50 Best Places to Visit in Malaysia: The Ultimate Travel Guide

Malaysia is a vibrant Southeast Asian nation divided into two distinct regions: Peninsular Malaysia and Malaysian Borneo. Renowned for its rich multicultural heritage, bustling modern metropolis, pristine tropical islands, and ancient rainforests, Malaysia offers an extraordinary diversity of experiences for every type of traveler.

Why Visit Malaysia

Malaysia delivers a rich fusion of Malay, Chinese, Indian, and indigenous cultures alongside remarkable natural landscapes.

• Cultural Diversity: Experience harmonious multicultural traditions, festivals, and architectural styles across the country.
• Incredible Culinary Scene: World-famous street food ranging from Penang hawker stalls to vibrant night markets.
• Breathtaking Nature: Ancient rainforests millions of years old, dramatic highland ranges, and marine-rich coral islands.

Quick Facts

50 Best Places to Visit in Malaysia

1. Petronas Twin Towers & Kuala Lumpur City Centre

• Location: Kuala Lumpur, Peninsular Malaysia
• Best Time to Visit: May to July, December to February
• Category: Urban Landmark / Modern Architecture
• About the Place: The iconic twin sky-scrapers towering 452 meters above Kuala Lumpur, featuring a double-decked skybridge and sweeping city panoramas.
• Travel Instructions: Take the LRT train directly to KLCC Station in central Kuala Lumpur.
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2. Batu Caves

• Location: Selangor, Near Kuala Lumpur
• Best Time to Visit: Year-round
• Category: Religious Landmark / Caves
• About the Place: A towering limestone hill featuring a series of limestone caves, an iconic giant golden Lord Murugan statue, and 272 rainbow-colored entrance steps.
• Travel Instructions: Ride the KTM Komuter train directly from KL Sentral to Batu Caves station.
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3. George Town, Penang

• Location: Penang Island
• Best Time to Visit: November to January
• Category: UNESCO Heritage Site / Street Art & Culinary
• About the Place: A charming historic city renowned for British colonial architecture, Chinese clan jetties, famous interactive street murals, and street food.
• Travel Instructions: Fly into Penang International Airport or cross via the Penang Bridge from the mainland.
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4. Langkawi Sky Bridge & Cable Car

• Location: Langkawi Archipelago, Kedah
• Best Time to Visit: November to April
• Category: Island Attraction / Viewpoint
• About the Place: A curved pedestrian bridge suspended at 660 meters above sea level offering breathtaking views over dense rainforest canopy and surrounding islands.
• Travel Instructions: Take a 30-minute taxi drive from Langkawi International Airport to Oriental Village.
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5. Mount Kinabalu

• Location: Sabah, Malaysian Borneo
• Best Time to Visit: March to September
• Category: UNESCO Heritage Site / Mountain Hiking
• About the Place: The highest mountain peak in Malaysia, located inside Kinabalu Park, offering dramatic granite peaks and rich alpine flora diversity.
• Travel Instructions: Drive 2 hours east from Kota Kinabalu city to Kinabalu Park Headquarters.
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6. Gunung Mulu National Park

• Location: Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo
• Best Time to Visit: July to September
• Category: UNESCO Heritage Site / Caves & Nature
• About the Place: Famous for giant karst limestone cave chambers, razor-sharp limestone pinnacles, and millions of bats emerging at dusk.
• Travel Instructions: Accessible via domestic flight to Mulu Airport (MZV) from Miri or Kuching.
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7. Historic City of Melaka (Malacca)

• Location: Melaka State, Southern Peninsular
• Best Time to Visit: Year-round
• Category: UNESCO World Heritage / History
• About the Place: A historic trading port city featuring red Dutch colonial buildings, ancient Portuguese fort ruins, Jonker Street markets, and river cruises.
• Travel Instructions: Take a 2-hour bus drive south from Kuala Lumpur along the North-South Expressway.
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8. Perhentian Islands

• Location: Terengganu, East Coast
• Best Time to Visit: March to October
• Category: Tropical Island / Snorkeling & Diving
• About the Place: Comprising Perhentian Besar and Perhentian Kecil, offering white sand beaches, turquoise waters, sea turtles, and reef shark diving.
• Travel Instructions: Take a fast ferry boat from Kuala Besut Jetty on the mainland.
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9. Cameron Highlands

