Malaysia — Travelrags

Lonely PlanetSep 2, 2026

Seeing is Believing: How 3 photographers use a CAMON 50 Ultra 5G

Lonely Planet and TECNO team up to launch a contest called: Seeing is Believing. Three photographers use the same camera to shoot three different cities.

12 things in this story

Al TaifNeighborhoodJeddah, Saudi Arabiacooler mountain air, farmers, rose distillers, beekeepers welcome guests
Al BaladNeighborhoodJeddah, Saudi Arabiahistoric heart, centuries of trade, craft, faith are alive
Zawiya 97SightJeddah, Saudi Arabiaalleyway workshops in Al Balad
Jeddah's fish marketMarketJeddah, Saudi Arabiashows fishing-village origins, loud bargaining, live auctions
BinondoNeighborhoodManila, PhilippinesIts influence extends beyond to the places of Quiapo, Santa Cruz, San Nicolas and Tondo.
DivisoriaMarketManila, Philippinesgoods from mountains converge with city's workforce
Kigoma's fish marketMarketKigoma, Tanzaniavibrant and bustling with life, offers short boat tours
TondoNeighborhoodManila, Philippines
QuiapoNeighborhoodManila, Philippines
CarriedoTrain stationManila, Philippines
GombeNature reserveKigoma, Tanzania
MahaleSightKigoma, Tanzania

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Atlas ObscuraAug 17

15 Best Places to Experience Bioluminescence

The humble glow worm is, in fact, a catchall term for numerous glowing creatures, from gnat larvae to fire flys to algae, that can be found all over the world. These tiny critters illuminate the night through bioluminescence, a process in which light is emitted by internal chemical reactions. Bioluminescence has evolved independently in over 90 different species, first emerging some 540 million…

15 sights in this story

Waipu CavesSightWaipu, New ZealandLesser-known alternative to Waitomo Glowworm Caves.
Glowworm TunnelSightHelensburgh, AustraliaGlowworms settled in on the roof, illuminating the air.
Sea of StarsSightVaadhoo, MaldivesPhytoplankton called Lingulodinium polyedrum move with waves.
Synchronous Fireflies of the Great Smoky MountainsSightGatlinburg, United StatesRare breed of firefly, P. carolinus, flashes in unison.
Newnes Glow Worm TunnelSightPutty, AustraliaSandstone tunnel reclaimed by Arachnocampa richardsae larvae.
Bloody Bay Coral WallSightLittle Cayman, Cayman IslandsCoral wall home to microscopic bioluminescent creatures.
Blue Ghost FirefliesSightHendersonville, United StatesFlightless females glow and streak through the sky.
Glistening WatersSightFalmouth, JamaicaAgitation produces a strange and beautiful blue-green light.
Kampung Kuantan Fireflies ParkSightBestari Jaya, MalaysiaTens of thousands of fireflies blink in perfect unison.
Glowing Millipedes of Sequoia National ParkSightThree Rivers, United StatesMotyxia millipedes use bioluminescence as a warning.
Gippsland Lakes BioluminescenceSightRaymond Island, AustraliaAlgae bloom of Noctiluca Scintillans visible at night.
The Firefly Squid of Toyama BaySightNamerikawa, JapanWatasenia scintillans light up like blue glow sticks.
Waitomo Glowworm CavesAttractionWaitomo, New ZealandThousands of bioluminescent larvae create starlike lights.
The Milky SeasSightSomaliaOcean area glows due to bioluminescent bacteria Vibrio harveyi.
Dismals CanyonSightPhil Campbell, United StatesCanyon lights up with hundreds of bioluminescent gnat larvae.

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Condé Nast TravelerAug 4

Birdwatching Is Only Getting More Popular—Here Are the 11 Best Places to Experience It

Spanning from the hills of Scotland to the jungles of Sri Lanka.

