Listly by Joanna James
The experiences that Malaysia has to offer are countless. But as with any destination, there are some experiences that you simply must have and the following are 10 of Malaysia's best experiences.
Standing over 450m tall, the Petronas Towers is the defining structure of Kuala Lumpur's skyline. Serving as a symbol of Malaysian national pride, the Petronas Towers currently hold the title of the world's tallest twin towers. Known for their stunning architectural design, the feeling of standing beneath these two mighty towers and thereafter making your way up to the observation decks of the towers is an experience that is simply amazing.
Langkawi is one of the most popular island destinations in Malaysia. Located just off the coast of Keddah, the island is known for its breathtaking natural scenery and pristine beaches. The entire island is duty-free and geared for all manner of tourist activity, be it shopping, beach and water activities, restaurants and cafes, nightlife, and historic and nature attractions.
It's not every day that you get to dive in a location where the godfather of diving himself declared as one of the best diving sites in the world – which is why you simply must plunge into the waters of Sipadan Island and explore the mesmerizing marine life and awe-inspiring coral reefs of the island.
Located in the Penang, Malaysia, George Town is one of the most historic locations in Malaysia. With many well preserved colonial era and pre-World War II structures and buildings, a large portion of Geroge Town has been declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The heritage trails here will take you through some of the most historic and iconic building of Penang.
From Chinatown to Bukit Bintang to KLCC – the shopping options of Malaysia are simply amazing. The hot spot for shopping in Malaysia is Kuala Lumpur, with much of the country's glitzy shopping malls, fancy department stores, bustling commercial districts and markets being in Kuala Lumpur. So head to KL and shop away! Staying at a hotel in KL Sentral such as the Aloft Kuala Lumpur Sentral gives you easy access to all these shopping options.
Head over to the Sepilok Nature Reserve in Sabah, Malaysia and visit the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre where orphaned and needy orangutans are nurtured and cared for. The centre is one of the leading orangutan conservation centers in the world, and it is a great place to visit, interact and learn more about the fascinating lives and mannerisms of orangutans.
Sunway Lagoon is one of the most famous theme parks in Kuala Lumpur. Located in Sunway, Selangor, this exciting park is actually five different theme parks and has a whole load of rides, slides, and pools for people of all ages to have a great time.
The Batu Caves are one of the holiest sites in Malaysia. The Batu Caves are a series of large cave chambers which have been converted into Hindu Shrines. The splendid golden statue of the Hindu deity Murugan, the stunning artwork at the smaller Ramayana Cave, and the mysterious sections of the Dark Cave are some of the highlights of the Batu Caves that you must experience.
Kuala Lumpur and the George Town are known for their street foods. Just head down Jalan Alor when in Kuala Lumpur or down the hawker's streets of George Town and be treated to gastronomic delights the likes of BBQ wings, skewered meats, batter fried prawns, noodles and rice, chai, noodle soup, all manner of flatbreads, and so much more!
Branded as Malaysia's first "living museum", the Sarawak Cultural Village is one of the premier locations to visit if you are interested in learning more about the different cultures and lifestyles of the people of Sarawak. This award winning attraction showcases the life and practices of the traditional Sarawak tribes in interactive and creative ways.