Tourist Attractions & Monuments Malaysia

These 62 hectares of gardens were laid out at the end of the last century on the site of an abandoned tin mine. Today, a large lake occupies the center of the park, and pathways wind their way through it. Peaceful during the week, the area comes alive at weekends and is a popular place for strolling. Romantic couples, groups of friends and families enjoy strolling beneath the hundred-year-old trees, jogging or picnicking around the lake. You can cross the lake in a pedal boat. The park is also home to a small zoo, the pride of the town!

This temple is dedicated to Kuan Yin, the Goddess of Goodness. It's Georgetown's oldest Chinese temple, built in 1728. The entrance is through a large granite-paved courtyard, overrun with pigeons that let themselves be fatally fed by devotees. At the center of the courtyard stand two green lions and two enormous cauldrons for the most serious cases. Barren women, or those unfortunate enough to have only daughters, throw incense sticks(joss sticks) into the cauldrons in whole bundles. The first temple, with walls and ceilings blackened by incense smoke, is dedicated to Kuan Yin. On the roof stand the traditional dragons, also carved on the entrance pillars. At the far end, in a glass cage, the goddess appears, crowned and dressed in a red or white gown, depending on the festival. The temple is not very large, and the worshippers, mostly women, must not be disturbed. More rarely mentioned, behind the temple, a building is preceded by a courtyard. Against its wall, a hilarious Buddha holds in his hands the blue bag from which all happiness will flow when he returns to Earth. Two other Kuan Yin statues can also be seen here. In the background, facing the Buddha, Kuan Yu, god of learning and war (Kuan Kong, see "Nin Yong Temple" below), appears surrounded by mandarins who have brilliantly obtained their parchment donkey skins. This god is particularly revered by students. The place is peaceful and the incense smoke more bearable in the open air.

Fort Cornwallis was built in 1786 on the very spot where Captain Francis Light, founder of the Penang colony, set foot on land. Initially built of wood, it was rebuilt in brick between 1804 and 1805. What remains is the enclosure, 3 m wide in places and around 3.50 m high, the cannons and, on the left as you enter, the cells, now renamed the Memorial Gallery. Here you can see photos, engravings and read vague historical explanations. The famous Sri Rambai cannon stands at the corner of the fort, and is easy to recognize: it's the only wheeled bronze cannon on the island. The cannon is famous in Malayan straw huts thanks to the following facts. Its builder, a Dutchman by the name of Jan Burgerhuis, arrived on the island in 1603, and offered it to the Sultan of Johor in 1606 to help him in his fight against Malacca. In 1795, the cannon passed into the hands of the Sultan of Selangor. When an English junk was attacked in the area and sunk, the English retaliated by raiding the island and seizing 29 cannons, which they loaded onto a ship named the Sri Rambai. The cannon was part of the cargo. Deemed useless as it was out of fashion, it was thrown overboard and remained at the bottom of the sea until 1800, when it was solemnly raised in the presence of the Vice-Sultan of Selangor. Since then, it is said that barren women flower it in the hope that this gift will turn the wheel of fertility. You can walk around the enclosure. The chapel in the right-hand corner is not open to visitors.

It was in this village, around 1820, that the Thai armies burned the rice crops. Whether the rice crops were burnt by the locals so that the Thais wouldn't benefit is unclear to local historians. Whatever the case, the Thais razed the island to the ground, leaving only ashes. Since then, every time it rains, burnt rice is said to appear on the surface of this very special field... It's worth coming for the Sunday night market or the batik craft village.

At 881 metres, it is the highest point on the island. The road to the summit is winding, but offers splendid panoramic views over the whole island. If you've rented a car, this can be a pleasant excursion in fine weather. At the top, there's an observation tower (for a fee) offering views of Langkawi's plains and beaches. If the weather is cloudy or misty, forget it. Local agencies also organize treks through the forest to observe the island's flora and fauna: macaques, spectacled langurs and birds.

Nestled in Lorong Ampang, this art space consists of two beautiful buildings in contrasting styles: the main hall, a century-old red-brick gudang (warehouse) that gained a sulphurous reputation in the 1980s and 1990s as a nightclub, and a more modern, tree-lined, semi-open building that will delight architecture enthusiasts. The program is diverse and original, with a particular focus on contemporary art and architecture, including exhibitions, performances, workshops and more.

This theme park has several enclosures with well-defined themes: a water park with a wave pool, a river to float down on large buoys and a beach; an amusement park with rides of all kinds; a tin mine reconstruction; an adventure park with canyoning, zip lines and via ferrata in the estate's karst hills; a zoo housing tarantulas, snakes, rabbits, turtles, marmosets and colorful birds; and finally, an enclosure with Siberian tigers. The park is aimed primarily at young children and their parents.

