The best museums Malaysia

This magnificent long house is typical of the homes of wealthy Peranakan families in the late ^19th century. Built in 1896, four generations lived here until 1985, when the house was converted into a museum. The architecture and decoration bear witness to Malacca's diverse influences. From grand furnishings to small everyday objects, it's a plunge into the intimacy of another era. The museum provides explanatory booklets in French.

Founded in 1891 by rajah Charles Brooke and renowned as one of the finest exhibitions in Southeast Asia, this museum boasts an exceptional ethnographic collection. At the rajah's invitation, anthropologist Alfred Wallace, a contemporary of Charles Darwin, worked for two years to open the museum. Following Sarawak's independence in 1963, naturalist and archaeologist Tom Harrison, then on secondment to the museum, contributed to its renown when he discovered a 39,000-year-old skull in the Niah cave in the center of the region.

On the second floor, photographs dating from the late ^19th and early ^20th centuries show the various Dayak tribes in traditional dress. Primitive arts and crafts from the longhouses are also represented: trophy skulls from the days of the headhunters, masks worn for harvest festivals, fertility rites, spiritual dances and funeral ceremonies. Those with a sinister appearance, revolting eyes and oversized ears are reserved for macabre dances.

A gallery features kramen, precious wooden totems carved and erected by the Orang Ulu at the entrance to their homes to protect them from evil spirits. Some of these traditions still survive today, such as basket-making and certain animist beliefs. So, before staying in a longhouse with a tribe, a visit to the Sarawak Museum is essential for a better understanding of these precious cultures.

On a limestone hill of 122 m height is hidden a vast cave containing 40 statues of Buddha of which the highest measures 13 m. This temple was founded in 1926 by Chon Seng Yee who discovered the cave. He was a lover of painting and had the various caves and galleries decorated, which are still being completed by pilgrim artists. After the main altar, steps lead you through the galleries until you reach an exit on the side of the cliff. A surprising view of the industrial area and the mountains awaits you a little higher up.

This museum is a good introduction to the coutumes customs and culture. As clothing, musical instruments, descriptions of the rites of marriage or their religion animist, visitors can thus have an overview of the life of these Aboriginal people. To get there, take bus 174 of the terminus Lebuh Ampang.

When Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah made Shah Alam the capital of Selangor State in 1974, he wanted a large mosque and a state museum. The Museum of Futuristic Architecture opened its doors in 1989. He is responsible for promoting Selangor's culture and arts to the public. Different themes are presented in a succession of rooms: Prehistory, Arts and Culture, Environment, Sports and Islam are on the programme. Many objects are on display and slideshows can be used to reconstruct periods or environments.

This former royal palace, built in 1939 for the Sultan's wedding, has a much more modern face. We recommend that you end your visit to Kota Bharu with this monument in order to appreciate the architectural progression of the Malay style. The visit gives an insight into the life of the royal family between 1940 and 1960. Old photos, costumes, gifts from foreign delegations, vintage cars... the whole is quite anecdotal.

The museum is housed in a beautiful building that combines colonial and Malayan styles. It is the former town hall of Kota Bharu built in 1930 and has undergone some modifications since then. The various rooms illustrate the history, culture and crafts of Kelantan. The collection forms an interesting bric-a-brac, with beautiful pieces such as delicately painted Chinese porcelain, traditional musical instruments, antique textile pieces or basketry.

Opened in 1986, the palace-museum is a beautiful replica of the palace of Sultan Mansur Shah (circa 1459-1477), built without a single nail. It's also a fascinating visit for anyone interested in Malacca's history. The museum is divided into three galleries and eight rooms, featuring traditional costumes, a royal bedroom, traditional weapons, jewelry, musical instruments and old photos.

This pink building, constructed in 1912, served as a court of justice for the Chinese community until 1921, when it became the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Kuching. Today, the Chinese History Museum traces the life of Sarawak's various Chinese communities from the early ^19th century to the era of the White Rajahs. On display are musical instruments, beautiful ceramics from the Ming dynasty, jade handicrafts and various works of art. If you enjoy your visit, don't hesitate to make a donation as you leave the museum.

