Attractions of Malaysia

Melaka

Melaka was founded in the 15th century and soon became an important trading port on the route between the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It underwent three successive periods of European rule (Portuguese, Dutch and British) before gaining independence with Malaysia in 1957. This historic heritage and a cosmopolitan cultural mix makes Melaka a fascinating town to explore. Attractions of note include the tomb of Huang Kasturi, Cheng Hoon Teng Temple (the oldest Chinese temple in Malaysia) and the Kampung Kling Mosque but Melaka's highlight is wandering the old, narrow streets, shopping for antiques and tasting the distinctive Nyonya cuisine at the many open air restaurants.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Melaka and George Town, Historic Cities of the Straits of Malacca

Penang Island, just off the north-western coast of Malaysia, has been dubbed the "Pearl of the Orient". Its capital George Town was an historic trading port and was ruled by the British between the 18th and 20th centuries. With one of the most diverse populations in Asia, it's a fascinating town to wander and explore its rich cultural heritage and sample the huge variety of cuisines available. Sites of interest include Fort Cornwallis (built in 1808 to defend the island) and the Chinese Clan bridge houses built on stilts. Elsewhere on Penang you can visit Wat Chayamangkalaram, a Thai architectural Buddhist Temple which houses a 32 metre reclining Buddha, the majestic Kek Lok Si Temple and the Botanical Gardens as well as numerous villages, beaches and mosques and Buddhist temples.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Melaka and George Town, Historic Cities of the Straits of Malacca

Taman Negara National Park contains rainforest that is believed to be the oldest in the world, dating back 130 million years. The park can be explored through forest trails, boat rides or for a different perspective by walking along the 400 metre Canopy Walk, a rope bridge situated above the forest treetops. The diversity of species found in the park is predictably huge, from exotic plants to butterflies and birdlife such as kingfishers and eagles.

Situated at 1800 metres above sea level the Cameron Highlands were the location for a series of villages and hill stations built by the British to escape the heat and humidity of the lower altitudes. Today the region has maintained its English character and is a good location for picturesque forest and mountain walks in the refreshing air. The highlands are also known for their tea plantations which can be visited alongside a trip to a tea factory.

Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur, or KL, is a fascinating city combining the traditional with the modern and with a vibrant and diverse ethnic mix. Its most prominent features include Merdeka Square, the Petronas Towers (the world’s tallest twin-towered buildings) and the 421 metre tall Menara Kuala Lumpur, which offers great views of the city. KL has strong Indian and Chinese, as well as Malay, influences and some of the best markets and restaurants in the region. Close to KL at Kampung Kuantan is one of the world's largest colonies of fireflies, producing a spectacular synchronised and rhythmic display at night. You can also visit the Batu Caves to explore the vast underground chambers of stalactites and stalagmites.

Lenggong Valley is home to four archaeological sites which constitute one of the longest records of early man in a single locality, and the oldest outside the African continent. Spanning 2 million years with remains from the Palaeolithic, Neolithic and Metal ages, the site features open-air and cave sites with Palaeolithic tool workshops.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Archaeological Heritage of the Lenggong Valley

Kuching is the capital of Sarawak and is a charming city with a wealth of historic buildings and a vibrant mix of different ethnic groups. Its attractions include the Astana - a 19th century white palace that is home to the Governor of Sarawak, Fort Margherita - located on a hill opposite the waterfront which protected the town from invaders and the Sarawak Museum which has excellent historic and ethnological exhibits. Kuching is also a wonderful city for strolling in its historic centre and along the waterfront as well as being a great spot for buying souvenirs. Close to Kuching is the Sarawak Cultural Village where you can learn about Sarawak's many different ethnic groups.

Semenggoh Orangutan Centre

Like Sepilok in Sabah, Semenggoh Orangutan Centre near Kuching in Sarawak helps to rehabilitate injured and orphaned orangutans before releasing them into the wild. Massive destruction of their habitat in recent years with the spread of palm oil plantations has had a devastating effect on orangutan numbers and centres like these are helping to preserve this beautiful and intelligent creature, the only great ape found outside Africa. At Semenggoh, you can watch semi-wild orangutans come out of the forest during feeding time, perhaps your best opportunity to see these amazing animals.

Bako National Park is located on the beautiful Muara Tebas Peninsula. It is the oldest and smallest national park in Sarawak but with a variety of habitats and landscapes. There are beaches and sandstone cliffs along the coastline as well as rainforest, jungle streams and waterfalls with plenty of trekking trails for exploration. The wildlife living in the park include proboscis and silver leaf monkeys, long tail macaques, wild boars and monitor lizards.

