Malaysia is a Southeast Asian country occupying parts of the Malay Peninsula and the island of Borneo with a mix of Malay, Chinese, Indian and European cultural influences. Needless to say, the country has a large number of historical places that can be visited by its people and travellers. A historic site is an official location where pieces of political, military, cultural or social history are being preserved due to their cultural heritage value to the country. Getting bored of going to the same place all over again? Visit a historical site to experience and learn something new. Here are the top 10 historical places in Malaysia.
How To Know Which Historical Places To Go
Malaysia comprises 13 states and 3 federal territories so naturally, there are a lot of historic sites that can be visited. Worry not because planning your trip, doing research and knowing whether it is family-friendly or not are some of the tips for you to choose which sites to visit with your family or friends.
- Plan your trip
Before going to any historical sites, it is best advised to plan your whole trip to avoid wasting your time and energy. Some sites have their operating hours so make sure you plan your day to avoid further issues.
- Do research
After planning your trip, do as much research as you can about the historical site. Sure, it is exciting to go places that you have never been before but make sure you know at least a little bit of information about the site.
- Family-friendly
Certain historical sites may not be suitable for kids so to avoid being denied entrance, try to search whether or not the historical place is family-friendly.
10 Best Historical Places in Malaysia
1. A’Famosa
The A’Famosa which means “The Famous” in Portuguese is located in Malacca and was built by the Portuguese Empire in 1511. It is one of the oldest surviving remains of European architecture in Southeast Asia. Known as Porta de Santiago, the only remaining part of the fort is a small gatehouse that is a great place for photo taking. Its ruins represent its history and A’Famosa was home to a lot of Portuguese administrative officials.
Unique Quality: Oldest remaining European architecture, great photoshoot place
Address: Jalan Parameswara, Bandar Hilir, 78000 Alor Gajah, Melaka
Operations Hours: 24 hours
Google Map: Navigate Now
Google Review: Here
2. Sri Mahamariamman Temple
The oldest Hindu temple in Kuala Lumpur, the Sri Mahamariamman Temple was founded in 1873 and is located at the edge of Chinatown in Jalan Bandar. A new structure featuring the ornate ‘Raja Gopuram’ tower in the style of South Indian temples was built in 1968. You can visit the temple as it is only a 3-min walk if you are near Petaling Street.
Unique Quality: Oldest Hindu temple in Kuala Lumpur, Near Petaling Street
Address: Jalan Tun H S Lee, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Operations Hours: Monday (6:00am – 8:00pm), Tuesday – Sunday (6:00am – 8:30pm), Friday (6:00am – 9:30pm), Saturday (6:00am – 9:00pm)
Google Map: Navigate Now
Google Review: Here
3. Fort Cornwallis
The Fort Cornwallis is a bastion fort in George Town, Penang and one of the largest forts in Malaysia that were built by the British East India Company in the late 18th century. It was named after Charles Cornwallis, the Governor-General of Bengal and has never been involved in any combat during its operational history. Commonly used for administrative purposes, this historical site became a popular tourist attraction.
Unique Quality: Largest Forts in Malaysia, One of the major traveller attractions
Address: Jalan Tun Syed Sheh Barakbah, George Town, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Operations Hours: Daily (9:00am – 10:00pm)
Google Map: Navigate Now
Google Review: Here
4. Old Kuala Lumpur Railway Station
The Old Kuala Lumpur Railway Station was completed in 1910 and built with Mughal features such as the elegant chhatris along its rooflines by a talented architect from British, Arthur Benison Hubback. He was responsible for many other iconic buildings in Malaysia like the Royal Gallery in Klang. The station was the most photographed symbol of the city alongside the Sultan Abdul Samad building and Petronas Twin Towers.
