SeasonMapMalaysia in January
January is Malaysia's 6th-best month (rank 6 of 12): its 11 destinations average 65/100, led by Langkawi at 88 — 37°C and 11 rainy days — while Tioman is cooler at 24°C and scores 63.
#6 of 12 months for Malaysia · 11 destinations · updated September 2026 · climate normals from ERA5 reanalysis
Where in Malaysia in January
| # | Place | Type | Feels-like high | Rain | Comfort | At its best |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Langkawi | Island | 37°C | 59 mm · 11 days | 88 tier A | Yes |
| 2 | Penang | Island | 36°C | 113 mm · 17 days | 84 tier A | Yes |
| 3 | Cameron Highlands | Trekking hub | 26°C | 179 mm · 22 days | 77 tier B | Yes |
| 4 | Perhentian Islands | Island | 31°C | 211 mm · 20 days | 71 tier B | — |
| 5 | Malacca | City | 36°C | 124 mm · 18 days | 66 tier C | Yes |
| 6 | Tioman | Island | 24°C | 321 mm · 21 days | 63 tier C | — |
| 7 | Ipoh | City | 39°C | 202 mm · 23 days | 59 tier D | — |
| 8 | Kuala Lumpur | City | 38°C | 191 mm · 22 days | 57 tier D | Yes |
| 9 | Johor Bahru | City | 35°C | 263 mm · 24 days | 56 tier D | — |
| 10 | Kota Kinabalu | City | 38°C | 305 mm · 24 days | 50 tier D | — |
| 11 | Kuching | City | 37°C | 397 mm · 30 days | 48 tier F | — |
Comfort is SeasonMap's 0–100 score; each place is judged through the lens that suits it — beaches on beach weather, ski resorts on snow. "At its best" means January is one of that place's own top three months. Feels-like highs fold in humidity, wind and sun.
What's on in Malaysia in January
- Chinese New Year · Langkawi and 4 more places · 20 Jan – 20 Feb (usually)
- Malaysian school holidays · Langkawi · 20 Nov – 5 Jan (usually)
- Thaipusam · Penang · 20 Jan – 15 Feb (usually)
- Chinese New Year and Chap Goh Meh · Penang · 25 Jan – 10 Mar (usually)
- Malaysian year-end break · Penang · 20 Nov – 5 Jan (usually)
- Chinese New Year in the hills · Cameron Highlands · 20 Jan – 25 Feb (usually)
- Year-end school holidays · Cameron Highlands · 15 Nov – 5 Jan (usually)
- Thaipusam at Batu Caves · Kuala Lumpur · 15 Jan – 15 Feb (usually)
Peak crowds at 4 of Malaysia's 5 well-known places this month.