Wonders of West Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur is a diversity cultural melting pot, where jade-topped Chinese gates open out onto palm-lined squares, Indian restaurants serve banana leaf curries in marigold-scented alleyways, and old-fashioned Malay villages lie squeezed between the skyscrapers. Founded in 1857 under British rule as a tin mining outpost, Kuala Lumpur is fairly new as far as Malaysian cities go and does not have the rich history like Georgetown or Malacca. After a couple of decades of fluctuation, Kuala Lumpur began to prosper and was made capital of the Federated Malay States in 1896. Today, Kuala Lumpur is the capital of one of the economic powerhouses of Asia. Kuala Lumpurites come in all sorts. Malaysian and Chinese make up 80 percent of the population, and about 7 percent are Indians. Among the rest are offspring of intermarriages between races. Most Kuala Lumpurites speak at least two languages, one of which is Malay, or Bahasa Malaysia, the national language; some speak up to five – including Chinese and Indian dialects.

Melaka, or Malacca as it is previously known, is one of the most important port cities in the history of world trade. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site declared in 2008, Melaka showcases a fusion of Asian and European influences. It is also a perfect example of the perfect mix of different cultures and religions in Southeast Asia. Melaka’s history started as an independent sultanate. Later on, the Portuguese conquered it during its explorations in the 16th century. Some signs of Portuguese occupation still remain. After that, it became part of the Dutch empire. Most of the colonial buildings in the city came from that period. Situated in the Malacca Strait that connects the South Asian Sea and Europe to the East, the city was once the seat of the Malay Kingdom and has gone through several periods of prosperity as well as neglect. The city now offers a blend of cultural heritage, vibrant street art, and mouthwatering cuisine. It is well known for its colonial architecture, unique Nyonya traditions and colorful old town. For a visit, the historic city of Melaka is divided into two core zones on either side of the Melaka River. The first is St Paul's Hill Civic Zone with a number of government buildings, museums, churches, urban squares and the original fortress town from the 16th century Portuguese and Dutch periods. The second, on the other side of the river, is the Historic Residential and Commercial Zone, with more than 600 shophouses, commercial and residential buildings, religious buildings and tombs. A visit on foot along the old streets of Melaka past its ruins reflecting the rich history of hundreds of years of Asian and European influence, that will showcase Melaka's cosmopolitan journey over the centuries.

Langkawi is an archipelago of 99 islands in the Andaman Sea, 30 km off the mainland coast of Kedah state. It is a famous destination in Malaysia due to its natural white sand beaches, lush jungle foliage, craggy mountain peaks and duty-free status, where alcohol is affordable. Well known due to its astounding nature on show, there are plenty of attractions in Langkawi with lots of idyllic beaches, sparkling waterfalls and wonderfully wild nature parks to explore. In the north of Langkawi island lies Kilim Geoforest Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site declared in 2007, featuring diverse flora and fauna, striking limestone karsts, caves, lagoons and mangrove forests. This area is made up of three river estuaries that attract wildlife such as sea otters, brown-winged kingfishers, sea eagles and swimming macaques. The best way to explore the reserve’s canals and waterways is by kayak. A guided tour will take you along a maze of trails, through the mangrove jungles lining the water and into limestone caves, including the Bat Cave (Gua Kelawar) where you can view stalagmites and stalactites as well as hundreds of insectivorous bats. Home to condensed rainforests stretched out to the entire island, Langkawi offers wide range of trekking from easy to extreme levels to cater for adventurers' all kinds of need. Most of the trekking trails and hiking routes in the island follow the slopes leading to the two highest mountains Gunung Raya and Gunung Mat Cincang where hundred of years old giant tall trees, rare birds and stunning flowers can be found.

