World Guide

Malaysia

Country · Asia, South-eastern Asia

Merdeka 118
Pictured: Merdeka 118 · Photo: Ahmad Ali Karim, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Malaysia is a country located in Southeast Asia, sharing land or sea borders with Brunei, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. With a population of about 36 million and an area of 330,803 square kilometers, it features a range of urban centers and natural sites. Travelers can explore 19 key sights, including major national parks and city landmarks.

Highlights

The 19 sights covered here include a mix of modern urban structures and natural areas. In the capital, Kuala Lumpur, landmarks such as the Petronas Towers, Merdeka 118, Kuala Lumpur Tower, the National Mosque of Malaysia, and the Sultan Abdul Samad Building define the skyline. Other city sites include the Thean Hou Temple, Bukit Bintang, the National Monument, Independence Square, Istana Negara, and Carcosa Seri Negara. Outside the capital, visitors can explore A Famosa, Forest City in Johor, and the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium. For nature, the country features Gunung Mulu National Park, Niah National Park, and Kinabalu Park, which contains the highest point in the country, Mount Kinabalu. Taman Negara is also available for nature exploration.

Food and drink

The local cuisine includes dishes such as nasi lemak, nasi goreng, nasi kerabu, and ketupat. Other options are bak kut teh, banmian, and curry mee. For sweets and snacks, travelers can try kuih, roti jala, ais kacang, bubur cha cha, and batik cake.

When to go

The climate at the capital, Kuala Lumpur, remains consistent throughout the year with daily highs around 29 °C to 31 °C and lows of 22 °C to 23 °C. Rain occurs year-round. June and July see the lowest rainfall, with approximately 158 mm and 178 mm respectively, making these months slightly drier than the rest of the year. The wettest months are typically October, November, and December, often seeing rain on 27 to 28 days each month.

Practical notes

The official language is Malay, and the currency is the Malaysian ringgit (MYR). The country uses time zone UTC+08:00. Electrical sockets are type G, with a voltage of 240 V. Traffic moves on the left side of the road.

Cities

Food and drink to try in Malaysia

  • Nasi goreng
  • Nasi lemak
  • Ketupat
  • Bak kut teh
  • Batik cake
  • Kuih
  • Ais kacang
  • Bubur cha cha
  • Nasi kerabu
  • Banmian
  • Curry mee
  • Roti jala

Top sights in Malaysia

  1. Merdeka 118Merdeka 118Kuala Lumpur
  2. Petronas TowersPetronas TowersKuala Lumpur
  3. Forest City, JohorForest City, JohorIskandar Puteri
  4. Batu CavesBatu CavesKuala Lumpur
  5. Kuala Lumpur TowerKuala Lumpur TowerKuala Lumpur
  6. Bukit BintangBukit BintangKuala Lumpur
  7. Thean Hou TempleThean Hou TempleKuala Lumpur
  8. Sultan Abdul Samad BuildingSultan Abdul Samad BuildingKuala Lumpur
  9. Istana Negara, Jalan Tuanku Abdul HalimIstana Negara, Jalan Tuanku Abdul HalimKuala Lumpur
  10. Sultan Ibrahim StadiumSultan Ibrahim StadiumIskandar Puteri
  11. National MonumentNational MonumentKuala Lumpur
  12. A FamosaA FamosaMalacca
  1. Carcosa Seri Negara · Kuala Lumpur
  2. Taman Negara
  3. National Mosque of Malaysia · Kuala Lumpur
  4. Independence Square · Kuala Lumpur
  5. Gunung Mulu National ParkUNESCO
  6. Niah National ParkUNESCO
  7. Christ Church, Malacca · Malacca
  8. Jonker Walk · Malacca
  9. Kinabalu ParkUNESCO
  10. Cheng Hoon Teng Temple · Malacca
  11. Fort Margherita · Kuching
  12. Mahmoodiah Royal Mausoleum · Johor Bahru
  13. Ubudiah Mosque · Kuala Kangsar
  14. Arulmigu Sri Rajakaliamman Glass Temple · Johor Bahru
  15. Danga Bay · Johor Bahru
  16. Atkinson Clock Tower · Kota Kinabalu
  17. Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre · Sepilok
  18. Crystal Mosque · Kuala Terengganu
  19. Kota Iskandar · Iskandar Puteri
  20. Kuala Terengganu Drawbridge · Kuala Terengganu
  21. Istana Iskandariah · Kuala Kangsar
  22. Gaya Street, Kota Kinabalu · Kota Kinabalu
  23. Kuching Cat Museum · Kuching
  24. Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre · Sepilok

UNESCO sites in Malaysia →

Weather by month

Temperatures stay much the same all year, around 26 °C on average. Rain is spread fairly evenly through the year.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Average high, °C303131313030303030302929
Average low, °C222223232323232323232222
Rainfall, mm190205287331249158178189246307351264
Rainy days221721242624222525272827

Temperatures and rainfall: 1981–2010 averages for Kuala Lumpur (4 km grid), from CHELSA. Rainy days: 2015–2024, NASA POWER.

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