Most travel guides will tell you Malaysia is just about Kuala Lumpur and beaches. They’re wrong. After spending months exploring this country, I discovered places that completely changed how I see Southeast Asia.
And I’m about to show you exactly where to go, what to eat, and how to experience Malaysia like someone who actually lives there.
Malaysia isn’t just one country. It’s basically three different worlds packed into one place. You’ve got the modern chaos of the cities, rainforests older than the Amazon, and islands that look like they were photoshopped.
But here’s the thing nobody mentions: most tourists mess this up completely. They either spend all their time in KL taking the same photos everyone else takes, or they rush through everything so fast they miss what makes Malaysia actually special.
The Food Scene: Better Than You Think
Let me start with something that shocked me. Malaysia has better food than most places people obsess over. I’m talking about the kind of food that makes you want to skip your flight home. And it costs less than a coffee back home.
Where to Eat (Not Where You Think)
The secret is actually simple: forget restaurants with English menus and air conditioning. The best food in Malaysia comes from:
- Hawker stalls – Small outdoor food vendors
- Kopitiams – Traditional coffee shops
- Night markets – Evening food markets with dozens of vendors
These places look sketchy if you’re not used to them. Plastic chairs, no menus, sometimes not even a proper roof. But this is where locals eat every single day.
Penang: The Food Capital
In Penang, which people call the food capital of Malaysia, there’s this hawker center called Gurney Drive. It sits right along the water. Every evening, dozens of stalls set up, and the smell hits you from blocks away.
Must-try dishes in Penang:
- Char kway teow – Flat rice noodles fried with prawns, eggs, and bean sprouts in dark soy sauce (costs about $2)
- Nasi kandar – Rice with various curries and dishes where gravies mix together on the plate
- Hokkien mee – Thick noodles cooked in dark soy sauce with pork, squid, and crispy pork lard
There’s a famous spot in Penang called Line Clear that’s been running since 1947. They’re open 24 hours. The chicken curry there is so good it doesn’t make sense.
Kuala Lumpur Food Spots
In Kuala Lumpur, you need to hit Jalan Alor. This entire street transforms into a food market at night. It’s chaotic. People everywhere, smoke from grills, vendors shouting.
What to try in KL:
- Satay – Grilled meat on sticks with peanut sauce
- Hokkien mee – Different from Penang’s version
- Nasi lemak – Coconut rice with fried anchovies, peanuts, boiled egg, cucumber, and sambal (the national dish)
Understanding Malaysian Food Culture
Here’s what you need to understand about Malaysian food. It’s a mix of Malay, Chinese, and Indian influences. So you get this combination that doesn’t exist anywhere else.
Unique Malaysian dishes:
- Roti canai – Indian flatbread dipped in curry or condensed milk
- Laksa – Spicy noodle soup (sour and fishy in Penang, rich and coconutty in Sarawak)
- Cendol – Dessert with shaved ice, coconut milk, palm sugar, and green jelly noodles
Where to Actually Go in Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur (2-3 Days)
Most people fly into Kuala Lumpur and either stay there too long or leave too fast. KL is worth two or three days, not more.
What to see:
- The Petronas Towers – Cool to see, but the view from KL Tower is better
- Bukit Bintang – Shopping and nightlife area
- Chinatown – Narrow streets with temples and markets
- Central Market – Good for buying batik fabric and local crafts
- Batu Caves – Hindu temple inside massive limestone caves (272 steps, monkeys everywhere, free entry)
Cameron Highlands (2-3 Days)
This is where most guides stop and tell you to head to the islands. That’s a mistake because you miss the entire middle part of the country. Cameron Highlands is a hill station up in the mountains about three hours north of KL.
Why visit:
- Actually cool weather (amazing after lowland heat)
- Tea plantations with rolling green hills
- BOH Tea Plantation tours
- Strawberry farms
- Hiking trails through mossy forests
- Vegetable markets
Penang Island (3-4 Days)
This island is famous for two things: food and George Town.
