10 Best Museums In Malaysia That Are Incredibly Informative And Worth It

Perfect for families with children
By: agnes
April 5, 2022

Malaysia is truly a beautiful country with amazing food, friendly people, and weather that isn’t too extreme. Furthermore, Malaysia is filled with culture and history, alongside amazing artifacts collected from generations ago. There are many different museums in Malaysia that tourists tend to visit on their journey to this tropical country. However, these museums are also open to Malaysians who decide to take a more informative route on their days out. Thus, if you’re someone who prefers learning about our country’s history as opposed to thrill rides, here are some of the best museums in Malaysia.

1. National Textile Museum

Pic cred: Visit KL

The National Textile Museum is probably one of the best museums in Malaysia. It is also one of the few famous ones. This place was originally built for the Malaysian railway department before it was converted into a museum. However, the history of Malaysian textiles, such as songket, may be found on the lower levels of this Mogul-style building. Furthermore, the tools and procedures required to make these unique fabrics are on display for anyone to examine. On the second floor, you’ll find elaborately created motifs as well as a wide range of personal adornment items, such as elaborate headgear and jewellery.

Address:26, Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur
Operating hours:Daily 9am–6pm
Contact details:03-2694 3457

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2. Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia

The Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia houses the world’s largest expanding collection of Islamic art and antiquities. It’s also one of the best museums in Malaysia that tells you about Islam in countries like China, India, and the rest of Southeast Asia. Extensive exhibits in the museum trace the history and development of Islam in Persia and the Middle East. This goes all the way up to its current status as Malaysia’s national religion. In addition, you can learn about Islam via the works of its practitioners while strolling through Kuala Lumpur’s lush greenery.

Address:Jalan Lembah, Tasik Perdana, 50480 Kuala Lumpur
Operating hours:Daily 9:30am–6pm
Contact details:03-2092 7070

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3. Petrosains, The Discovery Centre

Petrosains, The Discovery Centre is probably one of PETRONAS’s most prized assets. It has since become one of the best museums in Malaysia that teaches all about oil, gas, and water engineering. Oftentimes you will see children or students at the museum. However, it’s also a place for adults to experience everything that science has to offer. Furthermore, Petrosains is in KLCC mall, which houses a plethora of services and entertainment. So if you’re planning to visit Petrosains, you can also spend some time shopping in KLCC. 

Address:Petronas Twin Tower, Level 4, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, 50088 Kuala Lumpur
Operating hours:Tue-Fri 9:30am–5:30pm | Sat & Sun 9:30am–6:30pm
Contact details:03-2331 8181

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4. National Museum of Malaysia

Pic cred: Muzium Negara

The National Museum, also known as Muzium Negara, is a must-see and a classic. With so many other museums across the country having their own unique regional collections, Muzium Negara has it all. It’s one of the best museums in Malaysia to find out about Malaysian prehistory. Furthermore, you get to experience the emergence and fall of ancient marine and agricultural kingdoms through artefacts and archaeological discoveries. There’s also a separate building right beside the National Museum that houses a collection of indigenous produce, largely from rural areas of Peninsular Malaysia.

Address:Jabatan Muzium Malaysia, Jln Damansara, Perdana Botanical Gardens, 50566 Kuala Lumpur
Operating hours:Daily 9am–5pm
Contact details:03-2267 1000

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5. Natural History Museum, Sarawak

British scientist Alfred Wallace’s passion mission to acquire new wildlife specimens on the remote and relatively unknown island of Borneo evolved into the oldest museum in Sawarak. The Natural History Museum now showcases the local people and their various tribes as well. It’s without a doubt one of the best museums in Malaysia to visit if you’re in Sarawak. Even though it was severely damaged by the Japanese during World War II, it’s still a stunning example of 19th-century Victorian architecture in the state. 

Address:Taman Budaya, 93000 Kuching, Sarawak
Operating hours:Weekdays 9am–4:45pm | Weekends 10am–4pm
Contact details:08-254 8181

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6. Baba & Nyonya Heritage Museum

Baba & Nyonya Heritage Museum of Malacca worked hard to conserve much of the 19th century Malaya. This was when the Peranakan culture thrived, detailing the Chinese-Malay alliance. This museum, housed in a pre-WWII clan house, is one of the best-preserved relics of the old world and explores the lives of descendants of mixed marriages. Truly, it’s one of the best museums in Malaysia and shows how diverse Malaysia really is.

Address:48-50, Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock, 75200 Melaka
Operating hours:Fri-Sun 10am–12:30pm, 2–5pm
Contact details:06-282 1273

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7. Rainforest Discovery Center

Photo cred: Sabah Tourism Board

At the Rainforest Discovery Center, visitors can see Borneo’s rainforest specimens in their natural environments. Many of Borneo’s rarest animals and plants are housed in a centre that provides visitors with an opportunity to learn about the plethora of deep rainforest plant species that would typically take hours and professional eyes to find in the wild. Furthermore, the Orangutan Rehabilitation Center is located nearby, and they work together to preserve the area well-maintained and supported as a tourist destination. It’s one of the best museums in Malaysia to visit if you’re ever in Sabah.

Address:Jalan Lintas Sibuga, Sepilok, 90000 Sandakan, Sabah
Operating hours:Daily 8am–5pm
Contact details:08-953 3780

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8. Perak Museum

The Perak Museum is actually the oldest museum in Malaysia. It’s also one of the best museums in Malaysia that’s housed in a stunning Art Deco villa with an impressive collection of life and culture from the region. In addition to the National Museum’s collection of relics spanning over a century, the museum’s collection of tribal handicrafts and old lore from Perak is more extensive than that of the National Museum. The museum’s travelling displays are especially popular with locals since they help preserve the land’s passion for its roots and peoples.

Address:Jalan Taming Sari, 34000 Taiping, Perak
Operating hours:Daily 9am–5pm
Contact details:05-807 2057

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9. Hakka Museum

Photo cred: Ipoh Tourism Board

Han Chin Pet Soo, also known as the Hakka Museum, is Malaysia’s first Hakka tin mining museum. Close to the Kinta River, on the outskirts of Ipoh’s Old Town, it is one of the best museums in Malaysia to visit. The Hakka Tin Miners Club, formed in 1893, used to call this place home. In 1929, the structure was rebuilt to replace an earlier double-story clubhouse on the same site. This one-of-a-kind museum spans three stories and covers around 5000 square feet. Artifacts, souvenirs, ephemera, and photographs from the 19th and 20th centuries are on display. 

Address:3, Jalan Bijeh Timah, 30100 Ipoh, Perak
Operating hours:Tue-Sun 9:30am–3:30pm
Contact details:05-241 4541

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10. Wonder Food Museum

New to the museum landscape, the Wonder Food Museum in Penang is one of the best museums in Malaysia if you love food. They use Japanese food display techniques to reproduce some of Penang and Malaysia’s most popular dishes. Even if visitors can’t taste anything, they’ll be tempted to head to the next hawker stall convergence in Georgetown to satiate their visual tease after touring this amusing and colourful show.

Address:49, Lebuh Pantai, George Town, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Operating hours:Daily 9am–6pm
Contact details:04-251 9095

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