Best Malaysia Tour

After breakfast, begin the day with your driver guide at the 88-story Petronas Twin Towers, the fifth-tallest in the world. Board the high-speed elevator up to the 41st-floor Sky Bridge and the 86th-floor observation deck, and we’ll marvel at the iconic urban skyline of skyscrapers. Meanwhile, your guide will share the little-known story that one of the twin towers inclined gently during construction and was finally completed by slanting its upper part the other way.  

After passing by the white Kuala Lumpur Tower, a former milestone in wireless communications industry, and the Jamek Mosque constructed with red bricks and white marble, we’ll reach Independence Square (Dataran Merdeka) before midday, enjoying favorable temperatures. The moment you step upon the land, the striking pink Sultan Abdul Samad Building will come into view. Its 130-foot-tall clock tower may remind you of London’s Big Ben, but what distinguishes it is the golden hemispherical dome. Together with the world-class skyscraper Merdeka 118 standing behind it, you can read Malaysia’s past and present at a glance. 

Let’s then get lost in Chinese-steeped Petaling Street, where you may enjoy a fabulous lunch at your own cost. Wander one food stall after another with multiple languages filling your ears, and catch a mixed aroma of unique local delicacies, including mellow herb-stewed pork ribs, sauce-flavored stir-fried rice noodles, tender fried Hokkien noodles, and sweet coconut milk rice. Kim Soya Bean is worth a visit for a portion of smooth icy soybean milk or hot soybean pudding, paired with ginger candy, white sugar or brown sugar, costing just RM 2.5 (USD 0.6). Later, we’ll proceed to National Mosque of Malaysia, one of Southeast Asia's largest Islamic sanctuary, different from others by its modern design. What will impress you is the 18-pointed blue-green roof of its main hall, implying the country’s 13 states and the five Islamic essential acts of faith, prayer, charity, fasting, and pilgrimage. Also, take in the 240-foot-tall minaret nearby, which resembles a closed umbrella, right echoing the climatic features of Malaysia as a tropical realm. For a wonderful photo stop, head to the large, clear turquoise pool, the former cooling system in the 1960s, contrasting beautifully with the sacred blue-and-white architecture.

Next up is King’s Palace (Istana Negara), the political seat of Malaysia’s supreme leader. The yellowish-white complex appears more solemn and magnificent against lush greenery. Though only visiting from the outside, you’ll have a chance to take memorable photos with royal guards on horseback at the gate, watch their changing ceremony, and overlook modern urban scenery.

Afterward, accompanied by your driver guide, enjoy a 2-hour comfortable private car ride to Malacca, a World Heritage-listed old city with European structures, before checking into your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: DoubleTree by Hilton Melaka (4 stars)

This morning, your driver guide will escort you to Cheng Hoon Teng Temple first, the oldest Chinese temple in Malaysia. It has been a crucial venue for Chinese immigrants to worship and hold traditional cultural events since ancient times. Surprisingly, during the Portuguese-Dutch colonial period, it also serves as a “government”. Stepping inside, appreciate classic Chinese architecture elements, plus three altars for Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism.

Afterward, let’s head for Dutch Red Square, home to Stadthuys, Southeast Asia’s oldest Dutch structure. Facing Malacca River, it turned from a church into the History and Ethnography Museum. Aside from acquiring local colonial history, see the conspicuous rickshaws on the square, highlighted by cartoon ornaments and speakers that play songs in different languages dependent on passengers’ nationality.

Later, walk with your guide up to the ruins of St. Paul’s Church atop St. Paul’s Hill, the first European-erected church in Southeast Asia. The site also marks the resting place of the renowned Spanish missionary St. Francis Xavier, where you can admire his memorial statue and learn about his missionary career in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Japan in the 1500s. Besides, the damaged outer walls peppered with bullet holes will let you easily recall a hail of bombs and guns in past wars.

We’ll continue past A Famosa Fortress (Porta de Santiago) to Jonker Street. Diving deeper into this lively heart of Malacca and soak in the aroma of food wafting from various eateries: Jonker 88’s Baba Cendol, offering a Peranakan dessert of shaved ice and pandan-dyed jelly noodles, topped with coconut milk and palm sugar; Bunga Raya Popiah, famous for its generous serving with hot egg crumbs, fried pork lard, and jicama; Hoe Kee Chicken Rice, featuring bite-sized rice balls steamed in chicken broth and tender white cut chicken, with just RM 20-40 (USD 5-10) per person. You can enjoy lunch here at your own expense if you wish.

