Sights in Malaysia

Malaysia is one of the most popular countries in Asia for visitors seeking a diverse travel experience. One of the key attractions of Malaysia is the diversity of its cultures.
From city tours and fabulous shopping sprees, to a wide variety of food and many natural wonders, Malaysia is truly a ‘one-stop’ destination country for most visitors

Its capital, Kuala Lumpur, offers a variety of attractive destinations, such as:

The Petronas Twin Towers , KLCC

The 88-storey Petronas Twin Towers, is the world's tallest twin structure. Located in the heart of the capital city, it contains a complex of office buildings, conference halls, a sprawling park and an upmarket shopping complex.
The architect is inspired by the geometric shape found in Islamic architecture, this gleaming mega-structure was designed by Argentinian-American architect Cesar Pelli.
Visiting the sky bridge is a great experience, a must stop over spot. It is open to visitors between 8.30am - 5.00pm from Tuesday to Sunday.

The Bintang Walk

For both shopaholics, coffee-sipping, clubbing night owls, Bukit Bintang / Star Hill is one of the hippest streets in the city. This place is also full of restaurants and cafes of different styles catered for gourmet lovers. The many shopping centres along Bukit Bintang ensure that you will never run out of options. Most shops are opened from 11 am – 10 pm.

KL Tower

Soaring to 421m, and considered a main feature of the city skyline, the KL Tower is the world's fourth tallest communications tower. To experience the exhilarating view from the KL Tower, one can go to the 335-metre high observation deck on a high-speed lift, the city's eccentric architecture and lush greenery will be laid out from here. On top of the KL Tower is the Seri Angkasa revolving restaurant where an international buffet spread can be enjoyed while watching a continuously revolving view of the Kuala Lumpur skyline.

Central Market

This fine example of Kuala Lumpur's architectural heritage also doubles as an air-conditioned arts and crafts market. The annex building also contains eateries and two discos. One can enjoy performances, demonstrations and hands-on batik painting outside of the central market and heritage activities like Chinese fortune-telling, Malay shadow puppet plays and Indian dances. Inside the central market, one can find many artists selling paintings and demonstration of their artistry on-site. The market is also a treasure trove of traditional arts and crafts.

Petaling Street

Petaling Street , the centre of Kuala Lumpur's original Chinatown, maintains much of its traditional atmosphere, particularly at night when vendors fan out their merchandise along the street. While shops for anything from gems and incense to toys and t-shirts, the true allure of this night market is in wandering about and enjoying its sights, sounds and energy. Food is plentiful here with many scrumptious varieties to choose from; some of the restaurants here have been in business for generations.

Batu Caves

Located in a limestone outcropping 15km north of Kuala Lumpur, Batu Caves is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Selangor. This famous destination draws people from all over the world during the annual Hindu festival, Thaipusam.

It consists of three big caves, including the main-temple cave which features ornate Hindu shrines. Scaling the 272 steps leading up to the main-temple cave is one of the highlights of a visit to Batu Caves. Nearby is the Ramayana Cave where evocative scenes of Indian epic myths are artistically painted along its walls. This massive limestone hill is also a popular spot for rock climbing.

Venturing beyond

Outside Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia offers sandy beaches, tropical forests and highlands, and many other destinations.

Langkawi Island, Kedah State

Off the coast of Kedah is a cluster of 99 islands with the best of many worlds; beautiful beaches, world-class infrastructure, mangroves rich in flora and fauna, ultra-cheap duty-free shopping and fascinating legends.It is also a duty-free island.

Perhentian Island, Terrenganu State

Pulau Perhentian, meaning 'stopover island', is one of ‘the’ islands to visit. Situated 21km off the coast of Terengganu, it consists of the islands of Pulau Perhentian Besar and Pulau Perhentian Kecil. Covered by virgin jungle, windswept palms, powdery white beaches and surrounded by sapphire blue waters, Pulau Perhentian is a sanctuary for travelers who are seeking for utmost relaxation. This is also a popular island for back packers.

Tioman Island, Pahang State

This island is an idyllic spot for leisurely days under the sun such as swimming in its emerald waters, enjoying a stroll by the beach or be lulled to sleep by the sound of the waves. There are several villages scattered around the coastline, the larger ones being Salang, Tekek, Genting, Paya and Juara.

Each village offers a different and unique atmosphere. Tioman's verdant greenery is home to a splendid variety of plants and small animals, including butterflies, monitor lizards, deer and monkeys. Its flora and fauna have been featured in National Geographic's documentaries.

