Malaysia Travel Guide

George Town rewards slow, curious exploration. Pedal through the UNESCO-listed old city, where the street art of Ernest Zacharevic has transformed crumbling walls into open-air galleries, and climb Penang Hill by funicular for panoramic views to the mainland. The Kek Lok Si Temple, the largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia, and the Penang Peranakan Mansion are essential stops, while the legendary hawker centres of Gurney Drive and Lorong Selamat serve the extraordinary flavours that have made this city famous the world over.

Wander the Old Town on foot taking in the vibrant street art, explore the ornate Perak Cave Temples, and don’t miss Sam Poh Tong, a breathtaking cave temple set inside a limestone hill. Venture further to the unfinished Moorish-style mansion Kellie’s Castle to see scenic ruins steeped in colonial history. The laidback pace, crumbling heritage shophouses and lush jungle backdrop make Ipoh one of Malaysia’s hidden gems.

Rising to 1,500 metres above the sweltering lowlands, the Cameron Highlands offer a refreshingly cool escape into rolling tea plantations, misty jungle trails and strawberry farms. The Boh Tea Plantation is the region’s most scenic estate – a tour of its factory followed by tea on the hillside terrace is one of Malaysia’s most quintessential experiences.

A dynamic metropolis balancing extraordinary modern architecture with a rich tapestry of cultural neighbourhoods, Kuala Lumpur is one of Southeast Asia’s great cities. The iconic Petronas Twin Towers remain the city’s most recognisable symbol, while Chinatown’s temples and dim sum halls, the hip boutiques of Bangsar, and the Batu Caves – a series of Hindu limestone shrines just 13 kilometres from the centre – ensure there is always another layer to uncover.

Once the greatest trading port in Southeast Asia, Melaka is a city where history is woven into every street corner. The UNESCO-listed old town layers Portuguese, Dutch and British colonial architecture alongside Peranakan mansions and Malay kampung streets. Explore the hilltop ruins of A Famosa, the striking red Dutch Stadthuys and the Cheng Hoon Teng temple, the oldest functioning Chinese temple in Malaysia.