1. Kuala Lumpur: Walk the talk
Explore Kuala Lumpur’s most eclectic neighbourhood on the Chow Kit Walking Tour with local guide Fuad Fahmy. Starting from The Chow Kit – An Ormond Hotel, which reflects the charm of old KL, the 90-minute walk uncovers bustling markets, hidden alleys and beloved food stalls. thechowkit.com
2.Kuala Lumpur: Bon appetite!
Foodies, it’s time to discover culinary hotspot TUAH 1895 at Bukit Bintang City Centre with Maybank Cards. Enjoy up to 50% off at participating restaurants – Chef Kecik Boulangerie, Hock Kee Kopitiam, Ministry of Crab, Pak Tok and Ting Shan Cuisine – when you pay with your Maybank Card. maybank.my/rasatuah
3. Pahang: Let it snow
Experience a White Christmas at Resorts World Genting, where 14°C mountain air, twinkling lights, cheerful carols and snowfall create a festive highland wonderland – free for all. rwgenting.com
4. Johor: Start your engines
Legoland Malaysia Resort debuts Asia’s first Lego Ferrari Build & Race, where visitors design, build and test their own Lego Ferraris on real and virtual tracks – alongside a life-sized Lego Ferrari F50. legoland.com.my
5. Kedah: Island charm, Spanish soul
Perched above the sea, Tapaz Langkawi at Tubotel near Cenang Beach serves artisan breads by morning and favourites like mahi-mahi crudo, seafood paella and Langkawi octopus by sunset. Owner Alex Mark handpicks the day’s catch and oversees every loaf from the oven. @tapaz.langkawi
6. Kuala Lumpur: Styled for takeoff
Get your holiday wardrobe sorted with designer Shaleen Cheah’s Summer Edit capsule – breezy, well-made pieces that mix and match effortlessly, taking the stress out of packing. Complete the look with a stylish pair of Pott Sunnies from homegrown label Pott Glasses. And don’t forget to protect your skin from UV rays with B&B Labs’ Auto-Tone CC Suncare, a multitasking, microbiome-friendly sunscreen powered by E-Cology Plus+.
shaleencheah.com; pottglasses.com; bb-labs.com
7. Kuala Lumpur: Sunset sips
Enjoy crafted cocktails and sunset views at Le Comptoir, Alila Bangsar Kuala Lumpur’s 41st-floor bar, recently reopened to the delight of its fans. Order from the citrus-inspired Sunset Collection and pair with bites such as beef tartare. @alilabangsar
8. Kuala Lumpur: A taste of heritage
Since opening in 2022, Bōl has redefined modern Peranakan dining in Kuala Lumpur. Chef Kian Liew’s new tasting menu, Trove: Heirlooms, pays tribute to tradition with dishes like Tamarind Ocean Breeze (cured red snapper), Royal Ocean Nectar (tiger prawn, crab royale) and Verdant Shadow (aged duck with acar relish). @bol_in_kl
9. Pahang: Mangala’s next act
Newsflash: Mangala Estate Kuantan will join IHG’s Vignette Collection in mid-2026, ahead of a 2027 rebrand. As part of the collection, the 67-villa nature-inspired resort will feature all-day dining, a poolside bar serving farm-to-table creations and personalised dining experiences. frankyhotels.com
10. Kuala Lumpur: Creature feature
Godzilla fans, listen up. EQ hotel has teamed up with Japan’s legendary Toho Studios to celebrate the monster’s 70th anniversary with limited-edition merchandise and a signature drink, King of Monsters, served at its rooftop bar, Sky51. @eqkualalumpur
11. Pahang: Weaving a tale
Perkampungan Kraf Diraja Tunku Azizah celebrates the enduring art of Tenun Pahang Diraja weaving and traditional crafts. Located in Pekan – the royal capital of Pahang – it stands as a living museum and hub for cultural education and regal heritage. pahangtourism.org.my
12. Kedah: Intentional travel
“Experience Kedah” – as the tourism campaign goes – invites travellers to see the state through fresh eyes, genuinely connecting with its people, culture and charm. Chief Minister Dato’ Seri Haji Muhammad Sanusi bin Md Nor encourages visitors to really experience Kedah, not just to snap photos and move on, but truly engage with its stories, its spirit and its beauty.
This new chapter focuses on travel that’s immersive and community-driven. Beyond the usual sights, Kedah is opening up new tourism clusters in Kulim and Yan, while the ever-iconic Gunung Jerai stays front and centre.
The state’s collaboration with Japan’s Kyoto Sangyo University also keeps local culture alive through student exchanges and village homestays in places like Kampung Sungai Sedim.
Rooted in five pillars – nature, history, culture, arts and gastronomy – Kedah’s tourism is about travel that’s meaningful, sustainable and proudly local. To spread the word, a wave of creative campaigns is giving social media storytellers the chance to share Kedah’s hidden gems, from the ancient Sungai Batu site to its golden paddy fields and laid-back kampungs.
To get a taste of Kedah, take a cue from the chief minister himself: his go-to dish is gulai ikan kembung (Indian mackerel curry) at Kak Yang Gulai Temenung, which perfectly captures Kedah’s warmth and flavour. experiencekedah.my
13. Penang: Ride in comfort
Launched early in 2025, Denza D9 brings a fresh take on luxury travel – sleek, quiet and all-electric. The 7-seater MPV features a lounge-like cabin with Nappa leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, plush captain’s chairs and a handy beverage cabinet. See it up close at Gurney Paragon Mall, Penang. denza.com/my
14. Kuala Lumpur: Locally brewed
Luckin Coffee and Malaysian fashion house Fiziwoo unveil a batik-inspired concept store at Pavilion Damansara Heights. Take home a cup of joe with a batik design sleeve – even the counter flaunts the same chic motif. @fiziwoo; @luckincoffee.msia
15. Kuala Lumpur: Dreams come true
Catch K-pop sensation NCT Dream at The Dream Show 4: Dream the Future in Axiata Arena on 13 and 14 December – a night of pure energy and dazzling visuals. livenation.my
16. Kuala Lumpur: Star of your story
Turn travel memories into art with Stories Lifestyle x makchic’s The Flight of Imagination – a personalised photo storybook that blends real studio portraits with whimsical illustrations, placing your family in Malaysia’s iconic scenes, from Melaka’s Jonker Street to George Town, Penang. stories.my/flight-of-imagination
