Having grown up in a bustling metropolis like Hong Kong, I’m the type of traveler who gravitates towards alluring natural scenery. The more remote the location, the better. I suppose that’s why when I first visited Malaysia in 2013, I instantly fell in love with the country and its diverse natural attractions.
If you’re planning a visit to Malaysia soon and you love exploring beautiful landscapes like me, check out these natural wonders in Malaysia. Be warned, you may not want to leave the country after this!
Table of Contents
1. Mount Kinabalu, Sabah
When it comes to natural wonders in Malaysia, perhaps none are as iconic as the majestic Mount Kinabalu.
Southeast Asia’s tallest mountain is an avid mountain climber’s paradise, featuring stunning views at the peak (which sometimes snows when it gets cold!), and an adventurous trail leading to the top.
The journey to the summit of Mount Kinabalu, considered sacred by local aboriginal tribes, often requires a multiple-day hike with a licensed guide. While conquering this natural wonder takes both time and perseverance, what awaits you at the end is arguably the best scenery in Malaysia.
2. Kundasang, Sabah
If embarking on a two-day hike doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, you can also admire the alluring silhouette of Mount Kinabalu from the rolling hills of Kunsadang, an alpine-like town in the district of Ranau.
While not a natural wonder in and of itself, Kundasang is where one can truly admire the beauty of nature in Malaysia. Here at this alpine location, often called the “New Zealand of Malaysia”, you’ll find stunning natural scenery, wide open meadows, a popular dairy farm with free-roaming cattle on ambient pastures, and even an underrated hot springs resort!
3. Maliau Basin, Sabah
If you want to experience natural scenery in Malaysia in its most rustic form, make your way to Maliau Basin, an underrated gem that locals call the Lost World of Sabah.
True to its nickname, Maliau Basin is one of the least explored areas in Malaysia, and a natural haven that gets avid hikers, nature lovers, and even bird watchers excited. This natural wonder in Malaysia is a Class One Protected Forest, meaning one can only visit the area under the arrangement of specialized tour companies.
The most famous natural landmark here is the seven-tier Maliau Falls, reachable only after a two-day through lush rainforests teeming with wildlife.
4. The Tip of Borneo – Tanjung Simpang Mengayau, Sabah
Have you ever wondered what it feels like to stand on the very edge of an island? You can find out when you’re visiting Tanjung Simpang Mengayau in Kudat. Sabah.
Simply put, this particular location is the very tip of Borneo, the third largest island in the world. You can observe the surrounding scenery and admire the deep blue sea from the safety of the circular observation platform.
If you’re truly adventurous, you can venture out towards the protruding landmass towards the ocean. However, you’re not allowed to stand on the very tip of the island as it can be particularly dangerous during high tide.
5. Danum Valley Conservation Area, Sabah
The Danum Valley is another natural wonder in Malaysia that allows you to fully experience the country’s diverse natural beauty.
Located in the east of Sabah, the Danum Valley Conservation Area is a sprawling expanse of lush rainforest terrain that’s home to an amazing array of unique local wildlife. As you trek through the forested path, you’ll encounter orangutans, pygmy elephants, hornbills, and even clouded leopards if you’re lucky!
You could even sign up for a night drive in the area or embark on a lovely sunrise tour to Antur Hill to catch a picture-perfect sunrise over the jungle.
6. Kinabatangan River, Sabah
Sabah’s Kinabatangan River is akin to a mini Amazon River. This natural wonder in Malaysia is the second longest river in Malaysia and provides one of the most unique wildlife experiences in the country.
Along the river, you’ll find plenty of biodiversity in their natural habitat, including indigenous orangutans, Sumatran rhinos, and proboscis monkeys. The lower basin is also home to several species of Borneon hornbills, making a river cruise one of the best ways to get close to nature in Malaysia.
