You
might feel daunted by how to fit ‘the best’ of Malaysia into
one holiday. The answer’s easy: ‘You can’t’. With its infinite diversity of
scenery, cultures and activities, magnificent Malaysia is a
dozen countries in one. Beaches, jungles, mountains, islands, wildlife . . . A
first visit is an inevitable prelude to another.
WHAT
TO SEE
Kuala
Lumpur
Malaysia’s
dynamic capital, ‘KL’ reconciles old and new in a cosmopolitan cocktail of
shining iconic skyscrapers and enclaves of old colonial charm. Explore the
ultra-modern capital; see the Sultan Abdul
Samad Building in Independence Square
(blending Victorian and Moorish architectural styles), Kuala Lumpur Railway
Station (it looks like a Moorish palace) and the striking National and Friday
Mosques. The capital also lays claim to the world’s tallest building, a
Formula I Grand Prix track and glittering shops and malls. Busy Chinatown is an especially fascinating place to wander.
Penang
Lively
Penang with its modern hotels, night markets and superb food, is the ‘Pearl of the Orient’ and
oldest of all Peninsular Malaysia’s beach resorts. Take the funicular to the top
of Penang Hill for fabulous views of historic Georgetown. And visit Kek Lok Si Temple
(Malaysia’s largest Buddhist
temple) and the exotic Khoo Kongsi
Temple, the Botanical
Gardens and Butterfly Farm.
Langkawi
The
romantic island of Langkawi, part of a group of 104 islands in the
Andaman
Sea, is one of Peninsular
Malaysia’s top resorts with many luxury hotel options. Its glorious bays and
beaches, lush green forests and calm blue lakes are the attraction – though the
sightseeing is limited! Mount Mat Cincang (take the cable car) offers
wonderful views of the surrounding islands. Underwater World Langkawi is one of
Asia’s largest aquariums, with a walk-through
tunnel for viewing over 5,000 kinds of marine life.
Pangkor
Laut
This
private 3,000-acre island, three miles off the west coast, is a perfect getaway
exclusive to guests staying at the island’s private resort, with much of the
remainder left as rain forest; a magical backdrop of exotic flowers and
birdlife, dense tropical forest and secluded bays where unwinding is simply a
matter of being here.
The
East Coast
Bordering
the South China Sea, Peninsular Malaysia’s East
Coast is a world of traditional fishing villages, coconut palms, endless beaches
backed by hills and a culture rich in traditional arts and crafts. In Pahang
state Kuantan is both town and resort, while Cherating is a relaxing hideaway.
The island of
Tioman will be familiar to
many as the Bali Hai of the film South Pacific. Terengganu state is the place
for turtle-watching and scuba-diving, both on the mainland and offshore venues
like Redang and the Perhentian Islands. Bordering Thailand is
Kelantan state - whose capital. Kota Bharu, prides itself on show-casing
Malaysia’s cultural heritage and
traditional arts like kite-flying, giant drums and shadow plays.
The
Interior
Peninsular
Malaysia’s interior has no shortage
of places to visit. Best-known are the hilltop resorts of the Cameron Highlands – and Malaysia's
largest national park, Taman Negara, surrounded by the world’s oldest tropical
forest and rich in flora and wildlife.
Sarawak
On
the island of Borneo, Sarawak’s appeal derives above all from its ten
magnificent national parks amid ancient rainforest jungles, though its resort
hotels beside pristine beaches and traditional village ‘longhouses’, accessed by
boat, are an added bonus! Most famous of the parks are Batang Ai (home to
orang-utans, gibbons, hornbills and other native fauna), Gunung Mulu (explore
its spectacular limestone caves, the largest in the world) and Niah Caves (housing the birds’ nests that the
Chinese turn into soup). In the capital, Kuching, try to fit in a river cruise -
past colourful villages, the elegant City Mosque, the Astana, Fort Margherita and the Kuching
Waterfront.
Sabah
Also
on Borneo, the ‘Land Below the Wind’ comes
complete with tropical islands, indigenous tribes people, a stunning landscape
of mountains, rivers, seas - and rainforests over 125 million years old. The
capital, Kota Kinabalu, is home to the State Museum (built along the lines of
traditional longhouses) and the beautiful State Mosque. Signal Hill Observatory
offers fantastic views over the city. Beyond the capital there’s an endless list
of things to see – from Mt Kinabalu National Park (with 1,000 species of orchids
and 850 types of butterfly) and the Rafflesia Forest Reserve (dedicated to the
world’s biggest flower) to the Monsopiad Cultural Village and Sepilok Orang-utan
Rehabilitation Centre. And, of course, the myriad attractions of the
Tunku Abdul Rahman
Marine Park and the Turtle Islands National
Park!
