If you are a lover of buildings and architecture, Malaysia offers a wide range of attractions for you. This is largely contributed by the different colonies that have come to the country throughout history and have set up their bases here. You will be able to appreciate all types of architecture here in Malaysia ranging from the very traditional ones in villages and small towns to the ultra-modern state-of-the-art ones found in the major cities around the country.
Historically, Malaysia has been colonized by the Portuguese, the Dutch, the Japanese and the British where these superpowers in the past have left more than just their traditions here. While in Malaysia, they have built homes and buildings that cemented their influence over the people here. Walking around the major towns around the many states will provide you with a quick understanding of the level of influence here. Alor Setar in Kedah is well known for its Dutch architectural designs while in Malacca, you will be able to see a lot of Portuguese designs around. If you are around in Chinatown in Kuala Lumpur, you will be able to see a lot of Chinese styled buildings and structures which are still being used today.
In Negri Sembilan, you will be able to see a lot of Minangkabau architecture which comes from Indonesia. These are basically remnants of the matriarchal Adat Perpatih which are still being practiced by certain communities today. In the villages located around the country, you will be able to see the Kampong homes which are built on stilts to avoid rising waters during floods which happen every once in a while. Apart from that, you will also be able to experience the natural living styles here without much aid of modern world technology, which is an amazing practice among the communities.
For those of you who like the modern architectural designs, the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya are the best places to go. Kuala Lumpur hosts the Petronas Twin Towers, once the tallest buildings in the world which is still being regarded as an architectural wonder of the modern world. Here you will also be able to see the modern buildings like the Menara TM as well as the major international shopping centers too. Putrajaya, which is the administrative city of the country hosts all the major governmental departments and agencies where the buildings and structures here are designed and built by internationally renowned architects.
Malaysia is known as the food haven of the world. With so many different communities and races, food offerings are abundant where it is impossible to try out all the different types of food from all the communities here. Depending on where you are visiting, you will find that they basically offer a specific type of cuisine where it is known for. Malaysians are known to be very knowledgeable when it comes to food and they are also known to travel high and far for a specific dish.
The most popular state where food is known for would be Penang. This is where you will find a wide variety of Chinese dishes like the Hokkien Har Mee, the Char Koey Teow and many more. Penang is believed to be the best place to go if you want to visit a place where many types of delicious cuisine congregate. Places like Gurney Drive is one of the most renowned spots in the country where one can find all types of food well known in Penang. The same can be said about Ipoh in Perak where you will be welcomed with the internationally renowned Ipoh Bean Sprouts Chicken Rice and many others.
Meanwhile, towards the southern part of Peninsular Malaysia, the state of Johor is very popular with the Malay cuisine where they are known for their laksa and their Otak-Otak, a type of fish barbecue popularly taken as snacks. Sabah and Sarawak, the 2 East Malaysian states are very popular for their spicy cuisine as the chillies produced here are known to be spicier than those found in the Peninsular.
If you do not have time to travel to the outskirts or visit many states during your trip to Malaysia, exploring around Kuala Lumpur will allow you to experience the best food around the country as well. Most food courts here offer a variety of dishes that incorporates the various communities here while many areas like Kepong, Cheras and Klang are also popular for their Chinese cuisines like Bak Kut Teh, Char Siew Rice and fried noodles. Another common eating places are the Indian muslims restaurants here where you will be able to experience the likes of Indian curry, Roti Canai and many more. Known as Mamak stalls, this is where you can enjoy typically Indian Muslim and Indian authentic cuisine which usually operates until the wee hours of the morning.
Malaysia has one of the oldest and richest wildlife attractions in the world. The natural climate of the country provides an ideal environment where there are many rainforests and wildlife attractions if you are one who likes nature and adventure. From mountain climbing, jungle trekking, caving and such you will find that there are many choices of adventures and attractions to choose from if you are here for these purposes. Take note that not all national parks allow the public to visit as they might be meant for conservation purposes while there are many which are designed for tourists with cabins and cafes available.
There are reportedly more than 8,000 species of plants in Peninsular Malaysia and thousands more in East Malaysia. Among the unique species found in Malaysia include the Rafflesia which is the largest flower in the world while the Tualang is the tallest tropical tree in the world. Apart from vegetation, there are also many types of animals and insects that include the largest cockroach in the world.
