All of us are excited about different things for Christmas, like thoughtful presents or family/friend gatherings. The rest of us are instead excited for the holiday sales, including flight tickets!
So, if you’re planning to take advantage of holiday flight deals, why not consider some of the year’s most popular holiday destinations amongst Malaysians? Sure got reason why so many people travel there mah!
International destinations
1. Seoul, South Korea: The best of both modernity and tradition
The fashion-forward South Korean capital may be technologically advanced, but it’s the traditional heritage sites and heart-stopping street food that steal the spotlight.
- Seochon Village: Take a stroll through history in “West Village”, lined with traditional Korean houses (hanoks), artisanal shops and galleries, and more.
- Garosu-gil, Sinsadong: This “Tree-Lined Street” is a shopping haven for fashionistas, catering to both branded goods enthusiasts and locally-designed fashion seekers.
- Namdaemun Market: Seoul’s oldest market houses over a whopping 10,000 stalls and restaurants. Check out Food Alley for every variety of Korean street food imaginable!
2. Auckland, New Zealand: Of fantastical worlds and city landscapes
Embark on crisp fresh air and nature adventures in the surrounding area, or check out the arts, history, and rugby matches in this metropolitan city that many came to call “home”.
- Eden Park: Get into the sporting spirit by watching national teams locking horns over rugby, football, crickets and the like; sometime they host world-class concerts too!
- Rangitoto Island: This dormant volcano island is the ideal destination for hikers and adventure seekers. You can even sign up for night kayaking!
- The Civic: Built in the 1920s, catch everything from lavish theatre performances to symphonic orchestras under the starry night sky of its unique ceiling.
3. Taipei, Taiwan: From towering skyscrapers to humble heritage sites
The bustling concrete jungle of Taipei is home to both tranquil temples and majestic architecture, though there’s plenty of glorious sightseeing to be found in the surrounding area too!
- Taipei 101: The crown jewel of Taipei used to be the world’s tallest building, but it still offers THE best panoramic view of the city.
- Shilin Night Market: Go straight to the OG street food hub and sink your teeth into Taiwanese sausages, Hot Star fried chicken and more!
- Beitou Hot Spring: This hot spring village is the PERFECT place to go during cold weathers, with a variety of public and private hot springs to relax at, as well as rich historical sites to visit.
Regional destinations
4. Medan, Indonesia: Set off on an exotic foodie trip!
Nasi padang
Many tourists simply pass through Medan to access its popular surrounding attractions, which is a shame! Foodies interested in Indonesian cuisine would love Medan, not to mention it’s one of the most diverse places in the country.
- Merdeka Walk: Perfect for anyone who wants to try ALL the food Medan has to offer, everything from bihun bebek and nasi padang to kuehs and es campur.
- Tjong A Fie Mansion: The home to a successful Chinese-Hakka merchant in the 1900s, here you can admire true-to-life ornate Oriental interior design and architecture.
- Istana Maimun: Dress up in period royalty outfits for the Gram, uncover the history of the royal family, or simply take a stroll through the surrounding lush garden.
5. Maldives: Impeccable beach paradise awaits!
Beach bums will feel right at home in the Maldives, with its HUGE assortment of beaches, exotic Maldivian cuisines, and wide array of ocean adventures.
- Vaadhoo Island: The iconic glow-in-the-dark waves can be found right here, when the rippled ocean water illuminates the bioluminescent organisms.
- Sample Maldivian cuisine: A hybrid of Indian and Sri Lankan flavours, try out their garudhiya (fish soup), mas huni (cold seafood breakfast dish) and more at local stalls and restaurants.
- Maafushi Island: Step away from the luxury resort bubble and experience REAL Maldivian culture instead! Stay at local guesthouses, dig into Maldivian food and more.
Local destinations
6. Penang: No place better for a Malaysian foodie trip
Aside from the island’s rich heritage and variety of activities, the one reason that EVERY Malaysian confirm go to Penang for, is to stuff themselves with the best Malaysian food ever.
- Pulau Tikus Ravi Claypot Apom: One of the best apom manis (sweet crispy thin crepe) on the island, that even the Sultan of Pahang used to personally request them every now and then.
- Hamisu: Get your fingers tasting good with Shellout-style seafood delicacies at Hamisu; their Sauna Prawn is not to be missed!
- Genting Kopitiam Chee Cheong Fun: Pretty much every stall in this kopitiam serves lip-smacking food, but the best chee cheong fun on the island is served thick and sweet with hints of smokiness.
7. Miri, Sarawak: Underrated nature adventures await!
The second biggest city in Sarawak is often overshadowed by its cool neighbours, Kuching and Brunei, but we think Miri deserves more recognition! The former petroleum town has access to FOUR national parks, beaches, as well as a wide selection of exciting outdoor activities.
- Gunung Mulu National Park: From HUGE spectacular caves to lush green rainforests and larger-than-life limestone canyons, a multi-day expedition here is a must!
- Brighton Beach: Come for the best sunset sightings in Malaysia, with streaks of brilliant orange, red and purple painting the sky; then, stay for the freshest seafood in town.
- Blue Tears at Tusan Beach: In addition to pearl-white beaches and beautiful sunsets, stay back until nightfall to witness gentle sea waves lighting up in otherworldly neon blue.
And there you have it, these are the most visited holiday locales that fellow Malaysians have been visiting this year. Now it’s YOUR turn to find out why they’re so sought-after, so better start booking your flight!
“Hold on, some of these places quite mahal wor! How eh?”
Fret not! After all, ’tis the season of giving, and one particular Malaysian airline wants to celebrate Christmas with us by serving some of the best flight deals in the country!
Enjoy All-in One-way fares from RM25 & RM69 ONLY with the AirAsia Christmas Sale, when you book domestic and ASEAN flights, respectively, between 12-25 Dec!
The good news, is that ALL the destinations we mentioned above are part of the AirAsia Christmas Sale – how awesome is that?! But more importantly, make sure your travel period happens between 1 March 2023 and 30 March 2024 to enjoy this jolly deal ya?
Or if you want to fly further to international locales like Seoul and Auckland, the AirAsia Christmas Sale also lets you enjoy AirAsia X flights with All-in One-way fares starting from RM459!
Furthermore, if you want your long flight to be extra comfy, you can even upgrade your seats to Premium Flatbeds from only RM1499! Pretty ons, right?
Here are all the AirAsia X destinations for your picking:
- Perth
- Melbourne
- Sydney
- Gold Coast
- Auckland
- Tokyo
- Osaka
- Seoul
- Busan
- New Delhi
- Taipei
There’s simply no better time to book next year’s holiday than between 12 – 25 December! Come save money on your flight booking with airasia Super App and join in the holiday spirit of the AirAsia Christmas Sale!