• Location: Pahang, Peninsular Malaysia
• Best Time to Visit: Year-round
• Category: Highland Retreat / Nature
• About the Place: A cool climate highland area famous for sprawling emerald tea plantations, mossy forests, strawberry farms, and colonial Tudor architecture.
• Travel Instructions: Drive 3.5 hours north from Kuala Lumpur via Tapah or Simpang Pulai.
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10. Taman Negara National Park

• Location: Pahang, Central Peninsular
• Best Time to Visit: March to September
• Category: Ancient Rainforest / Wildlife
• About the Place: One of the world's oldest deciduous rainforests (130 million years old), offering rainforest canopy walks, jungle trekking, and river boat trips.
• Travel Instructions: Travel by road to Kuala Tembeling jetty, followed by a scenic riverboat transfer to Kuala Tahan.
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11. Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre

• Location: Sandakan, Sabah, Borneo
• Best Time to Visit: May to September
• Category: Wildlife Sanctuary
• About the Place: World-renowned sanctuary in the lowland forest dedicated to rehabilitating orphaned and rescued orangutans back into the wild.
• Travel Instructions: Drive 30 minutes from Sandakan Airport or take a local public bus.
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12. Sipadan Island

• Location: Celebes Sea, Off East Sabah
• Best Time to Visit: April to December
• Category: Marine Park / World-Class Scuba Diving
• About the Place: Legendary oceanic island surrounded by sheer vertical drop-offs, teeming with green sea turtles, barracuda tornadoes, and reef sharks.
• Travel Instructions: Fly to Tawau, drive to Semporna port, and arrange a permitted dive boat transfer.
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13. Bako National Park

• Location: Kuching, Sarawak, Borneo
• Best Time to Visit: March to October
• Category: Coastal National Park / Wildlife
• About the Place: Sarawak's oldest national park, renowned for sea stacks, mangrove swamps, coastal trails, and wild proboscis monkeys.
• Travel Instructions: Take a bus from Kuching to Bako village jetty, followed by a 20-minute boat ride.
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14. Redang Island (Pulau Redang)

• Location: Terengganu, East Coast
• Best Time to Visit: April to October
• Category: Tropical Resort Island
• About the Place: A luxurious island destination featuring powder-white sandy beaches, crystal marine waters, and rich coral reefs.
• Travel Instructions: Ferry transfers depart from Merang Jetty or Shahbandar Jetty in Kuala Terengganu.
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15. Kinabatangan River

• Location: Sabah, Malaysian Borneo
• Best Time to Visit: April to October
• Category: River Safari / Wildlife
• About the Place: Malaysia's second-longest river, famous for boat safaris spotting pygmy elephants, hornbills, crocodiles, and wild proboscis monkeys.
• Travel Instructions: Book an organized safari lodge transfer from Sandakan Airport.
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16. Kek Lok Si Temple

• Location: Air Itam, Penang
• Best Time to Visit: Year-round (especially Chinese New Year)
• Category: Buddhist Temple / Cultural Site
• About the Place: The largest Buddhist temple complex in Malaysia, featuring a majestic 36.5-meter bronze statue of Kuan Yin and thousands of lanterns.
• Travel Instructions: Take Rapid Penang Bus 203 or 204 from central George Town.
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17. Kuching Waterfront & Old Town

• Location: Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo
• Best Time to Visit: April to October
• Category: Cultural City / Riverside
• About the Place: Known as the "Cat City," featuring historic riverfront promenades, colonial heritage, colorful cat monuments, and vibrant markets.
• Travel Instructions: Fly into Kuching International Airport (KCH); city center is easily walkable.
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18. Tioman Island (Pulau Tioman)

• Location: Pahang, East Coast
• Best Time to Visit: March to October
• Category: Nature & Island Sanctuary
• About the Place: A densely forested duty-free tropical island surrounded by coral reefs, cascading waterfalls, and quiet beach villages.
• Travel Instructions: Take a ferry from Mersing or Tanjung Gemok jetty on the mainland.
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19. Danum Valley Conservation Area

