Roavina

Country guide

Malaysia

A photograph of Malaysia
Photograph · CEphoto, Uwe Aranas · CC BY-SA 3.0

Malaysia is one country in two pieces, and the South China Sea between them is a flight rather than a drive. Peninsular Malaysia holds Kuala Lumpur, the administrative capital at Putrajaya and most of the 34,374,300 people the 2026 estimate counts; East Malaysia is the Malaysian share of Borneo, and it is where the rainforest is. Thirteen states and three federal territories share 330,803 km2. Malaysia is one of 17 megadiverse countries, and since most of that lives on the Borneo side, planning a trip here means deciding which half of the country the week belongs to.

Reviewed by Elena Voss · Roavina Travel Editor

Cities

Every city catalogued in this country so far, ranked by how much there is to see.

Practical information
Language spoken
Malay; English is widely used
National practical orientation; regional and minority languages may also be used
Dialling code
+60
International calling code; local area and mobile prefixes still apply
Currency
Malaysian ringgit (MYR)
Use the official local currency; card acceptance varies by place
Emergency number
999
Use only for an emergency; tourist assistance may use a separate number
Plug type
Type G · 240 V
Check that chargers support the recorded voltage before using an adapter
Tap water
Not recorded
No verified nationwide visitor statement was recorded

Planning a visit

  1. January: no seasonality data recorded
  2. February: no seasonality data recorded
  3. March: no seasonality data recorded
  4. April: no seasonality data recorded
  5. May: no seasonality data recorded
  6. June: no seasonality data recorded
  7. July: no seasonality data recorded
  8. August: no seasonality data recorded
  9. September: no seasonality data recorded — this month
  10. October: no seasonality data recorded
  11. November: no seasonality data recorded
  12. December: no seasonality data recorded

Top things to see

Ranked by importance — sitelinks, pageviews and heritage status, not editor preference.

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2 places match
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Category

Historic monuments 0 Museums 1 Places of worship 0 Nature sites 0 Viewpoints 0 Food and drink 0 Markets and shopping 0 Entertainment 0 Nightlife 0 Family attractions 1 Art and culture 0 Activities 0

Typical visit duration

Up to 1 hour 60 1 to 2 hours 33 Half a day or more 2

Interests

History 0 Art 0 Museums 0 Nature 0 Sea and beach 0 Viewpoints 0
  1. Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia
    01 2 hr 30 min

    Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia

    Muzium Kesenian Islam Malaysia

    The Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia opened in December 1998 on Jalan Lembah Perdana, on the edge of the Perdana Botanical Garden and immediately next to Masjid Negara, the national mosque.

    • Must see
    • Museum
    • Kuala Lumpur
  2. Kuala Lumpur Bird Park Kuala Lumpur Bird Park
    02 2 hr 30 min

    Kuala Lumpur Bird Park

    Taman Burung Kuala Lumpur

    Kuala Lumpur Bird Park occupies about 20.

    • Must see
    • Family attraction
    • Kuala Lumpur

Source: OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata ·

Common questions

How long should a first trip to Malaysia be?

Nine to fourteen days allows three days in Kuala Lumpur plus Penang, Malacca, or one carefully chosen island region. Sabah and Sarawak require flights from the peninsula and should be treated as distinct itinerary legs.

What entry documents are needed for Malaysia?

Malaysia's passport, visa, and arrival-card rules depend on nationality and arrival point. Use the Immigration Department's official portal to verify all three for the intended journey.

What is the best way to travel around Malaysia?

KLIA links to KL Sentral by express rail, while ETS trains and coaches cover much of the peninsula. Flights connect Sabah and Sarawak; island ferries need a separate seasonal timetable check.

When is a practical time to visit Malaysia?

February to April is a broad west-coast orientation, not a single Malaysian season. East-coast islands and Borneo have different monsoon patterns, so the ferry-dependent or wildlife leg should determine the dates.

What money and payment basics apply in Malaysia?

Malaysia uses the ringgit (MYR). Cards are useful in Kuala Lumpur and major resorts, while markets and smaller transport may need ringgit cash; check the MYR amount before accepting terminal conversion.

What practical safety details should I save for Malaysia?

Dial 999 for emergencies in Malaysia. Type G sockets supply 240 V; tap-water status is not recorded, so seek current local guidance at the accommodation.