World Tourism Day 2025: Spotlight on Malaysia

There are few countries where you can dine on world class cuisine, hike through rainforests, relax on pristine beaches, and explore a capital city with mosques, temples, and one of the world’s largest caves. Malaysia is one such country and is the host for this year’s World Tourism Day. The six regions of Malaysia each boast their own unique attractions and have something to offer for every kind of traveller.

Northern

Penang is the jewel in the crown of northern Malaysia, home to some of Southeast Asia’s best cuisine. Restaurants and hawker markets serve crispy dosas, spicy laksas, steaming rotis, and enormous bowls of cendol, a classic Malaysian dessert. The capital city of George Town evokes feelings of yesteryear with its colonial architecture, while the sprinkling of street art is an attraction for younger travellers. Penang is an ideal destination for a long weekend, and hiring a scooter is a great way to get around the island.

King of the North: Street food in Penang

Penang’s street art draws travellers from all over the world

Central

Home to around two million people, Kuala Lumpur, or KL, is the shining capital of Malaysia. With all the glitz and glamour of a 21st century metropolis, including the Petronas Towers, there is much more to KL. Hidden under overpasses and in laneways, you will find excellent street food, while the city’s mosques and temples offer insight into the diverse cultures of Malaysia. A short train ride from the city centre is the Batu Caves, while the Central Market and Petaling Street are a shopper’s paradise.

Viewing KL from the Petronas Towers

KL’s famous Batu Caves, boasting the largest cave chamber in the world.

Southern

The southern region of the Malay Peninsula is home to Malacca (Melaka). Originally a fishing village, the town developed as a crucial trading port under the Dutch, Portuguese, and then the British. A series of canals run throughout Malacca City and take visitors past colonial era buildings and riverside walkways. The region also has a large Chinese population, reflected in the cuisine and the many temples dotted throughout Malacca City.

Take a boat ride through Malacca’s canals.

A Chinese temple in Malacca City

East Coast

The East Coast of Malaysia is one of the least visited parts of the peninsula, yet it boasts some of the country’s most pristine beaches. Less crowded than the tourist hotspot of Langkawi, the East Coast offers lazy days by the water and diving and snorkelling on nearby Perhentian and Redang Islands. The region is also home to Malaysia’s largest national park, Taman Negara, where you might be able to spot tigers, rhinos, and elephants.

Lazy beach days on the East Coast

Sabah

The island of Borneo is home to three countries (Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei) and two regions of Malaysia (Sabah and Sarawak). Sabah is the more popular destination for travellers, home to Mt. Kinabalu, wildlife sanctuaries for orangutans and sun bears, and my personal favourite, Turtle Island, a short boat ride from Sandakan. On Turtle Island, visitors can learn about conservation efforts, watch mothers lay their eggs at night, and shepherd hatchlings into the ocean. Whether you want to relax and idle your days away by the beach or head into the mountains, there is something for everyone in Sabah.

Exploring the summit of Mt. Kinabalu

Sun Bear sanctuary in Sandakan

Sarawak

South of Sabah lies Sarawak, a region that envelops the Sultanate of Brunei, one of Asia’s smallest countries. Less popular than its northern neighbour, there is still plenty to see and do in Sarawak. With over 30 different ethnic groups, Sarawak offers amazing cultural diversity, including indigenous Malays and Chinese. Meanwhile, Sarawak’s national parks range from marine environments protecting endangered sea turtles to rainforests that abound with caves and astonishing rock formations.

Bon voyage little guy, swim strong!