10 Reasons to Visit Malaysia

Last Updated: September 25, 2020

A year ago this month, I was traveling in Malaysia, so I thought I would share my favorite bits of Malaysia. In no particular order here are 10 things that make me happy about Malaysia…

1. Culture contrast: Malaysia is a truly unique country, with a mix of three very different cultures – Malay, Indian and Chinese – along with their respective religions – Muslim, Hindu and Buddhist.  It’s fascinating to see the cultures combined out on the street… an Indian girl in a brightly colored sari, next to a head covered Muslim woman, and then a Chinese girl in stilettos, miniskirt and a Prada bag walks by.
   

   

   Tri-shaw pedaling in MalaysiaBa

   

   Tea fields in the Cameron Highlands

   

   Petronas Towers in KL

   
   

   

   Monkey

   

   Melaka Fort

   

   flower

   
   

   

   Malaysian butterfly

   

   Indian Food

   

   Batu Caves

   
   
2. The letter K: As previously mentioned, ‘K’ is probably the most popular letter in Malaysia.  After a few days in Malaysia, the letter ‘C’ seizes to exist in your mind and suddenly you’re emailing and Fakebooking, I mean Facebooking, about taking teksis, buying a tiket, and going to the kafe!
3. Shopping in Kuala Lumpar: While I’m not usually too keen on shopping, I had a great time bargaining at the night market in KL.  After buying 2 sundresses and some gifts, I was waiting for my travel buddy to finish their shopping.  I kept getting the “You buy, you buy, only $1” lines even though I wasn’t shopping anymore, I teasingly turned their pushy sales tactic back on them for a laugh, but got the biggest laugh when I was leaving the market, he ran out and gave me a coin purse for free.
4. Cameron Highlands: One of my favorite places in Malaysia was the Cameron Highlands.  In contrast with the rest of mainland Malaysia, it’s higher in the mountains with low humidity.  The highlands are an agriculture zone, known for their tea plantations, strawberry fields, veggies, markets, honey bees and butterflies and excellent hiking opportunities.  The perfect place to go when you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of SE Asia.
5. Amazing Indian food for $2: I had read about a restaurant in Meleka that served a $2 10 item vegeterian lunch, so when my tri-shaw peddler recommended a place, I was happily surprised to find out that it was the same place!  After setting you up with your own banana leaf placemat, they spoon dish after dish of curries and rice, filling the leaf (utensils optional). Amazing!
6. Pedaling Tri-shaws in Melaka: While I have no plans to move to Malaysia to be a tri-shaw peddler, I had fun taking turns pedaling with my tri-shaw driver on my tour of the town.  And the bicycle bell was quite useful to ring as I passed other tri-shaws.  I’m not sure who was more surprised, the other drivers or their passengers. ;)
7. Massages: Let’s face it, sometimes the $3 massages in SE Asia aren’t that relaxing! You’re practically on the sidewalk, there’s lots of traffic and then they spend the whole time giggling.  I found that the average massage in Malaysia was a great value, a step up from Thailand, but way cheaper than Singapore.  Most of the workers are Thai anyway, but there seems to be more of a spa atmosphere in Malaysia.
8. Monkeys: They’re everywhere!  Tip: keep shiny objects in your bag. They love cameras and candy wrappers and just about everything else. There are definitely some cheeky monkeys in Malaysia, and they’re so unpredictable!
9. Tea fields in Cameron Highlands: I had no idea how beautiful the tea fields in the Cameron Highlands were going to be. Hill after hill of patterned green. Truly amazing.
10. Malay food: I don’t know if Malaysia invented the sweet and sour approach to food, but they’re rocking it regardless.  I found Malay food to be a really unique mix of flavors, with a lot of coconut, mango, peanut, tamarind and fish sauce.  And I could have eaten for days on all of the treats I bought at the night markets.

See more 10 Things That Make Me Happy lists.