Kuala Lumpur, Malacca and the South West
The most advanced and most densely populated region with the most historical sites in the country.
Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia, was towards the end of the 19th Century, founded. Its architecture reflects the cosmopolitan mix of Malaysian, Chinese, Indian and European cultures. The Tasek Perdana Lake Gardens are a wonderful park for picnics, boat rides and walks. Within the gardens are Parliament House and National Monument. Very near the National Museum with historic exhibits. Near the station stands the National Mosque, not far from here you can find the old Chinese temple Chan See Yuen and the Indian temple of Sri Mahamarianman. In the 50-year-old Central Market you can watch craftsmen at work. A few miles north of the city are the Batu Caves. These natural caves are reached by 272 steps and house the shrine of the Hindu god Subramanian. In the nearby cave museum you will find a colorful collection of statues and wall paintings of Indian mythology. Templar Park is located 22 km outside the capital and is a rain forest with jungle trails, lagoons and waterfalls.
Petaling Jaya is located between the airport and Kuala Lumpur. Originally intended only as an accommodation facility, the site has rapidly become a popular center with international hotels, restaurants and nightclubs. In the vicinity there are four excellent golf courses.
Port Dickson is located about a half hour drive south of Kuala Lumpur and has a 18 km long beach. The sandy beaches are ideal for water sports and fishing, water skiing, motor boats and deep sea equipment can be rented.
Port Kelang, Malaysia’s largest port. The city is famous for its fish restaurants.
Malacca, two hours drive from Kuala Lumpur, was the beginning of the 15th Century was founded and is a predominantly Chinese city remained, however, one finds plenty of reminders of the Portuguese, Dutch and British rule, including the Metropolitan Museum. Among the architectural products include the Cheng Hoon Teng Temple, the gate of the Portuguese fortress A-Formosa, the St. Paul’s Church with the grave of St Xavier, Stadthuys, the Dutch Christ Church and the Mosque Tranquerah One of the oldest mosques in the country. There are several international hotels in Malacca. A resort with a wide range of leisure activities is located 12 km outside the city.
The trip south to Johor Baharu of Malacca and Singapore through Muar and Batu Pahat.
Penang, Langkawi and Pangkor
The island of Penang is located off the northwestern coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Penang is not only a remarkably beautiful tropical island with palm trees and sandy beaches, but also the gateway to northern Malaysia. The natural harbor is one of the most important in the country. The third longest bridge in the world connects Penang to the mainland, but there are also ferries to Butterworth.
Georgetown is the only city in the island. Most stores are located in Campbell Street and in the Canarvon Street. Worth a visit are the Khoo Kongsi, an old Chinese extended family house, Fort Cornwallis, a British fort from the 18th Century, the Penang Museum and Art Gallery of the numerous churches, temples and mosques.
In addition, the island has some of the most beautiful beaches in the country, such as Batu Ferringghi on the north coast. One of the most unusual sights of the island is the Snake Temple with a variety of poisonous snakes that are benumbed with incense. The interior of the island is the 700 m high Penang Hill. A lovely little hotel on the summit can be reached by cable car.
Located north of Penang, and more than 100 km are the 99 islands of Langkawi, many of which are nothing more than coral reefs. The largest of these islands is the island of Langkawi, the only one that has adapted well to tourists. In addition, the island has been declared a free port, so that duty-free shopping available. There are already several fully equipped hotel complexes. The many small bays and lagoons for swimming, sailing, fishing and diving. Horseback riding, boat trips to the smaller islands, and golfing are also possible. The islands are made of Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Alur Setar to reach by plane, and there are ferry connections.
A rarely-visited natural paradise is the Pangkor Island, about 100 km south of Penang (30 minutes by ferry from Lumut). There are two international hotels. Numerous bays and beaches make the hearts of all water sports enthusiasts beat faster. More recently, flight services are offered to Pangkor.
The resorts in the mountains
The backbone of Malaysia’s (the north-south running mountain chain) resorts scattered all over 1400 meters above sea level and provide her with cooler weather, a respite from the often oppressive heat of the cities and plains.
Genting Highlands is only an hour’s drive from Kuala Lumpur. Here is (take your passport) is the only casino in the country. A regular helicopter service links the tourist center of the capital. There are four hotels, golf courses with clubhouse, an artificial lake, a sports center and swimming pool.
100 km north of Kuala Lumpur and in the jungle Fraser Hill is popular with tourists and golfers. A variety of other sports is also offered. The plant is self-contained, holiday homes and an international hotel available. There is a daily shuttle service to the Merlin Hotel.
Farther north (approx. 4 hours) of Kuala Lumpur is located in Cameron Highlands. Three settlements are part of this mountainous resort area, one of the most famous in Asia Brichang, Tanah Rata and Ringlet. The leisure facilities include tennis, golf, squash, badminton, jungle walks and swimming. From here you can offer tours to Gunung Brichang, which is populated with 2064 m the highest point of the Malay Peninsula.
