{"id":11886,"date":"2025-12-03T18:06:33","date_gmt":"2025-12-03T10:06:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/1000journey.my\/en\/?p=11886"},"modified":"2026-03-16T09:17:20","modified_gmt":"2026-03-16T01:17:20","slug":"strong-ringgit-where-to-travel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/1000journey.my\/en\/strong-ringgit-where-to-travel\/","title":{"rendered":"The Ringgit\u2019s Strong (For Now), So Where to Travel? (2026)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"
Image: Ibrahim Boran<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

After years of enduring a struggling ringgit, Malaysian travellers have finally been thrown a juicy bone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thanks to an ascendant ringgit as well as depressed overseas currencies, our long-suffering RM has become one of the strongest performing currencies in ASEAN, not to mention Asia!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And you know what that means: cheap(er) and more affordable-ish destinations!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So hop aboard, fellow Malaysian, and let\u2019s see which countries and destinations can help you stretch that ever-slim salary of yours!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Japan<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Akihabara
Akihabara’s Chuo-dori Street – a hotbed of pop culture. Photo: Kok Wei Yip<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Exchange Rate  (Dec 2025)<\/strong>:  1MYR \/ ~37.6JPY
Year-on-year Increase (Dec 2025)<\/strong>: +11.76%<\/strong>
Visa needed:<\/strong> Visa-Free (90 days)
What to Buy: <\/strong>Wagashi sweets<\/a>, matcha powder, gachapon<\/em> capsule toys<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Malaysians love Japan. Really, really love Japan. So much so that \u2013 among Southeast Asians – we\u2019re second only to Thailand and Singapore<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Japan\u2019s world-class rail lines connecting its various urban and natural attractions help to dent its pricier dining and accommodation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, tax-free shopping (for purchases above 5,000 yen) and a weaker yen helps a lot, especially when plunging into the glitzy high streets of Ginza or the pop culture hangouts of Akihabara<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And Japan isn\u2019t limited to the Golden Route of Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto either! There\u2019s tons of underrated prefectures<\/a> full of hidden gems that\u2019ll help you stretch your strong ringgit even further.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But, with overtourism<\/a> being a burning issue, a raft of planned changes to tax-free shopping and hotel taxes for 2026 might put a damper on Japan\u2019s affordability. Better travel soon!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Korea<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Seoul’s Hongdae district is a shopping paradise. Photo: Patrick<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Exchange Rate (Dec 2025):<\/strong>  1MYR \/ ~355.9 KRW
Year-on-year Increase (Dec 2025):<\/strong> +12.74%<\/strong>
Visa needed:<\/strong> ETA required (valid for 3 months)
What to Buy: <\/strong>K-pop merch, cosmetics, fashion<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the home of Hallyu or the Korean Wave, South Korea has gripped the Malaysian imagination for the better part of two decades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

K-pop stans and fans will find the capital Seoul a hotspot of merch, fashion and tons and tons of shopping<\/a>, whether it be the hip boulevards of Hongdae or the shopping paradise of Dongdaemun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We haven\u2019t even mentioned so-called pilgrimage sites either, especially those related to top groups like BTS<\/a>, BLACKPINK or even K-pop Demon Hunters<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Besides the weaker won, a duty-free\/tax-free regime for shopping above 15,000 won means you\u2019ll be shopping till you drop!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But cool your stanning and shopping for a bit, and you\u2019ll see that South Korea is home to great natural sights, particularly in its mountainous interior.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Active venues from the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics<\/a>, world-class ski resorts<\/a> and even miscellaneous winter activities like the salmon ice fishing festival at Hwacheon<\/a> are aplenty in South Korea, now more accessible than ever!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

China<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
May Fourth Monument in Qingdao, China.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Exchange Rate (Dec 2025)<\/strong>: 1 MYR \/ ~1.7 CNY
Year-on-year Increase (Dec 2025)<\/strong>: +4.75%<\/strong>
Visa needed: <\/strong>Visa-free (30 days)
What to Buy: <\/strong>Tea, herbs and blind box toys<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Addressing the tourism elephant in the room, we have one of the hottest – and now cheaper –  destinations for Malaysian travellers \u2013 China!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thanks to a reciprocal visa-free policy, Malaysian travel to China in 2024 skyrocketed to almost 1.8 million travellers alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And it\u2019s not hard to see why: great food<\/a> at dirt cheap prices, popular regions connected by high speed rail and a neverending list of diverse destinations make China a popular go-to destination for Malaysians.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Really, it\u2019s hard to understate how China has something for literally<\/em> everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

