Top 10 Famous Buildings In Malaysia

famous buildings in malaysia
Stephen
Stephen 
Updated
| 5 min read

Located in the southeastern part of the Asian continent, Malaysia is a charming country that consists of two portions that are separated by the blue waters of the South China Sea. Apart from its vibrant and captivating atmosphere, this lovely country also boasts an array of pristine beaches, beautifully canopied rainforests, exuberant shopping malls, restaurants, and wonderful nightlife. What’s, even more, is that while the country is viewed as a melting pot of Malay, Chinese, Indian, and European cultures, it’s the number of breathtaking skyscrapers and historical buildings that will draw your attention. Keep reading below for our curated list of famous buildings in Malaysia.

Luxe up your trip and stay in one of Malaysia’s top Airbnbs and resorts too.

1. Maybank Tower

Menara Maybank, Kuala Lumpur
Source: Photo by Flickr user Andy Mitchell used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Erected at the heart of Kuala Lumpur is the breathtaking Maybank Tower, a conspicuously tall skyscraper standing 244 meters (800.53 feet) and has 50 floors. Since 1988, this historic building has been serving as the headquarters of Maybank and is one of the major tourist attractions in Malaysia. Step inside and marvel at the astonishing amount of coins and money that Maybank Numismatic Museum preserves. What’s even more attractive about this iconic building is its eye-popping architecture. Apart from being a sight to behold on the city’s skyline, it’s also the second-tallest building in Malaysia after the soaring Petronas Towers.

Maybank Tower

Address: 100 Jalan Tun Perak; Pudu, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

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2. Kek Lok Si Temple

Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang, Malaysia
Source: Photo by Flickr user Phuket@photograph... used under CC BY 2.0

Perched on a 4-hectare (9.88 acres) piece of land in a dazzling suburb called Air Itam in the beautiful island state of Penang is the iconic Kek Lok Si Temple. Apart from being a historical landmark and a major tourist attraction on the island, this is also the largest Buddhist temple in the entire country. Sometimes referred to as the Temple of Supreme Bliss, this site has been hosting crusaders and spiritual servants, both local and from other countries around Southeast Asia. It features a lovely entrance, breathtaking carvings, sculptures and murals in the interior, and the turtle liberation pond.

Kek Lok Si Temple

Address: Malaysia, Penang, Air Itam, 邮政编码: 11500

Website: Kek Lok Si Temple

Opening hours: 8:30am - 5:30pm (daily)

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3. Melaka Sultanate Palace Museum

Malacca Sultanate Palace Museum Exterior
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Azuladnan used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Learn about Malacca’s beautiful and priceless culture with an insightful tour of the historic Melaka Sultanate Palace Museum nestled in the gorgeous Melaka City in Malaysia. From a distance, you first get an eye-popping sight of the temple and the blossoming gardens around its vast compound. This iconic building was meticulously designed around the 1980s and its architectural design is heavily borrowed from the 16th century. It used to be the palace of the then Melaka Sultanate but it has since then been remodeled into a world-class museum that preserves and showcases the rich history and culture of this awe-inspiring country.

Melaka Sultanate Palace Museum

Address: Jalan Kota, Bandar Hilir, 75000 Melaka, Malaysia

Website: Melaka Sultanate Palace Museum

Opening hours: 8:30am - 5pm (daily)

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4. Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Mosque

Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Mosque - Shah Ala, Malaysia - panoramio
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Chanilim714 used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Sitting off Persiaran Masjid Street in the city of Selangor is one of the iconic sites and a major tourist attraction not only in Malaysia but also in Southeast Asia – Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Mosque. It boasts being the largest mosque in the country and also the second-largest in Southeast Asia after the monumental mosque in Jakarta, Indonesia. Honeymooners, art lovers, and adventure-seekers all gather here from all over the world to marvel at its amazingly beautiful architecture. Apart from its towering minaret that is visible from a distance, it also features a blue colored glass dome and an intricately decorated interior.

Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Mosque

Address: Persiaran Masjid St., Sekysen 14, 40000 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia

Website: Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Mosque

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5. Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi

Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi
Source: Photo by Flickr user Eric Lefevre-Ardant used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Are you always fascinated and curious about the intriguing culture of the Chinese people? Learn more about Chinese history, culture, traditions, and a lot more from this iconic temple situated at Cannon Square in George Town, Malaysia – Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi. As its name might hint to you, the structure is the sanctuary of the famous Chinese clan. Its ancestry can be traced to over 600 years ago. At night when the lights are turned on for cultural performances, it becomes such a breathtaking sight. It features beautiful designs in its detailed architecture, eye-catching murals, and a collection of lovable stone carvings.

Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi

Address: 18, Cannon Square, George Town, 10450 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

Website: Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi

Opening hours: 9am - 5pm (daily)

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6. Dayabumi Complex

Dayabumi Complex
Source: Photo by Flickr user Jorge Láscar used under CC BY 2.0

Beautifully portrayed against Kuala Lumpur’s skyline is one of the tallest and earliest skyscrapers in this magnificent city – Dayabumi Complex. Since the 1970s, its towering presence and the sophisticated combination of both Islamic architecture and modern design has been attracting artists, designers, and travelers from all over the world to Malaysia. It was the first building of its kind to be built in Kuala Lumpur and it comes with 35 storeys. The sight of the lush green trees around it and the beautifully decorated façade is just marvelous. The best way to preserve such memories is by taking some pictures.

Dayabumi Complex

Address: Kuala Lumpur City Centre, 50050 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

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7. Kellie's Castle

Kellie's Castle 01
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Artboyz used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Rumored to be a gift home to the family members of its original architect, who was a farmer from Scotland known as William Kellie-Smith, Kellie’s Castle is a historical landmark and one of the hidden gems in Malaysia. It is tucked away in a romantic, lush green neighborhood in Batu Gajah in Kinta District. This is always a must-see spot for honeymooners and love-seekers in Malaysia as it beautifully combines blissful romance, heart-wrenching tragedy, and mystery to a striking effect. Although the castle remains unfinished and in ruins, you can still enjoy breathtaking tours through secret passageways on this former rubber estate. Don’t sleep on Kellie’s Castle if you’re seeking the best adventures in Malaysia.

Kellie's Castle

Address: 31000 Batu Gajah, Perak, Malaysia

Website: Kellie’s Castle

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 9am - 5:30pm; Fri - Sun: 9am - 6pm

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8. Petronas Twin Tower (from USD 10.39)

When tourists come to Kuala Lumpur, there’s usually one image that is usually ingrained in their minds–that of the breathtaking sight of the Petronas Twin Towers. This is a pair of dazzling skyscrapers which were the tallest buildings in the world before the emergence of Taipei 101 in Taiwan and the more recent Burj Khalifa in Dubai.

It stands at about 451.9 meters (1,482.61 feet) tall with thrilling views of the city and its surroundings. It has a quirky structure that connects the two towers, ranked as the highest two-story bridge. In these towers, you’ll find different commercial entities and a gift shop. One thing’s for sure, don’t ever come back to your hotel without a visit to this world-famous structure in Malaysia!

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Petronas Twin Towers Petronas Twin Towers
Photos of Petronas Twin Towers shared by content creator from India, Vidhi Patel.
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9. Sultan Ibrahim Building

Sultan Ibrahim Building - JB
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Graystravels used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Having been the tallest building during the pre-Merdeka era, Sultan Ibrahim Building is a national iconic landmark that used to function as a state secretariat building of Johor. Travel back in time to 1942 when the Japanese used to plan their spy attacks at this fortress. Also known as Bangunan Sultan Ibrahim, this attraction is nestled in a picturesque area in Bukit Timbalan, Johor Bahru. One thing you can’t fail to notice is its gorgeous façade which painstakingly combines Johor Malay, Islamic, and colonial designs in its architecture. Remember to take some photos with the romantic carvings just at the front of the façade.

Sultan Ibrahim Building

Address: Jalan Abdullah Ibrahim, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

Opening hours: Wed - Mon: 24 hours (closed on Tue)

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10. IB Tower

famous buildings in malaysia | ib tower
Source: instagram

Standing at the heart of Kuala Lumpur is a state-of-the-art skyscraper which attracts tourists due to its unique design. Being the fifth-tallest skyscraper in the country, this 264-meter (866.14 feet) tall tower features an amazing 58 floors designed by the award-winning Foster + Partners. Apart from being a state-wide tourist attraction, it also functions as a commercial center as it features red carpet office suites, four-star hotels and accommodation, photogenic art galleries, souvenir shops, and a host of vibrant clubs. There is also a number of high-end restaurants serving a variety of both local and international cuisines that will confuse your taste glands.

IB Tower

Address: Persiaran KLCC, Kuala Lumpur, 50450 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

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Discover extraordinary Malaysia

Boasting an enviable array of fascinating things to do and natural and manmade attractions, Malaysia is one of the most visited countries in Southeast Asia. Although its beautiful climate, gorgeous beaches, and impeccable street food are some of the main attractions, it’s the overwhelming collection of picturesque and historic buildings that makes it even more appealing and irresistible.

Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Stephen is an avid content writer with a passion for adventure. He enjoys traveling and has visited several countries around the world. So far, South Africa stands out as his most exciting...Read more

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