Pass The Passport

Places / Asia

Malaysia

Visited

At a glance

Region
South-Eastern Asia
Capital
Kuala Lumpur
Population
36 million (2025)
Area
330,803 km²
Languages
English, Malay
Currency
Malaysian ringgit (MYR)
Drives on the
left
Calling code
+60
Visited: Malaysia

Country visited City visited Still to go Click a pin or country to read more. Zoom with + and −, a double-click or a pinch.

Before you go

Overview

It is located at Southeast Asia and has covered parts of Malay Peninsula and Island of Borneo. It is amongst the world’s most developed countries.

The country recorded a population of 31.53 million in 2018 and it covers an area of 329,847 km2.

The capital is Kuala Lumpur.

Putrajaya city is the administrative capital that houses the federal government offices.

Malacca city is the capital of the Malacca state with antique shops, Kampung Kling Mosque and a Chinese Cheng Hoon Teng temple with fancy decorations. It is the oldest city in Malaysia.

George Town is a modern city with shopping malls, skyscrapers and still maintains the British colonial buildings and Chinese mosques.

Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur.

History

It is a former protectorate of the British making it a member of the commonwealth.

In 1895, the four Malay states united to form the Federated Malay States.

The country became independent on in 1957.

Singapore withdrew from Malaysia in 1965.

Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad stepped down in 2003 after ruling for 22 years.

Food & culture

Malay culture is greatly influenced by Chinese, Indian and European cultures. It is a multi-religious and multi-ethnic.

The major crops grown in Malaysia include rice, cocoa, rubber, oil palm and coconuts. Nesi Lemak is the country’s national dish.

Wildlife

The most common wild animals in the country include orangutan, leopard, tarsier, bearded pig, elephant, rhinoceros hornbill, mountain serpent eagle and Malayan weasel.

Festivals & events

Thaipusam festival is conducted on 28th January during the full moon as a remembrance of when Parvati gave a vel to Murugan.

Other major festivals include Chinese New Year, Malaysia water festival, Tadau Ka’amatan harvest festival and wesak day.

Things to see

Malaysia has beautiful beaches and rainforests. It is amongst the worlds most-visited country for its coastal tourism with an island like Langkawi Kedah. Penang beaches are sandy and there is plenty of food that tourists enjoy. Perhentian Islands are popular for the pristine beaches and very clear water.

The country still maintains the ancient architecture but also has the modern one like the Petronas Twin Tower; it is a skyscraper made of glass and steel. It also has the colonial Kuala Lumpur Railway station and Sultan Abdul Samad building.

Putrajaya city has an old architecture like the Putra Mosque made of rose-coloured granite and a pink dome. It also has a three-tiered bridge made designed with Iranian architecture.

Interesting facts

Petronas twin-tower is the tallest twin skyscrapers in the world.

The official language is Malay.

The official religion is Islam.

City guides

Cities & towns I’ve visited

Famous hikes in Malaysia

Mount Kinabalu

Distance
About 17 km return
Time
2 days
Best time
March to September

How to do it: Climb with a mandatory guide, staying overnight at Laban Rata before a pre-dawn summit push. Permits and beds are limited, so book months ahead.

Run a marathon in Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur Marathon

Kuala Lumpur · usually October

An early start past the Petronas Towers, before the heat and humidity build.

Dates move from year to year, so check the race website before you book.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Malaysia

0 of 6 visited. See every site I've been to.

My videos from Malaysia

  • Wild orangutan in Borneo
    Kinabatangan, Borneo

My photos from Malaysia

December 2022 Winter Wander

Cameron Highlands, Kuala Lumpur, Sabah, Sandakan, Kinabatangan, Borneo, Sepilok

Whole trip gallery
  • A jewel-coloured kingfisher perched among leaves in the Borneo rainforest
  • An orangutan resting in the trees at Sepilok.
  • A man in sunglasses and a life jacket taking a selfie on a boat with other passengers.
  • A man standing at a railing above hills covered in tea bushes.
  • A smiling man and a woman taking a selfie on a misty hillside.
  • A smiling man taking a selfie above rolling green tea plantations.
  • A man and a woman smiling in front of terraced tea plantations.
  • A man standing at the foot of the gleaming Petronas Twin Towers.
  • A man and a woman taking a selfie below the illuminated Petronas Towers.
  • A vintage green steam locomotive displayed beside a red diesel train on a rainy day in Kuala Lumpur.
  • A hornbill with an orange and black bill perched among rainforest trees.
  • A camouflaged insect sitting among dry brown leaves on a large green jungle leaf.

Plan your trip to Malaysia

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Neighbours

Bucket List goals in Malaysia