Most trips to Malaysia from Dhaka begin and end in Kuala Lumpur, and many never leave it. That is a shame, because some of the country's best experiences are a short drive, train ride or flight away. With a few extra days you can swap the city heat for cool mountain air, a tropical island, a street-food capital or a river town full of history. Here is how to choose, and how to fit it together.
Genting Highlands: cool air close to KL
Genting Highlands sits on a mountain ridge about an hour's drive from Kuala Lumpur, and the change in temperature is the first thing you notice. The ride up on the Awana SkyWay cable car, gliding over the rainforest canopy, is a highlight in itself. At the top you will find a large resort complex with hotels, shopping, indoor and outdoor theme parks and plenty of restaurants.
On the way, the Chin Swee Caves Temple has calm gardens and wide views. Genting works well as a day trip or a single night, and it is especially popular with families. Bring a light jacket, because it can be misty and chilly, even when KL is hot.
Langkawi: beaches and island hopping
Langkawi is a group of islands off the north-west coast, and it is where you go to slow down. Spend your days on the soft sand at Pantai Cenang, take a boat into the Kilim mangroves to see eagles and limestone cliffs, or join an island-hopping tour that stops at the freshwater Lake of the Pregnant Maiden.
The Langkawi Cable Car climbs steeply to a mountain summit, where the curved Sky Bridge hangs over the forest. Langkawi is also a duty-free island, which many visitors enjoy for chocolates, cosmetics and household goods. Two or three nights here make a relaxing end to a busy trip.
Penang: George Town's food and streets
If you travel for food, Penang may be your favourite stop. Its capital, George Town, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with shophouses, temples, mosques and clan houses side by side. Wander the lanes to find the famous street art murals, and visit the Kapitan Keling Mosque and the colourful clan jetties on the waterfront.
Then eat. Penang's hawker stalls are legendary. Dishes to look for include:
- Nasi kandar: rice with a choice of curries, a Penang favourite
- Assam laksa: a sour, spicy fish noodle soup
- Char kway teow: smoky fried flat noodles
- Cendol: shaved ice with coconut milk and palm sugar, perfect in the heat
Halal food is easy to find across Malaysia, but some hawker centres also serve pork, so look for halal signs or ask. Take the funicular up Penang Hill for sunset views over the city.
Malacca: a river town full of history
Malacca, also spelt Melaka, was a great trading port, and you can see layers of Malay, Portuguese, Dutch and British history in a small area. The red buildings of Dutch Square, including Christ Church and the Stadthuys, are the centrepiece. Climb St Paul's Hill, see the old A Famosa gate, and take an evening river cruise past lit-up houses.
Jonker Street is lined with antique shops and cafés, and becomes a lively night market at weekends. Malacca is close enough to KL for a long day trip by road, but one night lets you enjoy it after the day-trippers leave.
How to combine it all with KL
You do not need to see everything. Pick what suits you, and keep the travel days to a minimum. Some routes that work well:
- Six or seven days, families: Kuala Lumpur, a night at Genting, then a few nights in Langkawi.
- Seven or eight days, food and culture: Kuala Lumpur, Malacca, then fly or take the train north to Penang.
- Ten days, the full loop: Kuala Lumpur, Malacca, Penang, then a short ferry or flight to Langkawi, and fly back to KL for home.
Domestic flights are quick and frequent, the train between KL and the Penang side is comfortable, and coaches are reliable for shorter hops. Bangladeshi passport holders need a visa for Malaysia. What is asked for usually includes your passport, photo, bank statement and bookings, but requirements change, so Softway Travels checks the current rules when you apply.
Add one place, not three. A relaxed extra stop beats a rushed tour of the whole country.
Our Malaysia package can be extended to Genting, Langkawi, Penang or Malacca, and if you want to add a few days across the border, look at our Malaysia and Singapore package. Softway Travels can plan the route around your dates and book it all for you.
