Historical places in Malaysia are some of the best places to reflect on the meaning of Merdeka Day and where our journey as a nation began.
Merdeka Day is more than just waving flags and watching parades. It’s about remembering where we came from and appreciating the journey that brought us here.
One of the best ways to do that is by visiting the many historical places in Malaysia that remind us of the sacrifices, resilience, and unity that built and shaped Malaysia into what it is today.
You can truly appreciate Malaysia’s rich history when you consider the diversity of its historical sites: colonial forts, old buildings, ancient temples, royal palaces, and sacred hills. Some sites go back hundreds, even thousands of years.
And what better time to do that than on Merdeka weekend? When you stand there, especially on Merdeka Day, you can feel how deeply connected you are to this land.
Before we dive into our favourite spots to appreciate Malaysian heritage, here’s a little background on what the Merdeka celebration is even about.
A Quick Look at Merdeka History
On 31 August 1957, Malaysia (then known as Malaya) gained independence from British colonial rule.
It was a moment that marked the end of decades of foreign control and the beginning of a new chapter as a sovereign nation.
The first Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman, declared our freedom at Stadium Merdeka with the iconic chant of “Merdeka!” echoed seven times by the crowd.
Since then, Merdeka Day has become a yearly celebration of unity, resilience, and pride.
But our story didn’t start there.
Our history goes way beyond colonial times. The sultanates, trade ports, and ancient kingdoms that came long before independence laid the foundations of our identity.
So this Merdeka Day, let’s celebrate the whole journey our country by exploring these 12 fascinating historical places in Malaysia.
Historical Places in East Malaysia
1. Kundasang War Memorial, Sabah
This is one of the most emotional historical places in Malaysia we’ve ever visited.
The memorial honours the Australian and British POWs who died during the Sandakan Death Marches, along with the brave locals who tried to help them.
Each of the four gardens represents a different country, but they all tell one powerful story of loss, sacrifice, and remembrance.
It’s a quiet place, up in the highlands, but it makes you pause. On Merdeka Day, it reminds us that independence didn’t come easily. It came with pain and people who gave everything.
- Location: Kundasang, Ranau, Sabah
- Hours: Daily, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
- Ticket price: RM 15 (foreigners), RM 5 (Malaysians)
- Approx. time to spend: 45 minutes to 1 hour
- Bonus: The view of Mount Kinabalu is beautiful in the morning.
2. Fort Margherita, Sarawak
Perched by the Sarawak River, Fort Margherita was built in 1879 by the second White Rajah, Charles Brooke, who named the fort after his wife, Margaret.
It was meant to protect Kuching from pirates, but today it protects the story of Sarawak’s unique colonial past.
Inside the Brooke Gallery, you’ll find everything from old cannons to personal letters and photographs from the Brooke era.
We love how it gives a totally different side to Malaysian history.
It’s one of the more underrated historical places in Malaysia, but definitely worth the trip, especially if you’re spending Merdeka weekend in Kuching.
- Location: Kuching Waterfront, Sarawak
- Hours: Daily, 9:00 AM – 4:45 PM
- Ticket price: RM15 (locals), RM30 (foreigners)
- Approx. time to spend: 1 to 1.5 hours
- Notes: Great sunset views if you cross the pedestrian bridge nearby.
Historical Places in Penang
We most often visit Georgetown when we want to soak in culture and eat incredible food. But it’s a place rich in history. If you’re looking for Penang’s historical places to explore during Merdeka weekend, these are the ones we always recommend to friends.
3. Fort Cornwallis
This is the largest standing fort in Malaysia, and it’s one of the first places we visited when we started exploring Penang.
Built in the late 1700s by the British East India Company, Fort Cornwallis was meant to defend Penang from pirates and Kedah forces.
Today, it’s a peaceful green space filled with old cannons, thick walls, and a small chapel.
It’s a must-visit during Merdeka Day because it marks the very beginning of British colonial presence in Malaysia.
Standing there, it’s easy to imagine the ships arriving, changing our history forever.
- Location: Esplanade, George Town, Penang
- Hours: Daily, 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM
- Ticket price: RM10 (locals), RM20 (foreigners)
- Approx. time to spend: 30 to 45 minutes
- Notes: Best to visit in the morning before it gets too hot.
4. Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion (The Blue Mansion)
Every time we visit this place, we fall in love with it all over again.
The mansion was built in the late 1800s by Cheong Fatt Tze, a Chinese tycoon, and it blends traditional feng shui with European influences.
The indigo-blue walls are instantly recognisable and make this one of the most iconic historical places in Penang.
The guided tour is the best way to really appreciate the stories behind the house. It’s a celebration of culture, craftsmanship, and ambition.
- Location: Lebuh Leith, George Town, Penang
- Hours: Tours at 11:00 AM and 3:30 PM
- Ticket price: RM25 per person
- Approx. time to spend: 1 hour
- Notes: Arrive 15 minutes before tour time and try to book the tour online.
Historical Places in Melaka
Melaka is one of our all-time favourite states for Merdeka weekend. The city is basically a time machine.
Around every corner, there’s something left behind by the Malay Sultanate, the Portuguese, Dutch, British, or even earlier.
These are the most unforgettable historical places in Melaka, and if you haven’t been in a while, Merdeka is the perfect time to go.
5. Melaka Sultanate Palace Museum
This wooden palace is a replica of the original Istana of Sultan Mansur Shah, one of the most powerful rulers of the Melaka Sultanate.
Built without a single nail, it’s based on historical records from the 15th century and brings the golden age of Melaka to life.
Inside, you’ll find dioramas, royal weapons, and stories of diplomacy and warfare that show how advanced and influential this Malay kingdom was.
- Location: Jalan Kota, Bandar Hilir, Melaka
- Hours: Tue-Sun, 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM, Closed on Mondays
- Ticket price: RM10 (locals) RM20 (foreigners)
- Approx. time to spend: 45 minutes
6. Kampung Kling Mosque
Built in 1748, this mosque blends Malay, Chinese, Indian, and European architecture all in one.
Its minaret looks like a pagoda, and inside you’ll see wooden carvings, Portuguese tiles, and a serene atmosphere that feels timeless.
It’s one of those historical places in Malaysia that quietly shows how diverse we’ve always been in faith and culture.
- Location: Jalan Tukang Emas, Melaka
- Hours: Daily, 5:00 AM – 9:15 AM
- Ticket price: Free
- Approx. time to spend: 20 to 30 minutes
- Notes: There is a dress code to enter the mosque. No shorts or tank tops. If you are not wearing the appropriate dress, they do provide robes.
7. Cheng Hoon Teng Temple
This is the oldest Chinese temple in Malaysia, dating back to 1645. It’s still active today, serving the local Hokkien community.
The temple is full of beautiful stone carvings, wooden beams, and incense-filled air that is rich in centuries of devotion.
It’s amazing that a place like this has stood through war, colonisation, independence, and modernisation.
Visiting during Merdeka Day just makes you feel proud of how we’ve held on to our roots.
- Location: Jalan Tokong, Melaka
- Hours: Daily, 7:00 AM – 6:30 PM
- Ticket price: Free
- Approx. time to spend: 30 minutes
- Notes: Visit early to avoid crowds.
8. A’Famosa Fortress
This tiny stone gate, also called Porta de Santiago, is all that’s left of the original Portuguese fortress built in 1511.
It once surrounded the entire city, and though only the Porta de Santiago arch remains, it’s still one of the most iconic historical places in Melaka.
It’s the perfect photo spot, and it reminds us that even though empires came and went, Malaysia is still here.
- Location: Jalan Kota, Melaka
- Hours: Open 24 hours
- Ticket price: Free
- Approx. time to spend: 20 minutes
9. St. Paul’s Church
Located at the top of St. Paul’s Hill, a short walk from A Famosa, this church ruin dates back to 1521.
It was originally built by the Portuguese, then later used by the Dutch and British. Today, it’s a breezy stone shell filled with old gravestones and a view of the city and sea.
It’s honestly one of the most peaceful spots in Melaka and may be one of the oldest churches in Southeast Asia.
- Location: St. Paul’s Hill, Bandar Hilir, Melaka
- Hours: Open 24 hours
- Ticket price: Free
- Approx. time to spend: 30 to 45 minutes
- Notes: The slope is steep but manageable.
Historical Places in KL
10. Sultan Abdul Samad Building
Right across from Merdeka Square, this majestic building is one of the most photographed Kuala Lumpur landmarks, and for good reason.
