Unique museums in Malaysia
When we think of exploring a museum in Malaysia, we think of well-known institutions like Petrosains or National Museum in KL, with dioramas and old artefacts that showcase bits from our Sains and Sejarah textbooks.
While these cultural establishments are important, there are also loads to learn from smaller, quirkier institutions.
If you’re on the lookout for a museum that is off the beaten path, you’ll be pleased to know that Malaysia hosts an array of unique museums that might not be listed in your travel guidebooks.
We rounded up nine such places below.
1. TeddyVille Museum, Penang – Malaysia’s first & largest collection of teddy bears
Image credit: @danielkurniawanhandoko
TeddyVille Museum will surely bring out the inner child in anyone. Here, you can experience the sheer joy of being surrounded by stuffed teddy bears of all sizes. Occupying two locations in Penang – one on Penang Hill and another in Batu Ferringhi – this museum exhibits an incredible collection of teddy bears dressed and posed as Penangites.
From human-sized hawker stall vendors to miniature British soldiers, the adorable teddy bears play a role in educating visitors about the culture of Penang.
Image adapted from: @roadtrippers.asia and @roadtrippers.asia
These displays will not only make you squeal at how cute the little teddies are – you’ll also be impressed by the level of detail in the dioramas that showcase the history of Penang. Take for instance, the display showing the arrival of Sir Francis Light and the British colony on the island.
A teddy bear of Dato’ Jimmy Choo and his father
Image credit: Tai Carol
The museum also pays tribute to renowned figures from Penang via five-foot tall teddies of Tan Sri P. Ramlee, Dato’ Jimmy Choo, Dato’ Nicol David and Dato’ Lee Chong Wei. If you’ve never met these respectable figures IRL, their teddy counterparts are a cute compromise.
Image credit: @didoticious
There are also collections of teddy bears from bygone eras, so visitors can learn about the origins and tales behind the legendary toy.
No matter your age, teddy bears are a huge comfort, so make sure to build your own bear while you’re here, to take home as a memorable souvenir.
Teddyville Museum @ Batu Ferringhi
Price: RM27/pax for adults, RM22/pax for students, and RM15/pax for kids. Children aged below 3 years old can enter for free.
Address: DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Penang, 56, Jalan Low Yat, Puncak Ria, 11100 Batu Ferringhi, Penang
Opening hours: 9am-6pm, Daily
Contact: 016-550 5949
Teddyville Museum @ Penang Hill
Price: RM20/pax for adults, RM15/pax for kids, and RM60-110 for Family Package
Address: Penang Hill, Level B3, Astaka Bukit Bendera, Jalan Tunku Yahaya Petra, 10000 Bukit Bendera, Pulau Pinang
Opening hours: 9am-6pm, Daily
Contact: 04-890 5345 | Teddyville Museum website | Facebook | Instagram
2. Prison Museum, Melaka – museum housed in a century-old former prison
Image credit: Danny Quesnel
Visiting the Prison Museum is a one-of-a-kind experience, as it is housed in an actual former prison called Penjara Bandar Hilir. Now holding tours instead of prisoners, the formidable white building surrounded by tall barbed wires will remind you of the adage “If walls could talk”.
With much of the prison left in original condition, a tour here will give visitors a look into the lives of prisoners and the staff when the century-old prison was still operating. The dimly-lit museum houses painfully realistic exhibits of narrow prison cells, court rooms for inmate hearings, and dark isolation cells for inmates with more violent tendencies.
Image credit: @nzm_amin
Visitors can also learn about the history of the prison, and explore photographs of prison wall graffiti which show how the inmates kept themselves sane with drawings of love, crime, and even dreams.
Some graffiti done by inmates
Image adapted from: @nzm_amin & @nzm_amin
Photography is restricted in the grim execution room. Today, this space is outfitted with displays of execution tools, such as gallows and mortuary trolleys, as well as graphics of inmates’ injuries resulting from brutal punishments.
The museum also lets guests explore facilities once frequented by prisoners, such as a praying room, sports courtyard, dispensary, library, kitchen, canteen, washing area, and visitor phone booths.
