6 Things To See and Do in Malaysia

Malaysia holds a special place in my heart. First off, it was my first out-of-the-country destination. Second, I was able to visit several parts of the country and can say that I have a good grasp of what it can offer tourists, especially first-time visitors. I haven't done a travel guide during my time there except for this travelogue aka travel photo diary. If you are planning a trip to Malaysia, here are some things to add to your itinerary:

Petronas Towers

When in Malaysia, it is a must to visit the Petronas Towers. These twin towers were once the tallest building in the world. That in itself is a reason to go (for me, at least). If you could, try to climb up to one of the buildings and cross the bridge connecting the two towers over to the other building. Sadly, we visited the Twin Towers at night so we were unable to do this. But visiting at night had a huge payoff though - the lights of the towers were beautiful and there is a fountain show at the park just outside the Petronas Twin Towers. 

Batu Caves

This is another icon in Malaysia that you simply cannot miss - Batu Caves. This series of caves and cave temples are located within a limestone hill. It is a sacred site for the Hindus. When you visit, make sure to wear pants or long skirt. I didn't know this before going and I was reprimanded for wearing a mini skirt. I was able to rent a scarf for a few ringgit though, so you can still enter the caves as long as you wear a scarf over your skirt or shorts. 

Genting Highlands

Confession time: I have an extreme fear of heights. When my friend told me that we were going to ride the cable car to get to Genting Highlands, I was nervously excited. Nervous because of my fear of heights but excited to be able to conquer it. It turned out to be one of the best experiences of my life. My boyfriend husband proposed during this cable car ride (read the full story here) and we enjoyed our time in Genting Highlands. This attraction is a hotel, casino and theme park in one. There are also shopping destinations inside. It is a luxurious vacation; you need to be willing to splurge to enjoy the amenities within Genting Highlands. During our visit there, some parts of the theme park were closed for renovation. If you were to travel to Malaysia, be sure to check it out to see the newly renovated theme park.

Putra Mosque

The Putra Mosque is inarguably the most distinct landmark in Putrajaya. If you love marveling at beautiful architecture, you will be in awe by its mere size and grandeur. It is also set against the beautiful and scenic Putrajaya Lake. We visited on a Sunday and there is a park in front of the mosque wherein you can rent a few rides. We were like little kids in a play store - it was a lot of fun!

Langkawi Island

Where we had lunch at Telaga Harbor

Sunset in Langkawi

street food in Langkawi Island

Langkawi Island is nicknamed the Jewel of Kedah, and it's no surprise why. It has a long stretch of gorgeous beach, dining options and other world-class attractions. It is a destination in and of itself. During our time on the island, we explored the Seven Wells Waterfalls, toured the Oriental Village, had lunch at the Telaga Harbor Park and had picnic at the beach. 

Penang Island

Penang is an island city in Malaysia. It features a lot of diversity in terms of culture, landscape, architecture and food. Although we only got to spend one night in Penang, we were able to explore the remnants of its colonial past with well-preserved colonial buildings. Many travel bloggers have dubbed this island as the perfect fusion of the East and West and it is evident as we explored the island on foot. It embraces its modernity while still retaining the flavors of its cultural past. It is definitely a must-visit place when you travel to Malaysia, especially if you reckon yourself a fan of cultural destinations.

Have you been to Malaysia? What was your favorite destination?

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