Top 10 Hidden Gems in Malaysia Most Tourists Never Find

Malaysia enjoys a reputation of the Petronas twin towers, the beaches of Langkawi and the street food at Penang. But there exists more than these beautifully visited locations; there is another entire Malaysia waiting to be explored. The majority of travellers lead the same and long-tried tourist way, and, consequently, have no chance to see the most wonderful corners of the country whatever.

This guide unveils Malaysia's Top 10 Hidden Gems, those that must be included on the itinerary of every curious traveller. It can be untouched nature, ancient culture or abandoned beach, all these destinations will really surprise you.

The importance of Hidden Gems in Malaysia.

Over a total area of 329000 square kilometres, Malaysia boasts of divergence in landscape and terrain, encompassing both ancient rainforests as well as untouched coastline. Moreover, it contains one of the oldest tropical rainforest on the earth which is estimated to be more than 130 million years of age. As a result, what there is to see is much more than is even discussed in a typical travelling guide.

The benefits of using off the beaten path destinations include the absence of crowds, reduced prices and many more authentic experiences with the local communities. Then, we want to jump immediately in the localities where the vast majority of the tourists have never been before.

1. Pulau Perhentian Kecil -The Smaller Sister Island.

Pulau Perhentian Besar is the most popular destination among most travellers, but the smaller neighbour to Pulau Perhentian Besar, namely Pulau Perhentian Kecil, has equally gorgeous waters with less than a fraction of the tourist foot traffic. The coral reefs here are of truly world-class and the snorkelling and diving experience are truly world-class.

When to visit: May-September (before monsoon season)

Getting there: Ferry between Kuala Besut jetty in Terengganu.

Don’t miss: Long Beach at sunrise — you will most likely have it all to yourself.

2. Taiping, Perak- The most under rated town in Malaysia.

Taiping is considered the oldest town in Malaysia, but seldom makes it onto tourist schedules. Originally, the town runs Malaysia oldest museum, oldest railway station, and one of the most beautiful lakes gardens in Malaysia. Moreover, in Peninsular Malaysia, Taiping has the highest yearly rainfall which maintains everything lush and a dark jade throughout the year.

The Burmese Pool, a natural swimming pool that is covered with an umbrella of ancient trees is most popular among locals who would prefer that you do not know about such a swimming pool.

Don't miss: The oldest hill station in Malaysia (accessible only by government Land Rovers) refers to Maxwell Hill (Bukit Larut).

Stay: Heritage Boutique guesthouses within the colonial town centre.

3. Mulu Caves, Sarawak -- An Underground World of Staggering Scale

Although Sarawak is starting to appear a little on the travelradars, the Mulu Caves are criminally under-visited in comparison to their size. In particular the Sarawak Chamber, located within the Gunung Mulu National Park, is the largest known natural underground chamber in the world - large enough to house 40 Boeing 747 planes.

In addition, one of the largest and most dramatic spectacles in nature is found in the Deer Cave which contains one of the largest cave passages in the world.

Most suited to: Adventure travellers and nature lovers.

Access: Flights between Miri or Kuching and Mulu Airport.

4. Kota Belud, Sabah Where Tamu Markets Unveil Real Borneo Life

Kota Belud is located approximately 77 kilometres North of Kota Kinabalu, but very few foreign tourists would take the bother to travel there. Each Sunday, the popular Tamu Kota Belud weekly market turns the town into a colorful event attended by Bajau people - renowned horse riders and seafarers - and Kadazan-Dusun farmers and traders.

Unlike the commercialised markets of KL, this market has been created purely as a means of the locals. You will discover new jungle food, traditional crafts, traditional herbal medicine, and the most amazing of all the sight of the Bajau horsemen in full traditional attire.

Hint: Visit before 8 AM, to get the most localized experience, before the tour groups come in KL.

5. Cherating, Pahang -A Bohemian Beach Village Frozen in Time.

Until Langkawi emerged as the beach capital of Malaysia, backpackers and a surfer invasion came in Cherating on the east coast. As a result, the village has had a relaxed and imaginative culture, which is still present to date. This has long-term travellers, artists and musicians who have settled here over the decades giving Cherating a distinctly bohemian character.

In addition, Cherating Beach is among the limited vacations in Malaysia where the natural nesting of sea turtles can still be found. Leatherback and green turtles beach during May-August to lay eggs- an unbelievable wildlife experience that can only be enjoyed by whoever dares to come.

Don’t miss: Club Med Beach (a smaller, more peaceful beach), Turtle watching, and Fresh coconut seafood dinners.

