Best Malaysian Off-Beat Places to Visit this Year

A melting pot of cultures and attractions, Malaysia is a premier holiday destination in Asia.  Anyone planning to visit Malaysia is most definitely going to visit Kuala Lumpur’s iconic attractions, Langkawi’s beaches, and the Malaysian Highlands.

However, for youngsters who would love to explore beyond these usual Malaysian destinations, there are heaps of options to choose from. Malaysia is jam packed with nature’s diversity and multicultural settlements that provide its visitors with a plethora of off- beaten destinations. Here are our top picks of Malaysian destinations that give you an experience spiked with uniqueness.

1. Watch hundreds of twinkling fireflies at Kampung Kuantan Fireflies Park

The quaint coastal town of Kuantan does not seem much lively but as dusk falls, you will find yourself enjoying a magical experience. Home to one of the largest colonies of fire flies, Kuantan provides an extraordinary excursion from Kuala Lumpur which is just a few hours’ drive away. Take a boat ride along the river shore as evening dawns and you can witness thousands of flickering neon spots gleaming in mid-air synced to nature’s rhythm amid the mangroves. An overnight trip from Kuala Lumpur to Kuantan with the evening spent at the Fireflies Park is a dreamlike experience that will be etched in your mind for a long time.

2. Surrender yourself to nature at Taman Negara

If you are looking for some nature therapy just a few hours away from Kuala Lumpur, then head straight to one of the premier Malaysian points of interest – Taman Negara. Located around 250kms away from Kuala Lumpur, this age old tropical rain forest is a slice of pristine nature that is ought to be explored for a sublime nature experience. With a dual advantage of being away from bustles of daily modern life and to enjoy some enthralling nature adventures, Taman Negara is an outstanding destination to recharge in life. While you are here, indulge in adventures such as jungle trekking and canopy walks. Don’t forget to be alert to spot some exotic birds and wildlife in this lush forested area. A 3 hours’ drive away from Kuala Lumpur and 2 hours leisure cruise to Taman Negara feels absolutely worthy when you experience nature’s splendor at this verdant rain forest.

3. Enjoy the nightlife in Georgetown

Set foot in the beautiful colonial town of Georgetown in Penang and you feel as if you have gone back in time to a medieval era. The rich cultural fusion of Chinese, Indian and Malay with a twist of British colonial influence makes this popular Malaysian tourist place renowned for its heritage elements. While you can have a great time enjoying the multicultural ambiance of the town in the day time, do make it a point to witness this city in the night to enjoy its charms two folds. You can take a stroll, enjoy a breezy trishaw ride through the town, watch scenic views of the beautiful heritage structures gleaming at night, and later delve into a delightful palette of local and international cuisine at the bustling local night markets. The nightlife in Georgetown is electrifying. There are many chic restaurants, flamboyant clubs, and pubs where you can loosen up and enjoy the city vibes with a cocktail on roof bars or dance your way into the night to funky music.

4. Explore Putrajaya on a bicycle

Kuala Lumpur sure steals the limelight as being the trendsetting Malaysian tourist spot. In a way, it resulted in less influence of tourism on other cities in Malaysia which is a blessing in disguise for Putrajaya. Set approximately 35kms to the south of Kuala Lumpur, a mere 30 minutes away from the capital city, Putrajaya is a modern city well planned and far less crowded than Kuala Lumpur. The city has smartly designed buildings and structures balanced out with waterways and foliage. A subtle and capacious Malaysian city, Putrajaya is a so well structured that it even has dedicated bicycle lanes throughout the city. A cycling tour of the city is a great way to cherish the city’s exclusivity and scenic sightseeing at your own leisure and discover the local cultural scene.

5. Go scuba diving in Sipadan Island

Feel like doing something outlandish? How about going scuba diving in Malaysia? There are many serene islands scattered away from the mainland of Malaysia, some of it are untouched and teeming with a myriad of colorful and exotic corals and marine life. Located on the east coast of Malaysian Peninsula, Sipadan Island is a popular Malaysian destination for scuba diving, thanks to its amazing bio diversity and underwater aquatic life. For adrenaline junkies, this is just the place to explore the enchanting underwater realms of Malaysia – a mind blowing experience to remember for a lifetime.  To get to the island, take one hour drive from Kota Kinabalu or Tawau to Sempora town. From there, take a 40-minute ferry ride to Sipadan island.

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6. Gear up for a trekking tour to Gunung Mulu National Park

Most national parks in Malaysia are shrouded in virgin rain forests and lush mountainous terrains filled with impressive wilderness. Gunung Mulu National Park strikingly differs from rest of Malaysia’s National Parks. Though the National Park is a protected rain forest reserve, what set it apart from the rest are its long, soaring jagged karst formations protruding from the earth amid rain forests. The stunning sight of these rugged cliffs leaves you speechless. There are various adventures you can enjoy such as jungle trek through the tranquil nature trails and exploring hidden caves.  You can reach Mulu airport from direct flights from Miri, Kuching or Kota Kinabalu. Gunung Mulu National Park entrance is just 15 minutes away from Mulu airport.

7. Enjoy an expedition to Niah Caves

One of the largest grotto in the world, the Niah Caves set in Niah National Park in Miri – Sarawak is popular for its series of spacious caverns. A predominant archaeological site in Malaysia, the caves were inhabited by humans 40,000 years ago and remnants of ancient murals can be found in it. These caves are shrouded in the wilderness which makes it a great spot for nature trekking and cave explorations. A trip to Niah Caves lets you appreciate the solace and beauty of nature. There are options for accommodations if you wish to stay overnight at Niah Caves National Park. The National Park is 1 hour 30 minute drive from Miri city.

Everybody goes to Malaysia to click photos with Petronas Twin Towers in the background, visit the Batu caves, go shopping in one of many malls and proceed to typical places to visit in Malaysia.  Being one of the top countries to be shortlisted by holiday makers planning to visit Asian countries, more and more travelers are intrigued by Malaysia’s expansive countryside. The combination of nature’s simplicity with urban sophistication is a great selling point for Malaysia and tourists are expanding their interest level moving out to the less explored area. These handpicked destinations can add an exciting twist to your usual Malaysian holiday, all you need to do is get in touch with us for Malaysia visa from Dubai and expert counselling about Malaysian holiday packages.