A photograph of Malaysia

Country guide

Places to visit in Malaysia — page 5

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 adminis...

Photograph · CEphoto, Uwe Aranas · CC BY-SA 3.0

5,544 Places
1Cities

Reviewed by Elena Voss · Roavina Travel Editor

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.

Checked 2026-08-25

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

Top things to see

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

  1. Wei-Ling Gallery Wei-Ling Gallery
    82 1 hour

    Wei-Ling Gallery

    Wei-Ling Gallery is a commercial art gallery in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It operates as a private exhibition space dedicated to contemporary art, showcasing works by Malaysian and regional artists.

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Kuala Lumpur
  2. Chan She Shu Yuen Temple Chan She Shu Yuen Temple
    83 30 min

    Chan She Shu Yuen Temple

    Chan See Shu Yuen Temple

    Chan She Shu Yuen Temple is a Chinese clan temple in Kuala Lumpur, associated with the Chan family and broader Chinese community heritage. The structure represents traditional southern Chinese architectural influence in Malaysia's capital.

    • Notable
    • Place of worship
    • Kuala Lumpur
  3. Sri Sithi Vinayagar Temple Sri Sithi Vinayagar Temple
    84 30 min

    Sri Sithi Vinayagar Temple

    Sri Sithi Vinayagar Temple is an active Hindu place of worship in Kuala Lumpur dedicated to Lord Ganesha, also known as Vinayagar.

    • Notable
    • Place of worship
    • Kuala Lumpur
  4. Sri Kandaswamy Kovil Sri Kandaswamy Kovil
    85 30 min

    Sri Kandaswamy Kovil

    Sri Kandaswamy Kovil is an active Hindu temple in Kuala Lumpur dedicated to Lord Murugan, also known as Kandaswamy. It is a place of worship for the Hindu community and a cultural landmark connected with Tamil Hindu traditions in Malaysia.

    • Notable
    • Place of worship
    • Kuala Lumpur
  5. Wat Chetawan Wat Chetawan
    86 30 min

    Wat Chetawan

    Thai Buddhist Chetawan Temple

    Wat Chetawan, also known locally as Thai Buddhist Chetawan Temple, is a Thai Buddhist temple in Kuala Lumpur. It serves the Thai Buddhist community as a place of worship, meditation and community gathering.

    • Notable
    • Place of worship
    • Kuala Lumpur
  6. St. John's Cathedral St. John's Cathedral
    87 30 min

    St. John's Cathedral

    St. John’s Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Kuala Lumpur and the seat of the Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur. It is an active place of worship serving the city’s Catholic community.

    • Notable
    • Place of worship
    • Kuala Lumpur
  7. St. Mary's Cathedral St. Mary's Cathedral
    88 30 min

    St. Mary's Cathedral

    St Mary's Cathedral

    St. Mary’s Cathedral is an Anglican cathedral in Kuala Lumpur and the cathedral church of the Diocese of West Malaysia.

    • Notable
    • Place of worship
    • Kuala Lumpur
  8. Panggung Bandaraya DBKL Panggung Bandaraya DBKL
    89 1 hour

    Panggung Bandaraya DBKL

    Panggung Bandaraya DBKL is a historic theatre in central Kuala Lumpur managed by Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur. The building belongs to the city’s civic and performing-arts landscape, close to the heritage setting around Dataran Merdeka.

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Kuala Lumpur
  9. Coliseum Theatre Coliseum Theatre
    90 2 hours

    Coliseum Theatre

    LFS Cinema @ Coliseum

    The Coliseum Theatre is a historic cinema building in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Originally established as a live performance venue and later converted to cinema use, it represents one of the city's enduring entertainment landmarks.

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Kuala Lumpur
  10. Federal Theatre Federal Theatre
    91 2 hours

    Federal Theatre

    Federal Cinema

    Federal Theatre, also known locally as Federal Cinema, is a historic entertainment venue in Kuala Lumpur. Its name connects the site with the city’s cinema and theatre culture, offering travellers a glimpse into the recreational history of Malaysia’s capital.

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Kuala Lumpur
  11. Taksu Gallery
    92 1 hr 30 min

    Taksu Gallery

    Taksu Gallery is an art gallery in Kuala Lumpur and a natural stop for travellers interested in the city’s creative scene. A gallery visit offers a quieter contrast to Kuala Lumpur’s malls, traffic and large public attractions.

    • Notable
    • Museum
    • Kuala Lumpur
  12. Universiti Malaya Art Gallery Universiti Malaya Art Gallery
    93 1 hour

    Universiti Malaya Art Gallery

    Universiti Malaya Art Gallery is an exhibition space within the Universiti Malaya campus in Kuala Lumpur. Its setting connects visual art with the academic life of one of Malaysia’s oldest public universities, established in 1949.

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Kuala Lumpur
  13. Lim Lian-Geok
    94 45 min

    Lim Lian-Geok

    Lim Lian Geok Memorial

    Lim Lian-Geok is a memorial in Kuala Lumpur dedicated to Lim Lian Geok, a prominent Chinese educationist and advocate for Chinese-language education in Malaysia.

    • Notable
    • Historic monument
    • Kuala Lumpur
  14. As Syakirin Mosque As Syakirin Mosque
    95 30 min

    As Syakirin Mosque

    Masjid As Syakirin

    As Syakirin Mosque, also known as Masjid As Syakirin, is an active Muslim place of worship in Kuala Lumpur. Its primary purpose is prayer and religious life rather than sightseeing.

    • Notable
    • Place of worship
    • 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.