5 Fun Activities to Make a Malaysian Vacation More Exciting
With fast-growing urban landscapes and awe-inspiring scenery, Malaysia offers the best of both worlds to tourists searching for a balance between peaceful nature and busting city life. From the white sand beaches of the west coast to the exotic mountainous rainforests of Borneo, there’s no shortage of natural beauty on this intriguing Asian nation.
Burgeoning economic growth has led to the development of several impressive skylines, while the country’s rural areas have retained their unique cultural charm. There are plenty of things to keep you busy during your stay, but here are 5 activities that are guaranteed to add some excitement to your day:
1. Take a Tour
Setting your own schedule can be fun, but it can also be a burden when you’re just trying to enjoy yourself. Leave the route planning up to a tour guide and you’ll be able to spend more time and energy soaking up the sights. There are plenty of Malaysia tour operators that provide packages in areas like Kuala Lumpur, Langwaki Island, Penang Island, Tanjung Datu, Lankayan Island, and virtually every other area. In fact, you can browse through a selection of more than 75 different tour packages at 1dasia.com to choose one that will suit your preferences and itinerary. Plus, aside from laying out the day’s activities for you, a tour package will also typically take care of transport and food.
2. Explore the Caves
Malaysia is famous for its abundance of fascinating cave systems, and while caving might not be your favorite activity, you’ll find the spacious chambers and caverns of Malaysia’s caves to be much more welcoming than the cramped confines of many other cave environments.
The most famous are the Batu Caves, but there are dozens of incredible subterranean areas to explore, including Gua Niah, Wind Cave, Clearwater Cave, Dark Cave, Parak Cave, Gua Nasib Bagus, Deer Cave, Gua Payong, Gua Kelam, Mulu Cave Park, Gua Tempurung, and Gua Gomantong. The vast expanses and isolated ecosystems present in these caves make for amazing photography opportunities, so be sure to bring a decent camera so you can share your memories with others.
3. Go Park Hopping
If you really want to see Malaysia in its purest form, you’ll have to visit the country’s best national parks. While there are more than 30 national parks to choose from, there are about 5 that you really should see before departure, and those are: Kinabulu Park, Taman Negara National Park, Bako National Park, Mulu Cave National Park, and Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park. Kinabulu is home to the highest mountain in Malaysia, while Mulu is home to Sarawak Chamber – the largest cave in the world. On the other hand, Tunku Abdul Rahman marine park has some of the best scuba diving in the region.
4. Check Out the Indoor Playgrounds
For an activity that the entire family can enjoy, stop by one of the interesting indoor playgrounds and arcades, such as Adventure Zone and District 21. There are also multiple laser battle venues, as well as climbing arenas and escape rooms. For some extra excitement and action, you might want to spend some time at the Jump Street trampoline park.
With temperatures outside regularly reaching 80-90+ degrees Fahrenheit, it makes sense to have some fun in the comfort of an air-conditioned venue, especially during the hottest part of the day. Other indoor parks worth noting include Molly Park, Holiday Planet, IDM Family Games Centre, Old Game Machine and Cosmo World – the largest indoor park in Malaysia.
5. Spend a Day at Genting Highlands
If you’re near the Genting Highland resort, you might as well check out Malaysia’s only casino at the same time. While you’re there you might also want to hit up the bowling alley if that’s your thing. Additionally, the Genting Highland amusement park offers plenty of rides and festivities if you’re more inclined to spend some time outdoors. There’s also the weirdly cool Ripley’s Believe it or Not! Odditorium museum to explore. Genting Highlands is one of the best places in the country for shopping due to the presence of the Premium Outlets and First World Plaza, as well as the newly added Sky Avenue. For a stunning aerial view, be sure to hop a ride on the Genting Skyway or Awana Skyway railcars.
Planning Your Vacation in Advance for the Best Experience
Although it can be tempting to rely on spontaneity to guide you, taking the time to fully research and plan your schedule beforehand is the best way to avoid unnecessary mishaps and disappointments. Incorporating professional tours and guides into your journey is usually the best way to ensure you are discovering the best of what Malaysia has to offer without wasting time or effort along the way