Malaysia | ZHO Travel & Tourism

In Malaysia you can pray Friday prayers in a historic mosque, ride up to a mountain-top forest in the afternoon and find halal food on every corner at night.

The destination

About Malaysia

Malaysia is one of Asia's finest destinations, combining modern cities and architecture, tropical rainforest among the oldest in the world, and clear-water beaches. With its mix of Malay, Chinese and Indian cultures, and a strong fit for families and honeymooners, it makes for an easy, complete trip.

Islam is the religion of the majority, halal food is the rule rather than the exception, and halal certification is overseen by the Department of Islamic Development (JAKIM). Every city has its mosques, among them the pink Putra Mosque and the Blue Mosque of Shah Alam, one of the largest in Southeast Asia.

We plan your trip around Kuala Lumpur and the Petronas Towers; nearby Selangor with its theme parks; the cool air of Genting Highlands and the Cameron Highlands; Penang, the island of food and art; and the Langkawi archipelago with its beaches and famous cable car.

Saudi citizens need no visa for visits of up to 90 days; you only complete the digital arrival card before travelling. Direct flights from Jeddah, Riyadh and Madinah reach Kuala Lumpur in about 8 to 9.5 hours.

Best timeAll year; December to April is driest on the west coast and Langkawi

FlightAbout 8 to 9.5 h direct from Jeddah, Riyadh or Madinah

VisaNo visa needed for Saudi citizens for up to 90 days; complete the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) within 3 days before arrival

CurrencyMalaysian ringgit (MYR)

LanguageMalay; English is widely spoken

Time+5 h ahead of Saudi Arabia

Ideal stay7 to 10 nights

Ideal for

Family travel Honeymoons Travel with friends

Regions

Where to go

01 · City

Kuala Lumpur

The modern capital known for the Petronas Twin Towers, lively markets, historic mosques and the nearby Batu Caves.

02 · Region

Selangor

The state around the capital, with large theme parks such as Sunway Lagoon, water parks made for families, and the Blue Mosque of Shah Alam.

03 · Highlands

Genting Highlands

A mountain resort at about 1,800 m, an hour from the capital, reached by cable car over the forest, with a theme park and outlet shopping.

04 · Highlands

Cameron Highlands

A quiet escape from the heat, known for rolling green tea estates, strawberry farms and cool weather.

05 · Island

Penang

The capital of food and art, with the UNESCO-listed old town of George Town, its historic buildings and a hill over the strait.

06 · Island

Langkawi

A lovely archipelago of 99 islands, with fine sandy beaches, the famous Langkawi cable car and duty-free shopping.

Experiences

What to do

Inside the Petronas Towers Kuala Lumpur Up to the skybridge between the towers at 170 metres, then to the observation deck on the 86th floor. In the evening, a walk in KLCC Park by the fountain.Discover

The curved Langkawi Sky Bridge above the rainforest

The Langkawi cable car and Sky Bridge Langkawi A cable car over the rainforest to the top of Mount Mat Cincang, then a curved bridge hanging 660 metres above the sea. Langkawi's best-known experience.Discover

A walk through heritage George Town Penang A morning among historic shophouses, the Kapitan Keling Mosque and the murals, ending with lunch of Penang's best-known halal dishes.Discover

Mangrove forest in Kilim Geoforest Park, Langkawi

Nature A boat through the Kilim mangroves A boat trip through mangrove forest and limestone cliffs in Kilim Geoforest Park, north-east Langkawi. Read more

Rows of tea bushes at a plantation in the Cameron Highlands

Nature A day in the tea estates A walk among the green tea hills of the Cameron Highlands, and afternoon tea in a café above the valleys. Read more

The Awana SkyWay cable line over the rainforest, Genting Highlands

Nature The Awana SkyWay A 2.6 km cable car over the rainforest to the top of Genting Highlands, with views over valleys and clouds. Read more

The Penang Hill funicular nearing the top station

Nature The funicular up Penang Hill A funicular dating from 1923 climbs Penang Hill, where the air is cooler and the views take in George Town and the strait. Read more

Inside the limestone Temple Cave at Batu Caves, Selangor

Culture and heritage Batu Caves Huge limestone caves in a hill 13 km north of the capital, reached by a stairway of 272 steps. Read more

Sunway Lagoon water park seen from above, Selangor

Adventure A day at Sunway Lagoon A theme park of more than 90 attractions, with a water park, wildlife park and adventure rides, about 30 minutes from central Kuala Lumpur. Read more

Where to stay

Hotels and resorts we recommend

View all 4 stays

The St. Regis Kuala Lumpur tower at KL Sentral

Kuala Lumpur The St. Regis Kuala Lumpur City Explore

The main pool of The Datai Langkawi in the rainforest

Langkawi The Datai Langkawi Jungle and rice terraces Explore

The Eastern & Oriental Hotel on George Town's waterfront

Penang Eastern & Oriental Hotel, Penang Historic palace Explore

A BOH tea estate near the resort, Cameron Highlands (no free photo of the resort itself)

Cameron Highlands Cameron Highlands Resort Mountains Explore

Taste and addresses

Flavours and places to know

Malaysian food blends Malay, Chinese and Indian flavours, and most of it is halal. Start the day with nasi lemak or roti canai and pulled tea, try satay in the evening and assam laksa in Penang.

