by Portuguese, Dutch, British, and Peranakan influences over five centuries. The central fountain and clock tower anchor a square that fills on weekends with Jonker Walk Night Market stalls selling everything from antiques to pineapple tarts. A short walk brings you to the ruins of A Famosa, the Portuguese fortress gatehouse that has survived since the sixteenth century. But Malacca's greatest legacy may be its Nyonya cuisine, born from the intermarriage of Chinese settlers and local Malays. Nyonya laksa, a coconut curry noodle soup, and ayam pongteh, a chicken and potato stew fermented with soybean paste, are best sampled in family-run restaurants along the riverside, where recipes have been handed down through generations without much alteration.
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- Capital
- Kuala Lumpur
- Currency
- Malaysian Ringgit (MYR)
- Languages
- Malay
- Calling code
- +60
- Internet TLD
- my
Entry requirements
Check who can enter →See which passports travel visa-free or need a visa to enter Malaysia.
Which nationalities can enter Malaysia?
Current visa status for tourism for the origins we cover, with links to the detailed requirements.
Airports (1)
All airports →Cities (1)
All cities →Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa to visit Malaysia?
For the origins we track, travellers from Morocco and United States currently enter Malaysia visa-free for tourism. Entry rules depend on your passport and the purpose of your trip, so check the current requirements for your own nationality with our entry requirements tool.
What is the capital of Malaysia?
Kuala Lumpur is the capital of Malaysia, and the country sits in Asia.
What currency is used in Malaysia?
You pay with Malaysian Ringgit (MYR) in Malaysia. Exchange rates move day to day, so check the current rate before you change money or use your card abroad.
Which languages do people speak in Malaysia?
The languages we list for Malaysia are Malay. A couple of greetings in the local language go a long way when you travel, even in cities where another language is widely used.
What is the international dialling code for Malaysia?
The dialling code for Malaysia is +60 — keep the plus sign when you save the number.
Which airports serve Malaysia?
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) in Kuala Lumpur is the airport we cover for Malaysia.
Which cities in Malaysia do you cover?
Our guide lists 1 city for Malaysia: Kuala Lumpur (capital).