If you are looking for a place that has plethoras of cultures, affordable souvenirs, and warm weather, Malaysia is the place for you. Malaysian culture is a mix of Chinese, Malay, Indian, and Thai. I spent three weeks in Malaysia during the month of February and I got to explore many amazing sights.
Here are ten places I’ve visited that I recommend in Malaysia:
1. Kuala Lumpur Bird Park
This is the largest free-flight walk-in aviary in the world and home to more than 3,000 birds from all over the continent. The park is set up into 4 zones and each zone has a variety of habitats for the birds. There are birds flying and walking around in every zone. In some habitats, the birds can land on your arm. The best time to visit the Bird Park is in the Spring or Summer because the Peacocks will be out walking around. It is only a 10-minute drive from central Kuala Lumpur. This is a place you do not want to miss out on.
Credits: www.klbirdpark.com
Photo Credit: Pinterest
Flyer for Kuala Lumpur Bird Park
2. Jonker Street Malacca
Famous for shopping, this street sells everything you can imagine. One of the first stores I went to was a Honey Store that was famous for having stingless bees and then selling its honey. There are also plenty of frozen fruit treats and Durian stores (a local fruit). Jonker Street also has a sculpture of Mr. Malaysia, who was super muscular and it pictures him showing his arm muscles. They are famous for Chicken rice. You can not miss it, the restaurants are called Famous Chicken Rice. If you walk all the way to the end, there is a river and more historical attractions that you can visit.
The sign entering into Melaka
Photo credit: Jasmin Lee
3. Upside Down House
Located in Malacca, the Upside Down House is a building where all the furniture to the ceiling. The technique to this is that you stand in a pose that looks like you are standing upside and take a picture. With that picture, you turn it around and it looks like you are floating in the air. You are allowed to take pictures for 15 minutes. There is a fee, but the pictures are priceless. There is also an Upside Down Museum in Penang and more Upside Down Houses in Kuala Lumpur, Port Dickson, and Langkawi.
Jasmin’s family having dinner at the Upside Down House
Photo Credit: Jasmin Lee
On the ceiling of a child’s room
Photo credit: Jasmin Lee
4. Kek Lok Si Temple
This temple was built in 1890, Kek Lok Si is the largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia. It goes up a mountain and is comprised of three zones, getting more elaborate as it gets higher. Located at the very top is a statue of the Goddess of peace. There are also statues of the Chinese zodiac animals where people can take pictures with their zodiac animal. At night, there are lights all over the temple that looks gorgeous at night. There is also a Pagoda that you can climb several flights up to the very top and get an amazing view of the mountain.
Credits: https://www.penang.ws/penang-attractions/kek-lok-si.htm
Kek Lok Si Temple with lights at night
Kek Lok Si Temple Fountain with Lights
Photo Credit: Jasmin Lee
5. SkyAvenue Mall
This mall is located at the very top of the mountain Genting Highlands. They have a popular live show called SkySymphony where there will be a lights show with music inside of the mall at every hour. The mall is huge and they have a mini-amusement park called Skytropolis with rollercoasters inside of the mall. In addition to the amusement park, there are also beautiful theater venues and the Genting Casino available for viewing. There are so many stores and restaurants to choose from, it seems limitless.
Overview of the central mall area
Photo Credit: Jasmin Lee
6. Kuala Lumpur City Center
The Kuala Lumpur City Center is home to the twin towers in Malaysia. Inside the towers are elaborate shopping centers that never stress to impress. The creation of these towers represents the unity between Malaysia and other Asian countries. At night, there is a water show on the lake called the Musical Foundation. During this event, water shoots up simultaneously with lights while moving along to the music. Many people come from all over to watch this performance and at the end of 2018, they paid a tribute to the life and music of Aretha Franklin.
Musical Fountains at night
Twin Towers at Night
Photo Credit: Jasmin Lee
7. Penang Street Art – Georgetown
One of the most famous attractions in Penang is its street art. There are many types of street art from words to pictures to 3D words and pictures. Two of the most famous pieces of street art are “boy on a bike” and “Brother and sister on a swing”. It is fun to take pictures because it looks like you are in the street art yourself. There are many souvenirs shops near the street art where you can bring home street art memorabilia to remind you of these famous pieces of art.
“Brother and sister on a swing”
Photo Credit: Jasmin Lee
8. Ling Sen Tong Temple
Located in Ipoh, Ling Sen Tong is a beautiful Taoist Cave Temple has colors that will brighten your world. They have a wishing well, multiple gigantic golden Buddha, and many animal statues that are pleasing to the eye. The elaborate statues and flower trees make this temple a perfect spot for pictures. There is also a cave nearby with a tunnel that leads to an area with turtles and a Pagoda. Inside the cave, there are places where Buddhists can pray and give respect to their gods.
Statue of Elephant and God at Ling Sen Tong Temple
Entrance of Ling Sen Tong Temple
Photo Credit: Jasmin Lee
9. Chin Swee Temple
This city is in the mountains and the only way to get to the top is by a skylift. The first stop on the cable car is called the Chin Swee Temple. At first sight, you will see a giant Pagoda as you walk through a small, but beautiful, path to the temple. On this path are waterfalls and statues of the Monkey King. This temple has a few giant Buddha statues and red pagodas, but the most fascinating part is the Journey of Enlightenment. This dirt path shows the ten stages of hell in Buddhism and vivid statues of what happens in those hells. At the end of it, there are statues that resemble of reincarnation and more imagery of Buddhist beliefs.
Statue of Buddha
Photo credit: Jasmin Lee
10. Central Market
Located in downtown Kuala Lumpur, Central Market is a great place to look for souvenirs. Originally, the building that now holds Central Market used to be a wet market in the late 20th century. After the wet market moved, Malaysia renovated the building and made it into the famous tourist spot we know today. The items sold as endless, ranging from traditional clothing to food to jewelry and anything else you can think of. The items in this place are great to remind you of Malaysian culture in your own home.
Outside of Central Market
Inside of Central Market
Photo credit: kuala-lumpur.ws
Please comment if you have been to any of these places or have any questions about Malaysia! 🙂