★ Sail along Malacca River to Enjoy Old-meets-new Cityscapes

To liven up your sightseeing, we include a Malacca River Cruise from Taman Rempah Jetty for you. During a roughly 40-minute trip, marvel at weather-beaten stone bridges, rows of vibrant houses, western villas, and historical landmarks. For example, the white Neo-Gothic Church of St. Francis Xavier stands apart from the neighboring low Malay architecture, though much smaller than its European counterparts. Also, a vast expanse of vivid graffito walls will be a breath of fresh air.

At the end of the journey, your driver guide will escort you for 2 hours back to your previous hotel in Kuala Lumpur. 

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: PARKROYAL COLLECTION Kuala Lumpur (5 stars)

In the morning, bid farewell to your driver guide at the airport, followed by an hour-long flight from Kuala Lumpur to Penang, one of Malaysia’s most dynamic and diverse states. Upon arrival, your local driver guide will greet you at the exit and accompany you to your hotel. 

► Free-time Recommendations (at your own expense):
1. You can take a 5-minute taxi ride or walk around 20 minutes from your hotel to the sapphire Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion. Ranking among the world’s top 10 mansions, the East-and-West architectural masterpiece will invite you to savor ornate, vintage European design and traditional Chinese blue-and-white porcelain, lanterns, and wooden carvings. Remember to book a ticket for RM25 (USD 6) ahead on its official website. 
2. Consider hitting the local favorite Niang Penang via a 5-minute taxi ride or a 20-minute walk from Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion. As a traditional Peranakan restaurant with an average cost of RM 40-60 (USD 10-15) per person, it offers specialties like Spicy Water Spinach, Curry Chicken, Five-spice Meat Roll, and Prawn Sambal.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: JEN Penang Georgetown by Shangri-La (4 stars)

Let’s start today with a surprise-laden car tour around George Town, another UNESCO-listed place like Malacca, dotted with Malaysia’s largest Fort Cornwallis, white century-old Queen Victoria Memorial Clock Tower, Clan Jetties with waterfront stilt houses, and Street of Harmony gathering four religions of Taoism, Hinduism, Christianism, and Islamism. En route, we’ll go past all of them - feel free to ask for photo stops anytime if you’re interested. 

Later, we’ll tick off Wat Chayamangkalaram Temple, home to the 100-year-old reclining Buddha statue jointly constructed by Thai Royal Family and Malaysian government. Wonder at its staggering length of 33 meters (108 feet), while taking a close look at his auspicious posture of lying on the right side, a free and easy state of Buddhist achieving nirvana. Also, appreciate the sculptures of Eighteen Arhats and Medicine Buddha and colorful murals portraying the important events in Shakyamuni Buddha’s life. 

★ Take a Fairytale Funicular Train up to Penang Hill

After that, let’s hop in a vintage train, which will whisk you along one of the planet’s steepest funicular railways up to Penang Hill, the local highest point and famed summer resort. With a weightless experience of climbing up a 45-degree steep slope for several minutes, the ever-changing scene of lush green forests, old western villas and even the entire Penang will unfold before you. 

After disembarking, make a beeline for the viewing platform, where you can delight in densely clustered buildings, the iconic Penang Bridge, and the Straits of Malacca without any obstruction. As inhaling rich oxygen, venture deep into a sprawling complex of architecture, including the colorful Sri Aruloli Thirumurugan Temple, the golden-domed Penang Hill Mosque, and a vintage British mansion. Shaded by huge tropical plants along the way, you may spot agile dusky leaf monkeys, large-tailed black squirrels, and fairy-like greater racket-tailed drongos.

Eventually, your driver guide will escort you back to your hotel. 

► Free-time Recommendations (at your own expense):
After the tour, you can part with your driver guide at Armenian Street to explore street art murals independently. Especially check out the most popular “Siblings on a Bicycle”, and line up to ride on a bicycle before it for Instagram-worthy snapshots. Then, walk 200 meters south to the Michelin-selected restaurant Sambal to enjoy authentic Malaysian cuisine for dinner, costing 60-80 (USD 15-20) per head. Don’t miss waxed meat claypot rice, Peranakan stuffed squids, and pork ribs. Finally, take a 5-minute taxi ride or a 15-minute stroll back to your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: JEN Penang Georgetown by Shangri-La (4 stars)

Today, your driver guide will see you off to Penang International Airport according to your onward schedule. Thank you for travelling with us! 

► Free-time Recommendations (at your own expense):
If your flight leaves late, consider wandering under 10 minutes northeast to the fantastic Upside-Down Museum, which costs RM 36 (USD 8) for admission. Removing your shoes before entering, you can pose for funny pictures at its 20+ inverted theme areas like a cozy living room and toy-strewn children’s room. Anyway, it’s best to plan your time well and arrive at the airport 3 hours ahead.

Meals: Breakfast