Best Malaysia Tour

Welcome to Malaysia! After landing, meet your driver guide holding a welcome board at the arrival hall. He or she will then drive you to our well-picked hotel downtown. The rest of the day is your free time to recover from the jet lag or stroll to explore Kuala Lumpur.

★ Why Should You Choose Our Guided Tour?
Some attractions in Malaysia strictly control the number of tourists, such as the Petronas Twin Towers, which require ticket bookings a long time in advance, and its view deck even controls the visiting time. Certain temples also have different opening hours due to prayers. So, independent travelers have to take pains in their daily schedules. However, our guided tour will arrange everything well, including ticket bookings and itinerary planning, allowing you to devote yourself to visiting only.

► What to Do in Your Free Time Today
Walking only 10 minutes from the hotel, you will reach Kuala Lumpur’s liveliest Jalan Alor Food Street, buzzing with stalls selling tasty snacks. As you follow the crowd forward, the heady smell of beef and chicken patties of Restoran Mon Chinese Beef Roti will instantly rouse your hunger. Grab a bite of the crispy crust and tender, juicy filling, and your mouth is burst with a rich beef flavor seasoned with tangy onions, scallion, pepper, and five-spice powder. Each patty costs only RM6 (less than $1.5). Although it always seems to be a long queue, the actual waiting time usually is 10 to 15 minutes.

If it’s not too late, you can take a 10-minute taxi to KLCC Park to enjoy the Lake Symphony Water Show (7:30-8:30 pm) and the night view of Petronas Twin Towers. Get back to the hotel early and rest up for tomorrow’s tour.

Accommodation: PARKROYAL COLLECTION Kuala Lumpur (5 stars)

Today, you will be accompanied on a tour of Kuala Lumpur, a diverse metropolis with tradition and modernity. The first destination is the 88-story Petronas Twin Towers, the world’s tallest twin towers, where we will ascend to the Sky Bridge on the 41st floor and the observation deck on the 86th floor, gazing over Kuala Lumpur’s cityscape shaped by skyscrapers. Few know that one of the towers was tilted during construction and was completed by leaning the higher part in the opposite direction.

Next, driving past Kuala Lumpur Tower and the Jamek Mosque, we will arrive at Independence Square (Dataran Merdeka) at a pleasant temperature before noon. You can see the pink-hued Sultan Abdul Samad Building, whose 130-foot-high clock tower resembles the UK’s Big Ben but differs with a golden hemispherical dome and the world-class skyscraper Merdaka 118 behind, combining Malaysia’s history and the present.At noon, stop at Petaling Street, Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown, where you can have lunch at your own expense with mouthwatering delicacies. Roaming with the melee of snack-seekers, you will hear multiple languages lingering and smell the aroma of various cuisines – the herb-stewed pork ribs, the sauce-flavored stir-fried rice noodles, the crispy grilled fish, the sweet coconut-milk-cooked rice... In-the-know diners recommend the Kim Soya Bean for a cup of mellow iced soybean milk or hot soybean pudding, which can be self-served with white, brown, or ginger sugar. One portion costs only RM2.5 (about $0.5).

In the afternoon, continue to the National Mosque of Malaysia, one of Southeast Asia's largest mosques, combining modern design with Islamic art. The first thing that catches your eye is its 16-cornered umbrella-shaped blue-green roof, representing Malaysia’s 11 states and Islam’s five pillars: profession of faith, praying, fasting, almsgiving, and pilgrimage, while the 240-foot-high minaret beside is in a closed umbrella shape, consistent with the climate characteristics of Malaysia as a tropical country. Another eye-catching scene inside is a large, clear turquoise pool, once a cooling system in the 1960s and now a decoration only, complementing the sacred blue and white architecture.

Finally, we will drive away downtown to King’s Palace (Istana Negara). The yellow and white palace building looks magnificent against a large green lawn. Although visiting from outside only, you have a chance to take photos with the Royal Cavalry at the gate, watch the guards changing ceremony, and overlook the surrounding high-rise buildings in Kuala Lumpur. Keep driving for two hours, and we will stay in Malacca tonight.

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

Today, follow your driver guide to explore Malacca, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, small but captivating. First, get to Cheng Hoon Teng Temple, the oldest Chinese temple here, an essential place for holding traditional cultural activities, which local Chinese have always worshipped. In specific historical periods, it also played a government-like role. Walking into it, you will see an eyeful element of traditional Chinese culture, including three altars for Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism.

The next stop is Stadthuys (Dutch Red Square), the oldest Dutch-style building in Southeast Asia, sitting by the Malacca River. It was originally a church but was later converted into the Malacca Museum. In addition to learning about the local colonial history from the guide, you can also witness Malaysia’s rickshaw culture here – decorated with cartoon ornaments and equipped with loudspeakers playing songs, which are noisy but novel and exciting.

A path at Stadthuys’s back door will lead you to the top of St. Paul’s Hill, where St. Paul’s Church stands. It is the oldest church built by Europeans in Southeast Asia and the burial site of the famous missionary St. Francis, with a statue of him as a memorial. Even the roof of the church no longer exists, leaving only the outer walls with countless bullet holes, telling of the hail of gunfire in past wars.

