Malaysia | World Heritage Explorer

Malaysia has been a State Party to the World Heritage Convention since 1988. With 6 inscribed properties, the country maintains a well-established presence on the World Heritage List. The majority of its sites are cultural properties, reflecting a strong emphasis on historical and architectural heritage.

Malaysia as a State Party to the World Heritage Convention

State Party since: December 7, 1988

Status: Ratification

Mandates to the World Heritage Committee: 2011-2015

Total of Mandate Years: 4

Total of Mandates: 1

WHC Electoral Group: IV (Asia/Pacific)

World Heritage Sites in Malaysia (6)

Cultural: 4 | Natural: 2 | Mixed: 0

Archaeological Heritage of the Lenggong Valley · Cultural
Forest Research Institute Malaysia Forest Park Selangor · Cultural
Gunung Mulu National Park · Natural
Kinabalu Park · Natural
Melaka and George Town, Historic Cities of the Straits of Malacca · Cultural
The Archaeological Heritage of Niah National Park’s Caves Complex · Cultural

Map of World Heritage Sites

This interactive map shows the location of all UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Malaysia.

Tentative World Heritage Sites (4)

Sungai Buloh Leprosarium · submitted: February 12, 2019
Gombak Selangor Quartz Ridge · submitted: February 23, 2017
Royal Belum State Park · submitted: February 23, 2017
National Park (Taman Negara) of Peninsular Malaysia · submitted: June 5, 2014

Source: UNESCO Tentative Lists

Country Profile Malaysia

Official Name: Malaysia

Continent: Asia

Subregion: South-Eastern Asia

UNESCO Region: Asia and the Pacific

Capital: Kuala Lumpur

Population (2024): 35,557,673

Land Area: 328,550 km²

Currency: Malaysian ringgit (MYR)

Country Data Sources

Links

UNESCO World Heritage Convention: State Party Malaysia

About States Parties

States Parties are countries that have joined the World Heritage Convention. They commit to identifying, nominating, and protecting properties of outstanding cultural or natural value on their territory. States Parties are also expected to monitor and report on the condition of inscribed sites.

World Heritage Insights

How Politics and Institutions Shape the UNESCO World Heritage List

The UNESCO World Heritage List is usually seen as a catalogue of the world’s most important cultural and natural places. Yet behind every inscription there is a structured decision process: countries must first join the Convention, run for a seat on the World Heritage Committee, prepare nominations through a fixed procedure, and finally obtain enough votes for inscription.

World Heritage Info

Background

Learn about UNESCO, the World Heritage Convention, Tentative Lists, and how World Heritage Sites are selected and preserved. Explore the history, structures, and processes that protect humanity’s cultural and natural treasures.

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