10 Majestic Waterfalls in Malaysia You Must Visit
Malaysia is a country filled with marvellous attractions. From towering man-made structures to breathtaking natural landscapes, it’s truly the perfect tourist destination just because of its sheer beauty.
In this blog, let’s take a look at the different waterfalls you’ll find in the country, and learn everything there is to know about them. From where they’re located to why you should visit them, stick around to find the answers to all of these questions!
Sungai Chilling Waterfalls
Entrance fee: RM1
Opening hours: Monday to Thursday: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
One of the most famous waterfalls in Malaysia is undoubtedly Chiling Waterfall and for various reasons. For starters, the journey to getting to this attraction is already a memorable experience in itself because of the beautiful sights you’ll see along the way.
The 80-metre trek towards this waterfall can be a bit of a challenge but it will be a treat for your eyes. This is because you’ll get to enjoy the company of orchids and bamboo, as you tread through the trail.
Not only that but you’ll also encounter six different rivers! Just be sure to remember that fishing is prohibited and be extra careful when passing through these shallow waters.
As for the falls itself, it’s as majestic as they come. It stands 400 meters above sea level, and the best part is that the water crashes down to a naturally-formed pool, allowing its visitors to splash around.
Pro tip: Be on the lookout for different species of fish in the pool below the falls, but be sure not to catch them, as it’s prohibited.
Kanching Waterfalls
Entrance fee: RM1
Opening hours: Every day from 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM
Another waterfall we recommend, if you’re planning on swimming, is Kanching Waterfalls. It’s located in the recreational forest of Selangor, and getting there is easy, so you won’t have to worry about challenging trails!
We want to highlight the waterfall itself for a bit because it deserves your attention. It stands 280 meters tall and it has 7 different levels–amazing right?
These levels allow the water to gracefully crash into the shallow pool below, creating a natural shower. Plus, it’s also worth noting that these levels are easily accessible thanks to the stone staircase that you can climb.
The story is different once you reach level 4 of the cascade, as this is where the path ends. But, if you’re looking for a challenge, you can reach level 7 and be rewarded with beautiful views of the waterfall and its surrounding areas.
If you’re unsure if you can handle this trek or not, check out our guide to waterfall hiking in Selangor here.
Pro tip: Climb to the 3rd and 4th levels of the falls to find the naturally-formed pools! Here, you can enjoy the clean water straight from the top and enjoy a natural shower coming from the upper levels.
Sungai Pisang Waterfalls
Entrance fee: RM1
If you’re in for a challenge, then we recommend trekking the 3.4-km out-and-back trail towards the Sungai Pisang Waterfalls. This hike takes about an hour and 18 minutes to complete, and afterwards, you’ll be rewarded with one of the best waterfalls Malaysia has to offer.
This waterfall is such a spectacle to see because of its height and unique rock formation. The water goes through different turns to the point that it develops into this mist-like appearance before eventually crashing down the pool.
Speaking of the pool, kids and adults alike will certainly love it here because of the nice temperature of the water. Plus, it’s not always that you can say that you’ve showered in one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the country, so plus points for that!
If the waterfall isn’t enough to make you fall in love, then the luscious greenery that wraps around it will. It’s the perfect backdrop you could think of in such a marvel like this, and being at the centre of it all will make you feel like you’re in paradise.
Pro tip: Try to insert this into your itinerary when you’re visiting the Batu Caves since it’s nearby this waterfall! This way, you can hit two amazing attractions within a single day.
Kota Tinggi Waterfalls
Entrance fee: RM10
Opening hours: Every day during daylight hours
If you ever find yourself in Johor, we recommend stopping by Kota Tinggi Waterfalls, and this is coming from experience! Visiting this waterfall is one of the best decisions we’ve ever made during our trip, and it’s mainly because of how beautiful it is in real life.
As one of the most famous waterfalls in the country, we’ve seen photos of it before but nothing came close to the real thing. It looks like something from a fantasy book, as its white splashing water looks magical once it comes crashing down to the lagoon.
Plus, it’s surrounded by luscious greenery, which makes the setting even more magical. Not only that but it also adds to the overall serenity of the place, which helped us achieve utmost relaxation during our time here.
This setting also made it a perfect background and subject for our photos, which turned out amazing. We even got to snap some photos of different species of birds on the lagoon!
Pro tip: Just a heads up, this place is a famous attraction so you should expect to see a crowd during your visit. If you want to avoid this, try going early during the weekdays!
Mahua Waterfalls
Entrance fee:
- 18 years and above: RM3 for locals, RM10 for foreigners
- Below 18: RM1 for locals, RM6 for foreigners
- Below 16: RM0.50 for locals, RM6 for foreigners
Opening hours: Every day from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
When you hear people talking about Sabah, one tourist attraction that you’ll commonly hear from them is Mahua Waterfalls, and for several reasons. For starters, it’s one of the most beautiful waterfalls not just in Sabah but in Malaysia as a whole!
