Amazing Places to Visit in Malaysia
The new Visit Malaysia Year 2020 logo was unveiled recently by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. The new logo features various icons of the country, including the hornbill, a hibiscus, a wild fern, and it bears the colours of the Jalur Gemilang.
The logo with its tagline "Visit Truly Asia Malaysia" is designed by 23-year-old Alfred Phua Hong Fook, inspired by a batik design and represents the diversity of Malaysia’s culture, heritage, flora and fauna.
Malaysia should be right at the top of your list of must-visit countries in 2020 when planning your vacation or your next meeting and conference.
1. Kuala Lumpur - Diverse Cultures
The name Kuala Lumpur means "muddy confluence" in Malay; kuala is the point where two rivers join together or an estuary and lumpur means "mud". The city is an intriguing palimpsest of architectural styles, distinct neighborhoods and cultural influences from all over Asia.It’s a city that rewards walking, too. In a single day you can easily sample the delicious fusion food of a thriving China Town, marvel at the intricate interior spaces of the National Mosque, or witness a ceremony at Sri Mahamariamman Temple. Bukit Bintang is the place to stay for street food, night markets and nightlife.
2. Amaze by Petronas Towers
The Petronas Twin Towers, the world’s tallest buildings from 1998 to 2004, is a testament to Malaysia’s emergence on the world stage. These two towers stand at an impressive 1,500 feet tall which is linked by a viewing platform on the 42nd floor for an expansive view of the city. Once you are back on ground level, explore the beautiful, green gardens of KLCC park. Wait around until the sun sets for the fabulous light show which takes place every evening across the artificial lake. You’ll love seeing the Twin Towers majestically light up in the darkness. Dine out at one of the many modern fusion restaurants around KLCC, and then head to the Heli Lounge Bar, which is where you can find the best view in the city. From the converted helipad turned bar on top of a skyscraper, you’ll get a 360-degree view of all of KL.
3. Mountain Ranges of Malaysia
Let’s start with the tallest mountain in Malaysia. Mount Kinabalu’s horn-shaped peak rises majestically above the surrounding rain forest of Mount Kinabalu National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Sabah, Borneo.
Gunung Tahan, Pahang is the most challenging mountain. It’s generally considered to be the most difficult mountain to ascend in the entire country because it can only be reached after long trek through the jungle. The trek is more than 100 kilometres long and traverses other mountains, crosses rivers and runs through rainforests. This is a mountain that should only be tackled by experienced trekkers and with a guide.
Located in its own national park, legendary Gunung Ledang is the highest mountain in the state of Johor and is located only a couple of hours by car from both Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. Its accessibility and spectacular natural scenery makes this a very popular mountain.
Cameron Highlands in North-Western state of Pahang is the perfect antidote to city life. Here, verdant tea plantations, stunning waterfalls and natural swimming pools nestle alongside fruit orchards and fields bursting with flowers, combining to create a region that feels like one big botanical garden.Go fruit picking, swim beneath the Thompson Falls or learn about the region’s history in the fabulous Time Tunnel museum. Cameron Highlands has a hundred ways to help you relax in nature.
4. Hit the beaches
Malaysia is known for its world-class beach destinations with a grand total of 878 islands and archipelagos.
Long Beach in Perhentian Kecil, Terrenganu has beautiful crystal clear water, perfect weather, and fun nightlife. Stop by at Perhentian Besar and visit the stunning island Turtle Beach to get up close and personal with native turtles and to snorkel with reef sharks. Don’t miss the turquoise waters of Coral Beach on the stunning Redang Island, a world-class diving and snorkeling destination. Tropical fish are aplenty and you could easily while away an entire day here simply lapping up the sun.
Monkey Bay located on the west coast of Tioman Island, Pahang is so remote it can only be accessed by boat or via a jungle trail. It’s a small beach paradise inhabited by lots of monkeys!This sweeping bay has a beautiful beach with a calm pool of sea water and lush rainforest surroundings. Conversely, the trail connects to Air Batang (ABC Village). Starting from there, it is an undulating two-hour trail through Panuba Bay and Monkey Beach before it hits the bay. Managing to retain much of its pre-tourist influx charm, Juara Beach is often referred to by visitors as “paradise on Earth”. Tucked away on the east coast of Tioman Island, this beach is quite difficult to access, but the effort is well worth it.
One of the irresistible beach experience in breathtaking Langkawi Island, Kedah is Pantai Cenang. With palms, coconut and other trees fringing the beach, it offers awesome view of the ocean and the islands close by. You can find all kinds of water-sport activities from various points along the beach. Filled with fantastic nightlife, eateries, drinking duty free beers and meeting people from around the world. The water is ideal for swimming, the soft white sand is glorious, and it’s the best place to base yourself while exploring Langkawi!!
5. Sample the best cuisine and nightlife in vibrant Penang
Renowned as a mecca for travelers seeking the world’s best street food, Penang was known as Pulau Pinang or the “Isle of the Betel Nut”. Listed as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in 2008, this virgin paradise has no shortage of cultural sights and natural scenery. Some of the most interesting sites of Penang include the sandy beaches of Tanjung Bungah, the landscape from the summit of Penang Hill and the vipers in the Snake Temple. Beyond its famous, and often very spicy, Penang curry, there are other culinary delights to explore such as the Penang Asam Laksa, Char Koay Teow, Oyster Omelette, Penang Rojak and Teochew Chendul just to name a few.
As a port town with a cosmopolitan vibe, Georgetown, the capital of Penang, has a valid claim to be one of the best places to enjoy the nightlife in Malaysia. Straits Quay is the place to be if you want to soak up the coastal atmosphere with some drinks.
6. Fill your frame with color in Malacca
Giving access to the important trade route of the Malacca Straits, this is one of Malaysia’s most vital economic hubs and has a complex history to boot.The home of the first Sultanate, all that changed when the European colonialists came calling, and the city later fell into British, Portuguese and Dutch hands. As a result, there is now a wealth of crumbling forts, churches and museums scattered around that are like a goldmine for photographers and history buffs.
The city is also an explosion of color, especially in the area around the bright pink Anglican Christ Church, a hangover from British colonization that stands in central Malacca.
But Malacca isn’t stuck in the past; both the night markets around Jonker Walk and the street art scene are a testament to the creative buzz that keeps this city feeling lively in the modern age.
7. Get in touch with nature at Taman Negara National Park
The 130 million years old virgin rainforest is the perfect place if you love rainforest and outdoor activities. Experience walking on the world’s longest canopy walkway, visiting the aborigine village, trekking under rainforest canopy, climbing the highest mountain in Peninsular Malaysia, caving, fishing, camping, observing wildlife, and many more.
8. Visit wild Orangutans
Forming part of a 400 km2 rainforest reserve, the Danum Valley in Sabah arguably offers your best chance of seeing the 'old man of the jungle' in his natural environment. Recent studies put the number of orangutans in the area at around 500. Another popular viewing is at Kinabatangan River lined with protected reserves, making it a good place to spot not only wild orangutan, but pegmy elephants, proboscis monkeys, crocodiles and all of Borneo’s native hornbill species as well.There are very few trails and most of your wildlife viewing will be done from a boat, so bring binoculars. Otherwise, head for an oxbow lake harbouring large fruit trees. When the fruit is in season, orangutans have been known to take up residency nearby for several days