25 hotels in this story

Taru Villas Villu WilpattuHotelWilpattu, Sri LankaStay near the lesser-used gate of Wilpattu National Park.
Hilton YalaHotelYala, Sri LankaSleep within the jungle on the opposite side of the island.
The Rainforest Eco LodgeHotelSinharaja, Sri LankaStay in Sinharaja.
The Datai LangkawiHotelLangkawi, MalaysiaStellar programming and hornbill conservation efforts.
The Ocean Residence LangkawiHotelLangkawi, MalaysiaSeaside stay with amenities.
The St. Regis LangkawiHotelLangkawi, MalaysiaRainforest stay with over-water villas.
Great Plains Mara Toto Tree CampHotelMaasai Mara, KenyaLuxury canvas suites with a bird checklist upon arrival.
Mukima ManorHotelMount Kenya, KenyaWild cabins in forestland.
Mara Intrepids Tented CampHotelMaasai Mara, KenyaGlamping near unforgettable wildlife.
Oberoi Vindhyavilas Wildlife ResortHotelBandhavgarh, IndiaOne of India’s newest wildlife retreats.
Samode Safari LodgeHotelBandhavgarh, IndiaPrime position amidst a vast swath of wildlife rich forest.
King's LodgeHotelBandhavgarh, IndiaAmenities mixed with culture and birdspotting.
Anjajavy le LodgeHotelAnjavay, MadagascarBucket-list stay, part of Relais & Châteaux.
Oceanview rental with poolHotelNosy Ambariovato, MadagascarTrusted villa in Nosy Ambariovato.
Avana villa AirbnbHotelNosy be, MadagascarSpacious, beloved rental in Nosy be.
Spean LodgeHotelSpean Bridge, United KingdomCozy stay, close to mighty Ben Nevis.
Corriegour Lodge HotelHotelSpean Bridge, United KingdomCharming inn with a private beach.
The Swallow's Nest rentalHotelSpean Bridge, United KingdomAirbnb near all of nature's action.
Aguas ClaraHotelMonteverde, Costa RicaIdeal for a birdwatching beach break.
Senda MonteverdeHotelMonteverde, Costa RicaStay up in the dense cloud forest.
Casa Coyota HotelHotelMonteverde, Costa RicaSpacious stay in Monteverde.
Banyan Tree Lang CoHotelThua Thien Hue Province, VietnamChampion of birdwatching in many forms.
Affordable rental for twoHotelThua Thien Hue Province, VietnamSimply fantastic Airbnb.
Angsana Lang CoHotelThua Thien Hue Province, VietnamAmenity-forward birding oasis.
Salt of PalmarHotelBras d’Eau, MauritiusExcursions straight into the center of Bras d’Eau forest.

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AfarJul 28

The Best Country for Living Abroad Is Closer to the U.S. Than You Might Think

Foreigners living in to Panama appreciate the country’s pleasant climate and how easy it is to travel to places like the San Blas Islands, pictured here. This article was originally published in 2023 ...

10 things in this story

PanamaPlacePanama City, PanamaVoted best country to live and work abroad for third year
MexicoPlaceMexico City, MexicoRanked No. 1 for ease of settling in since 2014
BrazilPlaceBrasilia, BrazilJumped to No. 5 thanks to ease of settling and leisure options
SpainPlaceMadrid, SpainRanked No. 1 for quality of life for fifth year
PortugalPlaceLisbon, PortugalRanks No. 8 thanks to moderate cost of living and good weather
LuxembourgRestaurantLuxembourg City, LuxembourgRanks No. 1 for job security and overall job satisfaction
ThailandPlaceBangkok, Thailand86 percent of expats are happy there; cites friendly locals
MalaysiaPlaceKuala Lumpur, MalaysiaSits at No. 9 thanks to affordability and ease of finding housing
United Arab EmiratesPlaceAbu Dhabi, United Arab EmiratesRanked No. 4 due to impressive ratings on quality of life
Singapore Has 123 Hawker CentersPlaceSingaporeDishes worth queuing for

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Lonely PlanetJul 22

A guide to George Town in Penang, Malaysia

The capital of Penang is a destination for those with open minds and eager palates.

18 things in this story

Kool KongsiRestaurantJapanese-style listening bar with vinyl records.
Lean Giap Arts & CraftsMarketStocks vintage tiffin carriers and old-timey clocks.
Cheong Fatt Tze MansionMuseumThe mansion's external decorations and indigo-blue outer walls make it a very distinctive building, and it is sometimes…
The EdisonHotelA boutique property, formerly a tycoon's mansion.
Lebuh ArmenianNeighborhoodStreet art by Ernest Zacharevic, including Children on a Bicycle.
Isaac CordalSightSpanish sculptor's tiny figures symbolize imperfect society.
GuruWalkPlaceFree walking tour led by Uncle Eskay, covers 15 points.
Pinang Peranakan MansionMuseumThe museum itself is housed within a distinctive green-hued mansion at Church Street, George Town, which once served as…
Moh Teng PheowCaféEssential stop for bite-sized, brightly colored nonya kuih.
Penang HillSuburbRide the funicular for coffee and cake with lush greenery.
Tropical Spice GardenParkYoga and forest bathing at a former rubber plantation.
Straits & Oriental MuseumMuseumCultural attraction with ticket price from RM17.
Khoo KongsiPlace of worshipClan house with ticket price from RM17.
Spice & Spicy Nasi LemakRestaurantDinner for two costs RM30–50.
SifuRestaurant
Bibik's KitchenRestaurant
Kopi HutanCafé
Roti Bakar Hutton LaneRestaurant

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AfarJul 20

4 Trips Where Expert Planning Makes All the Difference

From Borneo to the Amalfi Coast, these USTOA tour operators handle the logistics, planning, and local connections so travelers can focus on the experience. Some trips only come around once in a ...

