Located in the south-east of Asia, Malaysia is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. Divided into two parts, one in the mainland Peninsula of Asia and the other on the northern part of Borneo island, Malaysia is a stunning tourist destination that offers exotic holidays. With a beautiful blend of cultural attractions and modern architecture and attractions, Malaysia offers some fantastic highlands, clean white-sand beaches and exotic wildlife rain forests. While there is a vast variation in weather, geography and charming cultures of Locals, the one thing that unites the country is an enormous love for food. To fall in love with the country, one just needs to blend in with the locals and eat like the locals. Let us look at some of the must-visit places in Malaysia.
Visa for Indians
Malaysia is one of the top-visited south-east Asian destinations; this beautiful destination has come up with Visa on arrival policy for Indian Passport holders this year i.e. 2020. For the entire year, Malaysia has open to 15-day visa-free travel for Indian passport holders along with Chinese. All they need are Travel documents such as air tickets back to India and a six months valid passport.
Top places to visit in Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur
The federal Capital and a huge city of Kuala Lumpur is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Malaysia. Having been a major entry point to Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur is the largest city with fantastic infrastructure and world-class amenities. Dotted with sky-scrappers and colonial architectures, Kuala Lumpur is also known for stunning natural attractions and cultural heritage sites. Most popular tourist attractions are the Petronas Twin Towers, Petaling street flee market and the Batu caves which are as old as 400 years. KL is also a great place for exploring fantastic local cuisine.
Distance from Airport: situated at a distance of 55 km.
Langkawi
Located on the west coast of Malaysia, Langkawi is an archipelago consisting of 99 islands, surrounded by a beautiful turquoise sea. These stunning islands are truly a paradise on earth for beach bums. Dotted with clean beaches and covered in thick forests, Langkawi is a must-visit tourist destination in Malaysia. These duty-free islands is a perfect place for you to carting some exotic chocolates, alcohol and cigarettes.
Nearest airport: Langkawi international airport is the closest airport
Genting Highland
This stunning hill station is probably the most commonly visited hill stations of Malaysia. Located close to the main city of Kuala Lumpur, Genting Highlands is often considered to be South-Asia’s Las Vegas. Known for fantastic nightlife, luxury hotels and mind-blowing casinos, Genting Highlands is truly a vibrant hill station in Malaysia. Apart from this Genting Highlands is blessed with pleasant weather throughout the year. One can also check out water parks and amusement parks, cave temples and strawberry farms when in Genting Highlands.
Distance from Kuala Lumpur: situated at a distance of 55 km.
Putrajaya
Known as the administrative capital of Malaysia, Putrajaya is a recently built well-planned garden city of the country. This wonderful city is located to the south of Kuala Lumpur, named after their first Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj. The whole city gives a vibe of a European country, while the government buildings give a blend of modern and Islamic architecture. Most popular tourist attractions are Putrajaya Mosque and Putrajaya Bridge that is constructed in Iranian architecture style.
Distance from Kuala Lumpur: situated at a distance of 33 km.
Ipoh
This stunning city is one of the offbeat destinations in Malaysia has been attracting the tourists especially the back-packers in recent times. This beautiful city is the third-largest city of Malaysia, often believed to be hipsters capital of Malaysia, as it has everything that a potential tourist destination should have: such as adventure, heritage and architecture. It is also considered the gateway for Cameron Highlands. Ipoh is one of the few interesting places in Malaysia that is capable of attracting adventure lovers for a hike to 2000 years old temple and caves, water rafting in Kampar River. Do try the local cuisine to fall in love with this place.
Distance from Kuala Lumpur: situated at a distance of 200 km
Malacca
This beautiful fishing village of Malacca is small yet historical town of Malaysia. Malacca was listed as UNESCO world heritage sites in the year 2008; home to heritage buildings, colonial structures and ancient sites, Malacca is a wonderful place that has an imprint of British, Dutch and Portuguese in the form of forts, museum, churches and towers.
Nearest airport: Malacca international airport is the closest airport
Penang
Penang is one of the most stunning places in Malaysia. Located in the north-western coast, Penang is known for wonderful beaches and financially commercial city of Malaysia. Penang is basically of two halves: one is an island and the other located in the mainland of Malaysian peninsular. While the island is known for stunning beaches and UNESCO world heritage site – George town also the capital of Penang, is a charming place to explore. The other being Seberang Perai. Explore some wonderful sandy beaches to heritage sites and taste fantastic cuisine in the food capital of Malaysia.