It features a rocky path that breaks the water into different directions, making the waterfall look more mystical. Furthermore, its sheer size is massive, as it stands 17 metres high–half of the height of Petronas Towers.
We also love how fresh and clean the water here is, which can be attributed to it being straight from Borneo Mountain. We experienced this first-hand, and it’s safe to say that it’s one of, if not the most refreshing shower we’ve ever experienced in our lives.
Aside from the waterfall itself, our favourite thing about it is how accessible it is. Going here requires you to trek one of the easiest hiking trails in Malaysia, but the reward will be bountiful, as you’ll get to witness a spectacle.
Pro tip: Although tempting, avoid diving into the pool below this waterfall, as it only has a depth of around 1+ meters.
Rainbow Falls
Entrance fee: RM60
Believe it or not, one of the most magical places you can visit in Malaysia is only three hours away from Kuala Lumpur. We’re of course talking about the famous Rainbow Waterfall in Sungai Lembing, Pahang!
The reason why this waterfall is named this way is also its biggest draw. Around sunrise, a wonderful rainbow appears just where the waters crash on the surface below, making the place look like a fairytale setting.
It can be a bit difficult to predict when it’s going to appear, but we’ve learned from our guide at that time that the best time to visit is around 9/10 AM. Fortunately, we were lucky enough to witness it first-hand and it did not disappoint at all!
Because of this phenomenon, the Rainbow Waterfall garners numerous tourists every day, so expect to see a crowd during your visit. It’s well worth it, however, as the waterfall itself is a view to die for.
Pro tip: After visiting the Rainbow Waterfall, continue your trek to Bukit Panorama, which is the peak. This is where you’ll find the breathtaking view of the surrounding area below you wrapped in thick clouds.
Jeram Toi
Entrance fee: Free
Opening hours: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
If you’re looking for family-friendly activities in Malaysia, one that we recommend is visiting Jeram Toi Waterfall. This is because it’s the perfect destination for family gatherings, as it allows opportunities for both swimming and picnics.
Aside from the waterfall itself, you’ll also find a cemented pool that you and your family will surely enjoy. Plus, the water here is nice, as it’s not filled with the different kinds of chemicals you’ll commonly see in resorts.
Meanwhile, other members of your family or group can start cooking up some delicious barbeque on the designated grills of the attraction. This is something that we love about this place, as it felt like it was designed for get-togethers.
Once everything has been cooked, you can head over beside the waterfall and have one of the best picnics of your entire life. Trust us, nothing beats eating some freshly-barbequed meat while being surrounded by untouched nature!
Lata Kinjang Waterfalls
Entrance fee: RM2
Opening hours: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Lata Kinjang is great to visit for those looking to get their eyes treated to amazing sights and experience the utmost peace at the same time. This is because it features one of the most tranquil environments you’ll find in Malaysia, while the waterfall itself is as graceful as it gets.
One of the things you’ll immediately notice about this waterfall is its massive size, and you won’t be wrong with thinking that. This is because, Lata Kinjang is one of the tallest waterfalls in Southeast Asia, standing at 2,850 feet tall.
If you’re like us and love a sense of adventure, then this is a must-visit for you. It features one of the toughest hiking trails we’ve ever encountered in Malaysia, and it’s well worth completing because of the rewarding views.
Ulu Chepor Waterfalls
Entrance fee: RM2
Opening hours: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Tucked away in Ipoh’s rainforest is Ulu Chepor Waterfall. We recommend you visit this hidden gem for its mystical appearance and overall accessible nature.
We love visiting this waterfall every once in a while because of the nearby campsite where you and your loved ones can spend time together. Included in this site is a fully-functioning bathroom, which is free to use if you don’t like relieving yourself in nature.
As for the waterfall itself, it features strong currents, so be sure to be safe. Most importantly, keep an eye out for the little ones because this kind of current can be dangerous at times.
Giam Klimau Waterfalls
Entrance fee: Free
Opening hours: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Looking for a great place to cool down during the immense summer season? Then you should visit Giam Klimau Waterfalls over at Sarawak nearby Miri City!
One thing we love about this waterfall is that it’s hidden within a palm forest which adds to its majesty. Being here while surrounded by beautiful and luscious greenery puts us in a zen-like state like no other and we love it.
However, getting here is a bit of a ride since it’s part of private property. The trip includes driving through several checkpoints before you can actually reach the direct pathway towards the waterfalls, but it’s worth it!
It’s beautiful and tranquil–two things that we look for when we’re searching for world-class waterfalls. The water here is nice and we love how it slightly hovers over the edge of the cliff before crashing into the naturally-formed pool below, creating a curtain effect.