When people think about Asia the first thing that comes to mind is specter of different elements. The rich culture and history, the amazing food, the lively metropolitans, the lushed green tropics and the shops where you can find everything cheaper … the list continue. But when you go through different countries, cuddled in the massive continent, there is one country which looks like it is holding “the biggest hits” from all categories … Malaysia has everything!
Diving
Malaysia is full of amazing places for the diving lovers, where you can see different types of corals and hundreds of species of marine animals. The country is suitable for all levels of diving, because the waters are usually calm, the rifts are protected and most of the places can be reached with fast boats without the necessity of big vessel.
One of the best places for diving in Malaysia is the province Sabah, which has many small islands, perfect for the divers. There you can dive in the National Park “Miri-Sibuti” or you can go immediately to island Sipadan for access to dive in world level. Mabul island is suitable for macro diving fans. Next island Liang-Liang is deep dive zone up to 40 meters.
Borneo is one of the places where you can see hammerhead shark. The best way to see it is in Liang-Liang.
In the western part of Malaysia there is also some suitable places for diving. The islands Redang and Tioman are part of the archipelago Lemgkawi and are perfect for diving with snorkel and scuba diving.
Kuala Lampur
The capital of Malaysia – Kuala Lumpur is also the biggest city in the country. Kuala Lumpur is a place where every tourist in Malaysia, has to see. The two million city manages to preserve the different cultures and inhabitants, while not falling behind in its development. Kuala Lumpur, or simply KL, is home to many attractions, the most famous of which are the twin skyscrapers – Petronas Twin Towers, Batu Caves and Purdana Botanical Garden.
The towers “Petronas” are two 88- floors skyscrapers with high 451,9 meters. The towers were built in 1999 and hold the record for the highest twin towers in the world.
Batu Caves
Batu caves are series of caves and cave and cave temples on a limestone hill, which is located 8.1 kilometers from Kuala Lumpur. The name “Batu” om Malaysian means “rock”. The caves are on more than 400 million years as some of the enters were used as shelter from the locals Temuan. At the moment “Batu” is one of the most popular Hindu shrines outside India.
Purdana Botanical Garden
The Purdana Botanical Garden, located in Kuala Lumpur’s Tun Abdul Razak National Heritage Park, contains a large collection of flower gardens and animal parks. It was originally created as part of the recreation park, but it was eventually planted with a collection of tropical plants and turned into a botanical garden. The Park recreates the atmosphere of a rainforest, although it is located in the center of a busy metropolis.
The music fountains
The music fountain is one of the best locations where you can stop by in the evenings while walking around and enjoying the new surroundings. Every night at 8, 9 and 10 o’clock there is a performance that lasts ten minutes. Under the accompaniment of the music, Fountain performs a performance as they move in tact with the music enveloped by a spectrum of colorful lights.
Golf
There are about 200 golf courses located in Malaysia. There are places where one will be surrounded by the cool and green hills of Malaysia, its numerous tea plantations or along the coast of the South China Sea. Apart of the spectacular view which the Malaysian golf courses provide, there are also equipped with the best buildings and facilities that can be found.
Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang
An enormous hilltop temple at Air Itam, Penang, Kek Lok Si is the country’s largest Buddhist temple, visited by thousands of worshippers across South East Asia every year. Kek Lok Si is known as the jewel in the crown of heritage temples in Malaysia. Completed 115 years ago in 1905, the temple comprises a series of monasteries, prayer halls, a tortoise pond, gift shops and beautifully landscaped gardens. The temple is particularly known for its seven-storey Pagoda of Rama VI, its 30.2m high bronze statue of Kuan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy, and its unparalleled view of the entire island. The main highlight of the Temple is the 10,000 Buddha carvings.
Sarawak Cultural Village
Sarawak Cultural Village is a good place to experience life in a different culture, even if only for a few hours. The Sarawak Cultural Village is a living museum where visitors can learn more about the local people and their traditions and lifestyles. Buildings, including the Iban longhouse, represent major ethnic groups in Sarawak. Visitors can also take part in a multicultural dance performance perhaps be invited to sip tuak, a potent rice wine. Visitors can even be married in a traditional ethnic ceremony.
There is a Chinese belief that white is associated with death and mourning, so Cheong decided to paint the walls of his house bright blue for a cheerier effect. The eye-catching blue paint was made with a natural blue dye from the indigo plant, mixed with limewash.
Penang’s Blue Mansion
Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion – better known as the Blue Mansion because of its dazzling indigo-coloured facade is a heritage and landmark on Leith Street in George Town in Penang which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage. It gives vibes and atmosphere of an Asian Gothic novel. Built in an architectural style known as Straits Eclectic, the mansion is currently a boutique hotel with a pool, a fine-dining restaurant and a bar. Before that it was the house of the Cheong Fatt Tze –Chinese businessman who was known as the ‘Rockefeller of the East’
Snake Temple
The Snake Temple (officially known as Hock Hin Keong or Cheng Hoon Giam) was built in the mid-19th century to honor Chor Soo Kong, also known as Qingshui. He is a Buddhist monk and healer born in China during the Song Dynasty. The legend holds that during his lifetime, Chor Soo Kong sometimes offered shelter to local jungle snakes. After the temple was built in his honor, it’s said snakes began showing up there of their own accord.