George Town highlights:
- UNESCO World Heritage site
- Chinese shophouses and colonial buildings
- Massive street art murals
- Temples and mosques side by side
- Rent a scooter to explore the island
- Penang Hill with funicular railway
What to know:
- Beaches aren’t great compared to the east coast
- Best base for serious eating
- Fishing villages and temples built over water
Taman Negara (2-3 Days)
If you want nature, head to Taman Negara. This is one of the oldest rainforests in the world – about 130 million years old (older than the Amazon and Congo).
Activities:
- Hiking trails from easy walks to multi-day treks
- River trips
- Canopy walkway suspended in trees
- Wildlife spotting (wild elephants, tapirs, tigers if lucky)
- More commonly: monkeys, monitor lizards, thousands of insects
What to expect:
- Thick, humid jungle
- Rain most afternoons
- Everything is green
- Loud forest sounds
The Islands: Where Malaysia Gets Really Good
Perhentian Islands (4-5 Days)
The Perhentian Islands on the east coast are what most backpackers aim for. Two main islands: Perhentian Besar (big/relaxed) and Perhentian Kecil (small/party island).
Why they’re amazing:
- Ridiculous blue-green water
- Snorkel right off the beach
- Sea turtles, reef sharks, tropical fish
- Dive shops everywhere
- Cheap accommodation ($15-20/night for decent places)
- Beach bars and fire shows at night
Important: Closes during monsoon season (November to February)
Langkawi (3-4 Days)
If you’re traveling during monsoon season on the east coast, hit Langkawi on the west coast instead.
What makes it different:
- More developed and expensive than Perhentians
- Duty-free island (cheap alcohol and chocolate)
- Nice resorts and budget options available
- Can rent car or scooter to explore
What to do:
- Visit waterfalls
- Take cable car to mountain viewpoints
- Mangrove tours
- Pantai Cenang (main beach with restaurants/bars)
- Find quiet, empty coves by driving around
East Malaysia: Where Tourists Skip (But Shouldn’t)
This is the part of Malaysia on the island of Borneo, split into two states: Sabah and Sarawak. Getting here requires a flight from KL, but it’s cheap. This is where you find serious wildlife and jungle.
Sabah
Mount Kinabalu:
- Highest mountain in Southeast Asia
- Two-day climb (book way in advance)
- Sleep in mountain hut halfway up
- Incredible sunrise from summit
- Even if you don’t climb: hot springs, trails, cool mountain air
Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre:
- Near Sandakan on east coast of Sabah
- Rescues orphaned and injured orangutans
- Feeding times twice daily
- Watch from viewing platforms as orangutans swing down from trees
- Not a zoo – semi-wild animals in huge forest reserve
Nearby:
- Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (smallest bear species, ridiculously cute)
Kinabatangan River:
- Take boat from Sandakan
- One of best places in world to see wildlife
- Proboscis monkeys, hornbills, crocodiles, pygmy elephants, wild orangutans
- Stay in lodges along river
- Boat trips at dawn and dusk
Sarawak
Kuching:
- Main city (means “cat” in Malay – cat statues everywhere)
- More relaxed than KL
- Nice waterfront in evening
- Markets, museums, good food
Bako National Park:
- 40 minutes from Kuching by bus and boat
- Proboscis monkeys guaranteed near headquarters
- Wild boars, monitor lizards, macaques
- Trails through different forest types
- Quiet beaches backed by cliffs
Iban Longhouses:
- Traditional homes of largest indigenous group in Sarawak
- One long building on stilts, multiple families
- Arrange homestays through tour operators
- Sleep on floor, eat traditional food, drink rice wine
- Learn about Iban culture
Mulu National Park:
- Some of largest cave systems in world
- Deer Cave (so big it has own weather system)
- Sarawak Chamber (largest underground chamber by area – fits 40 Boeing 747s)
- Millions of bats emerge each evening (30-minute swirling cloud)
- Requires small plane from Miri or Kuching (no roads)
- Mulu Canopy Skywalk (one of longest tree-based walkways in world)
How to Actually Plan Your Trip
Malaysia is bigger than it looks on a map. You can’t see everything in one trip unless you have months.
Two-Week Itinerary
- KL – 2 days
- Cameron Highlands – 2 days (bus from KL)
- Penang – 3 days (bus from Cameron Highlands)
- Perhentian Islands – 4-5 days (fly to Kota Bharu or Kuala Terengganu, then boat)
- Fly back to KL from east coast
Three-Week Itinerary
Add either Taman Negara OR East Malaysia to the two-week itinerary.