6. Bario, Kelabit Highlands- The Village at the Top of Borneo.

Bario, situated 1,000 metres above sea level, in the Kelabit Highlands of Sarawak is only reachable by small Twin Otter aircraft or a gruelling multi-day jungle hike. The Kelabit people of one of Malaysia's tiniest indigenous communities whose hospitality is legendary among serious travellers is found in this remote village.

Bario is one of the most incredible off-grid experiences in Southeast Asia because of the cool mountain air, organic rice paddies and unbelievable jungle trekking routes to a salt spring and longhouse community. Furthermore, the unusual organic rice of Bario, which is regarded as one of the best in the world, is also an incentive to make the journey.

Notable: Book homestays far too early since there is minimal accommodation at all.

7. Ipoh's Secret Street Art and Cave Temples

Over the last few years, Ipoh has started to feature on more travel lists, although the majority of visitors only explore the main Heritage Trail. Nevertheless the cave temples of the backstreet murals of Ipoh, which most tour groups pass over without even taking a glance, are the true treasures of Ipoh.

Sam Poh Tong temple is a toilet carved directly into a huge limestone cave, and located in a quiet spot, south of the city. On the inside, there is a serene turtle pond and garden that can truly evoke a very meditative mood. In the meantime, the street art of Mural Town; a much quieter neighbourhood, not as close to the main tourist stretch, captures local Ipoh history in a far truer way than any of the higher-profile pieces near to the main tourist strip.

Budget tip: Ipoh white coffee which is famous is half the price of tourist cafes as compared to the local kopitiam stores.

8. Endau-Rompin National Park (Jurassic Malaysia).

Endau-Rompin is an old national park of Malaysia and oddly enough, one of the least visited national parks. The park contains an area of lowland rainforest that has been in a more or less similar form, over a period of 248 million years. Thus, wildlife experiences here are very primordial, in comparison to developed parks.

The last time the Sumatran rhinos were spotted here were the wild elephants, Malayan tigers, tapirs and sun bears. The Janing Barat trail is visible in a splendid waterfall, and in advanced cycad ferns that appear to be genuinely prehistoric. To the serious nature travellers, this park could not be missed.

Entrance: Via Mersing in Johor or Rompin in Pahang; make arrangements with the park office in advance.

9. Outer Islands of Semporna, Sabah -Diving Paradise Beyond Sipadan

Sipadan Island is a famous island in the world since gaining a diving license is notoriously hard due to the restrictions in the number of visitors per day. But an even more spectacular underwater landscape is experienced in outer islands of Semporna, especially the Mataking, Bohey Dulang and Sibuan islands. on which there are virtually no crowds.

In Mataking Island, specifically, there is an underwater post office, containing a genuine, waterproof postcard, in which certified divers can post a postcard. Additionally, the coral gardens of Bohey Dulang are one of the most untouched of all the coral gardens in all of Malaysian Borneo.

Peak season: April to October to experience calm weather and good visibility.

10. Kuala Kangsar, Perak — The Royal Town Time Forgot.

Kuala Kangsar has long been the royal capital of Perak, but has not been oriented at all to accommodate the large numbers of tourists who flock the nearby Ipoh. The town lies on the banks of the Perak River, and contains some of the finest Malay royal architecture, including the most extraordinary Ubudiah Mosque, widely thought to be the most beautiful of the Malaysian royal palaces, and the Istana Kenangan, a wooden royal palace built completely devoid of nail.

Moreover, the Malaysian rubber industry was founded in the town. Some of the earliest rubber trees ever planted in Malaysia are still standing in the lawns of the District Office, that very small, but most truly fascinating bandstand of world economy.

Day trip: Can be easily combined with Taiping into a royal Perak heritage route.

A Travel Guide to Discovering the Secret Gem in Malaysia.

Well, here are a few details, more practical than romantic, about going off the beaten road:

Respect local communities. Most of these sites include indigenous or a traditional community. Dress to impress, seek permission before taking photographs, whenever possible, make purchases directly at stores within the community.

Plan transport carefully. Certain destinations (especially Bario and Mulu) will require prior flight bookings with MASwings, which is also booked up during school holidays.

Travel during shoulder season. The best months are April to May and September to October as there are only a few visitors even to the most popular sites during these months.

Hire local guides. In the jungle destinations, such as Endau-Rompin, and in the Kelabit Highlands, etc., you not only recommend a local guide but you also need one in order to be safe and to be able to know what you are experiencing.

Accommodate in local guesthouses. Besides boosting the local businesses, by staying locally, you have an access to local knowledge that cannot be replicated even by the most advanced traveling applications.

Conclusion

It has the most remarkable experiences that are hardly to be found in the most popular destinations of Malaysia. Challenging to locate in the crowded map of Malaysian destinations, the Top 10 Hidden Gems in Malaysia on this list reward the traveller who is willing to go just a little further than the crowd.

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