Passing by A Famosa Fortress (Porta de Santiago) and paying a short visit, we will arrive at Jonker Street, Malacca’s lively heart. Smelling the intense whiff of food hanging in the air among an abundance of stalls and restaurants, how can you refuse to feast on local delicacies? Jonker 88’s Baba Cendol, made with Malacca coconut sugar, perfectly matches red beans. Bunga Raya Popiah, twice the size of the usual popiah, is filled with hot egg crumbs, crispy pork lard, and jicama, undoubtedly satisfying your taste buds. Hoe Kee Chicken Rice’s plump Chicken Rice Balls are made with tender chicken meat, have a creamy texture, and are much-lauded by local gourmets and tourists at a reasonable price of only RM20-40 ($5-10) per person.

In the afternoon, the driver guide will help you embark on a Melaka River Cruise from Taman Rempah Jetty. During the around 40-minute cruise, you will cross several ancient stone bridges and pass by colorful houses, Western-style villas, and various historical sites, such as the Church of St. Francis Xavier – although far smaller in scale than the Gothic churches in Europe, such a white neo-Gothic building is unique against surrounding low Malay buildings. Besides, the vast murals spray-painted on rows of houses on the banks will also catch your eyes. After that, you will be transferred back to Kuala Lumpur by driving for two hours.

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

This morning, your driver guide will escort you to the airport for a one-hour flight to Penang. After being picked up in Penang and escorted to the hotel, you will have the rest of the day to do as you please.

► Touristy Spot Warrants Visiting in Penang
You can take a taxi for 5 minutes or walk nearly 20 minutes from your hotel to Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, one of the world’s top ten mansions, also called Blue Mansion, for its sapphire exterior. Standing in it, you will see a combination of Chinese and Western architectural styles, evident in many retro and gorgeous European ornaments, exquisite Chinese traditional blue and white porcelain, lanterns, wood carvings, etc., once luring the Hollywood director to film the movie Crazy Rich Asians here. Numerous exhibits and annotations allow you to dig into its changes over the past century. Tickets are RM25 ($6) and need to be booked on the official website. Still, the mansion is accessible if you have lunch at its restaurant.

► Dinner Recommendation: Niang Penang
A five-minute taxi ride or 20-minute walk from Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, this traditional Nyonya restaurant is popular among locals, with an average cost of RM40-60 ($10-15) per person. The retro interior decoration with hanging paper umbrellas and antique vases creates an elegant and cozy ambiance. Cooked under the guidance of an aunty in her 80s, its Nyonya dishes taste pretty authentic. Kangkong Sambal with Shrimp, Curry Chicken with a rich coconut aroma, Lok Bak crispy on the outside and tender inside, and the sour and spicy appetizing Sambal Udang are all worth a try.

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

Today, you will be guided to spend a whole day exploring Penang. Your driver guide will first show you around George Town with a car tour. Another UNESCO-protected town like Malacca, George Town is densely punctuated by historical attractions, including Fort Cornwallis, Queen Victoria Memorial Clock Tower, Clan Jetty, and Street of Harmony, all of which we will drive past. If interested, you can ask for photo stops at any time.

The next destination is Wat Chayamangkalaram Temple, where the century-old reclining Buddha statue was built with donations from the Thai royal family and the Malaysian government. Marvel at the 33-meter-long Buddha statue, built in the auspicious posture of lying on his right side, a posture for the Buddhist practice of nirvana. Admire statues of the 18 Arhats, Medicine Buddha, and other deities, as well as murals that describe the stories of Buddhism prevalent in Southeast Asia.

Then, we will drive to Penang Hill. Riding on the funicular train through the forest to climb up the steep mountain feels like entering a fairy tale world. Still, Penang Hill brings you more surprises than just the train. You will undoubtedly linger on the nature walk with rich oxygen, randomly wandering dusky leaf monkeys, afternoon tea in the rainforest, and the stunning panoramic city view. Even if it rains, the scenery in the drizzle still fascinates.

After that, the driver guide will take you back to the hotel. Alternatively, if you are interested in Penang’s street mural art, the driver guide can drop you off at Armenian Street for your free exploration. Beyond the large number and exquisiteness, Penang’s murals are particularly famous for their high interactivity. “Sisters Riding Together” is so renowned that you may have to queue up to sit on the bicycle in front of it for photography.

► Recommended Dinner Site: Sambal
This affordable Michelin-recommended restaurant is 200m south of Armenian Street, with an average price of RM60-80 ($15-20) per person. Its name refers to a local special chili sauce commonly used in Nyonya cuisine, self-explanatory what kind of cuisine they serve. Lap Mei Fun, Sotong De Sumbat, Pork Ribs, and Udang Entangles are all signature Nyonya dishes repeatedly recommended by dinners. You can also ask attentive servers, who will explain the menu in detail and provide suggestions. It takes 15 minutes to walk back to your hotel or 5 minutes by taxi.

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

Our 6 days best Malaysia tours end today, and the driver guide will escort you to the airport punctually, taking half an hour. The process at Penang Airport may be slow sometimes, so it is best to leave 3 hours for boarding. We wish you a smooth journey back!

If you want to continue to Cameron Highlands, Langkawi, or Sabah to experience Malaysia’s highlands and beaches, or extend your trip to neighboring countries such as Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, etc., please contact our travel consultants to customize your itinerary!

► What to Do in Your Free Time Today
Less than a 10-minute walk northeast of the hotel, there is the Upside Down Museum. An adult ticket costs RM36 ($8). The two-story museum has more than a dozen photo areas, carefully designed and very realistic. Entering with your shoes off and with the help of friendly and professional staff on how to pose in each scene, you need only follow the instructions and smile at the camera. Turn over your photos or videos, and the scene becomes upside down, novel, and exciting. Remember to charge your phone or camera fully in advance, and don’t forget your flight time when immersing yourself in the entertainment.

Meals: Breakfast