Malaysia & Borneo
Malaysia is an incredible place for an adventure. Whether you’re looking for an exciting city break, a foodie adventure, astounding shorelines or lush green national parks, this country has it all.
This incredible destination has been formed by a wide range of cultures over the years. Together, they’ve crafted it into a unique and special place that should definitely be on your travel bucket list.
Plan a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Malaysia and Borneo with Blank Canvas – you’ll even get your own personal travel expert, who’ll put together a bespoke itinerary just for you.
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History and Culture
Malaysia is the spot where most Asian cultures come together. From Muslim Malays and Hindu Indians to local aboriginal groups, many different cultures have influenced how Malaysia has evolved and developed. This is what makes it so special and a fantastic place to visit. It’s a place unlike any other, so you’ll have a holiday here you’ll never forget.
Religion is a significant part of Malaysian life, so there are temples and shrines dotted around the entire country. Some of the most impressive are in the Batu Caves. The huge golden statue will take your breath away and give you an idea of how important religion is for the Malaysian people.
Malaysia is famous for its rainforest, and it’s one of the most ancient ecosystems on earth. However, there’s much more to this country than just jungle and nature walks. The cities have a glitz and glamour that could rival Hong Kong, while the shoreline has marine life that Thailand and Cambodia would find tough to beat.
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Nature and wildlife
You could spend months exploring Malaysia’s famous rainforests and spotting rare and wonderful wildlife in its nature reserves.
A must for any animal lover’s itinerary is jungle trekking in the Danum Valley Conservation Area, where you’ll see orangutans, sambar deer and adorable pygmy elephants. You can also see proboscis monkeys, wild boars and colourful kingfishers in the oldest nature reserve in Sarawak, Bako National Park. Or, head to the Kinabatangan River for a longboat safari.
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Food and drink
Malaysians are passionate about food, so you can look forward to eating seriously well during your trip. Must-try dishes include nasi lemak, beef rendang and curry laksa, along with Hainanese chicken rice and the tastes-better-than-it-sounds fish head curry.
Sample all of these delicious local foods cheaply at food stalls, markets and diners, plus the traditional kedai kopi coffee shops you’ll find on virtually every downtown street.
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Adventure and experiences
If you go to the nation’s capital of Kuala Lumpur and are a fan of heights, visit the Petronas Towers. They’re twin skyscrapers that dominate the skyline – you can even walk between them via the sky bridge (but this isn’t for the faint-hearted). These towers were once the world’s tallest, but now sit in 16th place. Still, they give you sensational views of the city!
After you’ve had a look around the capital, venture out to the Cameron Highlands. This area stretches over 712 square kilometres and is home to hundreds of species of animals and plant life.
You could also try climbing Mount Kinabalu in Sabah; the views from the top are absolutely amazing. Once you’ve done all that, head to one of Malaysia’s stunning coastal spots to relax. Some of our favourites are Langkawi, Tioman and Gaya Island. Here you can lounge on the sand all day, spot turtles or explore the rich green jungle.
Plan your trip to Malaysia today.
- Capital city: Kuala Lumpur
- Language: Malay
- Currency: Malaysian Ringgit
- Time Difference: UTC + 8
- Flight Time: 13h 15m to Kuala Lumpur via London Heathrow
- Visa: Stamp on arrival (UK passport holders)
- Peak Season: November to March (West), April to October (East & Borneo)
Did you know?
Malaysia, or more specifically Borneo, is one of only two places in the world where Orangutans still roam wild. The other is Sumatra in Indonesia.
Malaysia & Borneo Climate Guide
Place | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
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Kuala Lumpur | ||||||||||||
Langkawi | ||||||||||||
Kota Kinabalu | ||||||||||||
Tioman Island | X | X | X | |||||||||
Kuching |
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