The East Coast
There are numerous beaches, some are among the loneliest in all of Asia. This region covers two-thirds of the Malay Peninsula and consists of the states of Kelantan, Pahang, Johor and the islands of Tioman and Rawa. Daily flights to Kuala Lumpur with the MH Kota Bahru connect, Kuantan, Kuala Terengganu and Kota Bahru to Penang. Air-conditioned buses link most major cities in the country with the east coast. During the monsoon rains the roads are often impassable.
Kuantan, Pahang’s capital, is becoming increasingly popular as a holiday.
Cherating was Asia’s first Club Med holiday village of and is located 45 km north of Kuantan. This area is also Malaysia’s Loch Ness, Lake Chini. Except in spring, the lake is covered all over with Lotus, boat trips are possible.
Malaysia’s largest national park, Taman Negara is situated in the north of the state. This park, the oldest rainforest in the world (about 130 million years old) is surrounded, mostly natural and a popular destination for nature lovers. To the heart of the park to get to a combined rail, automotive and three-hour boat ride. The accommodations are simple and limited, early booking is recommended.
On the coast of Pahang in the South China Sea lies the island of Tioman, the largest of 64 volcanic islands of this group and an absolute must for the avid scuba diver. The islands are accessible by boat, helicopter or small plane from Mersing, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.
In the state of Terengganu, there are white sandy beaches of total length 225 km. Swimming and other water sports are the best pastime.
The northern Kelantan state bordering Thailand. The beaches near Kota Bahru are clean and relatively untouched and the sea perfect for swimming, diving and fishing. Are some of the numerous cultural festivals in Malaysia it only in that State.
Johor Baharu in Johor state is good by rail and road to reach. Two dams connect the island to Singapore. Worth Johor Lama, the seat of the Sultans of Johor are after her eviction from Malacca; the Kota Tinggi waterfalls, the ceramic factories of Ayer Hitam and Muar, famous throughout the country by Ghazal music and the trance-like state-inducing Kuda-Kepang Dance . In this region there are numerous rubber and palm oil plantations. Desaru is the newest seaside resort, fine sandy beach goes on here in dense jungle. The sports on offer range from swimming, canoeing and snorkeling to horseback riding, golfing, and jungle walks. Accommodation is in hotels and houses built in the Malaysian style. From Mersing on the coast, ferries to the island of Tioman.
Sabah and Sarawak
Sabah and Sarawak are located 950 km from the Malaysian peninsula on the island of Borneo. Direct flights over the South China Sea connect these states with Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.
Sabah offers visitors both one of the oldest tropical rainforests in the world and one of Southeast Asia’s highest peak, Mount Kinabalu. The largest part of the ascent can be mastered with the car, the last leg is possible only on foot. This region is ideal for expeditions and rock climbing. The Mount Kinabalu National Park offers more than 500 bird species and more than 800 orchid species a habitat. Overnight accommodations are available.
Kota Kinabalu, the capital was, from the ruins of the 2nd World War II destroyed Jesselton rebuilt. Landmark of the city is the State Mosque. A good view over the city is possible from the top of Signal Hill.
A little further south lies the resort of Tanjung Aru, which was built for tourists and business travelers. There are conference and meeting rooms and a regular shuttle service to town. The small islands off the coast are part of a marine national park and are ideal for sunbathing, swimming and snorkeling.
By car you can reach in half an hour Tuaran. The road from Kota Kinabalu through gentle green valleys, rubber plantations and forested hills. The city has a good Tamu (market). In the vicinity is Mengkabong, a stilt village in a lagoon where you can only move by boat. Sandakan, Borneo, the ancient capital, nearly 400 km from Kota Kinabalu is located. The Sanctuary is home to the Sepilok Orangutan largest herd in the world, and is 24 km away from Sandakan.
Tenom in the region to get from Kota Kinabalu on Sabah’s only railway. This follows the Padas River through the narrow jungle gorges in the Crocker Mountains. The architectural style of the longhouses in the city Temonen has remained unchanged for centuries, as well as the traditional songs and dances listed here.
In the northwestern coastal region of Borneo is the state of Sarawak. The residents use the most extensive waterways as transportation, but in larger towns, there are also taxis and rental cars.
Kuching, the financial and commercial center of the state on the banks of the Sarawak River, is situated on the banks of the vast rain forests and mountains. Pile villages attract the banks along the rivers. A visit to the Sarawak Museum provides an excellent overview of the history, flora, fauna and anthropology of Borneo. Excursions are offered along the river Skrang, you stay in longhouses. River trips to Santubong, an ancient trading post on the coast, are also recommended.
Very interesting is the animal and plant life of about 26 square miles Bako National Park. Tours are from Kuching. Another trip offers itself over to the Niah Caves, Miri. Here one finds traces of human existence dating back to 40,000 years. Many caves can be explored with a guide, some are relatively easy to achieve. The Gunung Mulu National Park has interesting caves and bizarre rock formations. Other excursions are boat trips up the rivers, such as the Rejang. It is important here, passing many traditional longhouses.
