About Malaysia
- On the Malay Peninsula and including Borneo Island, Malaysia consists of 13 states and three federal regions.
- The capital city, Kuala Lumpur, is a popular destination for Malaysian as well as foreign tourists.
- The official language is Malay, but English, Chinese and Tamil are also spoken in the country.
- Malaysia has a tropical climate and is mainly hot and humid throughout the year.
- Traffic in Malaysia flows in the opposite direction compared to Türkiye; vehicle steering wheels are on the right side.
Where is Malaysia?
Malaysia is in Southeast Asia and consists of two geographical regions separated by the South China Sea. Located close to the equator line, Malaysia is bordered by Thailand, Singapore and Indonesia.
Getting to Malaysia
Turkish Airlines operates direct flights between İstanbul Airport and Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL). KL Airport is approximately 53 kilometers from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s capital city. Direct flights take ten and a half hours on average, while connecting flights can take approximately twenty-four hours. To plan your trip, simply visit our Malaysia flights page!
Malaysia’s capital and other cities in the country
- One of the fastest growing cities in Southeast Asia, Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia, is the country’s largest city and both its cultural and financial center. The city’s diversity is evident in many areas, particularly in terms of its architecture and cuisine. Blending the old and the new, Kuala Lumpur is at the top of tourists’ lists of places to visit in Malaysia. Let’s take a closer look at this dynamic city.
- Kuala Lumpur is a mix of modern and traditional architecture. Official buildings bearing the influences of Islamic architecture, as well as the shops and monuments in Chinatown are among the structures that attract the greatest attention from visitors.
- For your sightseeing itinerary, some of the most famous mosques in Kuala Lumpur include the Jamek Mosque, one of the oldest mosques in the city. The Putra Mosque, covered in pink granite, is also prominent, as is the National Mosque, one of the largest mosques in Southeast Asia.
- The Petronas Twin Towers, the crown jewel of Kuala Lumpur, is hard to miss: Standing 451.9 meters tall, this 88-story twin structure is one of the tallest buildings in the world. In addition to office and retail space, the Petronas Twin Towers feature a high-end lounge and an observation deck, both of which have spectacular views.
- Kuala Lumpur has other famous skyscrapers, such as the Menara KL Tower, a state-of-the-art television tower with striking panoramic views.
- For a glimpse into the religious history of Southeast Asia, we recommend adding the hilltop Thean Hou Temple in the capital to your list of places to visit in Kuala Lumpur. Opened in 1989, it is one of the largest temples in Southeast Asia.
- The Malaysian capital is also a wonderful setting for discovering the masterpieces of the Islamic world, from Southeast Asia to West Africa. The extraordinary Islamic Art Museum Malaysia has a collection covering 1,400 years of history and art.
- Malaysia’s independence is commemorated in Merdeka Square (Independence Square), one of the most prominent locations in Kuala Lumpur and a top-ranked place to visit in Malaysia. In this square, the flag of Britain was lowered on August 31, 1957 and the Malaysian flag raised for the first time.
- If you want to relax amid greenery, the fabulous 50-acre KLCC Park is the right address. In addition to various amenities, the park is famous for its 10,000 square meter artificial lake.
- Finally, you can also visit Central Market, the hub of Malaysian art and culture in the capital, where you can shop for souvenirs and collectibles, and sample local dishes.
A pearl of the east: Pulau Pinang
Pulau Pinang (Penang), is one of the most visited cities in Malaysia. Actually a state, Penang consists of two parts, one of which is an island. The capital of Penang is George Town, which was a prominent port city. Today, Penang is a world-famous holiday destination and one of the top tourist destinations in Malaysia. Surrounded by golden beaches, turquoise waters and palm trees, the island offers an idyllic beauty. Some of the highlights of Pulau Pinang are listed below.
- George Town, the state capital, is one of Malaysia’s most colorful and vibrant locales, with dynamic street art and a diverse collection of both low-key and high-end eateries.
- For a taste of the beach, the famous Monkey Beach is in Penang National Park, in the northwest of the island.
- Penang National Park also offers great hiking trails through the jungle.
- The ESCAPE Penang theme park features more than 35 activities for all ages, including swimming, climbing, skiing and acrobatics, just to list a few!
- You can also tour the famous Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion (The Blue Mansion). Now a landmark and heritage boutique hotel, this gorgeous 19th-century mansion won the title of UNESCO’s Most Excellent Project in the 2000 Asia Pacific Heritage Awards.