You will be able to find a national park in almost every state in Malaysia with the Taman Negara National Park being the largest one here. It is also one of the oldest parks in the world. If you are visiting any one of these national parks, you might be fortunate enough to find or see many species of animals like Tapirs, lizards, bears and many types of monkeys. Apart from that, there are also hundreds of bird species in these places.
Among the many national parks in Malaysia, the ones in East Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak are known the most popular ones. This is because Borneo island is very rich with flora and fauna and it is also in Sabah that you will be able to visit the Mount Kinabalu National Park that host Mount Kinabalu, the highest peak in the country and in Southeast Asia. This is where you will be able to climb the mountain while enjoying and appreciating the hundreds and thousands of birds, trees, insects and others some which you will not be able to see in the common places like zoos and such. The National Zoo is located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur while you can also visit alternative zoos like that in Taiping which is known for its night safari while the Malacca Zoo is also one of the most popular wildlife showcases in the country.
If you are looking for adventure when travelling in Malaysia, then you have come to the right place. This is because Malaysia has an abundant of choices when it comes to adventure where you can go camping, mountain climbing, rock climbing and many others.
The naturally rich forests and hills around Malaysia meant that there are much to offer if you are up for an adventurous and unforgettable travelling experience here. Perhaps the most obvious choices in Malaysia would be mountain climbing. There are many mountains in around the country that you can choose from where you can either go for the hills which are catered to the beginners or choose those for the advance climbers. Mount Kinabalu sits majestically in Kota Kinabalu, the state capital of East Malaysian state Sabah. This is the highest peak in the country as well as in Southeast Asia where you do not need any special equipments to climb to the top. Basically, all you need is a lot of perseverance and fitness over the countless hours of walking up the mountain where you will be able to enjoy one of the most beautiful sceneries ever.
Gunung Tahan or Mount Tahan is the highest peak in Peninsular Malaysia and climbing this mountain would require you to have camping equipments and such because even if it is lower than Kinabalu, it takes at least 5 days to reach the top.
In Sarawak, you can also go caving at the Mulu and Niah Caves National Parks respectively. The Mulu Caves is known to be one of the largest caves around the world. For those of you who like rock climbing, Batu Caves is one of the most common spots to enjoy this extreme sport. Deep sea divers would be able to travel into the waters along Pulau Sipadan in Sabah as well as through the various islands like Tioman and Perhentian to indulge into this sport.
There are also white water rafting sports provided at most major rivers with strong rapids around the country. In Sabah, one can head out to Kiulu river while the Selangor River at Kuala Kubu Baru is also another renowned challenging rafting spot. If you are into jungle trekking, you will find that most national parks and states offer this service where you can head out into the woods and try to spot the waterfalls before enjoying a cool dip in the waters.
The sultry blue surrounding Malaysia is home to a wealth of fantastical dive sites teeming with exotic marine life. Situated in relatively shallow waters and warmed by tropical sunshine, reefs here offer some of the best diving the world over. Gazetted in 1991 along with
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As a traveller, there are things you should know and should do and there are things you should not! After a while, it all gets easier. But not all countries are the same. Malaysia, is one unique place on earth which you can least expect
Steamboat is one of the local favourites among Malaysians who enjoy this type of dining for its fresh foods and hotpot of soup. In Cameron Highlands, you will be able to enjoy all types of cuisine but steamboat is one of its most popular foods
Sipadan Island is very much synonymous with deep sea diving and that is what you get when you say this to anyone who is a diver (or at least dived once!). Sipadan Island or Pulau Sipadan has been a centre of attention for various reasons.
The island of Borneo is located in South East Asia which covers an area spanning across about 740,000 kilometers square. It is home to states belonging to 2 countries here as well as the country of Brunei. There are in total almost 20 million people
Are you the type who travel to a country and stays in a hotel all day? There is no point coming to countries like Malaysia if you are. Homestays; that would be your best choice because you enjoy the best local lifestyles. This includes food
Miri is one of the major cities in the East Malaysian state of Sarawak. Besides Kuching, which is the capital of the state, Miri plays an important role as the major economic and tourism location here. Known as the ‘Oil City’, it is where the
Besides the national and state holidays observed throughout the country, Malaysians too have other days that they celebrate throughout the year. These days are not public holidays but are significant as they are commemorated to remember the seniors and other benefactors. Father’s Day Father’s Day
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