the 10 mosh beautiful in mlaysia
The 10 Most Beautiful Places to Visit in Malaysia
Malaysia
has diversity in landscapes, culture and activities. From walking
around Penang’s UNESCO-listed George Town and Malacca’s historical core,
to exploring isolated islands and spending time in Borneo’s
130-million-year old jungle, tourists have plenty of places to visit in
Malaysia. Here are our favourites.
Malacca City, Malacca
Malacca City, capital of Malacca State, oozes with history and culture. Featuring as a UNESCO World Heritage Site
since 2008, the colonial city along the Straits of Malacca attracts
visitors for its architecture, food and famous Jonker Street Night
Market. Not only has this historical city experienced periods under the
Portuguese and Dutch, but the 15th-century Malacca Sultanate is widely
considered to be the ‘Golden Age’ for Malay culture. St Paul’s Church, A
Famosa Fort and Stadthuys, the official residence of the Dutch
governor, are top attractions.
George Town, Penang
Penang
always features as one of the top places to visit in Malaysia. The
state, named after the pinang tree that looks like a palm tree, divides
between Butterworth on the mainland and George Town on Penang Island.
George Town is an open museum. The colonial district boasts a wide
selection of British buildings, churches and Fort Cornwallis. Stroll
through the streets and see traditional shophouses, each with their own
style and design. Street art and murals decorate the walls too. Combine
this history with temples, including Kek Lok Si, famous food courts, a
vibrant shopping scene and the country’s longest coffee shop and there’s little wonder why George Town is a top place to visit in Malaysia.
The Perhentians, Terengganu
The
small archipelago called the Perhentians, located in the South China
Sea off the coast of Terengganu, features as one of the most beautiful
places to visit in Malaysia. The main coral-surrounded islands consist
of the aptly named Besar and Kecil, or Big and Small. Picture white sand
stretching around sparsely populated areas with crystal clear shallow
water lapping against the shore. Favourite activities, apart from
relaxing in this little-visited tropical paradise, include scuba diving,
snorkelling and canoeing. Those planning to visit should avoid the area
during the Eastern Monsoon between March and October, when most hotels
and guesthouses close.
Danum Valley, Sabah
Danum Valley
is by far the best place to visit in Malaysia for ecotourism and to
experience untouched jungle. Located deep inside the 130
million-year-old lowland dipterocarp forest, the conservation area
boasts incredible biodiversity. Inside the 438 square kilometres, are
hundreds, if not thousands, of species of fauna, and an even greater
variety of flora, that call this area home. Lucky tourists might spot orangutans,
pygmy elephants and the clouded leopard. But the biggest appeal at
Danum Valley is the lack of human settlement, providing a purer
environment. Logging and deforestation have devastated habitats
throughout Sabah, but not inside this protected area. Activities include
jungle treks with experienced guides, night safaris and visiting
ancient Kadazan-Dusun burial sites.
Alor Setar, Kedah
Most
tourists who visit the State of Kedah end up spending their time in
Langkawi. But approximately 55 kilometres (34 miles) southeast of the
popular island sits an attractive and unexplored city called Alor Setar.
Alor Setar’s central square features the intricate Zahir Mosque, the
Big Clock Building, the Royal Hall and the Sultan Museum, with a
fountain as the centrepiece. A little further afield, tourists can visit
the 218-metre (715-feet) and 250 million-year-old Gunung Keriang
limestone hill. Head to nearby Kuala Kedah and walk through the ruins of
a 17th-century Malay fort, the oldest in Northern Malaysia.
Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Sabah’s
capital, Kota Kinabalu, might not appear beautiful at first. But behind
the malls and buildings lie stretches of gorgeous orange-sand
coastline, islands reachable within 10 minutes and the iconic floating
mosque. Head to Tanjung Aru Beach
for one of Borneo’s most spectacular sunsets or stroll along Likas Bay
and marvel at the coast and islands. The five islands, known as Tunku
Abdul Rahman Marine Park, are a favourite day trip for snorkelling,
beaches and relaxation. Drive a short distance from the city and find
untouched jungle.
Ipoh, Perak
Ipoh, the capital of Perak,
has recently enjoyed a tourist boom, thanks to Perak 2017. Referred to
as ‘The City of Bougainvillea,’ after the colourful flower and
surrounded by rugged limestone hills, once unknown Ipoh is fast becoming
a top place to visit in Malaysia. The historical core consists of
colonial buildings and traditional shophouses, while a plethora of
Buddhist and Hindu cave temples surround the city. Kellie’s Castle, an
incomplete former colonial mansion, is a short drive from the city too.
The Cameron Highlands, Pahang
The
Cameron Highlands has been among the favourite places to visit in
Malaysia since the end of the 19th century. British surveyor, William
Cameron, ‘discovered’ the region in 1885 and it has since then grown as a
tourist hotspot. The highlands range in altitude from approximately
1100 metres (3609 feet) to 1800 metres (5906 feet), producing a cooler and fresher climate.
It’s not surprising that the Cameron Highlands became British Malaya’s
largest hill station. Today, emerald green tea plantations dominate the
skyline, along with strawberry and vegetable farms. Tourists enjoy the
cooler climate and opportunities to go hiking.
Pangkor Island, Perak
Perak’s Pangkor Island,
derived from ‘Pang Ko’ in Thai and translating to ‘Beautiful Island’,
consists of a small archipelago in the Strait of Malacca. Once a haven
for fishers, sailors and pirates, and remaining unchanged for decades,
Pangkor Island gives tourists a chance to experience a relatively
undeveloped tropical paradise. With a population of just 30,000, the
main activities are relaxing on the beach, renting a motorbike and
driving around the island’s perimeter, as well as diving and
snorkelling. In Teluk Nipah on the west coast, the owner of Sunset View Chalet feeds up to 30 or more wild hornbills every night at 6:30pm.
Pulau Tioman, Pahang
Time Magazine mentioned Pulau Tioman as one of the world’s most beautiful islands in the 1970s. Little has changed since the publication and Tioman Island,
located off the east coast in the South China Sea, makes a top place to
visit in Malaysia. With rich coral, untouched beaches and an interior
filled with dense rainforest, the island offers a more secluded feel to
the likes of Langkawi. Favourite activities include snorkelling and
scuba diving, trekking in the jungle, touring the island on a motorbike
or bicycle as well as visiting waterfalls.
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