Top 100+ Places to Visit in Malaysia (List)
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My Love Affair with Malaysia: A Local’s Raw Travel Diary. If you’re fond of knowing the list on Top 100 Places to Visit in Malaysia, let me tell you how we really experience Malaysia – not from guidebooks, but through years of living between the skyscrapers and jungle trails. I’m sitting here at my usual kopitiam, the plastic stool creaking under me, sipping kopi-o kau while writing this for you.

List – Top 100 Places to Visit in Malaysia

1. Major Cities & Urban Icons

The Mamak That Changed My Life
You won’t find this in any guidebook. Behind Fahrenheit Mall, there’s this grimy-looking mamak with one broken ceiling fan. But their roti canai? Fluffier than my cousin’s wedding pillow. The secret? The owner’s wife still kneads the dough by hand at 4 am every morning, just like her mother did in Penang 40 years ago. I once brought my Singaporean friend there – he cried actual tears into his dhal.

What You Won’t Read in Brochures

  • The best view of the skyline isn’t from a rooftop bar, but from the LRT between Bandaraya and Sultan Ismail stations
  • Our “24-hour” mamaks close between 4-5 am to pray (learned this the hard way during finals week)
  • That famous Petaling Street wallet seller? His brother makes better ones at half price in the back alley

  1. Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur

  2. KL Tower (Menara Kuala Lumpur)

  3. Bukit Bintang shopping & entertainment district, KL

  4. Chinatown & Petaling Street, KL

  5. Merdeka Square, KL

  6. Sultan Abdul Samad Building, KL

  7. Thean Hou Temple, KL

  8. National Mosque of Malaysia (Masjid Negara), KL

  9. Central Market, KL

  10. Putra Mosque, Putrajaya

  11. Seri Wawasan Bridge, Putrajaya

  12. Putrajaya Botanical Garden

  13. IOI City Mall, Putrajaya

  14. Istana Negara (National Palace), KL

  15. Lake Symphony at KLCC Park

  16. KL Bird Park

  17. Perdana Botanical Gardens, KL

  18. Genting Highlands (Resorts World Genting)

  19. Awana Skyway cable car, Genting

  20. SkyAvenue shopping mall, Genting

2. Heritage & Historic Towns

Everyone raves about Jonker Street’s chicken rice balls (overrated), but no one tells you about the backstreet barber who gives head massages so good you’ll see colors. Found him by accident when my hair got fried by the equatorial sun.

The Baba Nyonya Museum’s porcelain collection is impressive, but the real story’s in the bedroom – check out the tiny concealed opium bed. Our guide whispered that great-grandma used to sneak puffs while the family prayed downstairs.

The Blue Mansion’s tour is worth it just to see visitors’ reactions when they reveal the tycoon’s “special staircase” for wife number four. Meanwhile, at Khoo Kongsi, I once got locked in after closing time – turns out those massive wooden doors don’t open from inside. Spent an hour admiring the carvings until the night guard rescued me.

  1. Jonker Street Night Market, Malacca

  2. A Famosa fortress, Malacca

  3. St. Paul’s Hill & Church ruins, Malacca

  4. Christ Church Melaka

  5. Baba & Nyonya Heritage Museum, Malacca

  6. Stadthuys (Dutch Square), Malacca

  7. George Town UNESCO Heritage Zone, Penang

  8. Pinang Peranakan Mansion, Penang

  9. Khoo Kongsi clan house, Penang

  10. Kapitan Keling Mosque, Penang

  11. Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion (Blue Mansion), Penang

  12. Armenian Street murals & street art, Penang

  13. Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang

  14. Ipoh Old Town & street art, Perak

  15. Concubine Lane, Ipoh

  16. Kellie’s Castle, Perak

  17. Alor Setar Zahir Mosque, Kedah

  18. Istana Bandar (Royal Town of Klang)

  19. Kuala Kangsar Royal Museum, Perak

3. Highlands & Cool Retreats

Those perfect tea fields? They hide backbreaking labor. I once followed a tea picker for a day – my back hasn’t recovered. But oh, the reward: fresh scones at BOH with jam made from strawberries grown just meters away. Pro tip: Go on weekdays when the Singaporean tour buses disappear.

