|
Peninsular Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur
One of South East Asia's most developed cities, KL (as it
is universally known) is home to the world's tallest building,
the Petronas Twin Towers. Current city planning regulations
require all new buildings to have a unique design, resulting
in unusual feats of architecture and an intriguing skyline.
Yet, the city is not merely a concrete jungle. Surrounded
by beautiful old colonial buildings, Merdeka Square is
the symbolic heart of the city and the focal point for national
events and celebrations. Numerous mosques, such as the appealing
Masjid Jamek, provide retreats from the streets, while
the Lake Gardens offers 92 hectares of flora and fauna
for exploration.
Malaysia's multicultural heritage is apparent with a vibrant
Chinatown, bustling Indian quarter and the Golden
Triangle area, zone of skyscrapers, shopping and nightlife.
Melaka (Malacca)
Billed as Malaysia's most historic city, the old port of Melaka
exudes nostalgia for a colonial past. Junks sail upriver,
trishaws traverse the streets and there are plenty of old
architectural gems and temples to explore.
Old Melaka is home to a variety of antique shops and
traditional temples, including the colourful Cheng Hoon
Teng Temple, built in authentic Chinese style. Other landmarks
include the Portuguese ruins of St Paul's Church, which
overlook the city on top of St Paul's Hill, and the
replica of the Sultanate Palace at the foot of the
hill, which houses the Cultural Museum of Melaka.
Pulau Pinang (Penang Island)
The oldest British settlement in the country, Penang is also
full of history. The capital city of Georgetown has
a distinct Chinese flavour with its ancient trades, winding
streets and traditional hawker stalls - yet colonial traces
still remain, most notably in the architecture.
Historic temples of all religions exist all across the island.
Most famous of these are the Snake Temple, now mainly
inhabited by snakes that have been deliberately brought in
for tourists; the Kuan Yin Temple, or Goddess of Mercy
temple; the impressive Kek Lok Si Buddhist Temple and
the Thai-style Wat Chayamangkalaram, which houses a
reclining Buddha.
Penang's beaches tend to be somewhat overrated, although
they are pleasant enough for most holidaymakers. Batu Ferringhi
is the main beach, and the nicest. Other attractions are based
around the local flora and fauna, with the extensive Botanical
Gardens, a tropical fruit farm and beautiful Butterfly
Farm.
Tioman Island
Popular with tourists, this mountainous island off the east
coast of Peninsular Malaysia nonetheless retains its natural
beauty, boasting stunning stretches of beach, clear sparkling
water and untouched tropical jungle.
Wildlife spotting is a common pastime, with exotic lizards,
deer and birds living inland and a whole host of coral and
marine life in the South China Sea. Snorkelling, swimming
and scuba diving are the principal activities on this island
and are hugely rewarding.
East Malaysia
Sarawak
|