City kids will enjoy the urban sprawl of megacities like the capital Beijing, the prewar villas of Qingdao <\/a>and the panda hometown of Chengdu<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, history buffs should head for Jiangnan\u2019s romantic canal towns that give even Venice a run for their money. Heck, if you\u2019re determined enough, there\u2019s seven whole architectural traditions<\/a> throughout China to explore!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And lastly, nature lovers will definitely enjoy China\u2019s legendary peaks and canyons<\/a> or – if they\u2019re adventurous –  the gorgeous steppes and lakes of Xinjiang<\/a> (check out our travel guide<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Argentina<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Mount Fitz Roy, located in the Patagonia region. Photo: Prissantenb\u00e4r<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Exchange Rate (Dec 2025):<\/strong>\u00a0 1 MYR \/ ~351.2 ARS
Year-on-year Increase (Dec 2025):<\/strong> +53.03%<\/strong>
Visa needed:<\/strong> Visa-free (30 days)
What to Buy: <\/strong>Patagonian wool clothes, mate <\/em>tea, alfajor<\/em> snacks<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looking to the Western Hemisphere, we have a surprise entry in the form of Argentina!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Due to recent rounds of devaluation to tame inflation, this South American nation has become an attractive destination for Malaysian vacationers looking for travel deals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although lingering inflation and the price of a long-haul flight might eat into those savings, Argentina\u2019s can easily help you break even with a weeks-long stay among its diverse collection of natural vistas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the north, you have grasslands, swamps and deserts next to gigantic waterfalls such as the Iguazu Falls – a World Heritage Site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, in the south, vast grasslands and towering peaks make up the spectacular Patagonia region. Here are some Patagonian activities<\/a>, accommodations<\/a> and also the best seasons to visit<\/a> (hint: tons of hiking and winter sports<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As for what to spend that extra cash at, fashionistas will appreciate Patagonian wool clothes for comfy, breathable winterwear while gourmands might like some yummy alfajor<\/em> biscuits or mate<\/em> tea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Canada<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Rideau Canal Skateway, Canada. Photo: Destination Canada<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Exchange Rate (Dec 2025):<\/strong> 1 MYR \/ ~0.34 CAD
Year-on-year Increase (Dec 2025):<\/strong> +7.51%<\/strong>
Visa needed:<\/strong> Visa Required
What to Buy: <\/strong>Maple syrup, winter wear, smoked salmon<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lately, increased costs, haphazard (and even hazardous) immigration policies have tanked overall travel to the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But worry not, because the country right next door is lookin\u2019 mighty fine!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Canada, cities sporting classic architecture like Ottawa and Quebec are beautiful places to soak up the big city vibes of North America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the other hand, the endless swathes of icy tundra and picture-perfect lakes, particularly in the Great Lakes region, are a siren song for hikers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And as a Winter Olympics<\/a> superpower and former host, Canada is a paradise for winter enthusiasts of the sporty<\/a> and less-sporty kind<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although Canada isn\u2019t cheap by any means and requires a pricey visa, a cheaper Canadian dollar makes it just a tiny more attainable!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oh, and make sure to get some classic Canadian maple syrup while you\u2019re here!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Australia & New Zealand<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Photo: Peter Hammer<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Australia<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Exchange Rate (Dec 2025): <\/strong>1 MYR \/ ~0.37 AUD
Increase Year-on-Year (Dec 2025):<\/strong> +6.61%<\/strong>
Visa needed: <\/strong>ETA required (90 days)
What to Buy: <\/strong>Indigenous art, chocolate snacks, wool clothing<\/p>\n\n\n\n

New Zealand<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Exchange Rate (Dec 2025)<\/strong>: 1 MYR \/ ~0.42 NZD
Increase Year-on-Year (Dec 2025)<\/strong>: +5.64%<\/strong>
Visa needed:<\/strong> ETA required (90 days)
What to Buy: <\/strong>Manuka honey, M\u0101ori handicrafts, jade jewellery<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Circling back to our neighbourhood, we\u2019re gonna cheat a little and round off our list with two destinations \u2013 Australia and New Zealand!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This continent-island duo is an alluring haven for lovers of all things outdoors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Australia, its sunbaked, world-class beaches and teeming marine reefs ripe for diving<\/a> have drawn countless visitors from near and far.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As for New Zealand, this tiny yet fascinating island boasts fantastical mountains, glaciers and grasslands \u2013 all of which have made it into the silver screen<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another oft-overlooked part of visiting this part of the world is the food and shopping too, with stuff like genuine manuka honey, strawberries as well as native herbs and teas that can\u2019t be found anywhere else.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And being home to some of the oldest indigenous communities, the native art and handicrafts from both countries make for great souvenirs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before you head off to spend that mighty ringgit, make sure to put aside some funds for cold weather gear<\/a> and to layer up properly<\/a> if you\u2019re travelling around winter!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are also plenty of other budget international destinations<\/a> that are evergreen, even if their exchange rate is less than stellar right now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Overseas travel not within your budget right now? No worries \u2013 Malaysia\u2019s West Coast is full of hidden gems that are easily accessible by our underrated ETS rail service<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Links<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Trading Economics \u2013 Malaysian Ringgit
https:\/\/tradingeconomics.com\/malaysia\/currency<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hotelagio – How Many Tourists Visit China Each Year? [China Tourism Statistics]
https:\/\/hotelagio.com\/china-tourism-statistics\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Visit Korea – Duty Free & Tax Refunds
https:\/\/english.visitkorea.or.kr\/svc\/contents\/contentsView.do?vcontsId=140736<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