WHAT
TO DO
Kuala
Lumpur
Take
in the spectacular cityscape from the viewing level of Kuala
Lumpur's 1,453 ft-high Petronas Twin
Towers. KL's array of
modern shopping malls, markets and local shops will unleash the hidden shopper
in every visitor, whether you’re looking for international brands or local
handicrafts and ethnic products. Within the city’s ‘Golden Triangle’ central
area, Bukit Bintang
Street is a famous shopping and entertainment
district. After dark the street becomes a walkway where you can wine and dine
alfresco. Make sure the bustling night market of Chinatown, otherwise known as Petaling Street, is
on your ‘must visit’ agenda. Other nightspots? No worries – ‘KL’ has clubs, pubs
and bars galore for insatiable night-crawlers.
Penang
Watersports
at the main beach hotels will keep you active, with sailing, windsurfing,
waterskiing, parasailing, canoeing and speedboat rides, while several
uninhabited offshore islands are ideal for snorkelling, scuba-diving and
fishing. Penang’s shops range from modern
complexes to roadside stalls and pasar malam night markets - offer an almost
endless range of products. Roadside shops make popular bargaining centres! At
night Batu Ferringhi comes alive with nightclubs and
discos.
Langkawi
On
the beach you can try watersports like snorkelling, diving, windsurfing and
jet-skiing, while sailing is also very popular. On land choose from three
18-hole golf courses – or try some gentle horse riding. A visit to a local
village will introduce you to rice- planting, batik-painting and pottery-making.
An island cruise is a definite ‘must’, as is a speedboat trip to Pulau Payar
Marine Park, one of Malaysia's finest marine parks.
Langkawi is a free port with duty-free shopping - shoes and leather are
particularly good value.
The
East Coast
This
is a Malaysia for those who love to be
outdoors and for whom enjoying watersports and an unspoilt natural environment
are at the head of any wish list. Especially popular are the islands like
Tioman, Redang, and Perhentian, which attract snorkellers and divers with their
crystal-clear waters and exotic marine life. The East Coast is
get-away-from-it-all country and definitely not the place for those who crave
serious retail therapy (apart from bargaining for local handicrafts) or
nightlife.
The
Interior
Enjoy
a choice of guided jungle-treks in the Taman Negara
National Park, which has
many marked trails, including a canopy walkway. On a trip the Cameron Highlands you can include a strawberry
farm or tea plantation visit, play golf or perhaps try an adventure tour.
Sarawak
Though
most visitors head for the jungles, Sarawak has
its share of sandy beaches. Some, like popular Damai Beach, are where the resorts can be found
and come complete with watersports. Scuba-diving is spectacular in the offshore
waters here. If you aren’t into diving then you’ll find the snorkelling no less
special. Mountain-biking and, for adrenaline-flow, white water rafting are two
favourite land activities. Visit to the Semenggoh Wildlife Rehabilitation to see
how Orang-utans are nurtured to readapt themselves to the jungle. Shopping
primarily focuses on local weaving, basket ware and wood-carving – these abound,
often at bargain prices. Nightlife? – Mostly the sounds of the sea and
jungle!
Sabah
The
sports-minded will find plenty of options at the main resort hotels, with
snorkelling and scuba-diving leading the way. The offshore islands of the nearby
Tunku
Abdul Rahman Marine
Park are great favourites
for both sports. Kota Kinabalu offers excellent golfing, with three
international-standard courses. Mountain-bike hire is also readily available.
For an exciting outing take a journey on the steam-operated North Borneo Railway
on a spectacular route following the Padas River
up through narrow jungle gorges in the Crocker Range. Or try a helicopter
sightseeing trip from Kota Kinabalu for a totally different perspective! If you
want to get even higher then the ascent of Mt Kinabalu (13,242 ft) could be the
answer – no technical skills are needed, just a guide and local permit! Kota
Kinabalu has a number of shopping malls, with major international brands as well
as local items. For nightlife – see Sabah!