Less known than other Southeast Asian destinations such as Thailand or Bali, Malaysia is nevertheless full of treasures for tourists in search of exoticism. Whether you are passionate about culture, nature or food, you will surely find your happiness in this multi-faceted country.
1- For the mix of tradition and modernity
If you have never been to Asia before, Malaysia is the perfect destination to start your exploration of this continent. This is because it is a country with a sufficient level of hygiene and comfort to be able to travel there safely, including with children.
As long as you avoid going into the jungle and have had a few vaccinations beforehand such as tetanus and hepatitis A, you will never feel that you are putting your health at risk.
The cities, especially Kuala Lumpur the capital, offer an amazing mix of traditional architecture and all-out modernity, noticeable especially in the many skyscrapers under construction.
2- For the multicultural society
One of the particularities of Malaysia is to offer a cultural and religious mix which makes the richness of this destination.
While Malays of the Muslim faith represent the majority ethnic group, the Malaysian population also consists of Chinese and Indians who practice other religions such as Buddhism, Christianity and Hinduism.
This cultural and religious patchwork is evident in many aspects of everyday life such as local architecture, places of worship and Malaysian cuisine.
Even without leaving the capital city of Kuala Lumpur, you can visit a mosque one day, a Buddhist temple the next, the famous Hindu temples of the Batu Caves or a beautiful Chinese temple as pictured below.
3- For the historical and cultural heritage
Although it is not the aspect most often emphasized by tourist guides, Malaysia has preserved precious evidence of its cosmopolitan history, marked by the presence of the Portuguese, Dutch and British.
If you want to learn more about the country's complex and eventful history, we recommend visiting the National Museum in Kuala Lumpur.
We also recommend a visit to the city of Malacca, which is the country's oldest port and was once a strategic center for the spice trade. Malacca (or Melaka in Malay) has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with George Town as 'historic cities of the Straits of Malacca'.
4- For landscapes and nature
In addition to its particularly rich history and culture, Malaysia is one of the most beautiful destinations in Southeast Asia for its landscapes.
The territories of Sarawak and Sabah, located in northern Borneo, are particularly famous for their tropical rainforests and dreamy beaches.
But even in the peninsular part of the country and in the capital Kuala Lumpur you can discover flowers and trees that you have never seen if you have not yet traveled to a tropical area.
In the cities, tropical nature and flora are never far away, as shown by the famous KL Bird Park in the heart of the capital.
5- For the local cuisine
If there is one thing Malaysians love and are particularly proud of, it is their cuisine. As varied and cosmopolitan as their culture, Malaysian cuisine is a patchwork of specialties from around the world.
In addition to Malaysian cuisine itself, born from the fusion of many, many influences, you can easily eat Chinese, Indian or even Western in Kuala Lumpur restaurants.
Since Western-style restaurants are the most expensive, we advise you to take advantage of your stay to try local or Asian dishes (Chinese, Thai, Japanese, Korean) offered at more modest prices.
Be careful though: Malaysians love to eat spicy, even very spicy! Now that you have been warned, you can adapt your choices accordingly...
Gastronomy is one of the 5 good reasons to visit this country because Malaysia is a real paradise for foodistas and other lovers of good food. The food, which is always carefully prepared, is both affordable and delicious.