7. Sipadan Island, Sabah
The natural wonders in Sabah aren’t just limited to awe-inspiring sights above land. Avid divers will know that Sipadan Island is the creme de la cremes when it comes to dive spots in the region. In fact, it’s considered one of the world’s top three dive spots!
The secret behind the pristine condition of Sipadan’s underwater haven is its seclusion — visitors need a special entry permit (only 120 issues per day) just to hop on a boat and sail toward this natural gem. As you might expect, even the diving sessions need to be pre-booked in advance with operators in Mabul and Semporna.
8. The Pinnacles of Mulu National Park, Sarawak
Sabah’s neighbor, Sarawak, is another location to add to your bucket list if you want to discover natural wonders in Malaysia.
One of the most famous natural wonders in Sarawak is Mulu National Park, specifically the park’s iconic Pinnacles. The Pinnacles of Mulu are essentially jagged limestone formations emerging from the ground. Despite needing a three-day hike to get to the Pinnacles (along a trail laden with rare orchids), avid hikers flock to the area regularly, eager to catch a glimpse of the magical natural landmarks.
Apart from the Pinnacles, Mulu National Park is also famous for the Deer Cave, the largest cave passage in the world. The cave is home to a massive colony of bats, but if you stay the course, at the end of the tunnel is the aptly named Garden of Eden, a verdant valley that houses a waterfall surrounded by limestone cliffs.
9. Niah Caves, Sarawak
Speaking of caves, another natural wonder in Sarawak avid spelunkers should visit is the Niah Caves, one of the most ancient cave systems in Malaysia, dating all the way back to the Neolithic Era!
This enigmatic limestone cave is found in Niah National Park, located just outside of the city of Miri. It was here that archaeologists found human remains and neolithic tools dating back over 40,000 years, making this cave one of the oldest earliest human settlements in Malaysia.
10. Bako National Park, Sarawak
One of the things that make Sarawak such an attractive destination is its unique geography. Surrounded by thick rainforests, the Land of the Hornbills is a living example of modernity and nature coexisting in harmony.
Bako National Park, one of the most famous natural wonders in Sarawak, is just a mere 45-minute drive away from Kuching, the state capital. And yet, a 30-minute boat ride from the jetty later, you’re transported to a verdant oasis far removed from the city.
Here, you’ll find various rainforest trekking trails, each promising different scenery, as well as mangrove forests, unique limestone and sandstone cliffs, and pristine coastlines. You’ll even have a chance to meet the rare proboscis monkeys of Borneo while exploring this small but beautiful national park!
11. Bengoh Range, Sarawak
Bengoh Range is one of those hidden Malaysia landscapes that you only get to find out about by interacting with locals. This untouched natural haven is essentially a rainforest that straddles the borders of Indonesia and Sarawak in the southwest, and is best known for its rustic natural beauty that resembles the wilds of Jurassic Park!
Before exploring this natural wonder in Sarawak, you must first make your way to the secluded Cloud Village where you purchase entry tickets, including a boating service to get to the forest. Once there, you can begin trekking around the area, falling in love with the serenity of Mother Nature as you navigate steep climbs, bamboo bridges, and narrow leaders.
Along the way, you’ll find majestic waterfalls, idyllic lakes, and a stunning panoramic view of Bengoh Dam.
12. Taman Negara, Pahang
Over in Peninsular Malaysia, one of the most famous natural attractions in Malaysia can be found here in the form of the ancient Taman Negara National Park.
In case you haven’t heard, Taman Negara is one of the oldest rainforests in the world, estimated to be about 130 million years old! It is a sprawling expanse of pristine greenery straddling three states and home to Gunung Tahan, the tallest peak in Peninsular Malaysia.
Naturally, the best thing to do at Taman Negara is to trek through the thick rainforest. However, you can also go river rafting here, walk across the treetop canopies, and even camp overnight in certain sections of the park!
13. Mossy Forest in Cameron Highlands, Pahang
The Mossy Forest in Cameron Highlands is literally one of the most whimsical natural wonders in Malaysia.