Image credit: @faizalsafiee
As eerie and discomfiting as a tour through the Prison Museum may be, the experience truly provides insight on the crime and justice system of the country at the time. It’s also sure to make you think about the concepts of humanity and morality.
Price: RM3 for adults and RM1 for kids aged 7-12 years old
Address: Jalan Parameswara, Kampung Bandar Hilir, 75000 Melaka
Opening hours: Tue & Sun 9am-5pm (Closed Mon & Wed-Sat)
Contact: 06-281 3548 | 06-281 4661
3. Time Tunnel Museum, Cameron Highlands – a time capsule of the Malaysia of yesteryear
Image credit: @nollysalleh
Walk into the Time Tunnel Museum at Cameron Highlands, and you’ll be transported to the Malaysia of yesteryear. Founded in 2007, this museum was carefully curated by a local, Mr See Kok Shan, who was an avid collector of all things vintage and antique.
Image credit: @evilliew
This museum houses a vast collection of memorabilia and old artefacts, which have been excellently put together to build nostalgic backdrops that the previous generations might find familiar. There is a set of an old kopitiam, traditional barber shop, Peranakan dressing room, and even an old-fashioned kitchen with antique utensils.
Image credit: @nicolecwq
What’s also interesting is the museum’s range of vintage collectibles, which includes out-of-production drink brands, cigarettes and alcohol, as well as old advertising posters and calendars.
Image adapted from: @nicolecwq & @karyannn.26
Visitors can also find a section displaying a historical timeline of the development of Cameron Highlands, along with photographs and documents from the pre-War and Malayan Emergency eras. There is also a space dedicated to the prominent American silk trader Jim Thompson, who mysteriously vanished in Cameron Highlands decades ago and was never found till this day.
Price: RM6/pax
Address: Cameron Highlands, 39000 Brinchang, Pahang
Opening hours: 9am-6pm, Daily
Contact: Time Tunnel Cameron Highlands website
4. Wonderfood Museum, Penang – gigantic displays of Malaysian food
Image credit: Wonderfood Museum Penang
For hardcore foodies who cannot get enough of Malaysian food, pay a visit to Wonderfood Museum in Penang to be blown away by larger-than-life models of Penang-popular hawker dishes and a bevy of local delicacies.
The displays of gargantuan dishes are unbelievably realistic – spot huge bowls of Malaysian-favourite hokkien mee and asam laksa, a mountain of ice kacang, drool-worthy spreads of nasi kandar dishes, and nyonya kuih.
Image adapted from: @k10.4_ and @whiteplatter
Malaysia’s unique food culture is showcased stunningly with these giant replicas. And as a plus, you’ll find recommendations and locations of the best places to enjoy a certain dish on a map of Penang at the museum.
Visitors can also learn about the history of food in Malaysia through realistic displays of dishes that are no longer around – for instance, sticky rice that are cooked in pitcher plants. There are even model illustrations of how Malaysians used to eat in the past, and accurate depictions of heritage food and hawker stalls.
Image credit: @k10.4_
Apart from enormous plates of food that visitors can pose with, Wonderfood Museum also sets out to explore important food issues faced globally via displays and informative wall texts. This is to raise awareness on food wastage, sustainable and ethical consumption of food, and the importance of a healthy diet.
For example, a sombre display of a gaunt child eating scraps of leftover food sheds light on the issue of child hunger and food wastage.
Image credit: @amysidek
Tickets: RM15 for adults, and RM10 for children and senior citizens
Address: 49, Lebuh Pantai, George Town, 10200 George Town, Penang
Opening hours: 9am-6pm, Daily
Contact: 04-251 9095 | Facebook | Instagram
5. Chocolate Museum, Kota Damansara – a delightful world of chocolate
Image credit: Chocolate Museum
Chocolate Museum in Kota Damansara is most certainly a heaven for chocolate fanatics. Here, visitors can explore six sections that cover a whole range of information on chocolate.
This museum explores the origin and cultivation of cocoa through the ages, via graphic and interesting presentations on everything chocolate. Expect to learn more about the sweet treat’s history, types of cocoa beans in various countries, the uses and benefits of cocoa, and the chocolate-making process.