Built in 1897, it served as the British colonial administrative office, and its unique Mughal-style architecture still turns heads today.
But its real significance? This is where our national flag was raised for the very first time on Merdeka Day in 1957.
- Location: Jalan Raja, Kuala Lumpur
- Hours: Exterior always open; interior not open to the public
- Ticket price: Free
- Approx. time to spend: 30 minutes
- Notes: Best time for photos is just before sunset when the lights come on.
11. Sri Maha Mariamman Temple
This colourful Hindu temple is the oldest in KL, founded in 1873.
The tower entrance (gopuram) is covered in hundreds of hand-painted deities, and inside, you’ll find vivid murals, shrines, and the sound of bells echoing through the halls.
It’s right near Chinatown, but it feels like you’ve stepped into another world.
We always bring friends here to show how deep and diverse our religious heritage is. It’s one of the few historical places in Malaysia where you can still witness traditions that go back centuries.
- Location: Jalan Tun H.S. Lee, Kuala Lumpur
- Hours: Sun-Fri 6:00 AM – 1:00 PM, 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM, Sat 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Ticket price: Free
- Approx. time to spend: 30 to 45 minutes
- Notes: This place also requires modest clothing and they provide shawls and robes if needed.
Historical Places in Kedah
12. Bujang Valley Archaeological Museum
This is one of the oldest and most humbling historical places in Malaysia, and it’s different from all the other spots on this list.
The Bujang Valley was once home to a powerful Hindu-Buddhist kingdom that flourished over 2,000 years ago: long before the Portuguese, Dutch, or British ever set foot here.
The site includes ancient temple ruins (called candis), stone tablets, and trade artefacts from India, China, and the Middle East.
Visiting this place on any day gives us chills. It reminds us that our heritage goes way deeper than colonisation.
Our ancestors built kingdoms. They traded across oceans. And we’re standing on their legacy today.
- Location: Merbok, Kedah
- Hours: Sat-Thu 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Fri 9:00 AM – 12:15 PM, 12:45 PM – 5:00 PM
- Ticket price: Free
- Approx. time to spend: 1 to 2 hours
- Notes: The museum is indoors, but the temple sites are outdoors. Come early to avoid the heat.
That’s the full list of our favourite historical places in Malaysia. We hope you’ll get to explore at least one or two of these on Merdeka weekend, depending on where you are.
Some are grand and famous. Others are quiet and hidden. But every single one tells a story that led us to where we are today.
Here are some other helpful resources:
- Visiting Putra Mosque: Putrajaya’s Pink Mosque – SOCAR Blog
- Guide to Merdeka Parades & Where to Watch Them – SOCAR Blog
FAQs on historical places in Malaysia
What is the historic city of Malaysia?
Melaka and George Town, Malaysia, are amazing examples of historic colonial cities along the Straits of Melaka. They show how different cultural and historical influences came together over time, especially from their past as trading hubs that connected the East and West.
Why is Melaka famous?
Melaka is noted for its unique history and has become one of the top tourist spots in the country. Its location made it a key player in international trade routes, and at one point, it was a major global trading centre in the East.
What is the oldest town in Malaysia?
Melaka City is the capital of the state of Melaka and is considered the oldest city in Malaysia along the Straits of Melaka. It rose to importance as a thriving trade port during the time of the Melaka Sultanate.
What is Malaysia’s historical name?
Before European colonisation, the Malay Peninsula was known natively as Tanah Melayu, which means ‘Malay Land’ in the local language.
Which is better, George Town or Melaka?
There are more historical sites in George Town, and they tend to be grander, more vibrant, and better preserved than those in Melaka. You’ll find key British landmarks like the city and town halls, colonial churches, Fort Cornwallis, and heritage buildings along Lebuh Pantai.
Make the Most of Your Merdeka Adventure with SOCAR
Planning to visit multiple historical spots in one day? SOCAR makes it easy.
With a wide range of cars to choose from and flexible booking options, you can explore at your own pace, without the stress of waiting for rides or figuring out public transport.
Whether you’re going with family or friends, SOCAR gives you the comfort, convenience, and freedom to turn your Merdeka weekend into a meaningful road trip through Malaysia’s rich past.
