Malaysia
Malaysia is Southeast Asia’s best kept secret, and the food is the reason most travelers fall in love with it. This is a country where Malay, Chinese, Indian, and indigenous Borneo cultures have been cooking alongside each other for centuries, and the result is one of the most extraordinary food scenes on the planet. Hawker stalls in Penang and Kuala Lumpur serve dishes that would earn Michelin stars if the inspectors ever found them, and a full meal rarely costs more than three dollars.
But Malaysia is far more than food. Kuala Lumpur is a modern, cosmopolitan capital with iconic architecture, vibrant markets, and a nightlife scene that holds its own against any Asian city. The islands of Langkawi and the Perhentians have beaches that rival Thailand at a fraction of the cost and crowds. And Malaysian Borneo, the country’s wild eastern half, has some of the oldest rainforest on Earth, with orangutans, pygmy elephants, and a biodiversity that scientists are still cataloging.
Where to Go
Kuala Lumpur is a city of contrasts. The Petronas Twin Towers, once the tallest buildings in the world, dominate a skyline that mixes gleaming glass with Moorish minarets and Hindu temple spires. The Batu Caves, a Hindu temple complex inside a limestone cave reached by 272 rainbow colored steps, is one of the most dramatic religious sites in Southeast Asia. Chinatown’s Petaling Street market, Little India’s Brickfields, and the Malay areas around Kampung Baru each offer completely different atmospheres and cuisines within the same city.
Penang, on the northwest coast, is the undisputed food capital of Malaysia and arguably all of Asia. George Town, the island’s main city, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with colonial architecture, vibrant street art, Chinese clan houses, and Indian temples. The hawker food here is legendary: char kway teow (stir fried flat noodles), assam laksa (sour fish soup), Hokkien mee, and cendol (a shaved ice dessert with coconut milk and palm sugar).
Langkawi is a duty free archipelago off the northwest coast with beautiful beaches, mangrove kayaking, and the Sky Bridge, a curved pedestrian bridge suspended 2,000 feet above sea level with views of the Andaman Sea and neighboring islands.
Malaysian Borneo (the states of Sabah and Sarawak) is where adventure travelers go. Mount Kinabalu, the highest peak in Southeast Asia, is a challenging two day climb. The Kinabatangan River offers boat safaris where you can see orangutans, proboscis monkeys, hornbills, and pygmy elephants in the wild. Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre is a must visit for anyone who cares about wildlife conservation.
Where to Stay
The Datai Langkawi, set in an ancient rainforest on a private beach, is consistently ranked among the top resorts in the world. The Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur sits at the base of the Petronas Towers. In Penang, Eastern and Oriental Hotel is a colonial landmark with harbor views. In Borneo, Sukau Rainforest Lodge on the Kinabatangan River and Gaya Island Resort near Kota Kinabalu offer eco luxury in extraordinary natural settings.
Let Us Plan Your Malaysia Trip
Malaysia offers more variety per dollar than almost any destination in Asia. We will help you build an itinerary that balances city energy, island relaxation, and rainforest adventure, and we will make sure you eat your way through every stop. This is a trip for travelers who are curious, adventurous, and hungry.
