Malaysia
The museum by Sepang International Circuit feels rather slo-mo for a history of Formula One racing in Malaysia. There are several classic cars, but…
Must-see attractions in Malaysia
Kota Bharu
This colourful display of street art covers several connecting back alleys between Jln Ismail and Jln Dato Pati. There are depictions of smiling locals at…
Malaysia
The front of this corporate building has an unusual arch gateway composed of a lattice of steel blades. Through the arch sight lines you can see the…
Sarawak
Housed in the civic centre (Dewan Suarah), the somewhat tired exhibits here include a relief map of area longhouses; displays on Orang Ulu groups, the…
Kota Kinabalu
The modest timepiece at the foot of Signal Hill is one of the only structures to survive the Allied bombing of Jesselton in 1945. It's a square, 15.7m…
Kuala Lumpur
Located on the site of the old Pudu Jail, construction is underway on this ambitious complex featuring a shopping mall, a concert hall, a 1.2-hectare…
Lake Gardens, Brickfields & Bangsar
This cluster of small open-air enclosures is home to a collection of tame deer including the tiny Tragulus kanchil (lesser mouse deer), the world’s…
Malaysia
Resembling a flattened alien spaceship, the brutalist-style Putrajaya Convention Centre squats at the southern end of Persiaran Perdana. You'll need…
Cameron Highlands
Views over the plantation are breathtaking from this easy roadside pullover on the road between Ringlet and Tanah Rata. There are no guided tours, but you…
Penang
Weird and wonderful nepenthes (Monkey Cup) species from around the world are planted in this mossy garden. The guides will explain how these carnivorous…
Sri Subramaniam Thuropathai Amman Alayam
Melaka City
A huge gopuram (tower), as elaborate and pink as a tiered wedding cake, erupts from this temple. Few visitors come here, but if you shed your shoes you…
Pulau Pangkor
A small, psychedelic, open-air temple, adorned with statues of giant mushrooms, Chinese dragons and – for some reason – cartoon mice, perches above the…
George Town
Built in 1808 by a wealthy Arab trader, the Acheen St Mosque was the focal point for the Malay and Arab traders in this quarter – the oldest Malay kampung…
Sarawak
The well-presented displays provide detailed information on the rafflesia, a parasitic plant with buds the size of cabbages and flowers with diameters up…
Lake Gardens, Brickfields & Bangsar
This sprawling Chinese cemetery is notable not just for its immense size (333 hectares of rolling grassy hills and fragrant frangipani trees) but also for…
Kedah
This open-sided structure was built in 1896 and is still used by the sultan of Kedah for royal and state ceremonies, though it is not open to the public…
Kuala Lumpur
Search out this handsome traditional Malay home of former school headmaster. Built in 1921, the blue-painted palladian style house is raised on stone…
Kuching
It's easy to miss this temple, tucked away on the roof of the Kuching Hainan Association. Go up the staircase to the top floor and you'll come to a vivid…
Sarawak
One of Sibu’s 22 community parks – most donated by Chinese clan associations – this pleasant strip of riverfront grass affords views of the wide, muddy…
Sandakan
The Sam Sing Kung temple (also pronounced 'Sam Sing Gong') dates from 1887, making it the oldest building in Sandakan. The temple itself is a smallish, if…
George Town
More than 120 science and technology exhibits form the basis of this highly interactive, educational museum aimed squarely at school kids. It's all pretty…
Cameron Highlands
Learn about the life of bees and goggle at beehives from the small museum within this working apiary. Even more prominent than the museum is the large…
Sarawak
The casuarina-lined beach at Similajau park HQ, strewn with driftwood but clean, is a great place to chill out. Unfortunately, the presence of crocodiles…
Johor
Tucked away behind the four-storey Kwong Siu Building on Jln Ali (between Jln Sisi and Jln Sayang) are some blue-painted buildings, one of which is…
George Town
Dedicated to Mar Chor Poh, the patron saint of seafarers, this temple was founded in 1870 but not completed until 1895. A thorough remodelling for its…
Museum of Malay World Ethnology
Lake Gardens, Brickfields & Bangsar
Contains displays on Malay musical instruments, games, textiles and metalwork, including an impressive gallery of beautifully engraved weapons.
Melaka Butterfly & Reptile Sanctuary
Melaka
This is your chance to get up close and personal with more than 20 species of butterflies as well as a collection of exotic creepy-crawlies, snakes and…
Chinatown, Merdeka Square & Bukit Nanas
This fountain dating from 1904 is said to have been built in memory of an inspector of the Selangor Military; at one time horses would have lapped water…
Pulau Langkawi
A brief walk from the main road up to Teluk Datai, the falls here – the island’s tallest – are worth a look, though beware of food-stealing monkeys. The…
Muzium Sejarah Daerah Kuala Selangor
Malaysia
Learn about Kuala Selangor's early settlement, fishing culture and trading history at the small museum near Bukit Malawati's lighthouse. It makes for a…
Pulau Langkawi
This complex comprises rice paddies populated by water buffalo and ducks. Call in advance to arrange a tour to learn about, and even have a hand in,…
Melaka
This bird park, which is a short drive from Melaka Botanical Garden, allows you to view a a variety of local and international bird species and get a bird…
George Town
The Town Hall, completed in 1880, has a beautiful restored ballroom that is a regular venue for temporary exhibitions and shows. The Town Hall’s Hokkien…
Melaka City
This aquarium on the 2nd floor of The Shore Shopping Gallery jazzes up the usual fish-in-tanks viewing experience with 3D movies and visual effects in its…
Arulmigu Rajamariamman Devasthanam
Johor Bahru
This beautiful Hindu temple, with ornate carvings, devotional artwork and a tall, brightly painted gopuram (tower) entranceway, is the heart of JB's Hindu…
Chinatown, Merdeka Square & Bukit Nanas
Dedicated to the Bodhisattva of compassion, this cement temple was originally built by Hokkien Chinese in the 1890s and served as a place to say prayers…
Ipoh
Ipoh’s courthouse was completed in 1928 by AB Hubback, the same architect who designed Ipoh’s train station and the town hall.
Johor
Walk the 15 minutes to this hilltop mosque with stunning blue and white architecture, and take in views of the South China Sea, river and village. Night…
Chinatown, Merdeka Square & Bukit Nanas
The traditional glazed ceramic tiles and peacock designs decorating this house are typical of the homes built by the Chettiar community from southern…
Ipoh
Ipoh’s gleaming white town hall dates back to 1916 and is a popular spot for wedding-photo shoots. Visitors are often allowed to wander inside; the upper…