To tasteNasi lemakNasi lemak

To tasteSataySatay

To tasteRoti canaiRoti canai

A bowl of assam laksa in Air Itam, Penang

To tasteAssam laksaAsam laksa

To tasteNasi kandarNasi kandar

The arcaded courtyard of Masjid Jamek, Kuala Lumpur

Landmark · Kuala Lumpur Masjid Jamek Kuala Lumpur's oldest great mosque, opened in 1909 where the Klang and Gombak rivers meet. Read more

The Sultan Abdul Samad Building facing Merdeka Square

Landmark · Kuala Lumpur Merdeka Square and the Sultan Abdul Samad Building The square where independent Malaysia's flag was first raised in 1957, facing the copper-domed Sultan Abdul Samad Building. Read more

The pink dome interior of Putra Mosque, Putrajaya

Landmark Putra Mosque, Putrajaya A rose-granite mosque on Putrajaya Lake, completed in 1999, with room for 15,000 worshippers. Read more

The park entrance of Suria KLCC below the Petronas Towers

Shopping · Kuala Lumpur Suria KLCC A mall at the foot of the Petronas Towers, facing KLCC Park, with international brands, halal restaurants and a prayer room. Read more

Kapitan Keling Mosque in George Town, Penang

Landmark · Penang Kapitan Keling Mosque A historic mosque in the heart of George Town, founded by Indian Muslim traders in the 19th century. Read more

Journeys

Ways to see it

Itineraries drawn up by our consultants, to adapt to you day by day.

Malaysia · 7 days

Kuala Lumpur and Genting Highlands

A complete 7-day, 6-night trip with an Arabic-speaking guide

7 days and 6 nights between the capital and Genting Highlands: hotels with breakfast and government taxes, SIM cards, airport reception, 5 sightseeing tours by private car with an Arabic-speaking guide, and …

From SAR 1,200 per person in a double room, international flights not included View the package

Malaysia · 9 days

Grand Malaysia: capital, heritage and island

Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Langkawi in 8 nights

A private 8-night journey: three nights at The St. Regis Kuala Lumpur, two at the historic Eastern & Oriental Hotel in Penang and three at The Datai Langkawi, between rainforest and sea.

Price On request View the package

Questions

Before you go

Do Saudi citizens need a visa for Malaysia?

No. Saudi citizens can enter Malaysia without a visa for visits of up to 90 days. You must complete the free Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) on the official immigration website within the three days before arrival, and we help you with it. For residents of Saudi Arabia it depends on nationality.

When is the best time to visit Malaysia?

Malaysia is a year-round destination; the rain is tropical and usually short, in the afternoon. December to April is driest on the west coast, Penang and Langkawi. The highlands are cool all year, ideal in the Gulf summer.

Is halal food easy to find?

Yes. Malaysia has a Muslim majority and halal food is available almost everywhere. The Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) issues halal certificates, and you see its logo on restaurant doors and products.

Are mosques nearby?

Yes, in every town and neighbourhood, with prayer rooms in airports, malls and motorway stops. Among the finest mosques we include are Masjid Jamek in Kuala Lumpur, Putra Mosque, the Blue Mosque in Shah Alam and Kapitan Keling Mosque in Penang.

How do we get around Malaysia?

You have a private car and driver in Kuala Lumpur and the highlands, and Penang and Langkawi are about an hour from Kuala Lumpur by domestic flight. The international airport is about an hour's drive from the city centre.

Is there an Arabic-speaking guide?

Yes. We arrange an Arabic-speaking guide in Kuala Lumpur and the highlands, and in Penang and Langkawi subject to availability, with customer service around the clock throughout your trip.

What is the currency, and are cards accepted?

The currency is the Malaysian ringgit. Cards are accepted in hotels, malls and restaurants; keep some cash for markets and small eateries. Langkawi is duty-free, so shopping there costs less.

What should we wear?

Light cotton clothing in the cities and on the coast, and a light jacket for the highlands and air-conditioned places. Modest dress is required in mosques, and the larger mosques lend robes to visitors. Malaysian society is conservative, so modest dress is appreciated.

Malaysia: city towers, rainforest and island seas