This important museum recounts the extraordinary saga of the Grand Admiral of the Chinese fleet, Cheng Ho (or Zheng He). In 1381, aged just 10, he was captured by the Chinese army following the execution of his father, who had served the Mongols. He then became a eunuch in the imperial court and, in 1405, was promoted to admiral of the western seas. Between 1405 and 1433, he undertook seven expeditions on an unprecedented scale, reaching Borneo, Thailand, Ceylon, the Indian coast, the Arabian Peninsula and even the African coast. Five of his voyages took him to Malacca, where he built a huge warehouse to store the wonders he had gleaned from his travels. As confidant to the third emperor of the Ming dynasty, his influence on Sino-Malaysian relations was considerable. But in Malacca, he is most revered for his intercession in securing the marriage of Princess Hang Li Po (daughter of the Chinese emperor) to the Sultan of Malacca in the ^mid-15th century. Unknowingly, Cheng Ho initiated the Peranakan or Baba Nyonya culture. Following these royal nuptials, members of the princess's entourage entered into further marriages. The museum was inaugurated in 2006, on the supposed site of the Cheng Ho warehouse. Statues of Chinese warriors greet you at the entrance. Inside, you'll see a number of Chinese antiques, maps showing the Admiral's travels, models of Chinese junks, and playlets depicting scenes from traditional life of the time.

The Stadthuys was the residence of the Dutch and then British Governors General of Malacca. Built between 1641 and 1660 on the ruins of the Portuguese fort, the establishment saw the city's various governments come and go for 300 years. Converted into a museum in 1982, it is the oldest Dutch building east of Suez. Today, it houses the Museum of Ethnography and History and traces life in Malacca from the Sultanate to the British occupation. Weapons, paintings, porcelain, jewelry and costumes bear witness to these eras.

The Museum of Islam is housed in an old colonial building dating from the 1850s, which once faced the sea. It may prove interesting for those wishing to familiarize themselves with the main tenets of the religion. Around a hundred objects are displayed in dusty showcases. These include ancient Korans, a representation of the punishments for theft and adultery, and portraits of the imams and great thinkers of Islam in the Malacca region. It's also (or is it?) an opportunity to visit a beautiful colonial mansion.

It's impossible to pass by this museum without noticing it! The wooden caravel is said to be a replica of the Flor de Mar, a Portuguese ship that ran aground off Malacca after leaving port with its holds full of illegally extracted booty. The ship receives around 20,000 visitors a month, including many school groups. Forget about a quiet visit. The ship's belly hides scenes of life in the port of Malacca at the time of its rise, and provides an insight into why control of the city was so important.

This small history museum will tell you all you need to know about Pulau Labuan, its mining adventure, the influence of the Sultanate of Brunei, the British presence, the Second World War and the Japanese invasion, and its status as an autonomous province. The second floor focuses on the socio-economic links between Labuan's various ethnic groups: Brunei Malays, Kedayans, Kadazans, Chinese and Indians. The museum is housed in a former colonial building, dating from the 1950s, used by the British administration.

This mansion bears witness to the rich heritage of the Peranakan, the first Chinese to settle in the Strait of Malacca colonies that include Malacca, Singapore and Penang. It was built at the end of the ^19th century as the residence of the former kapitan cina Chung Keng Kwee. Although not a baba himself, he ensured that his house was decorated in the Peranakan style. He was one of the richest men in the Strait at the time, founder of the town of Taiping, and he sought to impress the community. Initially, the house was home to the Ghee Hin secret society. The tour takes us through perfectly restored rooms that bear witness to unparalleled opulence. Styles blend to form a harmonious whole: Chinese openwork wood panels, Scottish ironwork, patterned English tiles, hand-blown glass chandeliers... The furniture is inlaid with mother-of-pearl, the woodwork gilded with fine gold. The house contains over 1,000 curios and antiques. Each new room is even more luxurious than the last, with a special mention for the games room, where you can guess the frenzied games of mah-jongg and poker that must have taken place under the light of the huge chandelier. The rooms are arranged around a flower-filled courtyard, where the monumental staircase leads to the first floor. You can round off your visit to this Peranakan mansion with a tour of the Chung Keng Kwee temple next door.

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.

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.

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.