Today, 1,400 Mah Meri aborigines live on the island of Pulau Carey. The entire island is owned by the Harrison and Crosfield company, a major palm oil producer, and is carpeted with plantations. Between two squares of neatly aligned palm trees, the Mah Meri cultural center welcomes visitors to a traditional village. Wooden houses with palm roofs, moyah, are clustered inland. Originally, the Mah Meri were coastal fishermen. Following pirate attacks, they retreated to the swamps and regrouped to ensure their safety. They opened this village to the public in order to perpetuate their traditions and pass on their heritage to younger generations. You'll be greeted by men and women wearing their traditional loincloths. You'll be guided through the exhibits of a small museum showcasing the tools, costumes and customs of this tribal community. There will also be a dance performance accompanied by traditional music. The tour continues with a visit to workshops where you can admire the skills of woodcarvers. They work with a hard swamp wood called Nyireh Batu. The women work with dried palm leaves, which they fold and weave into loincloths or objects. The visit concludes with a tour of Hatters Castle, a stunning colonial-style mansion left by the British.

The Kelantan Royal Ceremonies Museum is housed in a former royal palace, better known as the Istana Jahar. Built in 1887, the palace is a veritable jewel, bearing witness to the skill and expertise of the craftsmen of the time. The museum introduces visitors to royal rituals such as marriage and birth ceremonies, circumcision and head shaving. The interior of the house is very elegant, with a splendid veranda and wrought-iron staircases.

This hillside Buddhist temple overlooking Sandakan Bay is the city's largest and most impressive. Built in 1987, the modernity of the building is clearly visible. Set in a well-kept garden, you'll notice the swastika carved into the bushes, a Buddhist good-luck charm. A long row of statues of Buddha standing in karana position, with forefinger and little finger pointing skywards, is believed to ward off demons and ward off evil. The site offers beautiful views and a soothing setting.

Facing Likas Bay, this contemporary-style mosque is the largest in Sabah. Its architecture is inspired by the Nabawi Mosque in Medina. It houses a large prayer hall for up to 12,000 worshippers and three madrasas. At nightfall, the majestic white building seems to float on water, giving the place a fairytale appearance. Proper attire is a must. No shorts for men.

Husband husband in the local language means "follow me". The reconstituted village is located 25 minutes from Kota Kinabalu. It includes traditional houses from five Sabah tribes, each with its own specificities. You can visit the inside of a longhouse, familiarize yourself with the customs, taste different dishes, make fire, blow in a blowgun... The visit ends with an impressive show and a meal. The visit lasts 4 hours.

Nestled on a small hill in the city center, Fort Alice was built in 1864 by rajah Brooke to exert control over the Batang Lupar River, where Rentap, an Iban chief, resisted Brooke's reign and led numerous raids against his army. Named after Brooke's wife, the fort, built entirely of ironwood , served as a defensive structure. Following extensive renovation work, the fort has been home to the Sri Aman Heritage Museum since 2017.

Established in 2013, this national park is seldom visited by travellers, making it an ideal place for hikers in search of authenticity. There are few tourist facilities, but it is possible to stay with local people in the village of Munggu Sawa. Access by dirt track is arduous, and the park's challenging terrain is a delight for sports enthusiasts. It's home to a discreet fauna, but it's not uncommon to spot an orangutan.

Welcome to the MV Equatorial, an attractive ship built in 1990 that offers sightseeing cruises along the river. On board, you'll enjoy commentary by a guide introducing the city's attractions, a performance of local dance and/or music, refreshments and excellent comfort. The tour takes in the Astana, the Old Courthouse and the Great Mosque, as well as lesser-known sites such as the superb home of the former Minister of Defense, and offers unique panoramic views. An excellent way to discover Kuching.

This national park is located on the Maludam peninsula and consists entirely of low-lying flat peat swamp forest. It was established in 2000 to protect the natural habitat of its wildlife, in particular the red-banded langur. The park is home to the world's only viable population of this endangered langur species. The park is also home to macaques and hornbills. You can take a river cruise through the park on a boat organized by the local community.

The best way to discover the daily life and culture of the Iban or Orang Ulu peoples (Kanyan, Kenyah, Sekapan, Kejaman and others) is to stay in a longhouse. These sturdy wooden structures built on stilts, with a row of separate rooms and a common open corridor for meetings, are the traditional habitat of the Dayaks of Sarawak. Some longhouses in Kapit still proudly display the skulls of enemies hanging from the roof, testimony to the Iban's warlike past. To visit or stay in a longhouse, it is traditional to first ask permission from its chief, the tuai rumah. Nowadays, you can also ask the Kapit Division Residents' Office (number indicated), which will act as an intermediary.

The best time to visit a longhouse is during Gawai, the annual festival of the Dayak people on June¹, and on a special occasion when you can attend a traditional welcome ceremony with a miring, a blessing ceremony performed to honor the spirits and ancestors of the tribe. This ceremony is usually followed by traditional dancing and singing, and accompanied by copious amounts of tuak, the local rice wine.

