Touring Malaysia and looking for some unusual places to visit? Whether you’re wildlife spottting in the National Parks of Borneo, snorkelling in the shallows of a tropical island, lazing on the sands of a beach resort, heading up to the Cameron Highlands, or discovering the city lights of Kuala Lumpur, there’s always something a little different to do away from the main sites. Here’s our selection of unique places to see in Malaysia which everyone will love.
Unique Places to See in Malaysia
Authored by Catalin Geangos from his firsthand experience in Malaysia.
Malaysia is a beautiful country situated in Southeast Asia and is uniquely split between an island and a peninsula, though it doesn’t wholly control either.
The portion of Malaysia that rests on the titular Malay peninsula is known as both Peninsular Malaysia and West Malaysia, while the portion that occupies part of the island of Borneo is known as East Malaysia.
Several smaller islands, such as Penang Island, are also considered to be Malaysian territory, and some even have their own attractions to visit.
The nation’s capital of Kuala Lumpur is in Peninsular Malaysia, though West Malaysia has no shortage of large cities of its own. Peninsular Malaysia shares a land border with Thailand, while East Malaysia shares a land border with the nation of Brunei and Indonesia.
Malaysia, along with its neighbouring island nations such as Indonesia and Brunei is also part of a region known as the Coral Triangle. This locale is home to the largest amount of biodiversity ever recorded among marine life and is currently believed to be home to over five hundred unique species of coral builders, also known as coral polyps.
There are many unique places to visit in Malaysia, a popular destination known for its beautiful beaches, coastal jungles, cavern systems, coral reefs and dive walls, and a multitude of man-made wonders alongside them.
Islam is the state religion of Malaysia, meaning that there are numerous picturesque mosques to visit even if you are not an adherent of Islam. Non-Muslims are permitted to practice their faith freely, meaning that there are a variety of temples belonging to other faiths as well, with Hindu shrines being the most notable of these.
English is spoken widely as a second language across the country, while their primary language is Malay, meaning that traveling in the country is less daunting for English speakers than it would be otherwise.
Berjaya Langkawi Resort
Widely considered to be one of the best beach resorts in Malaysia, the Berjaya Langkawi Resort is located on the small island of Langkawi off the coast of Peninsular Malaysia and situated on a beautiful beach upon said island’s west coast.
This beachfront resort is home to numerous chalet accommodations. All the chalets are situated atop stilts, with some even being suspended over the water, truly adding to the tropical feel of the resort.
Spa and exercise facilities as well as an outdoor pool are just some of the amenities available for customers to partake in. Transportation into the nearby town is done by shuttle and is offered complimentary with your reservation.
Sitting at 4.4 out of 5 stars with over 5,000 reviews mark this as truly one of the best beach resorts in Malaysia.
Kuching Cat Museum
The colonial city of Kuching is located within East Malaysia and is home to a rather peculiar museum. Cats have been present alongside humans throughout history, serving as faithful companions, or even worshipped as deities like those in Ancient Egypt were. While they were not as highly revered in Malaysia, cats still hold many positions of symbolic importance in folklore and other traditions.
The Kuching Cat Museum is home to many exhibits on the cultural history of cats both in Southeast Asia and worldwide. Kuching even means cat in the Malay language, meaning that this museum is quite literally situated in ‘Cat City’.
Cat lovers will also likely be captivated by an exhibit based on the rarest cat in the world. Felis Badia, also known as the Bay Cat, is an exceedingly rare feline that is native to the island of Borneo where East Malaysia is situated. This elusive cat is not often seen by humans and there are only estimated to be about 2,500 adults of the species living on the island, though the Kuching Cat Museum does possess the only taxidermized specimen in the world.
Hours for the museum are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. all week long, meaning that you will not miss out on seeing the many exhibits on offer if you visit the city of Kuching on a weekend.
Kuching waterfront lies on the banks of Sarawak River where you can enjoy a leisurely Sarawak cruise. This unique colonial city, makes a great base for seeing some exotic Borneo wildife on an adventurous Santubong Sunset cruise or for getting a boat over to Bako National Park. A day trip inland to Bau Fairy Caves and Blue Lake is another exciting excursion.
Batu Caves
Located near the nation’s capital of Kuala Lumpur, the Batu Caves are home to a Hindu holy site and temple complex. Thousands of pilgrims travel to the site every year to observe the holiday of Thaipusam, which is a symbolic ceremony to commemorate the triumph of good over evil.
Pilgrims come to honor the victory of the Hindu deity Murugan over the demon Surapadman during this ceremony, which takes place either in January or February in accordance with the Tamil calendar, which functions differently than the commonly accepted calendar.
The caves themselves are home to troupes of macaque monkeys, which have been known to approach visitors and snatch things right out of their hands. Tours of the cave are offered, allowing you to explore the depths not seen by many.
The site of the caves can be easily accessed from Kuala Lumpur, as there is a commuter train and a bus route that has stops at the cave. Restaurants are also situated near the cave entrance, offering their meals to hungry travelers.
As this is a holy site, make sure to act respectfully on the premises, especially if your visit coincides with Thaipusam.
