Dieser Artikel ist auch verfügbar auf: Deutsch
Of course, Malaysia was also a destination during our world trip/first long-term trip to Asia. But we have not seen everything of this beautiful country yet and we will definitely come back again!
Because Malaysia has everything to offer: beautiful islands, paradise beaches, a vibrant and diverse capital, beautiful nature and interesting wildlife. It’s also a top destination for culture fans and foodies.
That’s why we asked 10 travel bloggers about their favorite places in Malaysia. The answers are interesting and sometimes even surprising. There are also many cool insider tips for you!
The following 2 questions we asked our blogger colleagues:
- Which place should not be missed on a trip through Malaysia and why?
- What is Malaysia’s most beautiful beach for you and what makes it so special?
So, what are the must-sees now and what should not be missed in Malaysia? Here are the answers…
1. Patrick from 101 Places and Healthy Habits
1. The Cameron Highlands should be part of every Malaysia trip. When I was there, it rained almost continuously for four days (not unusual for the area) and yet I can highly recommend it. I came to Tanah Rata – a small place with a certain charm. From there I went on several hikes and visited the Boh Tea Plantations in an organized tour, which are in every weather an absolute feast for the eyes. The Highlands are a must see, because they are so different from the rest of the Malaysian peninsula.
2. I only visited a few beaches in Malaysia, but one of them had it all. Actually, this is a small island called Rawa. It is located in the southeast of the country and is a true little paradise. I stayed at the smaller of the two resorts (Alang’s Rawa). There I lived in a bungalow right on the beach. The days consisted only of reading, swimming, beach volleyball and food. More was not possible on Rawa, but that was enough. For three days the island is a real paradise.
2. Clemens from Anekdotique
1. If you want to see the real wild side of the country next to Kuala Lumpur and the beautiful islands in the west, I recommend a trip to Borneo. Either you fly to Kuching, to the capital of the Malaysian state of Sarawak, or to Kota Kinabalu further north-east in the state of Sabah.
From both cities you can make really great trips to the jungle, where you can see Orangutans in the wild. Not to be missed is a visit to the locals in the so-called longhouses, of which by the way still many actually live in. If you’re nice, they’ll probably invite you for lunch right away. And if you’re lucky, you can even spend the night there – right in the jungle of Borneo.
2. So far I’ve been more in the jungle and in the urban cities of the country. Malaysia is full of beautiful beaches. Tanjung Bungah in northern Penang would be my favorite so far. The beach is unfortunately very touristy with large hotels. I am sure that I will find even better beaches on future trips.
3. Janina from Ferntastisch
1. Since I personally only know Kuala Lumpur and the metropolitan area, my answer is admittedly not representative, but still up-to-date for me. At that time we planned our stay in Malaysia and knew from the beginning that we would only have a few days there. Without much thought, we decided that we would like to get to know Kuala Lumpur.
Although it was not necessarily love at first sight with me and Kuala Lumpur, the city is still fascinating. And for me it is still the must-see in Malaysia. Particularly impressive for me were the Petronas Twin Towers and the view from the KL Tower down to the city.
2. The question is relatively easy for me to answer as I know only one beach in Malaysia so far: the Bagan Lalang Beach in Sepang. In Malaysia, my dream of sleeping in an overwater bungalow was fulfilled for the first time. Just for the view of the palm-shaped overhead bungalows of the AVANI Sepang Goldcoast Resort, the beach is very special for me.
Every evening at this beach one could observe how suddenly thousands of mudskippers (visually a mixture of fish and frog or lizard) appeared on the shore. What initially seemed like an encounter of the third kind became more and more amusing. If I travel to Malaysia again, I would like to visit the dream beaches of Langkawi.
4. Stefan from Faszination Südostasien
1. On your journey through Malaysia, you should visit the island Penang with its capital George Town.
Penang is located on the east coast between Langkawi and the Cameron Highlands.
There you will experience a big mix of cultures in a small place. Buddhist and Hindu temples, mosques and Christian churches almost stand next door. The historic center, which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has a very special atmosphere. And nowhere in Malaysia you can eat so well, which, in my opinion, is mainly due to the Indian influence.
