Malaysia may not top your bucket list, but there are so many reasons why you should add it! Not only it is extremely culturally diverse, the country offers delicious food, amazing views, modern shops, historic sites, and more – all at a low price. Here are the top five reasons you should vacation in Malaysia.
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Cultural Fusion
Due to Malaysia’s strategic location along important maritime routes, it is one of the world’s most culturally diverse nations. The original Malay indigenous population saw settlers from China, India, the Middle East, and Europe join their ranks. As a result, today visitors experience a cacophony of architectural styles, languages, cuisine, and cultural traditions. It’s almost like visiting 4+ countries at the same time!
Food Heaven
Malaysia’s cultural diversity guarantees that it’s a great place for delicious cuisine. The Malays contributed nasi lemak, satay, and rendang to the menu. Chinese immigrants added char kway teow, Hainanese chicken rice, and dim sum. And Indians brought roti canai, tandoori, and biriyani.
Even better, food courts and night markets throughout the country often offer fusions of these various cuisines, ensuring that you will experience a once-in-a-lifetime flavor profile. The Malaysian city of George Town in the state of Penang, the “food capital of Asia,” is THE place to try different foods. Definitely visit a market or hawker center and try the street food.
You can find fine dining all over Malaysia, but the capital city of Kuala Lumpur leads the haute-cuisine movement. Here you will find upscale restaurants serving not only Asian fusion dishes but also Western and European food and unique combinations of all. But don’t think all of this good food will cost you an arm and a leg. There are plenty of options at every price point.
Budget-Friendly Luxury
Currency in Malaysia is called the Ringgit, and you won’t need much of it to have a lavish vacation. The average traveler can spend about $100 USD/400 RM per day on mid-range accommodations, street food and mid-range restaurants, in-country transportation (public transportation and rideshare), and activities like attraction tickets and group tours. But even luxury vacations won’t break the bank. You can experience nicer hotels, some fine dining, private taxis, and private tours for about $200 USD/800 RM per day, And if you want the creme de la creme everything, about $300 USD/1200 RM per day can make that happen. So a top of the line vacation for two for one week in Malaysia is about $4,000 + international airfare.
Breathtaking Nature
Malaysia has varied terrain including ancient rainforests, coastal landscapes, and rugged highlands. West Malaysia features the Titiwangsa mountain range with towering peaks. This is the home of the Cameron Highlands where you can visit tea estates. There’s also lowland rainforests filled with tapirs, hornbills, and gibbons. The region also has limestone caves and formations, the most famous of which is Batu Caves. There’s also long coastlines along the Strait of Malacca to the west and the South China Sea to the east.
Eastern Malaysia includes the states of Sabah and Sarawek on Borneo Island. This area features mountains, highlands, equatorial rainforests, and coastal areas. This is where Mount Kinabulu, the tallest mountain in Southwest Asia, is located. The rainforests abound with biodiversity, including orangutans, proboscis monkeys, clouded leopards, pigmy elephants, and more. The coastal areas of this region feature beaches, wetlands, and coral-rich marine areas. Divers flock from around the world to Sipadan Island Park, one of the best spots to see coral in the world.
Juxtaposition of the Modern & Historic
But don’t think a trip to Malaysia is only to see stunning natural sites. The country also has several major cities that are a must-visit for all travelers. The capital city of Kuala Lumpur is modern, dynamic, and filled with skyscrapers, fine dining, and luxury shopping opportunities.
If you enjoy history, you will love visiting George Town and Melaka, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. George Town (also referred to as Penang) features colonial buildings, temples, and clan jetties. But it also has a modern vibe with plenty of street art and delicious Asian fusion served from food trucks. Melaka is also a colonial city rich in maritime history influenced by the Dutch, Malay, Chinese, Indian, and Portuguese. Here you will find centuries-old shops, houses, forts, and museums that explain how spice routes and colonial powers shaped history.
What excites you most about visiting Malaysia?
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