Image credit: farah
There is also a display that features machines from various eras that were used to manufacture chocolate.
Visitors will have the chance to witness how chocolates are made on an industrial scale, through chocolate-making demonstrations that are held throughout the day in the Chocolate Kitchen.
Image credit: @muhamaddaniramdani_
As delicious as chocolates already are, they taste sweeter when made with your own hands.
At this museum, you’ll be able to join workshops and create your own glorious chocolate bar under the guidance of master chocolatiers. These workshops – which lasts for about two hours – are suitable for both adults and kids above the age of six, as well as large groups.
Image credit: @chocolate_museum_kd
Don’t leave without buying a stash of chocolates from the Chocolate Galleria, where you can find heaps of in-house and imported chocolates at absurdly low prices. This gift shop is a must-visit if you have always dreamed of visiting an IRL Willy Wonka Chocolate Factory.
Image credit: Chocolate Museum
The admission fee for a general tour in this museum is free of charge. But if you want a more in-depth tour that includes visits to additional museum exhibits, there will be a charge of RM5 for adults, RM3 for students, and RM2 for children below 6 years old.
Address: Chocolate Museum, Jalan Teknologi 3/5, Selangor Science Park 1, Kota Damansara, 47810 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Opening hours: 10am-4pm, Daily
Contact: 03-7490 4260 | Chocolate Museum website | Facebook | Instagram
6. Kuching Cat Museum, Sarawak – a cat-themed museum for feline lovers
Image credit: @deanna_troy_travels
With a name that literally translates to ‘cat’ in English, the city of Kuching is rather apt to have a museum dedicated to kitties. The Kuching Cat Museum in Kuching, Sarawak, opened its doors to the public in 1993, and is housed at the lobby of Kuching North City Hall.
For only RM1 per entry, you’ll get to tour a museum filled to the brim with all things cat.
Here, four galleries host a vastly comprehensive collection of cat artefacts, feline-related advertising materials, and information on cats found in Borneo – some of which were acquired from the National Museum of Kuala Lumpur.
Image adapted from: @james_junar & @rezwanbd
The museum also features various paintings, posters, figurines and toys of cats. You’ll find an intriguing mummified cat from ancient Egypt in one of the galleries here too. Besides the plethora of cat-related kitsch, there are numerous quirky life-sized cat statues and photography sections decorated with the feline creatures that guests can pose with for photo ops.
Image credit: @twinisallaboutthem
Address: Bangunan DBKU, Jalan Semariang, Petra Jaya, 93050 Kuching, Sarawak
Opening hours: 9am-5pm, Daily
Contact: 082-446 688 | Facebook
7. Malaysia Cartoon and Comic House, Kuala Lumpur – a house of local comics & cartoons
Image credit: @mas4638
Whether or not you’re a fan of comics, there is no denying that comic books are a form of art that has enraptured many of us at some point in our lives. Though our childhood may have been filled with more internationally-known cartoon characters and comic books, Malaysia Cartoon and Comic House reminds us of many familiar local favourites.
Located at Lake Gardens in Kuala Lumpur, the museum takes visitors down memory lane through a lively gallery showcasing hundreds of colourful cartoons and comic strips – many of which are original artworks that were drawn and worded by hand.
Image credit: @muliyadi_mahamood
Find well-known local classics such as Datuk Lat’s Mat Sam comic books, artworks from local cartoonists, and comic strips from magazines and newspapers such as Gila-Gila, Gelihati, Warta Jenaka and Utusan Zaman.
There are rare comic strips and prints that date back to the 1930s, including comics and cartoons that creatively conveyed political message and propaganda.
Image credit: @muliyadi_mahamood
For a fee of RM10 for adults and RM5 for kids, visitors will be able to relive their childhood in this house of comics and cartoons. Be sure to leave with a token or a souvenir, available to purchase at their gift shop.
