Wandering through Mainland Malaysia
- muse7699
- Apr 28
- 4 min read
February and March 2025
The first thing that comes to mind when I think of Malaysia is Kuala Lumpur. The capital and largest most cosmopolitan city in Malaysia. But there is so much more. Malaysia is also home to amazing beaches and rainforests. It is a melting pot of Malay, Chinese, Indian and European cultures. It consists of 13 states and 3 federal territories separated by the South China Sea. The country has its origins in the Malay Kingdoms which became a subject to the British Empire in the 18th century. The federation of Malaysia gained independence in 1957. I spent six weeks exploring Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Langkawi.
Kuala Lumpur
The capital city of Kuala Lumpur or KL for short has a population of over 2 million people, however close to 9 million people live in the greater metropolitan area. It serves as the cultural, financial, political and economic center of Malaysia. It is also one of the fastest growing regions in Southeast Asia. Here are some highlights
Petronas Twin Towers - The glass and steel twin tower skyscrapers are connected by a skybridge. Construction started in 1993 and was completed in 1998. At that time, it was considered the tallest skyscraper in the world at 451m surpassed in 2004 by Taipei 1. However, it is still the tallest twin tower in the world. It's easy to spend a day or two climbing to the observation desk and exploring the surrounding park. KLCC includes the Suria shopping mall and an amazing park home to the lake symphony fountain show. I did not get a chance to visit the Aquarium nor science museum that is also in KLCC park.
Day trip to Malacca - Founded in 1400, Malacca is the oldest town in Malaysia. Arab, Indian and Chinese traders considered the port of Malacca as the most influential and important port in Southeast Asia. Chinese and Islamic architectural and cultural influence is still felt today. St. Peters Church (which was closed when I went) is the oldest Roman Catholic church in Malaysia. There is so much to see and do that it is easy to spend a few days. I ended up doing this fabulous one day tour. Melaka Group Tour with Lunch 2025
Batu Caves - An easy 40-minute train ride from Kuala Lumpur, Batu caves is one of the top tourist destinations from KL. Over 400 million years old, these limestones were organically formed, creating what is famously known as Batu Caves today. The main Hindu temple, which is nestled in the heart of the cave, was built in the year 1920. To reach the temple you walk past the gold Lord Murugan statue and climb 272 colorful steps. I found the temple to be unimpressive. It is highly crowded with tourists and just doesn't exude the energy I receive from visiting other Hindu temples.
Genting Highlands - Located just an hour away from Kuala Lumpur, Genting Highlands is one of the most popular destinations for a getaway. This is a true resort destination with so many activities at Genting Highlands Malaysia on offer – theme parks, luxury hotels, shopping, a huge casino and plenty of places to eat. The resort is reached by cable car. It is surrounded by old growth rainforest, home to endangered dusky leaf moneys, gibbons and black panthers. It is owned and operated as the first Resorts World. I combined Genting Highlands and Batu caves on this day trip. Kuala Lumpur: Genting Highlands & Batu Caves Day Trip. However, I wish I did this trip separately as I wasn't able to play in the casino nor participate in any nature hikes.
Kampung Baru Food tour. I love food but also a creature of habit. I had an amazing Airbnb experience. A visit to the Kampung Baru neighborhood is a wonderful opportunity to step back in time to experience early 20th-century Kuala Lumpur. Kampung Baru is actually a traditional Malaysian residential area that was established more than 100 years ago. Many of the dwellings are wooden houses built on short stilts and though they are in the heart of the city, dwarfed by gleaming skyscrapers, there is very much a rural village feel to the place. Authentic Malaysian Street Food Tour in Kampung Baru
Penang
An easy train or bus ride north is a true heart of Malaysia. Penang’s colorful capital city, George Town, is named after King George III. The East India Company established the city in 1786 and it became the first British settlement in Southeast Asia. It is Malaysia's second largest city with a population of 2.5 million people. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Penang is a culinary hotspot. Combining Malay, Indian and Chinese influences. It offers up some of the most exciting flavors in the world. Some of my highlights include:
Food experience. With so many cultures and flavor, I definitely recommend getting off the beaten path and exploring the local food scene. The tour starts in little India then wander through Chinatown and end up in Malay hawker center of Kimberly Street. I booked this get your guide tour and it was one of the best food tours I've been on. Penang Plates Food Tour with 15+ Tastings
Penang street art walking tour - Around almost every corner in the lanes of Penang you’ll find art both big and small; kittens hiding above doorways, children riding stationary bicycles or huge, expansive pieces covering the side of old heritage buildings. I found this website with google map location of the street art incredibly useful. Penang Street Art Map | Exploring the art of George Town (2021 Guide)
Langkawi
A quick 30-minute flight the archipelago of Langkawi consists of over 100 islands and is closer to Thailand than Malaysia. The friendly locals and beach vibes made this a perfect 5-day getaway. Some fun things experience include:
Kilim Geopark Mangrove Tour - The first geopark in Southeast Asis consists of 1oo square kilometers of nature reserve. Kilim Geoforest Park is the only place in Malaysia where one can find a coexistence of coastal limestone rock formations and mangrove ecosystems. You can either take a boat ride or kayak through the reserve. 5 Hours Sharing Basis Kilim Mangrove Safari Boat Tour
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