This gorgeous tropical country is home to a dazzling assortment of attractions thanks to Malaysia’s diverse population. The country is divided in half, with one half lying on the peninsula that connects to the Asian mainland and the other half on Borneo. As a result, it has several unexplored habitats of varying types.
This beautiful country offers something for everyone to enjoy, whether it’s the white sands of its beaches, the pulsating nightlife of its lively cities, or the excellent Malay food.
It can be challenging to plan the ideal vacation when there is so much to see and do. Here are some of Malaysia’s most stunning national parks to consider while making your decision.
12. Gunung Ledang National Park
A mesmerizing waterfall in Gunung Ledang, Malaysia. Image source: Qi Yuan/Shutterstock.com
Mount Ophir, the centerpiece of this lovely national park, looms above the jungle that covers its covered slopes. The origins of the mountain’s name are shrouded in mystery, and fine mist cloaks the summit and upper slopes.
The paths wind their way through the thick vegetation, ascending higher and higher until they finally open up to a stunning panorama of the forest below. Gunung Ledang National Park is home to a plethora of wild birds that make their home in the park’s lush, green treetops. Among the many waterfalls dotted over Mount Ophir, the Puteri Waterfalls are a popular choice because of the refreshing and inviting pool they provide after a long hike.
11. Penang National Park
A serene view of Pantai Karachut National Park in Penang, Malaysia. Image source: Muhammad Aqeel Meer/Shutterstock.com
Penang National Park, located in the country’s far northwest, offers a wide variety of exciting experiences to visitors. The park is a biodiversity hotspot because of the astonishing variety of plants and wildlife that cover every accessible surface. This great national park has a lot of stunning beaches and also offers interesting and adventurous hikes through the deep forest.
Penang is a haven of tranquility that will quiet your mind and body, whether you want to relax on the deserted beaches, take a boat trip to see the fish below, or set up a tent for the night.
The park has a “Canopy Walk,” a series of suspension bridges and platforms suspended 15 meters above the forest floor, which provide visitors a unique vantage point from which to observe their surroundings.
10. Endau-Rompin National Park
A breathtaking panoramic view unveils the pristine beauty of Endau Rompin National Park. Image source: shaifulzamri/Shutterstock.com
Endau-Rompin National Park, so named because of the two rivers that cut through it, is home to a lush tropical rainforest that is perfect for a day of hiking. You should definitely spend some time exploring this 240-million-year-old environment in Malaysia, since it has stunning vistas reminiscent of Jurassic Park.
After a long hike through the rainforest, visitors to the park will appreciate the refreshing sight of one of the many rivers, pools, or waterfalls located throughout the grounds. This national park is home to Malaysia’s second-highest mountain and a wealth of stunning natural attractions.
As you make your way slowly down the paths, which are completely surrounded by towering trees on each side, you can’t help but feel completely at one with nature.
9. Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park
A glimpse of paradise at Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park in Malaysia. Image source: CHEN FANGXIANG/Shutterstock.com
The five islands that make up Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park are a paradise on earth. You would be excused for thinking you were daydreaming as you sped across the gorgeous blue waters to the islands.
Each island, no matter how small, has a beautiful beach where you can relax, and the coral reefs offshore are ideal for water sports like snorkeling and scuba diving. The park’s popularity and the quality of its displays are reflected in its frequent crowding.
These islands are a must-see while in Malaysia because of the lush green forests that give way to the dazzling white beaches that melt into the waters surrounding them.
8. Lambir Hills National Park
A picturesque waterfall amidst the lush jungle of Lambir Hill in Malaysia. Image source: steph photographies/Shutterstock.com
In spite of its small size, Lambir Hills National Park more than holds its own when it comes to the variety and quality of its attractions. This park is a biodiversity hotspot, and as such, it is home to a wide variety of animals and birds of all shapes and sizes. As such, it is an excellent destination for any nature enthusiast.
Forest walks and trails wind pleasantly through the trees and bushes, while above them, birds and monkeys frolic in the morning shade. The towering trees may be up to 80 meters in height, making you feel like a little speck in the vast, enclosing forest.
A great place to get some fresh air and see the park from a different perspective is at Bukit Lambir, the park’s highest point. The picturesque and tranquil Lambir Hills have a multitude of stunning attractions to enjoy, including waterfalls and secluded pools dotted throughout the park.
7. Similajau National Park
A serene view of Similajau National Park near Bintulu, Malaysia. Image source: Craig139/Shutterstock.com
This national park on Borneo’s coast is a fantastic place to visit for many reasons, including the variety of habitats it protects and the extensive list of things to do there.