Batang Ai

Perhaps the true highlight of a trip to Borneo is travelling deep into the Borneo rainforest and staying there with traditional tribes. Of the options available, Batang Ai, east of Kuching, is one of the best. This area is home to the Iban tribe, the largest and most vibrant of Sarawak's 22 tribal groups, who live with extended family groups in traditional longhouses by rivers on the edge of the jungle. In times past the Iban used to be known as head-hunters but today they live through fishing and ecotourism. Trekking through the jungle can be strenuous and humid but is a perfect opportunity to experience unspoilt wilderness and search elusive orangutans and or their nests. Bathing in the rivers or at Enseluai Waterfall offers ideal relaxation after trekking, in addition to learning about Iban customs and trying their rice wine.

Gunung Mulu National Park in eastern Sarawak covers 529 km² and is an area of remarkable biodiversity. It's best known for its karst features - pinnacles which are blades of rock that project through the rainforest canopy and underground caves, of which 295 kilometres have been identified, believed to be 2-3 million years old. Wind Cave has impressive stalactite and stalagmite formations and some of the longest tunnels in the world. Clearwater Cave has a river winding through its centre, which is over 100 kilometres long. The enormous Deer Cave is home to 32 million bats and watching them leave the cave in the late afternoon in search of food is an extraordinary site. The park also contains the world’s longest tree canopy walkway, allowing you to view the forest and spot some of the resident wildlife.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Gunung Mulu National Park

Kota Kinabalu

Kota Kinabalu is the capital of the state of Sabah, located on the northern Borneo coast on the South China Sea. The city has an interesting blend of European, Malay, Chinese and Filipino cultures. Sites of interest include the Sabah State Museum and the contemporary Islamic architecture of the State Mosque. A 15 minute boat ride from Kota Kinabalu takes you to the five beautiful coral islands of the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, including Gaya, Sapi and Manukan. Here you can enjoy the pristine white beaches and warm, clear waters or go diving or snorkelling to explore the coral reef.

Mount Kinabalu

Mount Kinabalu at 4,095 metres is the highest mountain in southeast Asia (outside of New Guinea). Scaling the mountain requires a strenuous two day trek, starting at Park headquarters at 1,900 metres and trekking to base camp at Laban Rata at 3,270 metres. From here a pre-dawn ascent takes three hours to reach the top and enjoy spectacular views with the sun rising over the misty emerald jungles of Sabah on one side and the blue waters of the South China Sea on the other. Kinabalu Park itself has a wide range of habitats that are passed on the climb, ranging from tropical rainforest to mountain forest and up to alpine terrain. It also has a huge diversity of plant and animal life, with over 6,000 plant species (including orchids, pitchers and Rafflesia - a rare parasitic plant with the world's biggest flower) and almost 300 bird species.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Kinabalu Park

Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre

Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre was set up in 1964 and covers over 4,000 hectares. It is one of only three orangutan sanctuaries in the world, designed to rehabilitate injured and orphaned orangutans and teach them the skills required for them to survive in the wild. There has been massive destruction of the rainforests of Borneo and Sumatra in recent years to make way for palm oil plantations and this has had a devastating effect on orangutan habitat and numbers. Orangutans are the only great ape found outside Africa and are beautiful and intelligent creatures who captivate all those who see them. Being solitary and shy animals, it is very difficult to spot orangutans in the wild, so centres like Sepilok offer a great opportunity to see these apes swinging through the trees at feeding time.

The Kinabatangan River is the longest in Borneo and as it meanders through the Sukau Rainforest it creates a flood plain that makes it an excellent environment for wildlife viewing. River cruises along the Kinabatangan enable spotting of proboscis and leaf monkeys, orangutans, Bornean gibbon, Asian pygmy elephants, long tailed macaques, sun bears, clouded leopards and barking deer, as well as over 200 bird species including frogmouth, hornbill, egret and oriole.

The Danum Valley is the largest protected lowland rainforest area in Asia, measuring some 430 km². It is home to 274 bird species and 110 mammal species, many of which are rare and endangered. From a base at the Borneo Rainforest Lodge, there are many trails through the jungle that allow you to look for orangutans, giant flying squirrels, gibbons, bearded wild boars, flying frogs, Asian elephant and the extremely endangered Sumatran rhinoceros. Night drives may enable spotting of nocturnal species such as civet, sambar deer, leopard cat, slow loris or clouded leopard.