The nearest longhouse to Kapit is Rumah Richard Engking, just 4 km from town.

Further inland, in the Tunoh region, lies Rumah Laso, the last remaining Iban longhouse along the Baleh River. It can be reached by boat (3-4-hour journey).

The Rumah Killau longhouse, also in the Tunoh region, is located near the Panchur Mabong waterfalls. Tunoh is also home to Bukit Mabong, a 2,000-meter-high mountain in the Hose Mountains. This area, which boasts several Iban camps along its waterways, is renowned for the beauty of its natural landscapes formed by mountains, forests, rivers and various waterfalls. This undiscovered region has great potential for eco-tourism, and should be discovered before it is overrun by visitors.

Travellers interested in the ancient art of pua kumbu weaving can visit the Rumah Gare longhouse, located along the Sungai Kain river. The pua kumbu woven by this longhouse 's craftsmen is renowned for the quality of the materials used and the originality of its designs. The longhouse is accessible by road (approx. 1.5 hours from Kapit) and by river (approx. 3.5 hours).

Just a stone's throw from Independence Square, in the museum district, this beautiful wooden building is bound to catch your eye. More than the contents of the museum, which traces the arrival of Islam in Kelantan and tells the story of the region's muftis, the interest lies in the building itself. Built in 1902 as the main residence of the Prime Minister of Kelantan, the house features beautiful carved wooden panels both inside and out. The multi-storey roof is covered with clay tiles from southern Thailand.

Ready to break records? Moutain Torq is the operator in charge of the world's highest via ferrata, which is even listed in the Guinness Book of Records, The Low Peak! If you're still feeling up to it after climbing Mount Kinabalu, you can follow up directly with one of the two via ferrata routes available.

The most demanding, the Low's Peak Circuit (forbidden for under 17s), 1.1 km long, requires 4 to 5 hours of sensational descent and starts at an altitude of no less than 3,776 m, making it the highest course in the world! You'll have the chance to stand up against the vertical wall and admire the view of clouds and the China Sea, held up just by a rope and carabiner. Everything is sturdy and well-maintained, and you'll receive full training the day before your ascent to the summit. The only prerequisites for enjoying the experience to the full: not suffering from vertigo and being in good physical shape. Then you'll be ready for the descent... and the crossing of suspension bridges over the void! A memorable experience.

For the less experienced, the second route, Walk the Torq, perched at an altitude of 3,521 metres and 380 metres long, can be completed in 2-3 hours, but still promises thrills and spills! (Accessible to children aged 10 and over).

For those who choose to climb Mount Torq and its via ferrata, the operator offers a preferred accommodation option, the Pendant Hut, perched at an altitude of 3,289 metres.

Built in the heart of Little India over 200 years ago, Sri Maha Mariamman is Penang's oldest Hindu temple. The entrance tower, called a gopuram, is richly carved and decorated with colorful representations of deities and sacred animals. Since pujahs, or prayers, take place in the morning, don't hesitate to come and observe the ceremonies of offerings to the deities performed by the temple's priests. A fascinating and disconcerting experience.

Located 24 km from the center of Tawau, this park with its contrasting topography was created in 1979. It is distinguished by its tropical forest and rugged volcanic terrain, separated by wide plains where rubber, palm and cocoa trees are grown. It is home to one of the world's tallest tropical trees, standing at 96.9 metres. The area is famous for its hot springs, waterfalls and 3 peaks over 1,000 metres high, Mount Maria (1,080 m), Mount Magadalena (1,310 m) and Mount Lucia (1,202 m), which are ideal for superb hikes through the jungle. A botanical garden introduces visitors to the flora of the region, including magnificent orchid species. Accommodation is available at the park headquarters, which offers 10 basic but comfortable air-conditioned rooms and a family bungalow. There's also a small canteen serving delicious local cuisine, which doubles as a mini-market.

The park's fauna is varied, and walks in the forest enable you to observe several species in their natural habitat: the gibbon, the rufous semnopithecus, the rhinoceros or bicorn hornbill, the tarantula, the pangonlin, as well as numerous species of birds, reptiles and amphibians, including one of the world's smallest frogs.

It's best to visit the park on weekdays to enjoy its peace and quiet, because at weekends it's a popular destination for families who come to relax.

Located 23 km south-west of Kuching, Siniawan, with its old wooden buildings, is a village that has retained its old-world charm. Be sure to visit the ancient Shui Yue Gong temple dedicated to Guanyin. On weekend evenings, Siniawak comes alive with the night market in the main street. Under the red Chinese lanterns, locals and visitors gather to enjoy the wide variety of specialties on offer. An excellent way to spend an evening is to feast on local specialities and immerse yourself in the warm atmosphere.