Malaysia in Three Shades: City, Highlands, and Islands
Malaysia felt like three countries in one, each with a rhythm that somehow plays in harmony. It’s not just about Borneo and orangutans. There’s much more! From jungle to beautiful beaches, to the magical capital Kuala Lumpur, every place deserves to be visited.
I started my trip in Kuala Lumpur, chased the clouds in Cameron Highlands, wandered through Taman Negara National Park, and ended to the magical Perhentian Islands.
Explore Malaysia by section; Click on a title to jump directly to that part of the journey.
Kuala Lumpur; Energy in Every Corner
Kuala Lumpur is a city of contrasts. It’s a modern capital with skyscrapers and rooftop bars, yet you can feel the pulse of Southeast Asia in its streets and neighborhoods. Malay, Chinese, and Indian cultures sit side by side, and nowhere is that more visible than in the food and the different suburbs.
Of course, no trip to Kuala Lumpur is complete without seeing the Petronas Twin Towers.
I went to Marini’s on 57, a rooftop bar with incredible views. Small tip: they don’t allow flip-flops; just keep that in mind so you don’t end up like me, buying a pair of sandals at H&M just to get in! 
The cocktails were excellent, and a DJ played in the evening while the city lights shimmered below. You can see the fountain show from the rooftop, but I recommend heading down to the ground; it’s more magical up close.
For a daytime alternative, WET Deck has a pool and lets non-hotel guests enjoy the view, relaxing by the pool after paying an entrance fee.
Kuala Lumpur isn’t just skyscrapers and rooftop bars; it’s also home to incredible temples.
Batu Caves is perhaps the most famous. You climb 272 brightly colored steps to reach the main temple, guarded by a giant golden statue of Lord Murugan. Inside, the Ramayana Cave tells the story of the epic with colorful lights and statues.
One warning monkeys roam freely around the temple. Many visitors feed them, but don’t, please! It’s harmful to them.
I visited on a Sunday, and downstairs in the temple, a lively ceremony was taking place. People were chanting, offering flowers, and the air was filled with the smell of incense. A truly mesmerizing experience that made the visit unforgettable.
To get there from KLCC (city center) by train it takes about 30-40 minutes. Trains run roughly every 30 minutes. By taxi or Grab takes about 25–35 minutes, depending on traffic.
If you’re craving food, walking through Jalan Alor Market at night is a feast for the senses. The smell of fried noodles, spices, and satay fills the air. I couldn’t resist trying mee goreng (fried noodles) and nasi goreng (fried rice). One evening, I stumbled upon a tiny local restaurant called Restoran Bee Tarik, in Bukit Bitang street. Only locals seemed to know it, and it was worth every bite :-p homemade noodles, gyoza, and the most flavorful eggplant I’ve ever had. At night, Bukit Bintang comes alive with restaurants, bars, and street performances; a perfect mix of local life and cosmopolitan energy. While wandering around, I also tried teh tarik, the famous pulled milk tea; it’s a bit sweet but very tasty.
Pratical Tips for Kuala Lumpur
1. Kuala Lumpur feels a little more western than Vietnam or Indonesia, so booking accommodation in advance is a good idea.
2. The airport is about 40–50 minutes by taxi, or around an hour by train from KLCC. Grab works well for car rides, but there are no motorbikes.
3. Public transport, like the metro and monorail, is reliable and easy to use if you want to explore the city without a car.
4. Kuala Lumpur is multicultural and modern, but modest dressing is appreciated in temples and religious site
Cameron Highlands; Tea Plantations, Mossy Forests & a Slower Pace
To get to Cameron Highlands, the cheapest option is a bus from TBS Kuala Lumpur (Terminal Bersepadu Selatan) to the Tanah Rata Bus Terminal, which sits in the heart of the Highlands. I took CS Travel booked via the 12Go website. Departures aren’t frequent, so it’s best to book at least one week in advance. I’d recommend catching the earliest bus, around 8 am, so you arrive by noon and have the afternoon to explore.
Cameron Highlands is unmistakable: cool air and rolling tea plantations. One of the most scenic estates is Cameron Valley (also known as Bharat Tea Plantation). At the tea house you’ll sip a warm cup of tea, nibble on a cake or scones (the scones are delicious here!) and look out over the green slopes. The plantation itself is open daily from about 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and has walks among the tea bushes. You can take a mini-van down to the tea plantations and explore them up close.
I joined a day‑tour which included a visit to the Mossy Forest. It’s high up (around 2,000 m above sea level). Because of the altitude, mist and cloud often drift through the trees, making the whole forest feel like another world. The constant dampness lets mosses, ferns, orchids, and pitcher plants grow everywhere. The road is steep and rough, so you’ll usually need a 4WD or tour jeep and a guide to reach it, you can’t just wander in by yourself. There’s an elevated walkway (about 200 m long) through part of the forest to help visitors explore without damaging the ecosystem.
After the Mossy Forest we stopped at another tea estate BOH Tea Centre, but it was very crowded, not quite as peaceful as Cameron Valley. Still, the view was stunning and worth it. The tour wrapped up at a strawberry farm; fresh strawberries straight from the field. I’d definitely suggest trying them.
If you’d rather explore independently, you can rent a motorbike on the main street of Tanah Rata. The roads up through the plantations are full of curves and hills and it gets chilly up here. Bring a jumper and a rain jacket, because yes, it might rain at any moment.
In the evenings, stroll through the central night market (near Tanah Rata) and try a hotpot meal. The town is small, and you’ll see most of its charm within two full days, so don’t plan more than that unless you’re really slowing down to rest.
