It is multicultural, as evidenced by Malaysia‘s location at the crossroads of Asia and its foreign maritime historical context. The Malaysian, Chinese, Indian, and European cultures have a distinct Malaysian identity. It extends across the Malay peninsula and in northern Borneo, two eastern states, Sabah and Sarawak. This is a dream for nature lovers, with some of the finest rain forests and coral reefs in South-East Asia. Culture buffs love ethnic diversity and different layers of history, while foodies enjoy ample, cheap street food.
George Town
George Town has vivid art of street architecture and historic architecture. Try barbeque-sized fish balls, baby octopus, satay, or baby stick on a large Gurney Drive Market. Kafe Kheng Ping, crevices for crevasses, pork, and tofu, all cut with sticky brown sauce is closer to the city. Every night, pushcart hawkers in Chulia Street distribute classics such as char away noodles and a fishy soup, Assam laksa. A fun way to experience the delights of George Town is a food tour with a guide who knows the secret gems of the region.
Diving in Pulau Sipadan
Sipadan Island is a 600-meter high, coral reef-encrusted pinnacle off Sabah’s east coast. The island is an ancient volcanic remnant. Powerful currents offer an outstanding ecosystem and you can find a lot of barracuda and trevally turtles, sharks, and tornadoes. Philippine rebels have abducted them, and although Malaysia’s navy is now protecting the area, some insurance firms will not cover visits to Sipadan. No lodging is available on Sipadan, and dives are quota rationed. Seaventures Diverig has a converted oil rig as one of the leading operators near Sipadan.
Melaka
UNESCO Melaka is a listed World Heritage site for cultural enjoyment. For centuries this town was a key trading justify and the Portuguese, Dutch and British were fighting for it. Historic locations from everywhere are still preserved, and the middle is immaculately preserved, with rusty red buildings and colorful shrines. Before Europeans, Chinese merchants have come to Melaka and the Straits of China (Peranakan) has a strong culture. Take a tour of the Museum of Heritage Baba and Nyonya (an old townhouse of Peranakan) to learn more about the past.
Madam Kwan
Nasi lemak – the non-efficiently prepared national dish that includes fragrant coconut rice and a wide variety of façades including chicken fried, fried egg, peanuts, fried small fish, and spicy sambal sauce. Madam Kwan’s Nasi Lemak has been named the best by the Malaysian Ministry of Tourism. Mrs. Kwan has been running her restaurants since 1977, and from 5 am, every morning at the age of 84, she is still busy cooking. You may also run into Mrs. Kwan herself at Bangsar or Suria KSCC.
Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
Orangutans live in Borneo, although the devotional apes are endangered by the pet trade and habitat destruction. The rehabilitation justify is located along the forest reserve of Kabili-Sepilok, which cares for orphans and wounded animals. Young orangutans can be watched in their outdoor kindergarten where they can dance, wrestle, and swing. A feeding platform complements their wild diets for older animals, which are already released into the forest. Feeding happens every day at 10 am and 15 pm.
Pulau Perhentian
Pulau Perhentian is confusingly referring to two islands. Perhentian Besar, perfect for leisure and upmarket hotels, and Perhentian Kecil, the tiny island of Long Beach is a spot for party people. You can snorkel with turtle and harmless blacktip sharks if you can snorkel from the hammock or go deeper on a dive trip to the outskirts. Inland walking tracks or a water taxi are only available for travel.
Batu Cave temples
A giant gold statue of the Hindu god, Lord Murugan, guards Batu’s Caves. If you are passing by, take the 272 steps, past the brandishing apes, and enter the chalky caves, which contain significant religious features of Hindu temples (which feature decorated mural and statues). Do not miss the remarkable festival of Thaipusam when tourists, many impaled with skewers, are on a journey from the city to the caves in a trance. When you visit in late January or early February, do not miss it.
Mount Kinabalu
Every year, Mount Kinabalu attracts thousands of walkers to its 4,095 meters. There are several routes; a climb by Ferrata is included (clip-on cable traverse). Starting from a steamy rainforest, the journey goes up across various climate zones to a cold barren rock top. The mountain has amazing biodiversity of plants, including the largest flower in the world, the one-meter Rafflesia, which stinks like rotting flesh. You will ascend the darkness to see dawn over Sabah’s roofs after a night at the simple lodge. Reservations and guides are compulsory. Numbers are limited.
Deer Cave
Deer Cave is home to the Gunung Mulu National Park, the world’s largest public cave. Within the tunnel, a sinkhole about one kilometer in length and up to 300 meters deep, cloaking with rainforest on the ground, opens to the Garden of Eden. This cave is called home in daylight hours by about three million bats. Continue to see the bats gush from a cave en masse, wheeling and spinning like a single thing before the dusk.
Cameron Highlands
The Cameron Highlands is 1829 meters high and the cooler air offers a welcome break from sweat. The British developed the Cameron Highlands during colonial times for leisure and built beautiful bungalows that blend with a less inspiring architecture today. Tea plantations were also carried by the British and the Boh Sungai Palas Tea Estate features a tour and a modern café with glorious green views. There are also strawberry fields and nature trails on the Cameron Highlands.