There are also a number of attractions that will fill your program for several days. From Penang Hill, which is reached by a rack railway, you have a great view of the island.
2. I find it difficult to name only one place because Malaysia has a lot to offer with its endless coastline and many offshore islands.
On the Malaysian peninsula beach lovers will get happy, more exactly in the East. Especially in front of Kuala Terengganu and Kota Bharu and further south before Mersing are some beautiful islands. On the west coast you definitely have to name Pulau Langkawi.
There are even more great beaches and some of the best dive sites in the world on the Borneo coast in the state of Sabah.
To return to the question: My most beautiful beach memories in Malaysia are still the Perhentian Islands, and especially the island of Perhentian Besar. There I spent some days on a great white beach and had a perfect nature experience. While snorkeling along the bays I saw sharks, turtles and green humphead parrotfish. Around my bungalow I met monkeys and monitor lizards and was able to observe huge bats as well as the rare Malay gliders. The Perhentians were once a backpacker’s paradise. Today the islands are very touristy, not cheap and unfortunately they have a garbage problem. Nevertheless, I can still recommend a visit because of the many nature experiences.
5. Sarah from Rapunzel will raus
1. There are so many. For example, Kuala Lumpur is one of my favorite cities or a trip through the jungle of Borneo, which can only be described as spectacular.
I especially like the island Penang. In addition to fantastic cultural treasures of all religions or great views over the city, there is also a variety of animal life to observe. Especially delicious is the food. Street food in Penang is considered the best in Malaysia, and that’s the only reason to travel.
2. The most beautiful beach in Malaysia is in Kudat. At the very top of Borneo, at the far end of the country, there you can find Kudat. Not many people get there, though it’s one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen. If you are looking for a miles long, secluded beach with spectacular nature, you are in the right place here. The nightly spectacle, however, are the sunsets. Madness! In Kudat, the sun is somehow different. When, after dark, even the plankton in the sea starts to glow, it’s just magical.
6. Tanja from Reiseaufnahmen
1. Anyone traveling to Malaysia should determine for themselves whether or not they are the Kuala Lumpur type. I say that now quite provocatively, because I knew this hate-love so far only from Las Vegas.
Kuala Lumpur is a stopover that most travelers love or hate. I personally feel good to stay six nights out of my three weeks in the city. That is certainly not because of the many sights – there are not that many.
If you want to travel fast, you can do Kuala Lumpur in only two days and have seen everything important. But those who get involved can discover a city between vivid madness, village niceness and lots of good food. The madness is due to the traffic and the size of the city. The downtown area is noisy and chaotic. But in the midst of all this chaos, I find helpful people everywhere, who often speak better English than the tourists and who help immediately if you are looking for a path or have another need. This friendliness makes me relax and feel good. As far as the food is concerned, the selection in Malaysia is enormous, because you are open to all kinds of influences. There are good Indians, delicious Thai and even better China food. What more do you want?
2. With all the good food you should also think of your beach figure, because in Malaysia there are indeed some beautiful islands and beaches. I opt for a beach stay on the Perhentian Islands.
This is an archipelago consisting of the two islands Perhentian Kecil (slightly smaller) and Perhentian Besar (the big island). The reputation of these islands is accompanied by mixed statements. The beach of the Perhentian Island Resort on Perhentian Besar makes me speechless.
I’m convinced that it is the most beautiful beach which I was allowed to have a vacation on. If I could I would beam myself there right away. First, I would storm into the water with a snorkel and look for my favorite turtle. Because right on the beach is the Turtle Bay and satisfied turtles enjoy their existence in the water. I could spend hours watching the turtles eat and catch some air over the water. Then I explore the world of fish a bit and the unfortunately already very attacked corals and then lie down on the wide sandy beach under a palm tree. The other resort guests do not bother me, nor the boats that drop out turtle tourists until late in the afternoon.
And if it does bother me: If I like it lonely, I can still rent a kayak and paddle to the neighboring bay. With a bit of luck, I lie there lonely on the beach and just enjoy life.