One-Month Itinerary
Do both! Fly from Penang to Kuching, explore Sarawak for a week, fly to Kota Kinabalu, explore Sabah for another week, then back to KL.
Practical Information
Transportation
Buses:
- Connect all major cities and towns
- Companies: Plusliner, Transnasional
- Comfortable coaches with air conditioning
- Book online
Trains:
- Slower but more scenic
- Jungle Railway from east coast to interior (beautiful route)
Flights:
- AirAsia (budget carrier)
- KL to Penang: $20
- KL to Kuching: $50 (if booked in advance)
- Check baggage costs extra
Getting around cities:
- Grab app (like Uber, shows price upfront)
- Taxis (often won’t use meter)
- Walk, rent scooter, or take boats in smaller towns
Budget
$30-40/day:
- Hostels
- Local food
- Limited drinking
$60-80/day:
- Mid-range hotels
- Eat wherever you want
- Most activities
$100/day:
- Living pretty well
- Nice accommodation
- All activities and experiences
Money
- Currency: Ringgit (1 USD ≈ 4.5 ringgit)
- Credit cards work in cities and larger towns
- Carry cash for small shops, markets, rural areas
- ATMs everywhere in cities, less common on islands
Language
- Official language: Bahasa Malaysia
- Most people speak at least some English (especially tourist areas and cities)
- Useful phrases:
- Terima kasih = Thank you
- Berapa harga = How much
- Tidak apa = No problem
Religion and Culture
- Muslim-majority country
- Call to prayer five times daily
- During Ramadan, many restaurants close during day (but still places to eat)
- Alcohol available but expensive (taxes)
- Dress modestly at mosques and rural areas
- Cover shoulders and knees at religious sites
Safety
- One of safer countries in Southeast Asia
- Watch for petty theft in crowded areas
- Some taxi/shop scams (overcharging tourists)
- Violent crime against tourists is rare
Health
Water and food:
- Don’t drink tap water
- Stick to bottled or filtered water
- Street food generally safe if busy and cooked fresh
- Bring hand sanitizer
Diseases:
- Dengue fever exists (use mosquito repellent at dawn/dusk)
- No required vaccines unless coming from yellow fever zone
- Some get typhoid and hepatitis shots
- Malaria in remote jungle areas (talk to doctor about antimalarials for extended trekking)
Weather
Temperature:
- 30-35°C in lowlands year-round
- Cooler in highlands and mountains
Monsoon seasons:
- East coast: November to February (heavy rains)
- West coast and East Malaysia: April to October (less intense)
What to Pack
- Light clothes
- Rain jacket
- Good walking shoes
- Sandals
- Sunscreen and hat
- Light sweater (for highlands)
- Sarong (beaches, temples, towel)
- Dry bag (island hopping, river trips)
Why Malaysia Deserves Your Time
One thing that surprised me about Malaysia is how modern it is. You’ve got incredible nature and traditional culture, but also shopping malls, fast internet, and infrastructure that works. You can be in the jungle one day and in a city with skyscrapers and fancy restaurants the next.
The mix of cultures is also something you notice everywhere. You’ll see Chinese temples next to Indian shrines next to mosques. You hear different languages in the same street. Food stalls run by Chinese families serve Malay customers who chat in a mix of languages.
Malaysians are also friendly. If you look lost, people will help you. If you ask about food, they’ll give you recommendations and maybe walk you to the best place. There’s a genuine hospitality that isn’t about getting your money.
Final Thoughts
So if you’re still deciding whether Malaysia is worth it, here’s my take. It’s one of the most underrated countries in Southeast Asia. Everyone goes to Thailand or Vietnam or Indonesia. They skip Malaysia because they think it’s just a stopover.
But Malaysia has everything those countries have, often cheaper and less crowded:
- Incredible food that rivals anywhere in the world
- Nature ranging from ancient rainforests to perfect islands
- Wildlife you can actually see without flying to Africa
- Cities that are modern and clean but still interesting
- People who make you feel welcome
My biggest regret is not coming here sooner. I wasted years going to the same popular spots everyone else goes to. Malaysia was sitting right here the whole time, offering everything I was looking for.