The following covers the essential on key destinations... We can't rival with the Lonely Planet. But in a nutshell, this is what you might like to cover.
Kuala Lumpur (2 days)
Although not the most beautiful city in the world, Kuala Lumpur has a lot going for it. It’s not particularly geared towards mass tourism and remains quite “raw” but is certainly very interesting. It has some of the best restaurants in Malaysia and is also the starting point some interesting day trips.
Highlights in KL
· Petronas Twin Towers (although to get tickets for the Sky Walk you will need to get up early), KLCC;
· Central Market – sells “Malaysian” crafts. A bit touristy. Do not hesitate to bargain;
· Bukit Bintang – shopping district;
· Lake Gardens (Taman Tasik Perdana) – 226 acres of park land in the middle of KL which also houses the recommended Butterfly Park and Bird Park;
· Chinatown (Petaling Street);
· Arab Street (Masjid India) Masjid Jamek;
· Various museums
Shopping tip: try the Peter Hoe shops (one across the road from Central Market and a much larger one, randomely, in a building at 2 Jalan Hang Lekir). Their stuff is 100 times nicer than anything in Central Market. Bargain for everything!!! Don’t be an American.
Day trips from KL
- Forest Reserve Institute of Malaysia – FRIM (Sungai Buloh) – Mornings only – FRIM offers the jungle/ canopy walk experience for those who’ve missed the wilderness.
- See the Fireflies in Kuala Selangor (tours can be organised).
Malacca, (2 days)
Only 2hrs away from KL it’s very easy to get to from the capital and well worth a visit. Malacca is considered Malaysia's most historic city – with its Portuguese, Dutch and English colonial past it was granted UNESCO’s protection. It’s also the capital of the Baba Nyonya/ Peranakan culture. Malacca also has some wonderful antique shops full of old treasures.
Highlights:
· Malacca Unesco Town Centre
· Jonker Street
· Harmony Street - Cheng Hoon Teng temple/ Kapitan Keling mosque / Sri Payyatha Vinayagar Moorthi temple
· Peranakan houses and Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum;
· Stadthuys, Christ Church, A Famosa and the colonial ruins (check out the cemeteries);
· Melaka Sultanate Palace
· Walk around the old European cemeteries
· The antique shops in the Chinese quarter
· St Peter’s church, oldest catholic church in Malaysia (1702). Amazing celebration for Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Somewhat like Semana Santa in Sevilla.
It may seem naff – but the trishaw ride can be quite a nice way of discovering the city – just make sure you negotiate the price and stop where you want to stop. Also do the Malacca river boat ride. Day time is nice to see what the scene is like but at night is much more romantic.
Penang (2-3 days)
The main draw remains the city of Georgetown, which has more Chinese flavour than either Singapore or Hong Kong. For Georgetown, set off in any direction and you're certain to see beautiful old Chinese houses, vegetable markets, temples, spice shops, trishaws, mahjong games and daily Asian street life. Founded by the British its colonial past is visible everywhere. Penang food is also legendary.
· Walk around the old Georgetown streets- check out the square between Lebuh Chulia, Lebuh Light, Lebuh Pantai and Jalan Masjid Kapitan Kling;
· The old crumbling colonial mansions, the clocktower and Fort Cornwallis;
· The Kongsi’s (we thought Cheah Kongsi was much nicer than the more popularly Khoo Kongsi – it’s also free to visit);
· Kapitan Kling Mosque.
Food: Penang is well known as a 'Hawkers Paradise' – dine on local dishes at the stalls that appear at night along the Esplanade, while gazing at old canons.
Day trip: try to take a cab/shuttle to Air Hitam to check out the weird and wonderful Kek Lok Si temple.
Unless you are planning to stay for 3 weeks or longer, fitting in Borneo will be quite difficult and will be a rush. Having said that, Borneo is an amazing destination, which, is one of a kind, and deserves the respect of a trip on its own. For those who want wildlife and trekking, the peninsula offers a great variety of this as well. The main national park, Taman Negara is reputed to be at least 100 million years old and still boasts a variety of wild animals including tigers, elephants, rhinoceros, pythons, sun bears and cobras. Sadly the orang-utan is a native of Borneo and you can’t find them in the wild on the peninsula.
Highlights in Sabah – Kota Kinabalu and surroundings (Tunkul Abdul Rahman Marine Park, Mount Kinabalu), train ride to Beaufort , Sepilok Sanctuary, Sipadan, Mabul and other islands
Beautiful Islands on the Peninsula
· Langkawi : archipelago in the Andaman sea – island hop or enjoy the many beaches – has an airport and is easy to get to;
· Perhentian Islands: 2 small islands off the east coast of Malaysia – prime spot for diving – accessed by boat from the mainland;
· Redang: archipelago of islands – also recommended for diving – more developed than Perhentian and more upmarket;
Other Destinations
Ipoh; is a town which still feels like Malaysia in the 70ies. See temples built into some of the many natural caves in the surrounding area, offer an austere place for worship - and a surprise surreal sight if you happening to be driving along the highway. With its large Chinese population, it has some of the best food in Malaysia.
Cameron Highlands – hill station of Malaysia and home of the Orang Asli, with wonderful tea plantations, old mock tudor houses with rose gardens. Complete with strawberry fields to make the jam for high tea. A good spot to do jungle walks.
Nature Reserves and amazing jungle
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