Each tourist can indulge in his or her favorite activity, whether it is birdwatching, hiking, or snorkeling, thanks to the incredible variety of options available. Beautiful beaches line the coast, and a dense, impenetrable jungle rises up against them till it can’t go any farther.
If you take a boat out on the water, you could have an incredible view of the coastline when you turn around. Visitors looking for a thrill can rent a boat and go crocodile watching at night.
6. Niah National Park
A captivating view of the cave entrance in Niah National Park. Image source: Lillian Tveit/Shutterstock.com
The stunning caverns within this remarkable national park make it a must-see destination. This cave system is a significant archaeological site in Malaysia because it has evidence of human occupation dating back more than 40 thousand years.
Caves have been used by people for thousands of years, as shown by the abundance of ancient artifacts including pottery, axes, jewelry, and other tools. The caverns themselves are a sight to see, with their unique geological formations.
The growing fauna and flora outside abruptly ceases its march when it reaches the caverns’ shady confines and is unable to go on. Niah National Park is a unique destination due to the stark contrast between the lush forests, teeming with wildlife, and the cold caves.
5. Gunung Gading National Park
the serene landscapes of Gunung Gading National Park. Image source: Herrieynaha/Shutterstock.com
Stunningly beautiful, the jungle’s thick and heavy foliage closes in on you from all sides until you reach one of the park’s high peaks and are rewarded with stunning views of the surrounding region.
Visitors can cool down after their tough hikes at one of the many waterfalls and streams that can be found concealed in the area’s forests. The amazing Rafflesia, the world’s biggest flower, is the major attraction, but the beautiful park comes in a close second. In my opinion, the most impressive feature of Gunung Gading National Park are the giant, exotic flowers found there.
4. Bako National Park
A magnificent view of Tajor Waterfall, nestled within the lush landscapes of Bako National Park in Sarawak, Malaysia. Image source: agap/Shutterstock.com
Despite its small size, Bako National Park is home to some stunningly gorgeous sites. These include unique rock formations and sea arches that wind their way up out of the water.
Dense rainforest, pristine beaches, and breathtaking waterfalls are just a few of the picturesque vistas that can be seen along the park’s winding roads as they wind through a variety of wonderful environments. Despite the fact that the stunning Bako Beach is only accessible by boat, the park is still worth a visit.
3. Kinabalu National Park
A breathtaking view of Mount Kinabalu near Low’s Peak. Image source: PaulWong/Shutterstock.com
Kinabalu is one of the world’s most significant biodiversity hotspots, home to a stunning variety of plant and animal life. There are almost 4,500 species on display, and the sounds and movements of birds and animals hiding in the thick foliage are all around you.
Kinabalu, named after the mountain that gave it its name, is the highest peak on the island at nearly 4000 meters in elevation. The national park is beautifully pure and undisturbed despite its status as one of the most frequented parks in Malaysia.
2. Taman Negara National Park
A thrilling adventure on the canopy walkway in Taman Negara National Park, Malaysia. Image source: Elena Odareeva/Shutterstock.com
In Taman Negara, you’ll find everything. This national park really does provide something for everyone, whether you’re looking for exciting climbing, tranquil fishing, or insight into the local culture. Because it contains one of the world’s oldest tropical rainforests, everything in the park seems to slow down, allowing you more time to explore the park’s wildlife and vegetation.
The canopy walk is a narrow path that spans between the trees and disappears into the surrounding vegetation, providing a breathtaking perspective of the forest floor below. The park is home to a variety of endangered species, including the fearsome Malayan tiger, the secretive Asian elephant, and the sneaky Malayan gaur, which roam the area’s lower forests.
Taking a boat out on the Tembeling River and letting it carry you through the rainforest as you relax and take in the sights is a picture-perfect way to spend an afternoon. Taman Negara is a tranquil and pleasant place that must be experienced to be believed.
1. Gunung Mulu National Park
A surreal landscape of limestone pinnacles at Gunung Mulu National Park, Malaysia. Image source: Juhku/Shutterstock.com
This national park, which takes its name from the towering Mount Mulu, is wonderful for the abundance of beautiful sights to see. It’s out in the middle of nowhere, and the only ways to get here are by plane or by riverboat, so it doesn’t really matter how you get here as long as you do!
Over the course of millennia, the ancient karst formations in Gunung Mulu National Park have thrown up an incredible assortment of spectacular rock formations, which have become the park’s primary draw. The environment is really breathtaking, with tunnels, cliffs, and canyons cutting beautifully through the park’s vegetation.
In reality, the Sarawak Chamber is the biggest cave chamber in the world, and it is only one of several that dot the landscape. Its massive immensity, which seems to go on forever, bewilders the mind. It’s well worth your time to see this Malaysian national park, which is both beautiful and unusual.
