Print this article if you're a tour operator, accommodation provider or touristA piece of Malaysia for the whole family
Planning a holiday with your family, including children or young people? Here are some destinations with universal appeal for the young and old alike.
Malaysia offers a variety of sights and options for families vacationing with children. There are many theme parks and natural reserves in Malaysia that will take your mind off finding things to keep you and your children entertained. The country is also safe for kids as the Malay people by nature are very family oriented people.
Kuala Lumpur & Beyond
Making Kuala Lumpur your base is never a bad idea. There are many activities available in and around Kuala Lumpur itself. The Menara KL (known as the KL tower) is situated right in the heart of the city. This telecommunications building is a very modern structure and soars 421 meters high. It appears taller than the PETRONAS building nearby because it is built on a hill. The tower has an observation deck where you can enjoy a bird’s eye view of KL along with a documentary on the history of the city. After the documentary you can enjoy a relaxing meal on its revolving restaurant or even indulge in a burger from one of the highest McDonalds in the world!
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Menara KL is set atop Bukit Nanas or Pineapple Hill as it is known (which stands 94 meters above sea level). Pineapple Hill is home to the oldest gazetted forest reserve in the country with some age-old trees, flora and fauna indigenous to tropical climates. It is the only area of preserved tropical rain forest remaining in Kuala Lumpur today.
Sunway Lagoon in Petaling Jaya is a 15-minute drive from Kuala Lumpur and a great spot for a day trip for families with young children. Sunway Lagoon has entertainment for kids and adults alike. You can all enjoy an adrenalin rush speeding down the water slide or riding upside down on a roller coaster. There are also some extreme sports for older kids like dirt track racing, go karting, pin ball shooting etc. There is also an interactive wildlife park, which is usually a big hit with kids of all age groups. There are numerous food and beverage outlets serving some fabulous local delights along with fast food delights to satiate any fast food hunger!
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Sunway Lagoon Theme Park (pictured), a holder of MalaysiaExplorer.net's top-pick accommodation accolade for family fun and value for money! |
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Peninsular Malaysia
In the state of Pahang (100 kilometers from KL) you’ll find Fraser’s Hill rising 1,500 meters above sea level on the Titiwangsa mountain range of Peninsular Malaysia. This charming hill resort is a favorite amongst tourists for its golfing facilities, Tudor cottages, enchanting forest trails and diverse flora and fauna. It is a haven for bird watchers. The resort has many quaint Tudor styled cottages available along with other hotels and chalets. Here you can enjoy a relaxed and refreshing holiday while the children indulge in horse back riding, mountain biking, archery and jungle treks.
Desaru, a one and a half hour drive from Johor Bahru is a resort destination where both adults and children can get some sun, sand and frolic. The beach resort has many rooms to suit your budget and no matter which one you choose you will never be far from the action. There is snorkeling, kite flying, horse riding, banana boat rides and many wading pools, or you can soak in the sun in the golden sands of the casuarina-lined beaches of Desaru. Aside from the beach activities there’s also an ostrich farm and many fireflies waiting to keep the family entertained. Come at night time and see the mangrove land lit up by fireflies! This truly is a sight to see. Desaru was and still is predominantly a fishing village so the resort offers a variety of sea food options in its ores of sea food restaurants.
Malaysian Borneo
From Peninsular Malaysia to the jewels of Borneo, Sabah and Sarawak – every location possesses great options for family holidays.
A tour of the jungles of Sabah with its flying squirrels, leopards, apes and many other varieties of wildlife are awe-inspiring stories that children carry back home. The Canopy walkway through the dense jungle is usually a favourite among children too. The Orangutan conservatory park in Sepilok is a sure fire favourite with kids. It is as educational as it is entertaining!
For the fit and young trekkers there is Mount Kinabalu. Though known to be an arduous climb, many a young person has summitted it effortlessly! The mountain offers many beautiful sights along the way including Poring hot springs and waterfalls to wash the tired muscles.
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Sarawak’s rainforests are filled with hornbills – an interesting and colorful family of birds. The Kuching waterfront along the Sarawak River is a great place for kids to frolic and take boat rides to the fort. There is also a wonderful natural history museum, and Bako National Park with its beautiful stretches of beaches and jungle trails.
The Kubah National Park is an educational journey for kids who can get an insight into daily life in the wild. There are many picnic spots in picturesque settings to relax and take in the surroundings. You can visit a Iban longhouse and share insights with the Iban people while your kids play with the local Iban children.
The Niah Caves (the longest limestone caves in the world) are a beautiful sight for the whole family to enjoy. A boat ride inside the caves is a journey into civilizations 400,000 years old.
Almost every beach or island in Malaysia has many activities for children. For those who want to start young there are diving and snorkeling instructors who accommodate children. Taking a leisurely boat ride or just generally frolicking in the sandy beaches while enjoying the hospitality of the local people is also a great plan for a family vacation.
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Photo Credits: Qassaam, Tom Ravenscroft and amrufm
