Malaysia: Nature, history and remarkable landscapes

In Kinabalu Park, the sequence of habitats ranges from tropical lowland and hill rainforest through tropical montane forest to subalpine forest and scrubland. The park is estimated to have 5,000 to 6,000 species of vascular plants, including 1,000 orchid species, as well as 326 bird species. The different forest and scrubland landscapes give a visit here a different focus from Malaysia’s archaeological sites or historic cities.

Rainforest, karst and mountains

Gunung Mulu National Park is also distinguished by its biological diversity and karst landscape. The Sarawak Chamber is 600 metres long, 415 metres wide and 80 metres high. These three measurements convey its dimensions in length, width and height, giving the karst landscape a particularly tangible point of reference.

Mount Kinabalu is 4,095 metres high and the highest mountain between the Himalayas and New Guinea. It can be climbed in two days; a more comfortable three-day ascent is recommended for acclimatisation and a more comprehensive experience of its biological diversity. Mountaineering requirements may change. Check the current requirements for the climb before planning.

The Forest Research Institute Malaysia Forest Park Selangor is a man-made tropical rainforest on a former tin-mining site that had been degraded since the 1920s. The park has trails. The FRIM Forest Skywalk is 18 to 50 metres high and 250 metres long. This means the park offers both a constructed forest landscape with trails and a skywalk with clearly stated dimensions as distinct aspects to explore.

Taman Negara extends across Pahang, Kelantan and Terengganu. It covers an area of 4,343 square kilometres and is considered to be a tropical rainforest around 130 million years old. Mount Tahan lies within Taman Negara and, at 2,187 metres, is the highest mountain on the Malay Peninsula. The elevations of Mount Tahan and Mount Kinabalu therefore refer to two different geographical superlatives: the highest mountain on the peninsula and the highest between the Himalayas and New Guinea.

Archaeology and urban heritage

The cave complex of the Archaeological Heritage of Niah National Park includes archaeological sites, rock paintings and boat-shaped coffins. It preserves the longest-known evidence of human interaction with the rainforest, spanning at least 50,000 years. It also documents the transition from foraging to rice cultivation, as well as the cultivation of trees and vegetables. These aspects link the long timespan with changes in ways of life and cultivation.

Melaka and George Town were historic trading cities on the Strait of Malacca. As trading ports, they connected East and West. The multicultural heritage of both cities includes religious buildings of various faiths, ethnic neighbourhoods and numerous languages. Religious festivals, dances, traditional costumes, art, music, food and everyday life are also part of this heritage. In addition, the cities have an exceptional variety of shophouses and townhouses. The combination of trading history, architecture and cultural life distinguishes this focus from the nature and cave themes of other places.

Islands and activities by the sea

Langkawi is an archipelago of 99 islands and, since 2007, the first recognised UNESCO Global Geopark in Southeast Asia. Langkawi includes the three Geoforest Parks: Machincang Cambrian, Kilim Karst and Dayang Bunting Marble. For trip planning, Langkawi thus offers both the island character of the archipelago and a selection of named Geoforest Parks as specific thematic points of reference.

Tunku Abdul Rahman Park comprises five islands, as well as the surrounding reefs and marine areas. Water sports such as scuba diving and snorkelling are practised there. Pulau Payar Marine Park, in turn, comprises four islands: Pulau Kaca, Pulau Lembu, Pulau Segantang and Pulau Payar. Snorkelling and diving are also available there; Coral Garden is a dive site in the marine park. The two parks differ even in their number of islands: five in Tunku Abdul Rahman Park and four in Pulau Payar Marine Park.

Special insights into nature and everyday life

The Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre was established in 1964 to rehabilitate orphaned orangutans. Scheduled feedings take place at 10:00 and 15:00. Check the schedule before your visit if you would like to plan around one of the feedings.

In Taman Negara, you can visit the Aborigines Village (Kampung Orang Asli), home to the Batek and Semokberi. Along with Niah’s archaeological evidence and the multicultural heritage of Melaka and George Town, this place offers another cultural focus. You can tailor your trip to different interests—from rainforest and mountain landscapes to islands and water sports, as well as archaeology and urban heritage.

Discover more destinations: Malacca, Negeri Sembilan, Selangor, Putrajaya, Kuala Lumpur, Pahang, Perak, Terengganu, Penang, Sabah, Kedah, Kelantan, Federal Territory of Labuan, Perlis, Penang, Sarawak, Johor.

For the broader travel overview: Asia.