• Location: Lahad Datu, Sabah, Borneo
• Best Time to Visit: April to September
• Category: Primary Rainforest Reserve
• About the Place: An untouched 438-square-kilometer forest reserve harboring wild cloud leopards, orangutans, tarsiers, and canopy walkways.
• Travel Instructions: Accessible only via specialized 4x4 transfers arranged through eco-lodges in Lahad Datu.
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20. Putrajaya

• Location: Federal Territory, South of KL
• Best Time to Visit: Year-round
• Category: Administrative Capital / Modern Architecture
• About the Place: Malaysia's planned administrative center, featuring grand Islamic architecture, pink-domed Putra Mosque, and extensive manicured lake parks.
• Travel Instructions: Take the KLIA Transit train directly from KL Sentral to Putrajaya & Cyberjaya station.
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21. Genting Highlands

• Location: Pahang / Selangor Border
• Best Time to Visit: Year-round
• Category: Hill Resort & Entertainment
• About the Place: A peak hill resort featuring indoor/outdoor theme parks, luxury shopping malls, cable car rides, and casino complexes.
• Travel Instructions: 1-hour drive or express bus trip from central Kuala Lumpur.
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22. Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park

• Location: Off Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
• Best Time to Visit: February to September
• Category: Marine Park / Island Hopping
• About the Place: A cluster of five islands (Gaya, Manukan, Sapi, Sulug, Mamutik) located just minutes off Kota Kinabalu, offering ziplining and snorkeling.
• Travel Instructions: Board short speedboats from Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal in Kota Kinabalu.
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23. Fraser's Hill (Bukit Fraser)

• Location: Pahang, Peninsular Malaysia
• Best Time to Visit: March to October
• Category: Highland Village / Birdwatching
• About the Place: A quiet British colonial station nestled in cool mountain air, famous for mock-Tudor stone cottages, nature trails, and birdwatching.
• Travel Instructions: 2.5 hours drive north from Kuala Lumpur via winding mountain roads.
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24. Niah National Park

• Location: Miri Division, Sarawak, Borneo
• Best Time to Visit: March to September
• Category: UNESCO Heritage / Caves & Archaeology
• About the Place: Ancient cave network holding human remains dating back 40,000 years, ancient cave paintings, and edible bird's nest harvesting.
• Travel Instructions: Drive 1.5 hours south from Miri town to the park entrance.
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25. Ipoh Old Town

• Location: Perak, Peninsular Malaysia
• Best Time to Visit: Year-round
• Category: Historic Town / Culinary
• About the Place: Former tin-mining city celebrated for British colonial buildings, limestone cave temples, street art, and legendary white coffee.
• Travel Instructions: Take the ETS electric train from KL Sentral straight to Ipoh Station.
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26. Pangkor Island (Pulau Pangkor)

• Location: Perak, West Coast
• Best Time to Visit: November to February
• Category: Coastal Island Retreat
• About the Place: A laid-back island destination known for calm golden beaches, hornbill feeding, Dutch fort ruins, and fresh seafood.
• Travel Instructions: Take a short 10-minute ferry ride from Marina Island Jetty in Lumut.
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27. Semenggoh Wildlife Centre

• Location: Kuching, Sarawak, Borneo
• Best Time to Visit: March to October
• Category: Orangutan Sanctuary
• About the Place: A sanctuary forest where semi-wild orangutans rescued from captivity learn to survive in their natural rainforest environment.
• Travel Instructions: Drive 45 minutes south from central Kuching by taxi or public bus.
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28. Semporna Archipelago

• Location: East Coast of Sabah, Borneo
• Best Time to Visit: March to October
• Category: Island Hopping & Sea Gypsies
• About the Place: Gateway to stunning marine islands like Bohey Dulang, featuring volcanic crater lagoons, crystal turquoise sea views, and Bajau Laut villages.
• Travel Instructions: Fly to Tawau Airport, then take a 1.5-hour taxi drive to Semporna town.
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29. Penang Hill (Bukit Bendera)

• Location: Air Itam, Penang
• Best Time to Visit: Year-round
• Category: Hill Lookout / Nature
• About the Place: Cooler peak overlooking Penang Island, accessible by a funicular railway, featuring historic bungalows and The Habitat canopy walkway.
• Travel Instructions: Take the funicular railway from the base station at Air Itam.
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30. Kapas Island (Pulau Kapas)

