Top things to do in Malaysia
Malaysia is not as well known as it's northern neighbour Thailand, but we think that may be about to change. The amazing beaches, delicious food, untouched rainforests and awesome wildlife can only remain a secret for so long. Here are some of our top things to do in Malaysia.
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JUNGLE
Taman Negara Rainforest
Who knew that one of the oldest virgin rainforests in the world was in Malaysia? Taman Negara – at over 130 million years old - is a truly amazing place. You can go trekking through the jungle, take a river cruise or go on a canopy walk. And if you don’t mind roughing it a bit, a night in an Observation hide – a simple hut built high above the ground in the middle of the rainforest – is the best way to see the natural environment up close.
Sedim River Recreation Park
If you’re scared of heights, don’t do the Tree Top Walk in the Sedim River Recreation Park! The monkey-eye view you get from 50 metres above the ground is spectacular and, at 950 metres long, it’s the longest canopy walk in the world.
WILDLIFE
The Kuala Gandah Elephant Orphanage Sanctuary is a rare opportunity to see these gentle giants up close and personal. You can ride them through the jungle (with the help of an elephant guide) or even take them down to the river to give them a bath!
MOUNTAINS
Mt Kinabalu - which took ‘just’ a million years to form - is actually a granite massif that was thrust upwards through the crust of the earth’s surface. The odd, sheer shape makes for great climbing and more and more travellers are taking on the challenge of scaling the mount, heading off in the wee hours of the morning to reach the summit for sunrise.
BEACH
Pulau Redang
If, like us, you’re into pristine beaches, crystal clear waters and amazing dive sites, then you’re probably going to like Pulau Redang. It’s the largest of a group of nine protected islands dotting the South China Sea off the Terengganu coast. There are also two historic shipwrecks in the area, which were sunk at the start of World War II.
Pulau Payar
Just 30km from Langkawi and a one hour boat ride from the mainland, Pulau Payer is the ultimate day trip. All the action is beneath the surface: there’s an underwater observation chamber where you can view the marine life surrounding the reef. Or if you want to get even closer, grab a snorkel and join the action.
Penang
For a beach with more in the way of human life, head to Batu Ferringhi in Penang. You can soak up the sun or get into the host of activities like wind-surfing, parasailing and canoeing. And, when you’ve had enough adventuring, Penang is also one of the best places to dig into the local cuisine.
CITY
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s capital is a fascinating mix of the modern (make sure you check out the 88 story Petronas Twin Towers) and the traditional (think street stalls serving the best spicy Malaysian food). Definitely schedule a few days in KL on your trip.
Taman Negara Rainforest
Who knew that one of the oldest virgin rainforests in the world was in Malaysia? Taman Negara – at over 130 million years old - is a truly amazing place. You can go trekking through the jungle, take a river cruise or go on a canopy walk. And if you don’t mind roughing it a bit, a night in an Observation hide – a simple hut built high above the ground in the middle of the rainforest – is the best way to see the natural environment up close.
Sedim River Recreation Park
If you’re scared of heights, don’t do the Tree Top Walk in the Sedim River Recreation Park! The monkey-eye view you get from 50 metres above the ground is spectacular and, at 950 metres long, it’s the longest canopy walk in the world.
WILDLIFE
The Kuala Gandah Elephant Orphanage Sanctuary is a rare opportunity to see these gentle giants up close and personal. You can ride them through the jungle (with the help of an elephant guide) or even take them down to the river to give them a bath!
MOUNTAINS
Mt Kinabalu - which took ‘just’ a million years to form - is actually a granite massif that was thrust upwards through the crust of the earth’s surface. The odd, sheer shape makes for great climbing and more and more travellers are taking on the challenge of scaling the mount, heading off in the wee hours of the morning to reach the summit for sunrise.
BEACH
Pulau Redang
If, like us, you’re into pristine beaches, crystal clear waters and amazing dive sites, then you’re probably going to like Pulau Redang. It’s the largest of a group of nine protected islands dotting the South China Sea off the Terengganu coast. There are also two historic shipwrecks in the area, which were sunk at the start of World War II.
Pulau Payar
Just 30km from Langkawi and a one hour boat ride from the mainland, Pulau Payer is the ultimate day trip. All the action is beneath the surface: there’s an underwater observation chamber where you can view the marine life surrounding the reef. Or if you want to get even closer, grab a snorkel and join the action.
Penang
For a beach with more in the way of human life, head to Batu Ferringhi in Penang. You can soak up the sun or get into the host of activities like wind-surfing, parasailing and canoeing. And, when you’ve had enough adventuring, Penang is also one of the best places to dig into the local cuisine.
CITY
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s capital is a fascinating mix of the modern (make sure you check out the 88 story Petronas Twin Towers) and the traditional (think street stalls serving the best spicy Malaysian food). Definitely schedule a few days in KL on your trip.
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