Why Southeast Asia's Most-Visited Country Of 2025 Is So Popular Among Tourists

Each year, backpackers from around the world flock to Southeast Asian countries like Laos, Thailand, and Cambodia to experience vibrant culture, gorge on cheap street food, feast their eyes on incredible natural beauty, and learn about ancient history spanning thousands of years. While all these countries rank as some of the best places to visit in Southeast Asia, there's one country in the region that was so popular with tourists during 2025 that it surpassed Thailand as the most-visited for the second year in a row.

Separated by the South China Sea, Malaysia is divided into two parts, made up of Peninsular Malaysia in the west, bordering Thailand and Singapore, and on the island of Borneo sits East Malaysia, bordering Indonesia and Brunei. Malaysia recently became a hotbed for tourists, offering Visa-free entry to most countries where English is widely spoken. For two of Asia's top tourism markets, China and India, the new flexible Visa rules are a gamechanger. Chinese travelers have been granted an additional five years with options to extend Visas, while Indian tourists can travel to Malaysia Visa-free until 2026. 

Just shy of the end of 2025, Malaysia welcomed a staggering 38.3 million foreign tourists, whereas Thailand welcomed 32.9 million foreign tourists spanning the entirety of 2025. The drop in tourism to the Land of Smiles stemmed from tensions rising with Cambodia, kidnappings, floods, and a severe earthquake, making Malaysia's stability in their environment, as well as government, key elements into attracting even more tourists during 2026.

Traveling in and out of Malaysia is considerably easier now, due to the Malaysian government's extensive work on upgrading Terminal 1, and expanding international flights out of the capital city's international airport in Kuala Lumpur. Return flights from New York's JFK International Airport can be purchased starting at just $923, whereas on the west coast of the U.S., return flights to Kuala Lumpur can be purchased starting at $769, flying out of Los Angeles' LAX International Airport. Direct return flights from Kuala Lumpur in the west to Kuching in the east can be purchased starting at just $47, making a trip to Malaysia into an amazing Southeast Asian getaway for solo travelers on a budget. 

Kuala Lumpur will likely be your first stop. Make your way to the 1,483-foot tall Petronas Twin Towers to get incredible views as far as the eye can see. Tickets can be purchased online starting around $31 for a weekday pass. Head 20-minutes north of Kuala Lumpur by car to the Batu Caves. Known as Malaysia's most famous temple sites, and one of the most significant Hindu pilgrimages outside of India , the 140-foot tall golden Murugan statue at the base of the colorful set of 270 stairs leading up to the cave is a site to behold. 

Due to the positioning of Malaysia's two geographical regions just above the equator, visiting this Southeast Asian destination for a breathtaking beach vacation needs to be on your travel bucket list. Malaysia is home to some 878 islands, making it the perfect country to island-hop. Sipadan island off the coast of Sabah offers world-class diving to spot sea turtles, whereas Langkawi and Pangkor islands are known for being more developed.

Feasting your eyes on the bustling metropolis of Kuala Lumpur with its bright lights and skyscrapers that dominate the skyline, or walking around the culturally rich city of Penang to immerse yourself in the lively café and restaurant scene, or to visit the Tropical Spice Garden, are surely destinations one should explore while visiting Malaysia, however getting out of its capital is just as important.

Over on Borneo in Malaysia's eastern part, a visit to the Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary to experience eco-friendly tours and safaris can all be done while staying in luxurious rainforest villas. For approximately $2,400, a 6-day, 5-night stay at the Sukau Rainforest Lodge and the Borneo Rainforest Lodge gives travelers the opportunity to spot the Borneo Big 5, including Pygmy elephants, orangutans, Proboscis monkeys, crocodiles, and the Rhinoceros Hornbill. Borneo is also home to Southeast Asia's tallest mountain, and at over 13,000-feet, Mount Kinabalu located in Sabah, is a popular hiking route for tourists. Obtaining a permit to secure a date with a licensed guide in advance is advised because of how popular the hike is, and can be booked directly online. 

Malaysia has a hot, humid climate year-round, but the best times to visit are typically between February and September, when the dry seasons alternate between the country's western and eastern regions. Taman Negara, home to a rainforest that's believed to be over 130 million years old, highlights Malaysia's remarkable ecological diversity and varied landscapes for travelers to explore.