Unique Quality: Great architecture, A great symbol of the city
Address: Kampung Attap, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur
Operations Hours: Daily
Google Map: Navigate Now
Google Review: Here
5. Hang Tuah’s Well
The Hang Tuah’s Well is a laterite stone-lined well dug by the legendary Hang Tuah himself for his use. It has been declared to be one of the most well-known historical sites in Malaysia and is located in Kampung Duong, Malacca. The popular Malay warrior, Hang Tuah has a grand museum and tourist centre dedicated to him showing his history, legends and also myths.
Unique Quality: A piece of Hang Tuah’s life, Grand museum
Address: Kampung Duyong, 75430 Malacca
Operations Hours: 24 hours
Google Map: Navigate Now
Google Review: Here
6. Cheng Hoon Teng Temple
The oldest functioning temple in the country, the Cheng Hoon Teng Temple was founded in 1645 during the era of Dutch Malacca by the Chinese Kapitans, Tay Kie Ki Tay Hong Yong. It is located at Jalan Tokong, Malacca and is a Chinese temple practising the Three Doctrinal Systems of Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism. It consists of a complex of various prayer halls with a large main prayer hall dedicated to the goddess of mercy, Guan Yin.
Unique Quality: Oldest operating temple in Malaysia
Address: 25, Jalan Tokong, Kampung Dua, 75200 Melaka
Operations Hours: Daily (7:00am – 4:00pm)
Google Map: Navigate Now
Google Review: Here
7. Sultan Abdul Samad Building
The Sultan Abdul Samad Building is a late-nineteenth-century historical building that originally housed offices of the British colonial administration. Known as Government Offices, it was then renamed in 1974 after Sultan Abdul Samad, the reigning sultan of Selangor at the time when the building’s construction began. The beginning of construction was in September 1894 and was finally completed in 1897. It is located along with the Jalan Raja in front of the famous Dataran Merdeka.
Unique Quality: Great place to take photos, Iconic historical building
Address: Jln Raja, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, 50050 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur
Operations Hours: 24 hours
Google Map: Navigate Now
Google Review: Here
8. Saint Paul’s Church
The Saint Paul’s Church was originally built in 1521 and is the oldest church building in Malacca and Southeast Asia. Dedicated to the Virgin Marry, the church was built by a Portuguese nobleman, Duarte Coelho as a gratitude for saving his life from a storm in the South China Sea. Nowadays, it is a part of the Malacca Museum Complex consisting of the A’Famosa ruins and other historical buildings.
Unique Quality: Interesting history
Address: 1935, Jalan Kota, Bandar Hilir, 75000 Melaka
Operations Hours: 24 hours
Google Map: Navigate Now
Google Review: Here
9. Melaka Sultanate Palace Museum
The Malacca Sultanate Palace Museum is located in Malacca City and was constructed in 1984 that has become a cultural museum that showcases the history of the region. Finally opened by then-Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad on 17th July 1986, this museum is a modern reconstruction of the palace of the Malacca Sultanate made of hardwood for its structure, ‘belian’ wood for its roof and wooden pegs instead of common nails.
Unique Quality: Stunning traditional architectural
Address: Jalan Kota, Bandar Hilir, 75000 Melaka
Operations Hours: Tuesday – Sunday (9:00am – 5:00pm)
Google Map: Navigate Now
Google Review: Here
10. Kampung Kling Mosque
The Kampung Kling Mosque is an old mosque in Malacca situated at Jalan Tukang Emas and the name is based on a village the Indian traders lived in called Kampung Kling. The mosque’s original structure was a humble wooden building that was built in 1748 by Indian Muslim traders and rebuilt with bricks in 1872. The mosque retains its original traditional design up to this day and the architectural design of the mosque is a cross between Sumatran, Chinese, Hindu, and the local Malays.
Unique Quality: Interesting architectural design
Address: 75200 Malacca
Operations Hours: Daily
Google Map: Navigate Now
Google Review: Here
Disclosure: This list was compiled by the team at My Weekend Plan after extensive research and shared opinions to suggest helpful recommendations for the public. The sequence of brands is in no particular order so if you have any other great suggestions too, please email us [email protected] For more information, kindly refer to our copyright, privacy & disclosure policy.