Choose from 136 Fun Things to Do in Malaysia
Langkawi Oriental Village
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Petrosains Science Discovery Centre
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National Mosque (Masjid Negara)
- Photography is allowed inside the mosque, but phones must be in silent mode.
- Traditional attire, which include robes for men and a headscarf for women, is provided for travelers who want to go inside the mosque.
- A must-see for lovers of religious architecture.
- The National Mosque is wheelchair accessible.
Royal Selangor Visitor Centre
- Quirky as it may sound, the visitor center is a must for anyone with an interest in crafts, and the workshops are great for older kids.
- Royal Selangor has kept up with the times, selling products that run the gamut from traditional Malay/Indonesian keris (daggers) to flash drives.
- The on-site museum, which explains the role of tin in Malaysia’s history, is worth a visit for history buffs.
Mari Mari Cultural Village
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Legoland Malaysia
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Langkawi Crocodile Farm
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Lambir Hills National Park
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Royal King's Palace (Istana Negara)
Mount Kinabalu
Mount Kinabalu towers over the eastern Malaysian state of Sabah. At 13,435ft (4,095m) above sea level, Mount Kinabalu is the 4th tallest mountain in the Malay Archipelago, drawing travelers the world over to climb its slopes in search of the perfect sunrise.
But it’s not just for the views from its summit that travelers come to Mount Kinabalu. This UNESCO listed World Heritage Site is recognised as one of the most important biological sites in the world.
An estimated 5,000 to 6,000 plant species call Mount Kinabalu, and its surrounding National Park, home. Many carnivorous plants and orchids grow on its slopes, which also attract 326 species of birds and over 100 mammals, including orangutans, Black shrews and the gloriously-named Bornean Ferret-Badger.
The mountains incredible biodiversity is due to several factors - its geographical position as one of the world’s richest plant regions (along with Sumatra, the Malay Peninsula and Borneo); it’s wide-ranging climate – (from extreme heat and humidity at its base to near freezing conditions at the summit); its high rainfall, and its rocky and diverse terrain.
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Experienced climbers should have no problem climbing to the summit of Mount Kinabalu. It is a tough climb, however, and travelers wishing to attempt it should have a reasonable level of fitness in order to cope with the extremes of heat and cold, and lower oxygen levels as you near the summit. It can be tricky (read bureaucratic nightmare!) to try to arrange to climb Mount Kinabalu independently. All climbs involve an overnight stay on the mountain and an early morning trek to the summit. Climbers are advised to book well in advance.
Buses from Kota Kinabalu take 3 to 4 hours to reach Mount Kinabalu National Park. Alternatively you can arrange to visit as part of a tour.
Petronas Twin Towers
- The towers are a must-see for architecture buffs.
- Day-of tickets are limited and sold on a first-come, first-served basis, so consider booking ahead.
- Choose an attraction ticket to the 86th-floor observation deck, or visit the towers as part of a guided Kuala Lumpur tour.
- Cameras are allowed in the towers, but additional equipment such as tripods and selfie sticks are not permitted.
- Visitors can leave their belongings at a bag check before entering the Petronas Towers.
Little India (Jalan Masjid India)
- No visit to Kuala Lumpur is complete without discovering the city’s delicious Indian food.
- From saris to spices, Little India is retail therapy writ large—bring cash.
- The Little India in Brickfields is larger than the Little India on Jalan Masjid India, but Jalan Masjid India is more central. Whether to visit one or both is up to you.
- Chettinad cooking, from the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, is big in this Little India, both in street eateries and more formal restaurants.
Manukan Island
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Mount Mat Chinchang
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Sri Mahamariamman Temple
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Mahsuri's Tomb (Makam Mahsuri)
There are at least 14 versions of the legend of Mahsuri although we do know that she was the daughter of Thai immigrants and married the warrior Wan Darus. The legends revolve around an accusation of adultery and her death by stabbing.
The stories say that white blood flowed from her proving her innocence and that with her final breath she cursed Langkawi for seven generations. The last of those seven generations passed just as tourism came to Langkawi and it began to prosper again.
Aside from a small museum about the Mahsuri legend there is also a traditional Langkawi house to explore and a handicrafts shop at the memorial compound.
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National Museum
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Langkawi Cable Car
- The cable car ride is a must-do for all first-time visitors to Langkawi Island.
- If lines are long, plan to skip the middle station to save time waiting in line.
- Don’t forget to bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat.
- The base station offers food concessions, bathrooms, and a prayer room.
- The SkyCab is accessible to wheelchair users.