• Location: Terengganu, East Coast
• Best Time to Visit: April to August
• Category: Quiet Island / Snorkeling
• About the Place: A small, tranquil island favored for its relaxed ambiance, clear turquoise waters, soft sands, and sea turtles right offshore.
• Travel Instructions: Take a 15-minute speedboat from Marang Jetty near Kuala Terengganu.
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31. Kota Kinabalu City & Waterfront

• Location: Sabah, Malaysian Borneo
• Best Time to Visit: January to September
• Category: Coastal City / Sunsets
• About the Place: Capital of Sabah featuring vibrant night seafood markets, the floating City Mosque, and glorious sunset views over the ocean.
• Travel Instructions: Arrive directly via Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI).
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32. Tabin Wildlife Reserve

• Location: Lahad Datu, Sabah, Borneo
• Best Time to Visit: March to October
• Category: Rainforest Reserve & Mud Volcanoes
• About the Place: A massive dipterocarp forest reserve rich in mineral mud volcanoes that attract wild elephants, pythons, and tropical birds.
• Travel Instructions: Drive 1.5 hours on gravel roads from Lahad Datu town.
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33. Endau-Rompin National Park

• Location: Johor / Pahang Border
• Best Time to Visit: April to October
• Category: Primitive Rainforest & Waterfalls
• About the Place: One of the oldest rainforest complexes in Peninsular Malaysia, featuring ancient rock formations, pristine rivers, and majestic waterfalls.
• Travel Instructions: Requires 4x4 entry arranged through national park authorities from Kluang or Kahang.
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34. Royal Belum State Park

• Location: Perak, Northern Peninsular
• Best Time to Visit: May to September
• Category: Eco-Wilderness & Rafflesia
• About the Place: A massive untouched forest reserve home to rare Rafflesia flowers, hornbills, wild elephants, and indigenous Orang Asli settlements.
• Travel Instructions: Drive to Pulau Banding on the East-West Highway to board houseboat excursions.
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35. Rawa Island (Pulau Rawa)

• Location: Johor, East Coast
• Best Time to Visit: March to September
• Category: Coral Island Resort
• About the Place: An exclusive private island featuring tall palm trees, dramatic white sand beaches, and water slides dropping straight into the ocean.
• Travel Instructions: Speedboat transfers depart from Mersing Jetty in Johor.
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36. Taiping Lake Gardens

• Location: Perak, Peninsular Malaysia
• Best Time to Visit: Year-round
• Category: Public Park / Historic Site
• About the Place: Malaysia's first public park, constructed on an abandoned tin mine, famous for giant ancient rain trees with branches reaching into the lake.
• Travel Instructions: Drive 1 hour north from Ipoh or take a taxi from Taiping KTM Station.
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37. Mataking Island

• Location: Off Semporna, Sabah
• Best Time to Visit: March to October
• Category: Private Luxury Island
• About the Place: Comprising two islands connected by a sandbar at low tide, featuring underwater mailboxes, sea turtle hatcheries, and diving spots.
• Travel Instructions: 45-minute boat transfer arranged by resort from Semporna jetty.
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38. Firefly Park Kampung Kuantan

• Location: Kuala Selangor
• Best Time to Visit: Year-round
• Category: Eco-Night Tour
• About the Place: A famous natural sanctuary where visitors ride silent wooden rowboats along mangrove banks illuminated by thousands of glowing fireflies.
• Travel Instructions: Drive 1 hour northwest from Kuala Lumpur.
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39. Miri & Luak Esplanade

• Location: Northern Sarawak, Borneo
• Best Time to Visit: March to October
• Category: Coastal City / Cave Gateway
• About the Place: The birthplace of Malaysia's petroleum industry, offering scenic coastal parks, sunset beaches, and access to Mulu and Niah caves.
• Travel Instructions: Accessible directly through Miri International Airport (MYY).
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40. Lenggong Valley

• Location: Perak, Peninsular Malaysia
• Best Time to Visit: Year-round
• Category: UNESCO Archaeological Site
• About the Place: Open-air archaeological site where "Perak Man," the oldest complete human skeleton in Southeast Asia (11,000 years old), was unearthed.
• Travel Instructions: Located 1 hour drive north of Kuala Kangsar via Route 76.
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41. Sandakan Heritage Trail