Nearest airport: Penang international airport is the closest airport
Malaysian Borneo
Malaysian Borneo, comes under the administration of East Malaysia, is one of the rare and unique places on the earth. A part of being the world’ the third largest island, Borneo is divided amongst three countries including East Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei for administration. Malaysia Borneo has two states – Sabah and Sarawak. While Sarawak is the capital of Kuching and Sabah is capital of Kota Kinabalu, both these states are divided by Brunei. These two cities serve as the usual entry point and base for exploring the wild-life attraction in Borneo. You will come across Orangutans, in the thick forests, one can go for a trek in the rainforest while exploring the wildlife, or a climb Mt. Kinabalu
Nearest airport: Kota Kinabalu is the closest airport
Selangor
Located on the west coast of Malaysia, Selangor is one of the most developed and wealthiest states of Malaysia. This busy region is also home to protected bio-diversity areas and most popular tourist attraction the Batu caves and a statue of an enormous Hindu deity Lord Murugan is present here. This popular tourist attraction is also considered to be a holy shrine for many Hindus in Malaysia. Apart from this, there are many eco forests present in Selangor including Gabai Waterfalls, Taman Rimba Ampang, Taman Rimba Komanwel, Sungai Tekala, Kanching and Gunung Nuang. Do visit this wonderfully developed city located very close to Kuala Lumpur.
Distance from Kuala Lumpur: situated at a distance of 30 km
Tioman Island
Located on the southeast coast of Malaysia, not so far from Singapore, Tioman Island is one of the best-kept secrets of Malaysia. Although it is not as big as Langkawi a popular island of Malaysia, Tioman is relatively popular for its spectacular corals and stunning white sand beaches; making it a haven for scuba divers. It is considered that Tioman Island is one of the most beautiful islands in the world covered in a dense forest. Having been a beautiful destination for divers, Tioman has a wonderful opportunity for non-divers as well, such as snorkelling and Kayaking. Jungle walk is another exciting activity to di in the island.
Nearest port: Mersing on the mainland of Malaysia.
Distance from Kuala Lumpur: situated at a distance of 300 km
Cameron Highlands
Cameron Highlands is one of the oldest and the most beautiful tableland nestled at an elevation of 800 to 1600 metres above sea level. Blessed with a stunning landscape covered in lush greenery, there are some usual attractions in this region that lures tourists from across the world. With huge tea gardens and strawberry farms, one can take long walks while vacationing in there. Known for fantastic weather, Cameron highlands have some stunning waterfalls, green forests for trekking, beautiful lakes and rivers, and of course sleepy villages. Cameron Highland is definitely a must-visit place in Malaysia.
Nearest airport: Kuala Lumpur International Airport
Distance from Kuala Lumpur: situated at a distance of 200 km
Suggested Itinerary
Day 1: Kuala Lumpur arrival
Day 2: Kuala Lumpur city tour
Day 3: Malacca
Day 4: Cameron Island
Day 5: Penang
Day 6: Penang
Day 7: Penang to Langkawi
Day 8: Langkawi
Day 9: Traveling to Kuala Lumpur; Departure
Best time to visit
Malaysia is one of the many countries in south Asia, due to the geographical location there is a slight variation in the climatic condition. However, Malaysia as a country is hot and humid throughout the year except for the months between December to February, when the weather is pleasantly cold and perfect to explore the regions. While the country receives tropical climatic conditions, where there are plenty of sun and heavy rains; it is best to avoid travelling in the monsoon to Malaysia. November is considered to be the wettest month, thus it is the worst period to visit.
Where to stay in Kuala Lumpur
Choosing an area to stay when you travelling solely depends on what one expects when in a foreign country. Many prefer a happening place with major activities such as active restaurant, bars and street joints, cultural spots and public transportation connectivity. There are also people who would want to stay in High-end places. Kuala Lumpur is one such country that doesn’t disappoint one, as there is a wide range of options from high-end hotels to mid-range and backpacking hostels. Let us look at which are is the best suitable for all.
Bukit Bintang: This area is one of the most popular places to stay in Kuala Lumpur. Surrounded by fabulous shopping centres, fantastic dining and street joints, lively nightlife, you will be staying in the most convenient area in Kuala Lumpur. It is well connected to Monorail station and Metro rail station. And unlike other areas of this fantastic city where it is restricted to either budget accommodation of high-end hotels, Bukit Bintang has something for all – be it a budget hotel or a backpacker’s hostel, mid-range hotel or High-end hotels.
The Ritz Carlton – is one of the top range hotels in the area one can definitely consider. With fantastic services such as private butler and impressive comforts, Ritz Carlton is one of the finest hotels in the area.
Cost per night: 10,000/- approx. per double room
Kl Journal Hotel – This beautiful hotel is a mid-range property, situated in a perfect location of Bukit Bintang.
Cost per night: 5,000/- approx. per double room
Paper planes Hostel – A very cool hostel in the entire city of Kuala Lumpur located just 10 min walk from Bukit Bintang.
Cost per night: 2,000/- approx. 1 bunk bed
How to reach?
Reaching Malaysia by air is the fast and best mode of transportation from India. With Kuala Lumpur being the main international airport and also one of the important transits in south Asia, there are a number of airlines that operate from India that are direct flights. Otherwise, also Kuala Lumpur is very well connected by air with the rest of the world. Major cities in India from where one can take a flight to Kuala Lumpur are Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Chennai. Airlines such as Air Asia, Air India, Thai Airways, Malaysian airline, Singapore airline fly to Kuala Lumpur from India.
While travelling by air is a great option, if one is looking for travelling to Kuala Lumpur by water, there is an option for that as well. There are a number of cruise packages from India one can consider. However, travelling to Malaysia by air is the best option to reach the country faster.