7. Florian and Corinna from Travel Pins
1. The best thing we did in Malaysia was on the island Penang in the northwest of the country. Unlike Langkawi, backpackers do not come to Penang for the beaches. It’s true, but the real highlight for me is the city George Town. The art lovers should not miss it on a trip through Malaysia.
In recent years, a very interesting street art scene has developed in the former British colonial city, so street art is now considered the ultimate attraction. Above all, the artworks of Ernest “Zach” Zacharevic attract tourists to a degree that I have not experienced even in the street art “temples” in cities like Barcelona or London! The reason for this is the concept of interactive art, in which physical elements, such as motorcycles or basketballs, are integrated into the works of art, allowing viewers to interact with art. This, in turn, creates popular photo motifs that can be found throughout the city alongside the usual oversized wall paintings.
8. Anja from Travel on Toast
1. In Malaysia I have been several times – for the first time during my one-year world trip 2007/08. Since then, I’ve visited Kuala Lumpur, George Town, Cameron Highlights and the islands of Pangkor and Langkawi. What I like about Malaysia so much? The coexistence of Malays, Chinese and Indians. For me as a foodie it’s a dream.
So far I have been to the capital Kuala Lumpur. Because here is the hub of the Malaysian airline Air Asia. I like the city and have stopped here for several days on the way to Australia or New Zealand. With 1.6 million inhabitants, “KL” is a real metropolis with an impressive skyline, wide streets and dense traffic.
I always look for my hotel in the shopping district “Golden Triangle”, preferably with a view of the Petronas Towers, the landmark of the city. There are many restaurants, food stalls and Chinese massage parlors. And I like to go shopping, e.g. in the “Berjaya Times Square”, with the South China Mall the largest shopping center in the world. There is also an English cinema, where you can cool down after a long day in the heat.
2. I liked Langkawi very much. I went to the island by boat, that was a nice start. I stayed at the two-mile-long Cenang Beach and had a great view. Because in my bungalow complex I took a “treetop chalet” – a bungalow on stilts right on the sea. The view of the long, bright sand and the ocean was great. However, I had a roommate in the room. At night, a mouse woke me up as it scurried across the room.
9. Daniel from Unterwegz.com
1. There are several, but I liked the island Penang the most. There are not so nice beaches here, but there are many other things. So you can eat excellently and that also very cheap, be it at the street stalls or in the food courts. There are also some cultural highlights, such as the impressive Buddhist temple Kek Lok Si or the Chinese clan house Khoo Kongsi.
Also Penang’s nature is worth seeing, the National Park of Penang is ideal for hiking. This is either along the coast or through the jungle. You can see the lizards, monkeys or giant squirrels and end up lying on the beach.
A visit to the Penang Hill is worth it, too, but the smog can spoil the view of the city.
2. I find the beach of Teluk Nipah on Pulau Pangkor very nice, as it’s not yet overcrowded. On the contrary, it’s very quiet and you have your peace. You can also go through the water at low tide and come to small bays. The sunset is beautiful here too. Right on the beach you will also find the great restaurant Daddy’s Cafe, where you can have delicious and cheap food.
10. Oliver from weltreiseforum.com and Der Sinograph
1. A very special spot in Malaysia is the government seat in Putrajaya, located about half an hour south of Kuala Lumpur and a little insider tip for anyone who is interested in modern architecture and urban planning. The new town is so impressive because it blends traditional Islamic architecture with modern elements.
However, I find it even more impressive to see how difficult it is to fill an artificial city like Putrajaya with life. The streets are, also about 20 years after the inauguration, largely empty and spread an abstruse mood. In my opinion a place that should not be missed.
2. To be honest, I’m not a big fan of beaches and I’m getting bored on the water. All the more surprising is that it was the small island Kapas that impressed me most. It is located a few kilometers from the Malaysian east coast and is rarely visited for reasons unexplainable. Since the few guesthouses and hotels gather on a small stretch of beach, you only need ten minutes to walk and you have a beautiful, fine sandy beach and a small tropical paradise all to yourself.
Have you been to Malaysia and what are your personal tips? Let us know in the comments below!
