Deepavali Special: 12 Beautiful Places To Visit This Festival of Lights

Also known as the Festival of Lights, Deepavali is the meaningful celebration of light over darkness, good over evil, and wisdom over ignorance. To usher in happiness and repel negative forces, devotees often light up rows of clay lamps to symbolize the inner light that protects them from spiritual darkness on this special occasion.

Wish to plan a memorable outing for the upcoming Deepavali holiday? With travel restrictions and interstate borders now lifted, we've decided to come up with a list of fun places you can head to for a beautiful Deepavali filled with lights and hope! Time to make plans for the festive weekend.

See our beautiful city from a different perspective by embarking on a KL City of Lights Tour aboard the iconic Hop-on Hop-off Bus that you've probably spotted on the streets but never rode before. You'll be surprised by how beautiful our city looks at night once the lights come on - catch sight of top landmarks such as the Petronas Twin Towers, KL Tower, Dataran Merdeka, Chinatown, and Istana Budaya as you go on your exciting night exploration. Ready to chase the city lights aboard a double-decker bus?

Most people know Lost World of Tambun for its hot springs and theme park, but did you know that there's a mysterious Luminous Forest nestled deep in the park? If you stay till nightfall at Lost World of Tambun, you'll be able to access a mystical world dotted with glowing flowers, giant magical creatures, and brave warriors. Be sure to keep your loved ones close (and walk carefully in the dark) as you explore this unique part of the theme park.

Step into an equally magical realm at Penang's Avatar Secret Garden tucked away behind the Thai Pak Koong Temple. This pocket of greenland was transformed into an enchanting neon fantasy destination and has become a popular hangout spot in the evenings. LED lights drape off branches and are wrapped around trunks of trees, forming a truly magical sight that makes you feel as if you were in the actual Avatar world of Pandora.

Looking for a spot for an evening date or a fun family outing? The i-City Theme Park in Shah Alam lights up with over 1 million LED lights every evening! Affectionately known as the City of Digital Lights, visitors will get to stroll through pathways lined with colourfully lit trees and hop on a variety of outdoor park rides including a 2-tier carousel, bumper cars, pirate ship, and giant Ferris wheel.

Immerse yourself with interactive glow-in-the-dark exhibits at the Dark Mansion, the very first and only glow-in-the-dark museum in Malaysia. This trendy modern art exhibit creatively integrates technology with its art pieces, making it another must-visit spot in Penang! Take photos here with your loved ones in front of unique glowing artworks - our favourite is the world’s largest glow-in-the-dark painting, a masterpiece created by 3D illusionist Edgar Müller.

Did you know that you can catch sight of glowing fireflies in Kuala Selangor? Cruise through the darkness on a night river cruise at the firefly park in Kuala Selangor, a natural mangrove swamp that's home to gentle fireflies that twinkle beautifully in the dark after nightfall. We heard that the Selangor River is one of the best places worldwide to catch thousands of these illuminating creatures all at once!

Another activity you shouldn't miss out on in Kuala Selangor is an enchanting night river cruise to catch sight of the otherwordly blue tears phenomenon. The Selangor River is home to microscopic aquatic creatures that emit a beautiful blue-green light upon nightfall, granting you an unforgettable sight. Besides in Kuala Selangor, there are a handful of other dreamy blue tears destinations around Malaysia in states such as Perak, Terengganu, Sabah, and Sarawak.

Ready to face the darkness head-on? For those in search of a unique dining experience, consider giving Dining In The Dark a try! This sensory dining experience housed in a restaurant in Bukit Bintang will heighten all your senses - you'll basically get to enjoy a meal in absolute darkness while being guided by visually impaired "darkness experts". While the experience may be a strange and unusual one, it has been rated as uniquely enjoyable and fun and is definitely a must-try experience for those who aren't afraid of a bit of uncertainty.

Nothing compares to a beautiful panoramic view of Kuala Lumpur’s city skyline, with the sky changing from hues of bright blue into a glittering night backdrop. Watch the sunlight turn to darkness from the highest restaurant in town, situated 282m above ground. Atmosphere 360 is a modern and elegant revolving restaurant located in KL Tower, offering a magnificent 360-degree view of the dazzling Kuala Lumpur skyline. Dig into a delicious buffet spread as the sun goes down and the lighting in the restaurant dims.

Planning a trip to Melaka? Pop by Freeport A'Famosa Outlet to visit the first-ever interactive digital art museum in Malaysia! The Firefly Magical Light Show is a large-scale indoor installation covering a space of 20,000 sqft and consists of 12 mesmerizing digital art interactives. Prep your camera and get ready to snap tons of pictures in this magical space. Enjoy 16% off when you book your show tickets on Klook!

For those who wish to experience some vibrant festive vibes, we recommend a visit to Little India, a residential neighbourhood in Brickfields lined with a variety of Indian stores and restaurants. Watch the streets of Little India get lit up for the festive season with paper lanterns, colourful lights, and decorative Kolams. You can also check out the Deepavali bazaar while you're here - it's the only one that is allowed in Klang Valley this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Show support towards bazaar vendors selling everything from traditional delicacies to clothes, spices, and decorative items.

Batu Caves is home to one of the most iconic and popular Hindu temples in Klang Valley and is where thousands of devotees head to for prayers during the festive season. If you'd like to experience something a bit different, head over to catch a glimpse of how our fellow Hindu friends celebrate this auspicious festival of lights and hope. P/s: here's a gentle reminder that it may get crowded at Batu Caves during the festive season, so be sure to adhere to the SOPs and stay safe while you're out and about!