After years of enduring a struggling ringgit, Malaysian travellers have finally been thrown a juicy bone. Thanks to an ascendant…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":11890,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[22],"tags":[107,428,429,91,430],"class_list":["post-11886","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tips-and-guides","tag-budget","tag-currency","tag-exhange-rate","tag-malaysia","tag-ringgit"],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/1000journey.my\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/ibrahim-boran-_aUwE2DnIPg-unsplash-scaled.jpg",2560,1707,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/1000journey.my\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/ibrahim-boran-_aUwE2DnIPg-unsplash-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/1000journey.my\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/ibrahim-boran-_aUwE2DnIPg-unsplash-300x200.jpg",300,200,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/1000journey.my\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/ibrahim-boran-_aUwE2DnIPg-unsplash-768x512.jpg",768,512,true],"large":["https:\/\/1000journey.my\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/ibrahim-boran-_aUwE2DnIPg-unsplash-1024x683.jpg",1024,683,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/1000journey.my\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/ibrahim-boran-_aUwE2DnIPg-unsplash-1536x1024.jpg",1536,1024,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/1000journey.my\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/ibrahim-boran-_aUwE2DnIPg-unsplash-2048x1365.jpg",2048,1365,true],"penci-recipe-1200x1200":["https:\/\/1000journey.my\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/ibrahim-boran-_aUwE2DnIPg-unsplash-1200x1200.jpg",1200,1200,true],"penci-recipe-1200x900":["https:\/\/1000journey.my\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/ibrahim-boran-_aUwE2DnIPg-unsplash-1200x900.jpg",1200,900,true],"penci-recipe-1200x675":["https:\/\/1000journey.my\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/ibrahim-boran-_aUwE2DnIPg-unsplash-1200x675.jpg",1200,675,true],"penci-single-full":["https:\/\/1000journey.my\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/ibrahim-boran-_aUwE2DnIPg-unsplash-1920x1280.jpg",1920,1280,true],"penci-slider-full-thumb":["https:\/\/1000journey.my\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/ibrahim-boran-_aUwE2DnIPg-unsplash-1920x800.jpg",1920,800,true],"penci-full-thumb":["https:\/\/1000journey.my\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/ibrahim-boran-_aUwE2DnIPg-unsplash-1170x780.jpg",1170,780,true],"penci-slider-thumb":["https:\/\/1000journey.my\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/ibrahim-boran-_aUwE2DnIPg-unsplash-1170x663.jpg",1170,663,true],"penci-magazine-slider":["https:\/\/1000journey.my\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/ibrahim-boran-_aUwE2DnIPg-unsplash-780x516.jpg",780,516,true],"penci-thumb":["https:\/\/1000journey.my\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/ibrahim-boran-_aUwE2DnIPg-unsplash-585x390.jpg",585,390,true],"penci-masonry-thumb":["https:\/\/1000journey.my\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/ibrahim-boran-_aUwE2DnIPg-unsplash-585x390.jpg",585,390,true],"penci-thumb-square":["https:\/\/1000journey.my\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/ibrahim-boran-_aUwE2DnIPg-unsplash-585x585.jpg",585,585,true],"penci-thumb-vertical":["https:\/\/1000journey.my\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/ibrahim-boran-_aUwE2DnIPg-unsplash-480x650.jpg",480,650,true],"penci-thumb-small":["https:\/\/1000journey.my\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/ibrahim-boran-_aUwE2DnIPg-unsplash-263x175.jpg",263,175,true]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"Wei Yip","author_link":"https:\/\/1000journey.my\/en\/author\/weiyip\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"After years of enduring a struggling ringgit, Malaysian travellers have finally been thrown a juicy bone. Thanks to an ascendant…","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/1000journey.my\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11886","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/1000journey.my\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/1000journey.my\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/1000journey.my\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/1000journey.my\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11886"}],"version-history":[{"count":23,"href":"https:\/\/1000journey.my\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11886\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11918,"href":"https:\/\/1000journey.my\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11886\/revisions\/11918"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/1000journey.my\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11890"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/1000journey.my\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11886"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/1000journey.my\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11886"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/1000journey.my\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11886"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}