Choose from 136 Fun Things to Do in Malaysia
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.
Perdana Botanical Garden (Lake Gardens)
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Pulau Payar Marine Park
An overload of tropical fish awaits you at Palau Payer Marine Park. The park is a coral reef teeming with fish including feather starfish, rainbow runners, barracuda and ghost fish. It is one of the west coast’s most popular dive sites, there is the wreck of an old fishing boat and the wreck of a small boat carrying roof tiles to explore. It was the first marine park created in western Malaysia and is also used as a research center.
Snorkeling in the very warm waters is fantastic; get ready for the hungry little fish to nip at your toes as you explore their home. Aside from the colorful fish there are sea turtles, anemones, and friendly octopi. In the afternoon there are shark feeding exhibitions put on by the tour groups. The sharks are reef sharks which are exciting but won’t hurt humans.
The best time to visit is October to March, although any time of year is fine if the weather is good.
Practical Info
To get to Palau Payer you’ll need to join one of the tour groups allowed access to the park. They vary in what they deliver so it is worth doing your research.
Pulau Sapi
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Penang Hill (Flagstaff Hill)
Flagstaff Hill is the best known of the group of granite peaks which are Penang Hills. At 2,411ft (735m) it provides brilliant panoramic views of the Georgetown, the Penang Bridge and the Straits of Malacca.
It is accessible via a keen 2-hour hike up walking trails where there are thoughtfully spaced refreshment stops and viewpoints along the way. Alternatively, the 100 year old funicular railway is the more thrilling and memorably steep experience.
Practical Info
Walk trails start from the Botanical Gardens, or the funicular railway is only 10-min walk from Kek Lok Si temple in Ayer Itam.
Penang War Museum
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Rainforest and Canopy Walk
Visitors hike along shady trails past a river and waterfall cutting through the forest, as well as the remains of an old Orang Asli settlement. The Dipterocarp arboretum is a collection of living trees for botanical reference, and the Bambusetum features 30 different species of local bamboo.
The more adventurous may want to explore some of the four jungle tracks: Keruing Trail, Rover Track, Engkabang Trail and Salleh Trail, all of which pass through some of most spectacular secondary forests in Malaysia.
Also a highlight is the Canopy Walk, allowing up close exploration of the rainforest’s treetops. Canopy Walks are limited to 250 people per day and are closed Monday and Friday.
Pinang Peranakan Mansion
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Royal King's Palace (Istana Negara)
Pregnant Maiden Lake
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Sabah State Museum
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Pulau Singa Besar
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Putrajaya Bridge
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Pinaon Time Tunnel
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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.
Penang Hill Funicular Railway
Poring Hot Springs
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Penang State Museum
Putrajaya
A fascinating exercise in building a city from scratch, Putrajaya is the administrative capital of Malaysia and located just south of Kuala Lumpur.
Planned as an "intelligent" and "garden" city the Putrajaya has wide boulevards and many lovely parks where the city’s population, mainly government workers, unwind and get back in touch with nature. The park offering the best views of the city is Taman Putra Perdana next to Perdana Putra.
The city is home to many showcase buildings including the Putra Mosque which is a vision in pink with the highest dome in South East Asia, it can fit 15,000 worshipers. Perdana Putra is the Prime Minister’s office and the jewel in the crown of Putrajaya. The educational Millennium Monument gives an insight into the history of Malaysia.
Practical Info
The best way to get to Putrajaya is by train catching the KLIA Transit from either Sentral railway station or the airport.
The public transportation is still fledgling in Putrajaya so it is a good idea to take an organized tour around the city or hire a car.