Taman Negara

Taman Negara is one of the oldest rainforests in the world, estimated at 130 million years old. The abundance and diversity of nature here is phenomenal, making it one of the world's most complex and rich ecosystems.
The most popular activities at Taman Negara are river cruises and jungle trekking. The canopy walk is also a must-see, offering a fantastic close up view of activity in the rainforest canopy. Observation hides are another great way to observe wildlife. Simple huts built high above the ground allow guests to stay overnight to catch opportunities to observe animals in their natural habitat. Cave exploration is also available, either by boat or by foot.

Matang Wildlife Centre, Sarawak State.

The Matang Wildlife Centre is about 35km from Kuching. Located in Kubah National Park, this large enclosed area of rainforest is home to endangered wildlife. There is a training programme here that teaches Orang Utans, who have been orphaned or rescued from captivity, how to survive in the wild. Visitors will be able to see lots of Orang Utans here, especially during feeding time. Besides these adorable primates, there are also Sun Bears, Sambar Deer, Civet cats as well as three large aviaries that house Sea Eagles, Hornbills and other birds in Sarawak.

Kinabalu Park, Sabah State

The Kinabalu Park covers an area of 754 sq km and is made up of Mount Kinabalu, Mount Tambayukon and the foothills. It was gazetted to preserve this valuable natural environment. The mountains have a fascinating geological history, taking 'just' a million years to form. The mighty Mount Kinabalu is actually a granite massif that was later thrust upwards through the crust of the surface.

Tree Top Walk , Kedah State

The 950m-long Tree Top Walk in the Sedim River Recreation Park is the longest canopy walk in the world. The Tree Top Walk Sedim River was built within the low land of dipterocarp compartment 15 of Gunung Inas Forest Reserve. The spectacular view you get when you stroll through the jungle canopy is the main draw for visitors from far and wide to this quiet, all-natural corner of Kedah.

Cameron Highlands, Perak State

There are many things to see and do in Cameron Highlands, Malaysia's largest highland resort. Walks through lovely little villages, visits to the butterfly, strawberry, honey bee farms and sprawling tea plantations or meals at the delightful Tudor-styled country inns, are all pleasurable and relaxing activities to be experienced here. One other popular activity in Cameron Highlands, actually more of a tradition, is to have tea and scones. This very English tradition dates back to the days when English colonial officers used this hilly location as a cool getaway from the heat of the lowlands. Bird-watching and trekking are also popular activities here.

Genting Highlands, Pahang State

The fun never stops at Genting, City of Entertainment, perched on the top of cool, breezy Genting Highlands. One big attraction in Genting is the cool weather. Because of the 2,000m altitude, Malaysians like to visit just to enjoy the 'European' weather!
In the evening, there is spectacular entertainment at the Genting International Showroom or Pavilion, be it a thrilling magic show or an ice-skating extravaganza. There are also opportunities to go shopping at First World Plaza, visit the indoor and outdoor theme parks and feast on a wide range of delicious food at the many restaurants.

Siti Khadijah Market, Kelantan State

A good way to get to know a Malaysian town is to visit its markets, the economic centre of the community. Siti Khadijah Market is named after Prophet Muhammad's entrepreneurial wife. A fitting name for a market mostly run by women.
This market has something for everyone, from fresh produce to traditional crafts and cakes. It is also a slice of life in Kelantan, abuzz with colour, scents and sounds of the local community.

St. Paul's Hill (A'Famosa), Melaka State

The Portuguese colonised Melaka from 1511 to 1641. The first thing they did was build a fort overlooking the river, calling it A'Famosa. As Melaka was the centre of struggles between super powers of the time, and suffered the constant threat of attack, the A'Famosa fort was critical in Portugal maintaining its colonial foothold in the Far East.
Within the fort walls were housing and food stores, a castle, a meeting room for the Portuguese Council and five churches. A seven-month attack by the Dutch just about destroyed the entire fortress, leaving only the entrance façade and the structure of a church at the top of the hill.

Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, Penang State

Built in the 1880s, this famous indigo-blue Chinese Courtyard House in Georgetown was the residence of Cheong Fatt Tze, a prominent Chinese figure in the newly established Penang Straits Settlement during the 19th century. The mansion was built by master craftsmen brought in especially from China, who used their skills to fashion the mansion with 38 rooms, 5 granite-paved courtyards, 7 staircases and 220 windows.

Sarawak Cultural Village, Sarawak State

Known as the ' Living Museum', the Cultural Village was set up to preserve and showcase Sarawak's cultural heritage. It is located at Pantai Damai, Santubong, just 32km from the state capital, Kuching. It is the perfect place to get introduced to local culture and lifestyle.
Guests are often invited to attend nightly ceremonies and drink a potent rice wine, tuak, which the Iban makes. Comfortable guesthouses are also available for visitors. Performances, which are really not to be missed, are on twice a day, at 11:30 am and again at 4:30 pm.