  1. Cameron Highlands tea plantations (BOH Tea Centre)

  2. Mossy Forest, Cameron Highlands

  3. Strawberry farms, Cameron Highlands

  4. Fraser’s Hill clock tower & town square

  5. Bird watching trails, Fraser’s Hill

  6. Kundasang Desa Dairy Farm, Sabah

  7. Kundasang War Memorial, Sabah

  8. Genting SkyWorlds Theme Park

  9. Bukit Tinggi (Colmar Tropicale French village)

4. Islands & Beaches

Tanjung Rhu looks magical at low tide until you step on a hidden rock. My shin still bears the scar from 2017. Perhentian’s bioluminescence? Absolutely real, but the photos lie – it’s more faint glow than Avatar-style neon. Still magical when you’re floating in complete darkness though.

  1. Langkawi Sky Bridge

  2. Pantai Cenang beach, Langkawi

  3. Tanjung Rhu beach, Langkawi

  4. Kilim Karst Geoforest Park, Langkawi

  5. Perhentian Islands (Perhentian Kecil & Besar)

  6. Redang Island beaches & marine park

  7. Tioman Island

  8. Pangkor Island

  9. Sipadan Island (world-class diving)

  10. Mabul Island, Sabah

  11. Kapalai Island, Sabah

  12. Mataking Island, Sabah

  13. Lankayan Island, Sabah

  14. Turtle Islands Park, Sabah

  15. Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, Sabah

  16. Sibu Island, Johor

  17. Rawa Island, Johor

  18. Desaru Coast, Johor

5. Nature, Parks & Caves

That “moderate” hike? Lies. The last 2km feel like climbing Everest with a backpack full of bricks. I cried, I cursed, I nearly quit. Then sunrise hit the summit and suddenly I was sobbing for different reasons. Worth every blister.

My Secret Spots (Don’t Share These)

  • The unmarked waterfall near Gopeng where you can slide down natural rock chutes (bring old shorts)
  • The kedai kopi in Taiping that still makes kaya the 1940s way – over charcoal, stirring for hours
  • The back-alley bar in Georgetown with RM5 cocktails and the best 80s Malay pop playlist

  1. Taman Negara (Malaysia’s oldest rainforest)

  2. Canopy walkway, Taman Negara

  3. Belum-Temengor Rainforest, Perak

  4. Royal Belum State Park

  5. Gunung Mulu National Park & caves, Sarawak

  6. Deer Cave & Garden of Eden, Mulu

  7. Pinnacles Trail, Mulu

  8. Bako National Park, Sarawak

  9. Mount Kinabalu, Sabah

  10. Kinabalu Park (UNESCO site)

  11. Niah Caves, Sarawak

  12. Batu Caves, Selangor

  13. Sungai Lembing rainbow waterfall, Pahang

  14. Maxwell Hill (Bukit Larut), Taiping

  15. Penang National Park

  16. Teluk Bahang Forest Eco Park, Penang

  17. Matang Mangrove Forest Reserve, Perak

  18. Endau-Rompin National Park, Johor

  19. Kuala Selangor Firefly Park

  20. Rafflesia Forest Reserve, Sabah

6. Culture, Arts & Museums

Last Raya, a makcik in Kelantan forced-fed me six different kuih because “you’re too thin.” Last week, a Sarawakian longhouse offered me tuak at 10 am “for digestion.” This is Malaysia – where strangers treat you like family and every meal comes with unsolicited life advice.

The food? I’ve had Michelin stars that don’t compare to the nasi lemak from the grumpy pakcik near my old college. His sambal recipe should be a national treasure.

So come. Get lost. Eat questionable street food. Swim in waterfalls. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you – Malaysia doesn’t just change your itinerary, it changes you.

  1. Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia, KL

  2. National Museum, KL

  3. Sarawak Cultural Village, Kuching

  4. Sabah State Museum, Kota Kinabalu

  5. Sabah Mari Mari Cultural Village

  6. Upside Down House, Sabah

  7. Orang Asli Museum, Gombak

  8. Royal Museum (Old National Palace), KL

  9. Petrosains Discovery Centre, KLCC

7. Unique Attractions & Hidden Gems

  1. Crystal Mosque, Kuala Terengganu

  2. Sungai Lembing Tin Mines Museum

  3. Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary, Pahang

  4. Pulau Carey Mah Meri Cultural Village, Selangor

  5. Cameron Lavender Garden

Bonus: Why Malaysia can easily offer 100+ must-visit spots:

  • Diversity: Culture, food, architecture, and nature from different regions.