The mesmerizing natural attraction is located just 30 minutes away from the main town of Brinchang. As the name suggests, the Mossy Forest is essentially a forested area with plenty of mossy overgrowth covering the trees, bridges, and sign boards.
The best time to visit is in the morning. When the sun hits just the right spot, I swear, the entire area looks like a scene right out of a Tolkien novel!
14. Batu Caves, Selangor
These days, the Batu Caves in Selangor are best known for being a pilgrimage site for Hindus, particularly during the Thaipusam festival, thanks to the iconic towering statue of the Hindu deity, Lord Murugan, that marks the entrance.
However, what many people seem to forget is that the cave is a natural wonder in and of itself. The interior is a massive cave chamber laden with stalagmites and limestone formations. There is an opening in the middle which allows sunlight to pour in.
While the exterior of Batu Caves is certainly more Insta-worthy thanks to the vibrant colors, the inside is where you can truly explore the interior of Malaysia’s famous limestone mountains.
15. The Sky Mirror, Kuala Selangor
Salar de Uyuni, the Bolivian salt flat is arguably one of the most famous natural wonders in South America. But did you know that there is a miniature version of the world-renown salt flat in Malaysia?
The Kuala Selangor Sky Mirror (located on Sasaran Beach) is a mysterious location that only appears during low tide. As the name suggests, the Sky Mirror is a seabed that appears when the sea water recedes, exposing an expansive salt flat that’s as big as a hundred football fields! And just like Salar de Uyuni, the salt flats at Sasaran Beach often boast a perfect reflection of the blue sky.
Unsurprisingly, this natural wonder in Malaysia soon became a hot spot for tourists and avid photographers, eager to capture the magical reflection of the sky!
16. Tasik Cermin, Ipoh
Another underrated natural wonder in Malaysia is Tasik Cermin (or Mirror Lake) in Ipoh, a city that’s usually more famous for its delicious food and cultural heritage.
Tasik Cermin couldn’t be any more different than the bustling streets of Ipoh. Here, you’ll find serenity within the majestic mountains and enigmatic limestone caves. As the name of the location suggests, the main attraction here is the beautiful lake in the middle.
Given the still water of the pristine lake, Tasik Cermin reflects its surrounding scenery in perfect symmetry on the surface, offering a picturesque view that will take your breath away.
17. Gunung Baling, Kedah
While Gunung Baling isn’t as popular as Mount Kinabalu, this majestic mountain in Kedah is another of the hidden natural wonders of Malaysia just waiting to be explored.
Soaring above the sleepy town of Baling, this 546m limestone mountain is a popular destination for avid hikers, providing a challenging journey to the top, and an incredible panoramic view as a reward.
Although Gunung Baling is located in Kedah, you can actually see the outskirts of Mainland Penang and even Thailand from the peak — provided you have clear weather conditions.
18. Kilim Karst Geoforest Park
Finally, no list of natural wonders in Malaysia can ever be complete without mentioning Langkawi, arguably the country’s most popular island destination.
Even though Langkawi is better known for its beaches and duty-free shopping, it is also home to Kilim Geoforest Park, a UNESCO Geopark that is the first of its kind in Southeast Asia. It is home to diverse natural landscapes, sea arches, caves, and even fossils.
This ecotourism hotspot is where you can explore untouched mangrove forests, visit limestone and karst landscapes, and admire the rich biodiversity that calls the island their home.
Another natural wonder that one can visit in Langkawi is the Seven Wells Waterfall. As the name suggests, the cascading waterfall is known for the seven shallow rock pools at the top of the waterfall.
Wrap-up
And there you have it: 18 natural wonders in Malaysia for you to explore on your next trip there!
Can’t get enough of incredible natural vistas? Check out these natural wonders in Spain and Italy too! Or better yet, make an ultimate bucket list of natural wonders in Asia, North America, or Europe and try to visit them all!