Avatar Secret Garden
As the second highest-grossing film of all time Avatar, released in 2009, has spawned a myriad of subsidiary content in the form of both merchandising and physical attractions. The Avatar Secret Garden is one of these physical attractions and it endeavors to replicate the look and feel of the forested moon of Pandora, the main setting of the film.
Located on Penang Island, this secret garden is built into part of the island’s rainforest and makes use of lighting structures situated on the plants and walkways to simulate the visual spectacle presented in the film. These lights only begin to shine around 7.30 p.m. local time and coming after dark helps amplify the experience to its fullest.
Raised steps and walkways allow you to explore the vibrant jungle to your heart’s content. Buddhist themes are also represented in the garden, creating a unique meld of popular culture and traditional religious beliefs. The Park charges no admission fee, though there is a paid parking lot nearby if you would rather save the walking for the garden.
Islamic Heritage Park
Islam is the primary religion practiced in Malaysia, so it would make sense that the nation is dotted by mosques and other Islamic holy sites. The Islamic Heritage Park, located on the small island of Wan Man, is a large complex that contains not just one mosque, but several.
The main attraction of the park is the Crystal Mosque, though there are also several replicas of famous mosques around the world such as the Dome of the Rock whose original location is in Jerusalem. Finished in 2008, this massive mosque is constructed out of glass and steel, giving the construction its name. The glassy look of the mosque reflects off the water, creating a beautiful image for both Muslims and non-Muslims alike.
The main mosque is also fully internet-capable, a strange addition to a site of worship, but one that the architects seem fond of. Capable of holding up to 1,500 worshippers at a time, this site is one to be treated with respect, as all religious sites are. If you happen to visit the mosque during a time of prayer, keep your voice low if you need to speak. Exploring the replica mosques is a treat as well, as the attention to detail is incredible.
Cameron Highlands Rose Centre
Located in the heart of Peninsular Malaysia, this garden is home to hundreds of colorful blooming roses. Once a mere vegetable farm, the location has been transformed into a beautiful flowery paradise. Floral displays and artwork are present for all to see, and there are also stone sculptures dotted around the area.
These statues can range from figures from Disney’s famous Snow White, bright pink bulls, and even to some more esoteric constructions. Over 100 variants of rose are present at the garden, as well as numerous other flower species all in a wide range of colours.
This Cameron Highlands Rose Centre also boasts a tourist centre where visitors can learn more about the biology of the flowers, their life cycle, and how their unique colors came about. Many of the flowers on display are native to the highlands this park calls home, while others have been imported and bred at the park.
Keep in mind the time of year you are visiting, as while the park is open year-round, visiting during the colder months will likely leave you disappointed.
Kuala Lumpur Butterfly Park
Flowers and butterflies are one of the most natural combinations known to man, and while you might spot a few vibrantly winged insects during your visit to the Rose Centre, if you find that your craving for butterflies has not quite been sated then you can visit the Kuala Lumpur Butterfly Park.
Located in the nation’s capital, adjacent to the Lake Park, it’s home to thousands of butterflies of various species and colorations. You do not need to observe them from a distance either, as there is an 80,000 square foot flying enclosure where you can watch the majestic insects take flight up close and personally.
While the park is named for butterflies, there are numerous other exhibits in which you can view and learn about various insect species that call Malaysia home. You can even see a pit that is home to scorpions within the museum.
Koi fish and turtles can also be observed, making this a well-rounded experience for anyone who has an interest in the natural world.
Bamboo Playhouse
Bamboo has long been a staple in both construction and culture in Asia, and Malaysia is no exception. Situated in Kuala Lumpur, the Bamboo Playhouse is a public pavilion located inside the larger Perdana Botanical Gardens. Constructed from bamboo as the name suggests, the playhouse is layered in a way that makes for a unique exploration of the structure.
As the playhouse rests on a small island within a lake, it is also home to a restful view, which can be observed from one of the many sitting baskets that are elevated above the main floor of the playhouse. These sitting baskets are easily accessible, with only a short ladder climb separating them from the ground.
The wider Perdana Botanical Gardens is also home to several other exhibits such as a Herbarium where you can learn more about native plant species, a Hibiscus Garden which contains Malaysia’s National Flower, and other event pavilions for public use.
Langkawi Skybridge
Located on the same island as the Berjaya Langkawi Resort, this bridge is a strange sight to behold. Completed in 2005, this bridge is intended to be a pedestrian bridge, allowing people to walk above the scenic forests of the Gunung Mat Chinchang mountain.
This bridge is not for the faint of heart, however, as it is suspended 2,000 feet above sea level by a lone pylon. You will also be able to travel to the mountain itself via the bridge, and even hike to its summit, though this is only recommended for those in good shape as it is a rather arduous climb. Bring plenty of water with you as the trek across the bridge and potential subsequent hikes will likely have you sweating buckets.
Malaysia is home to numerous attractions for you to visit on your travels, and it is one of the more accessible countries when it comes to English-speaking travelers. From gorgeous beaches and reefscapes to religious sites or cat museums, this country is packed full of interesting things to do and see in both West and East Malaysia. Travel safely as always!
About the Author
Catalin Geangos originally moved from his native Romania to the UK. He has since travelled through 30 countries including Malaysia where he gained an extensive knowledge of this fascinating part of SE Asia.
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