Malaysia Holidays

Holidays in Malaysia are a potpourri of rich Asian culture, thriving cities and over 800 postcard-worthy islands. Recent visitors to this charming country have fondly described it as “truly Asia” and you’ll soon see why. It’s bursting with a richly diverse culture - Muslim Malays, Hindu and Muslim Indians and Chinese, as well as Aboriginal groups live together peacefully and all call this beautiful country home. 

With each city, town and island you visit owning its own rich history and eclectic charm, there are a thousand ways to explore and appreciate this melting pot of old and new. Destination holidays in Malaysia show you a world of ethnic cultures and customs in the daily life of the locals. You’ll find exciting cultural events happening almost every evening, where people of all faiths and cultures come together to enjoy vibrant and emotive performances and celebrations. 

Old and sacred customs are given high importance in Malaysia. There’s a truly impressive architectural talent here, too. The country is filled with larger than life inspirations - you’ll find Mughal, Tudor, Chinese, Portugese, Grecian, Gothic and Victorian designs in this cultural hotspot. The better known typical Malaysian architecture, also known as ‘Peranakan’ or ‘Baba Nyonya’, with the traditional Melaka shophouses, and are often dressed in vibrant pink, blue and yellow splashes of paint.

Holidays in Malaysia: a fusion of old and new

West Malaysia is home to the booming capital metropolis of Kuala Lumpur, where glistening, glass-filled skyscrapers line the busy streets, including the iconic Petronas Twin Towers, the tallest twin towers in the world. It’s home to more shopping districts than you can count on both hands. Enjoy the hustle and bustle and find the traditional Malaysian boutiques selling the finest batik accessories (a fabric made from silk), as well as the baju kebaya, a typical dress for ladies made of exceptionally high-quality fabrics and silks. 

If you love exploring then you will have plenty of fascinating sites to discover during your holiday in Malaysia. Dive deep into the historical heritage of the country with a visit to Malacca in the southwest. It’s the country’s historical state, where colonials first made contact with Malaysia. This small state is known for its interesting architecture, and you can tour the many forts, towers, churches and museums to observe the marks of British, Portuguese and Dutch forces left behind.

Malaysia is home to a fascinating geological makeup. Explore the 130 million year old rainforest of Taman Negara National Park in Pahang, making it one of the most ancient rainforests in the world. Not for the faint-hearted, here’s where adventurers can brave the longest rope walkway in the world. Even experienced trekkers will be in awe at the impressive 62 mile round trip trekking possibilities, although there are lots of softer treks for beginners and families too. Nature lovers will be impressed with the unusual wildlife here, with sun bear, barking deer, long-tail marque monkey and Malayan peacock roaming around the jungle-like rainforests.

While in Malaysia, a trip to colonial George Town is a must. Indigenous architecture, old cultures and some mouth-watering culinary delights await you at this UNESCO World Heritage site. Find pretty shophouses adorned in old Malay design, narrow streets bustling with locals and strings of paper lantern shrines among deliciously fragrant shops selling Indian spices. Browse the street art scene that bursts to life here, and then stop for a coffee or a cocktail in one of the many swanky bars.