16 things in this story

Little Mermaid statueSightCopenhagen, Denmarkguided sightseeing in Copenhagen
Christiansborg PalaceAttractionCopenhagen, Denmarkroyal reception rooms in Copenhagen
Kinabatangan RiverSightKinabatangan, Malaysiawildlife cruises often spot proboscis monkeys
Mulu National ParkSightMulu, Malaysiaincludes one of the largest cave chambers
SaluhallenMarketGothenburg, Swedenindoor food market to sample local specialties
Vasa MuseumMuseumStockholm, SwedenLocated on the island of Djurgården, the museum displays the only almost fully intact 17th-century ship that has ever…
Frogner ParkParkOslo, Norwaywalk through in Oslo
City HallSightOslo, Norwaysite of the annual Nobel Peace Prize ceremony
Sibelius MonumentPublic artworkHelsinki, FinlandSituated in Sibelius Park within Helsinki's Töölö district, the monument was designed by sculptor Eila Hiltunen, whose…
Suomenlinna FortressSightHelsinki, Finlandguided ferry excursion from Helsinki
ColosseumSightRome, ItalyIt is the largest ancient amphitheatre ever built, and is the largest standing amphitheatre in the world.
Roman ForumAttractionRome, ItalyCitizens of the ancient city referred to this space, originally a marketplace, as the Forum…
Old Town of StockholmNeighborhoodStockholm, Sweden
Lutheran CathedralSightHelsinki, Finland
Vatican MuseumsMuseumRome, Italy
Sistine ChapelSightRome, Italy

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The GuardianMay 27

Muslims gather for Eid al-Adha in Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia – in pictures

People have celebrated Eid al-Adha, or the Festival of Sacrifice, at mosques and train stations, in the middle of the road and on the edge of the sea. This is the second major holiday in Islam, with approximately 2 billion pilgrims worldwide offering prayers as a sign of devotion, adherence and unity Continue reading...

Condé Nast TravelerDec 3, 2025

50 Most Beautiful Places in the World

From the Serengeti to the Grand Canyon—plus 55 more destinations you need to see to believe.

10 sights in this story

Valle de la LunaSightAtacama Desert, ChileLandscape startlingly similar to the moon.
Grand Canyon National ParkSightGrand Canyon, United StatesHike scenic loops for views of rocky badlands.
Avenue of the BaobabsAttractionMadagascarCenturies-old trees reach heights of nearly 100 feet.
Banff National ParkSightBanff, CanadaOverwhelms with views of the Canadian Rockies.
Moraine LakeSightBanff, CanadaIt is situated in the Valley of the Ten Peaks, at an elevation of approximately 1,884 metres (6,181 ft).
Lake MinnewankaSightBanff, CanadaThe lake is 21 km (13 mi) long and 142 m (466 ft) deep, making it the 2nd longest lake in the mountain parks of the…
Bathsheba BeachSightBathsheba, BarbadosKnown for huge boulders and best waves for surfers.
Whitehaven BeachSightWhitsundays, AustraliaConsidered one of the world's most beautiful beaches.
Danxia Landform Geological ParkSightDanxia, ChinaStriped, multicolored mountains formed over 20 million years.
Lake LouiseSightBanff, Canada

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Condé Nast TravelerOct 23, 2025

This Two-Week Islamic Cruise Stops at Holy Sites Across Asia and the Middle East

Sailing from Malaysia's Port Klang to Saudi Arabia via Indonesia, the Maldives, and Oman.

15 things in this story

Banda AcehSightIndonesia's capital, follows sharia law
MaléSightMaldivian capital, home to Grand Friday Mosque
Grand Friday MosqueSightgolden-domed mosque in Malé
King Salman MosqueSightone of largest places of worship in Indian Ocean
SalalahSightOman port with religious sites
Imran Prophet TombSightlargest grave in Islamic history
AroyaPlaceSaudi Arabia's first luxury liner
Haramain high speed trainPlaceconnects Jeddah to holy cities
Port KlangSight
MadinaSight
MakkahCafé
IslamiCruisePlace
Cruise SaudiPlace
Saudi cuisineRestaurant
American dinerRestaurant

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