Penang is a state on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Geographically, the state consists of Penang Island, and Seberang Perai, the mainland strip facing the island, which are separated by a small stretch of the Strait of Malacca. Penang is rich in culture and history, with a unique mix of Malay, Chinese, Indian and British influences. Visitors will find Penang brimming with charming historic buildings, ornate religious sites, sandy beaches, kampungs surrounded by rice paddies, vast unbeaten jungles, all topped with a splash of bustling city life. The unique way in which cultures have melded in Penang may be best represented in the food. Frequently voted among Asia’s top locations to eat street food, the blend of Malay, Chinese, Indian and European culinary traditions makes for an unforgettable banquet of taste sensations. Once was a British colonial holding, Penang has an abundance of classical Victorian architecture, particularly in the capital city, Georgetown. History buffs and architecture lovers in particular will appreciate the colonial-era Penang City Hall, Fort Cornwallis and the Penang State Museum. Part of Penang’s charm is that within minutes of admiring colonial architecture you can be wandering among the colorful statues of the Burmese Buddhist Temple or admiring the peaceful geometric patterns of the Kapitan Keling Mosque. Don’t miss the superb Pinang Peranakan Mansion, where the opulent lifestyle enjoyed by the wealthy Chinese Straits families has been recreated with antique furnishings from all over the world. If you enjoy getting back to nature, take a hike in the Penang National Park. Visit the nearby Penang Butterfly Farm for a colorful adventure the entire family will enjoy. And don’t miss the tropical spice garden, one of Malaysia’s premier eco-tourism attractions with more 100 herbs and spices growing wild.

Ipoh is the capital of Perak and the third-largest city in Malaysia. Located between George Town and Kuala Lumpur, it is a popular destination for lovers of adventure, art, heritage, and architecture. Unlike other parts of the country, Ipoh is laid-back and simple – a bit of colonial, a bit of jungle, and a smattering of Southeast Asian food and culture. Split into two halfs by the River Kinta, the little town has the old town on the west side and the new town on the east. One can see the ancient temples and colonial architecture in the old part and modern shopping complexes in the new part. Explore all the historical sites in the old town with a walk along the heritage trail about four miles length and three to four hours to complete. The trail will take you past all the most famous colonial buildings in the city, beginning from Ipoh’s Railway Station, as well as a number of shop houses that date from the Second World War. Ipoh is surrounded by a vast, limestone cave system, some of which have been turned into temples by the local Buddhists. The three most important sites are Ling Sen Tong Cave Temple, Sam Poh Tong Temple, and Kek Lok Tong Cave Temple. Among them, Sam Poh Tong Temple with an array of Buddha statues is considered to be the biggest temple in Malaysia and attracts crowds year-round. Ipoh is one of the most concentrated Chinese places in Malaysia. Its most famous laneway, Concubine Lane, is full of red lanterns reminding the image of an ancient Chinese town. Along two sides of the road are restaurants, fashion outlets and souvenir shops in traditional Chinese and European architectural styles. Take a walk at Concubine Lane in ancient views and enjoy Chinese food are unforgettable experiences for each visitor. There is some delicious Chinese food that can’t be missed such as Hainan chicken rice, Chinese tofu, fish ball noodles...

Cameron Highlands is a gorgeous hill station situated in Pahang, Peninsular Malaysia. The area is named after William Cameron, a British government surveyor who discovered the area in 1885 during a mapping expedition. During the colonial occupation era, Cameron Highlands gained fame due to its cool climate, attracting the British for a perfect summer retreat. Consequently, this hill station retains a quintessentially old English atmosphere with mock Tudor hotels serving tea in the afternoon and gin and tonics in the evenings. Cameron Highlands is well known for interesting hiking trails that are well kept, making things very easy experts and beginners alike. One of the most popular is the mystical Mossy Forest, the oldest forest in the area. It is known for the convoluted trees covered in moss that gives it an enchanted forest look. The paths have been mostly covered by wooden bridges making it quite an easy trek. For adventure lovers, there is a network of jungle trails taking in most of the major attractions and when combined with the roads will allow you to walk through most of the best areas from town to town. Most of the trails start, end, or can be combined with other trails to bring you to and from Tanah Rata. Cameron Highlands is also home to numerous agricultural farms where visitors can obtain fresher-than-fresh produce. One can visit a sweet-smelling strawberry plantation, a sprawling tea estate, or a prickly cactus farm for sightseeing.