Address: Jalan Cenderawasih Tasik Perdana, 50480 Kuala Lumpur, WPKL
Opening hours: Tue-Thu 10am-5pm | Sat & Sun 9.30AM-6PM (Closed on Mondays & Fridays)
Contact: 012-667 0620 |Facebook | Instagram
8. Maritime Museum, Melaka – museum in a huge ship
Image credit: @sweetie.go
Non-locals might be perplexed to see a whole ship parked casually along Jalan Merdeka in Melaka. It is none other than the Maritime Museum, cleverly housed in a full-sized replica of the Flora De La Mar – a treasure-laden Portuguese ship which sank off the coast of Melaka during a storm in the 16th century.
Image credit: Thomas Lawrence
Also called Muzium Samudera, the museum highlights the influence of Melaka as a significant trading centre during the Melaka Sultanate. It displays a bevy of artefacts from the era, including replicas of marine creatures, dioramas of fishing villages, and even a captain’s cabin.
Head to the upper deck of the museum, and you’ll find a fine collection of various ship and fishing boat models. Visitors can embark on a journey to the colonial era through visualised models of busy Melaka ports with boats filled with precious cargo. Illustrations displayed on the walls also show Melaka’s role as a prominent international emporium back in its trading heyday.
Image credit: Maritime Museum Melaka
Priced at RM5 for adults and RM3 for kids (aged 6-12 years old), the tickets to Maritime Museum can also be used to access the Royal Malaysian Navy Museum located across the street. The latter museum presents an exhibit that details the history and significance of the Royal Navy of Malaysia.
Address: Jalan Merdeka, Bandar Hilir, 75000 Melaka
Opening hours: Mon-Thur 9.30am-5.30pm | Fri-Sun 9.30am-7pm
Contact: 06-282 6526 | Maritime Museum Melaka Facebook
9. National Textile Museum, Kuala Lumpur – treasure trove of textiles, fabrics & costumes
Image credit: @macky.malaysia
National Textile Museum is an often overlooked museum in KL, despite its strategic location. But it’s a place that fabric lovers and history buffs will delight in.
There is no mistaking the museum. It’s housed in a gorgeous Mughal-style building with heavy Islamic architecture influences – and set right in the heart of the bustling city, in Merdeka Square.
While the building is one of the nation’s precious historical monuments, the museum itself only opened in 2010.
Image credit: @momsbusy.rs
With four extensive galleries spanning across two floors, the museum is dedicated to local textiles, costumes, and accessories, including the origins of traditional clothes in Malaysia and the process of making them.
On the 1st floor, the Pohon Budi (Tree of Life) Gallery gives the lowdown on the traditional techniques of textile-making. This includes weaving, embroidery, batik-making, gold embroidering, knitting and beading work, using the country’s predominant textiles such as songket and telupuk.
Also displayed are materials and tools used in the olden days, as well as embroidered shawls, head cloths and tapestries, Iban ceremonial cloths, and songket equipment.
Image adapted from: @momsbusy.rs & Google Photos
Head on to the Pelangi (Rainbow) Gallery next, where you’ll find textile collections of different ethnic groups in Malaysia. Upstairs, there’s also the Teluk Berantai (Interlocking bays) Gallery, which showcases the finesse and artistry of Malay textile used for traditional costumes, and various heritage collections.
Image credit: Google Photos
The final gallery – the Ratna Sari Gallery – is a shimmering collection of diamonds, golds, and other jewels. Here, you can ogle lavish display of adornments worn and inherited by all the races in this country throughout the years.
These jewellery include crowns, pendants, brooches, chastity belts, and hairpins.
Address: 26, Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: 9am-5pm, Daily
Contact: 03-2694 3457 | National Textile Museum website
Unique museums in Malaysia
The Malaysia museum scene has far more to offer than just history and cultural artefacts. Though the museums compiled in this list are niche and lesser-known, there is much we can learn from these establishments that are definitely worth a visit too.
Also check out:
- 10 Indian temples with stunning architecture in Malaysia
- 10 mountain hiking trails in Sabah
- 13 adventurous things to do in and near KL
This article was updated on 14th September 2022.
Cover image adapted from: @jessin_the, @nuruddin_razak and @sweetie.go