- The Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Temple in George Town is another landmark. Considered the largest temple to Lord Murugan outside India, the structure features a 511-step staircase and is also known as the Waterfall Hilltop Temple.
- Last but certainly not least, one of the most important structures in Penang is the Tanjung Bungah Mosque. Overlooking the Strait of Malacca, the mosque offers a 360-degree view of water and land.
A city in love with the sea: Kota Kinabalu
Once a modest fishing village, Kota Kinabalu is now the capital of Sabah state. This lovely seafront town features mesmerizing sunsets and the majestic backdrop of the nearby Mount Kinabalu. Do add this notable port city to your list of places to visit in Malaysia – some of the area’s highlights include the following:
- The largest mosque in the city is the Kota Kinabalu City Mosque. With characteristics similar to those of the Nabawi Mosque in Medina, the Kota Kinabalu City Mosque can accommodate up to 12,000 worshippers and is one of the area’s must-visit destinations for both locals and tourists.
- The Sabah Museum is the place to find out more about the area, offering galleries that have exhibitions on the region’s natural history, ethnography and archaeology.
- Tanjung Aru Beach features incredible sunset views – often, local children will fly kites along the beach around sunset.
- Kota Kinabalu is also known for the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park; consisting of five islands, the park is a conservation area for fauna, flora and marine ecosystems. Visitors can scuba dive and explore the islands.
- For shopping enthusiasts, Suria Sabah is one of the most popular places to visit in the area. This modern shopping center is a well-known retail destination for Kota Kinabalu residents as well as tourists.
Historic and easygoing: Malacca
The capital of Malacca state, the charming city of Malacca is a popular destination for tourists, offering the relaxed vibe of a beach town as well as a storied past; the historic center of the city is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Some of the highlights of this lovely city include the following:
- Dutch Square is considered emblematic of Malacca. This tidy plaza with a garden in the center is surrounded by Dutch colonial-style buildings painted a brick-red color – for this reason, Dutch Square is sometimes called Red Square. This lively area also features beautiful murals and souvenir shops.
- Thanks to the tranquil Malacca River and the waterways it feeds, the city is sometimes referred to as the “Venice of the East”. The riverfront area itself features cafes, houses and stunning graffiti. In addition to wandering around the area by foot, you can take a boat tour along the river.
- An iconic structure in Malacca is St. Paul’s Church. One of the oldest surviving church buildings in Malaysia and Southeast Asia, St. Paul’s Church is a top-ranked destination in Malacca.
- For fun water activities, we recommend heading to A’Famosa Water Theme Park. As Malaysia’s largest aqua park, A’Famosa has a family-friendly atmosphere and numerous activities and amenities, including water slides, surfing facilities and sand bathing.
- Jonker Street, in the city center, features one of the best night markets in the country and is a terrific place to discover local handicrafts and to sample street food. One of the city’s most prominent religious buildings is the Malacca Strait Mosque. The mosque is also called the Tengku Tengah Zaharah Mosque (Floating Mosque) because, when the water level is high, the mosque appears to be floating. The site offers spectacular views of the Strait of Malacca, as well as awe-inspiring sunrises and sunsets.
Dining in Malaysia
Along with Singapore and Indonesia, Malaysia is known for its gastronomic heritage, with the nation’s cuisine reflecting its cultural diversity. Rice dishes comprise an entire segment of the regional foodways, as do noodle, seafood and meat dishes. We recommend sampling some of the following dishes and products while in Malaysia.
- Nasi lemak – rice cooked in coconut milk and accompanied by various meats, seafood, vegetables and spicy condiments.
- Satay – seasoned meat, grilled on a skewer and served with a sauce
- Laksa – spicy, coconut-based stew made with thick noodles and various meats or seafood
- Sambal – a spicy chili sauce or paste
- Malaysian chicken rice – a delicious combination of simmered chicken and spiced rice
- Roti canai – a flaky, layered flatbread served with a curry gravy
- Popiah – fresh or fried spring roll
- Lok lok – meats, seafood, fish balls and vegetables, grilled on skewers and served with a dipping sauce
Best times to visit Malaysia
Malaysia is generally hot and humid all year round. On average, April and May are the hottest months, while December and January are usually the coolest. The east and west coasts of the country differ in climate: November to February are the wet months on the east coast, while April to October are rainy months on the west coast. You can plan your visit accordingly, depending on which part of the country you intend to visit.
Practical information on Malaysia
Capital of Malaysia: Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia official language: Malay
Malaysian currency: Malaysian Ringgit
Type of plug and socket used in Malaysia: G type plug and socket