  • Many islands: East coast, west coast, Sabah & Sarawak.

  • Cultural towns: Each state has a unique heritage.

  • Hidden spots: Waterfalls, caves, local markets, small towns.

Here are some bonus must-see places (outside the top 100 list above) — still very special and memorable:

Hidden Natural & Scenic Spots

  • Telaga Tujuh Waterfalls (Seven Wells), Langkawi – a beautiful waterfall with natural pools.

  • Sekinchan, Selangor – photogenic paddy fields and fishing village; great for sunset photography.

  • Broga Hill, Selangor – a famous sunrise hike close to KL.

  • Bukit Tabur, Selangor – ridge hike with views over the Klang Gates Quartz Ridge.

  • Jerangkang Waterfall, Pahang – a multi-tiered hidden waterfall perfect for camping.

  • Chiling Waterfalls, Selangor – a beautiful waterfall reached by crossing streams.

Lesser-Known Islands

  • Pulau Tenggol, Terengganu – a stunning diving spot, less crowded.

  • Pulau Gemia, Terengganu – a small private island.

  • Pulau Payar Marine Park, Kedah – day trips for snorkeling from Langkawi.

  • Pulau Lang Tengah, Terengganu – quiet paradise between Redang and Perhentian.

Special Religious & Cultural Sites

  • Wat Chayamangkalaram Temple, Penang – houses one of the largest reclining Buddha statues in Malaysia.

  • Sri Mahamariamman Temple, KL – the oldest Hindu temple in Kuala Lumpur.

  • Snake Temple, Penang – a historic temple with live pit vipers.

  • Floating Mosque of Malacca – a beautiful mosque built on stilts over the sea.

Historic & Colonial Towns

  • Kuala Sepetang, Perak – an old port town with charcoal kilns and seafood.

  • Kuala Perlis, Perlis – a small fishing town and jumping point to Langkawi.

  • Muar, Johor – known for heritage buildings and local food.

Wildlife & Conservation

  • Kubah National Park, Sarawak – known for rare palms and frogs.

  • Tabin Wildlife Reserve, Sabah – off-the-beaten-path nature reserve.

  • Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary, Sabah.

  • Klias Wetlands, Sabah – river cruise for fireflies and proboscis monkeys.

Unique Shopping & Local Markets

  • Pasar Siti Khadijah, Kota Bharu – a colorful wet market famous for Kelantanese food.

  • Pasar Besar Kedai Payang, Kuala Terengganu – local batik and handicrafts.

  • Amcorp Mall Flea Market, PJ – vintage treasures every weekend.

Unusual Attractions

  • Penang Avatar Secret Garden – LED-lit garden at night.

  • Bukit Gambang Safari Park, Pahang.

  • Lost World of Tambun, Ipoh – a theme park and hot springs.

  • Saloma Link Bridge, KL – a modern pedestrian bridge lit beautifully at night.

Rivers, Lakes & Villages

  • Tasik Kenyir (Kenyir Lake), Terengganu – a man-made lake dotted with houseboats.

  • Tasik Biru (Blue Lake), Bau, Sarawak – a picturesque blue lake in an old quarry.

  • Pulau Duyong, Terengganu – known for traditional wooden boat building.

Countryside & Agriculture

  • Bentong, Pahang – a small town known for ginger and waterfalls.

  • Raub, Pahang – famous for Musang King durian orchards.

  • Sungai Rengit, Johor – lobster village.

Why does Malaysia have so many:

Because every state — from Perlis (north) to Johor (south), and Sabah & Sarawak on Borneo — has its own:

  • islands
  • towns
  • heritage sites
  • food
  • mountains
  • rainforests
  • wildlife

Even local Malaysians keep discovering new places each year!

This is the real Malaysia and Top 100 Places to Visit in Malaysia list – where the best recommendations come with stains on the tablecloth and where strangers will argue with you about which laksa is best (it’s Penang, fight me). Come hungry, bring wet wipes, and prepare to have your expectations ruined forever. Thanks for staying with Travel Hub Malaysia. 

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