MotoGP in Malaysia is one of the country’s flagship events and has been for a period spanning four decades. During those four decades, we’ve witnessed the country transform and the capital Kuala Lumpur become one of the world’s most visited destinations. Donning it’s dramatic and instantly recognisable skyline which so seamlessly blends modern architecture with KL’s old town vibes, there’s a reason why already in 2026, more than 30 million have visited. Despite the popularity, Malaysia will offer you something unique so here’s how you can get the most out of one of the paddock’s most adored countries around your own Grand Prix weekend.
You can’t start anywhere else than Kuala Lumpur; home to the world’s tallest twin towers as well as the world’s second-tallest building, it’s impossible to not look up to the skies and see these enormous buildings from pretty much any angle. Starting with the Petronas Twin Towers at an intimidating 451.9m tall each and with a high-end shopping centre directly beneath, they’re a feat of engineering envisioned by Argentine-American architect Cesar Pelli and completed in 1998 – one year before we called Sepang our forever Malaysian home. 88 floors each, the world’s highest double decker skybridge links them on floors 41 and 42.
The 86th floor observation deck gives perhaps the strangest view of KL; you don’t see the towers, obviously! What it does reveal however is a city that boasts south east Asia’s most iconic skyline and likewise a place that keeps on changing year-on-year. The Menara Tower and Merdeka 118 are the dominant forces; the former is 421m tall and was the original dominant tower in the city in 1996 but it’s the latter which is particularly striking. Second only to Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, Merdeka 118 is 678.9m tall and KL’s new skyscraper on the block having been completed in 2023 and opened in 2024. With residences, observation decks, offices a hotel and more, it sits right behind Chinatown and Bukit Bintang’s vibrant nightlife.
We’ve had our heads in KL’s skyscraper clouds but what about on the surface level? The rooftops may well bring you high society vibes – particularly Marini’s on 57 and Helipad KL, the latter quite literally an old helicopter landing pad and turned into an open-air bar 152m high – but it’s the honesty, humbleness and grit of the streets that is where Malaysia’s capital really comes alive. Jalan Alor is Kuala Lumpur’s most famous street food zone, packed full of delicacies from Malaysia and wider ranging south east Asia. Then, Petaling Street, Chinatown’s chief avenue that has shops and restaurants galore. Jalan Sultan has old, new and restored buildings all along and you could quite literally have breakfast, lunch and dinner there – everyday. Other highlights in the district include Pasar Karat’s street art and then Kasturi Walk’s food and night market.
Once you’ve eaten until your heart is content, take in some of the temples around KL. The Sree Veera Hanuman Temple and Sri Kandaswamy Temple are separated by a short walk whilst the absolutely stunning Thean Hou Temple is 30 minutes further away back towards Brickfields “Little India” and KL Sentral train station. Whilst we’re talking of temples, we’re leaving the best until last and that is of course the Batu Caves. You’ll need wheels to get there but it is absolutely spectacular and well worth the short ride out of downtown KL – just watch out for the monkeys!
If you’re into other Malaysia treats then you can’t go far wrong with Malacca where you’ll find an incredible Chinatown, night market, ancient temples, the Sungai Melaka River and plenty more in what is widely regarded as one of Malaysia’s most colourful and soulful cities. Head north to the lushness of Ipoh or the bustling street food capital (of the world to many) Penang where you can take in the colonial architecture of Georgetown. No trip to Malaysia is complete without at least contemplating Borneo for spotting Orangutans and if that’s not enough then admin can safely say that Langkawi Island in the north is absolutely stunning. Without the party-centric crowds of Thailand’s Koh Phangan and Indonesia’s Bali, this is one of south east Asia’s original island paradises.
Truth be told, no time in Malaysia is truly enough. But Malaysia is, as the slogan says, Truly Asia and that’s why we’ve loved coming here ever since we first touched down in KL’s original race circuit of Shah Alam all those years ago. If you’re coming here for the GP then not only will you enjoy a weekend in Sepang but you’ll have a gateway to one of planet Earth’s gems.