Taman Negara: Into the Heart of the Oldest Jungle
I reached Taman Negara, known as one of the oldest rainforests in the world, by taking a minivan from Cameron Highlands. I booked the trip through 12Go Asia with the company NKS Hotel & Travel Kuala Tahan. The ride took around six hours, so it’s best to leave early in the morning to arrive in the middle of the afternoon. Like most long transfers in Malaysia, there aren’t many daily departures, so book at least a week in advance.
Before entering the park, the van stopped at a local agency to give some information about tours. Honestly, it felt unnecessary and time-consuming, but it’s part of the process, so just be patient.
Taman Negara sits along a wide brown river, surrounded by a tiny village where time seems to stop. Wooden walkways connect floating restaurants on the water, and small boats move back and forth carrying locals and travelers. It’s a quiet, wild place!
Once you arrive, go to the main information center in Kuala Tahan to choose your tours. There are a few options:
A short day tour, where you walk part of the jungle and take a quick boat ride. This one is perfect if you don’t have much time or prefer an easier day. It usually includes a canopy walk, a short jungle trek, and a boat ride along the river.
The canopy walk is one of the highlights, a hanging bridge path high between the trees, where you can walk above the jungle and see how endless the forest looks from the top. Unfortunately, it was closed in August 2025.
You’ll also take a small wooden boat upriver to visit an Orang Asli village, where you can meet the local people who still live in the forest using traditional tools and methods. The tour normally takes about 3–4 hours, and it’s perfect if you just arrived or want a lighter jungle experience.A longer full-day tour, which goes deeper into the rainforest.
This is a more adventurous and full-day version, the one I chose. You go deeper into the rainforest, with a longer hike, river crossings, and more time in the boat. Our guide took us through small muddy trails surrounded by thick vegetation, explaining how different plants are used for medicine and survival.
The day we arrived, my friend and I asked if it was possible to visit one of the Orang Asli villages (the indigenous people living in the jungle). They arranged a last-minute trip just for us and it turned out to be one of the most special experiences of the whole journey. Our guide took us by boat along the river, through dense green walls of forest, until we reached a small wooden village hidden among the trees.
The villagers showed us how they make fire using only bamboo, and how they hunt using blowpipes made from long bamboo canes. We even tried it ourselves, aiming at a small target… let’s just say I wouldn’t survive long in the jungle. We returned after sunset, just as the big birds were flying home, and the whole forest turned gold.
The next day we went on a long trek inside Taman Negara National Park. Before starting, you pay a small entrance fee and register at the checkpoint. The walk was about seven hours, peaceful, surrounded by thick jungle sounds and giant trees. We didn’t see many animals (only some elephant footprints and… their poo), but the atmosphere was magical. Our guide was kind and very knowledgeable about the plants and the forest’s history. After hours of walking, we crossed the river on foot and took a small boat back to the village. Tired but happy.
In the evening, you can eat at one of the floating restaurants by the river, watching the lights reflect on the water. For sunset, go up to the Sunset Bar on the hill, it’s the perfect way to end your jungle adventure.
Perhentian Islands: The Maldives of Malaysia
These islands are pure magic. Located on the northeast coast of Malaysia, getting here takes a bit of effort, but trust me, it’s worth every minute. The best time to snorkel is from March to October, when the weather is favorable and the waters are calm and clear.
I arrived by minivan from Taman Negara to Kuala Besut, then hopped on a ferry to the Perhentian Islands. There are two main islands:
Perhentian Besar (“Big Island”); quieter, more family-oriented, with comfortable resorts and peaceful beaches.
Perhentian Kecil (“Small Island”); lively, bohemian, and backpacker-friendly, full of beach bars, fire shows, and parties.
You can easily take a taxi boat between the two islands. My friend and I stayed one night on the Small Island and the next three nights on the Big Island. We made the rookie mistake of booking last-minute on the Small Island, ending up in a discounted place I wouldn’t recommend. Anyway, the island itself was incredible, full of life, parties and fire shows on the beach.
On our first day, we booked daily snorkeling tour directly from the beach. It’s super easy, local stands offer trips to the highlights:
Rawa Island: Swim with baby sharks in shallow, clear waters and relax on its soft sandy beach.
Susu Dara Island: Explore vibrant coral gardens teeming with tropical fish.
Serenggeh Island: Crystal-clear waters, abundant fish, and stunning coral beds. This is also a spot where you might see harmless jellyfish.
We also did a Redang Island tour, about an hour by boat. Absolutely worth it! Our boat driver had a fun, chill vibe, playing music and making the trip feel effortless. Stops included:
Turtle Point, where we spotted beautiful sea turtles swimming around.
Long Beach on Redang Island, perfect for lunch and relaxing on the sand.
Lang Tengah Island, a smaller island with vibrant coral reefs — here you can see small sharks and nemo-like clownfish.
Both islands have a few good restaurants. On the Small Island, we loved Oceanboys Cafe, the best Malaysian roti ever! The BBQ is also excellent.
Don’t forget to keep your eyes on the trees too, because you might spot the islands’ beautiful black monkeys swinging by 😍.
Malaysia really felt like three countries in one; the bustling streets of Kuala Lumpur, the misty tea plantations of Cameron Highlands, the ancient green of Taman Negara, and the turquoise serenity of the Perhentian Islands.
Each place has its own rhythm, its own magic, and together they create a journey you won’t forget.
Whether you’re a solo traveler, a foodie, a beach lover, or an adventure seeker, Malaysia has something for everyone.
Pack your bag, chase the clouds, and discover your own favorite corners of this incredible country.
And if you enjoyed reading about my journey, don’t forget to share this post, save it for your trip, or leave a comment telling me which part of Malaysia you’d love to visit first!
If you’d like to see more of what I do, I share photos and videos of the places I fall in love with on Instagram @itstravale.
I hope you’ll find in my stories not only destinations to add to your list, but also the courage to take your own leap