• Location: Sandakan, East Sabah
• Best Time to Visit: April to September
• Category: History & Cultural Trail
• About the Place: Former capital of British North Borneo, offering heritage trails connecting Agnes Keith House, WWII Memorial Park, and coastal markets.
• Travel Instructions: Fly into Sandakan Airport (SDK) from Kota Kinabalu or Kuala Lumpur.
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42. Kundasang & Desa Dairy Farm

• Location: Ranau, Sabah, Borneo
• Best Time to Visit: February to August
• Category: Highland Village / Scenic Farm
• About the Place: Dubbed the "Little New Zealand of Sabah," featuring green highland pastures, dairy farms, and close-up views of Mount Kinabalu.
• Travel Instructions: Drive 2 hours east from Kota Kinabalu up into the mountains.
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43. Sarawak Cultural Village

• Location: Damai, Near Kuching, Sarawak
• Best Time to Visit: Year-round (Host of Rainforest World Music Festival)
• Category: Living Museum / Culture
• About the Place: An living museum highlighting Sarawak's indigenous tribes (Iban, Bidayuh, Penan), featuring traditional longhouses and dance performances.
• Travel Instructions: Located 45 minutes drive north of Kuching at the foot of Mount Santubong.
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44. Teluk Intan Leaning Tower

• Location: Perak, Peninsular Malaysia
• Best Time to Visit: Year-round
• Category: Architectural Landmark
• About the Place: Malaysia's equivalent to the Leaning Tower of Pisa—a 110-year-old pagoda-style clock tower that slants toward a municipal square.
• Travel Instructions: Drive 1.5 hours south from Ipoh.
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45. Labuan Island

• Location: Federal Territory, Off Sabah Coast
• Best Time to Visit: March to October
• Category: Duty-Free Island & Wreck Diving
• About the Place: Offshore financial hub famous for duty-free shopping, pristine beaches, WWII memorials, and marine ship wreck diving sites.
• Travel Instructions: Take a ferry from Kota Kinabalu or flight into Labuan Airport (LBU).
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46. Sekinchan Paddy Fields

• Location: Sabak Bernam, Selangor
• Best Time to Visit: March to May, September to November
• Category: Agro-Tourism / Photography
• About the Place: A quiet farming town surrounded by vast emerald-green and golden-yellow rice paddy fields, mango orchards, and seafood stops.
• Travel Instructions: Easy 1.5-hour drive northwest from central Kuala Lumpur.
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47. Desaru Coast

• Location: Johor, Southern Peninsular
• Best Time to Visit: April to October
• Category: Coastal Resort & Adventure
• About the Place: A modern luxury coastal sanctuary featuring 17 km of pristine beaches, international golf courses, waterparks, and high-end resorts.
• Travel Instructions: 1.5 hours drive from Johor Bahru or direct ferry transfer from Singapore.
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48. Cherating Beach

• Location: Pahang, East Coast
• Best Time to Visit: November to March (Surfing) / April to October (Turtles)
• Category: Beach Resort / Surfing & Turtle Sanctuary
• About the Place: Laid-back beach enclave popular for monsoon surfing, river mangrove cruises, night firefly tours, and green sea turtle conservation.
• Travel Instructions: Drive 45 minutes north from Kuantan city along Route 3.
• Explore More: Malaysia

49. Maliau Basin Conservation Area

• Location: Kalabakan, Sabah, Borneo
• Best Time to Visit: March to October
• Category: Remote Wilderness / Trekking
• About the Place: Known as "Sabah's Lost World," this circular basin is an untouched wilderness bowl of primary forest, waterfalls, and rare wildlife.
• Travel Instructions: Requires 4x4 transport and official permits from Sabah Foundation.
• Explore More: Malaysia

50. Penang National Park

• Location: Teluk Bahang, Penang
• Best Time to Visit: November to April
• Category: Coastal National Park / Hiking
• About the Place: Malaysia's smallest national park, offering coastal jungle trails leading to pristine Monkey Beach, a meromictic lake, and a turtle sanctuary.
• Travel Instructions: Take Rapid Penang Bus 101 to the final terminal in Teluk Bahang.
• Explore More: Malaysia

Featured Image

Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur