Malaysia

Rainforest, orangutans and great hawker food.

US travel advisory: Level 1 · checked 2026-11-02

Photo: Renek78 · CC0

This is a first draft of the Malaysia list. The full region guide is being written, and tiers may still change.

The Short List

Must-See

Cities · Food

Kuala Lumpur

The Petronas Towers, Batu Caves and street food from three cultures.

Guide Coming Soon

Must-See

Cities · UNESCO

Penang

George Town's street art and shophouses, and Asia's best hawker food.

Guide Coming Soon

Must-See

Mountains · UNESCO

Sabah and Mount Kinabalu

Southeast Asia's great climb, with Sepilok's orangutans and Sipadan diving.

Guide Coming Soon

Must-See

Mountains · UNESCO

Mount Kinabalu

Borneo's great granite peak, climbed in two days.

Guide Coming Soon

Worth a Detour

Beaches · Islands

Langkawi

A duty-free island with a dramatic Sky Bridge.

Guide Coming Soon

Worth a Detour

Cities · UNESCO

Melaka

An old trading port, with Portuguese and Peranakan layers.

Guide Coming Soon

Worth a Detour

Nature · UNESCO

Sarawak and Gunung Mulu

Huge caves and limestone pinnacles.

Guide Coming Soon

Worth a Detour

Spiritual · Hindu temples

Batu Caves

A golden statue, 272 steps and temples in a limestone hill.

Guide Coming Soon

If You're Nearby

Mountains · Tea

Cameron Highlands

Cool tea plantations.

Guide Coming Soon

If You're Nearby

Beaches · Snorkeling

Perhentian Islands

Bright water, on the east coast.

Guide Coming Soon

If You're Nearby

Nature · Rainforest

Taman Negara

One of the world's oldest rainforests.

Guide Coming Soon

If You're Nearby

Mountains · Mountain towns

Genting Highlands

A cool hilltop resort of casinos and theme parks, by cable car from Kuala Lumpur.

Guide Coming Soon

On the Map

Grey pins: guides still being written.