The diversity and colors of Malaysia are also reflected in the country’s cuisine. Malaysian food is highly aromatic, combining the tastes of various herbs and spices. The cuisine is strongly influenced by India and China.
Nasi Lemak
Although popular in other Southeast Asian countries, the Nasi Lemak is considered malaysia’s national dish and can be found anywhere in the country. The main component in it is rice, which is boiled in coconut milk and pandan leaves. The traditional Malaysian version of Nasi Lemak often contains anchovies, chilli paste (sambal), peanuts and boiled eggs.
Mee Goreng Mamak
Translated “Mee Goreng” means fried noodles. In Malaysia the word “mamak” is used for the Muslims from India. The fried noodles are made from Chinese cabbage, fried tofu, beans sprouts, potatoes, chilly peppers, chicken or shrimps.
Satay
Satay is meat on sticks on grill and are very famous in the hole South Eastern Asian region. It can be made from chicken, beef or lamb. In Malaysia the dish is often served with onion, cucumbers and sauce of peanuts. Usually Satay is served with another dish called Ketupat, which is rice dumplings rolled in palm leaves.
Asam Laksa
Asam Laksa is chilly soup from rice noodles. This is one of the most famous dishes in the chilly cuisine. This type of food is combination of the Chinese and the traditional Malaysian cuisine, developed around the Peranakans who are descendants of the Chinese immigrants, settled in parts of Malaysia and whose culture has mixed with the culture of the local Malaysian. The soup contains fish, grated cucumber, onion, pineapple, red chilly papers, ordinary mint, lettuce and gingifil. It is most served with rice noodles and shrimp paste.
Roti Canai
Roti Canai is a dish came with the Indians immigrants settled in Malaysia. The dish is flatbread which is served with different types of curi. There is also sweet version – it is sprinkled with sugar
Ais Kacang
Ais Kacang is popular Malaysian dessert. The main ingredients are ice and red bean. Frequently the dessert is served with sweet corn, grass jelly, cube agargar (jelly), peanuts and ice cream. Ais Kacang is poured with condense or coconut milk, with syrup from rose.
Lankgkawi
Langkawi is archipelago with 99 islands, located on the Malaysian west coast. The islands are part of the state Keda. In 2008 the name of the archipelago is changed into “Langkawi Permata Kedah” which in Malaysian means “Langkawi, the jewel of Keda”
The largest island of the archipelago, which also bears the name “Langkawi”, offers something for every traveler. It gives its guests a chance to experience amazing nature, lively tourist attractions, ordinary local life and world-class resorts. The island can also fascinate you with its variety of birds, as it is home to over 226 bird species.
Langkawi Sky Bridge
if you are at Langkawi Island one of the places you need to visit is Langkawi Sky Bridge. The sky bridge is 125 meters long and offers exciting view toward the mountain Mat Sinkang, the waterfall Telazha Tuzhu and several islands around Langkawi. It is located on 700 meter above sea level and is only accessible via the island final cable car station. The bridge can accommodate only 250 people at the same time.
Langkawi Wildlife Park & Bird Paradise
The national Park Langkawi is amazing place for animal lovers, because it is home of 2500 exotic birds from 150 different types as: canary, gooses, parrots, owls, eagles, tucani and flamingo.
Pantai Cenang
Pentai Cenang is a large beach with white sands and clear waters. It is the most popular beach on Langkawi. The beach is just a 10-minute drive from the island’s international airport. Pantai Chengang is a popular holiday destination for traveling families, thanks to attractions suitable for children such as the Langkawi Underwater World and the Rice Garden Museum.
Telaga Tujuh Waterfall
The waterfall Telaga Tujuh is located in west part on Langkawi Island. The name means “The seven well” and it comes from the seven natural pools formed on different levels from water flows which flow from the mountain Mat Chanchang. The waterfall is most visited place on the island and the lover of adventures can try steep 45- minutes ascent to the top of the waterfalls through the seven pools, where you can find macaques, rhinos and squirrels.
National Park Kanabalu
The National Park Kanabalu is placed on Island Borneo and it is the first UNESCO World heritage site of Malaysia in 2000. The Park is found in 1964 and it is located in Sabah, the west coast of Malaysia. It has area of 754 km². The Park Kinabalu boasts one of the richest collections of biodiversity in the world, hosting over 4,500 species of animals and plants, including 326 bird species, over 100 mammal species and over 110 species of terrestrial snails. One of the biggest attractions in the park is the top Kinabalu.
Another attraction that attracts thousands of tourists to the national park is the flower Rafflesia. It is a type of parasitic plant that does not have a root stem, but only a large color. Rafflesia is found only in Southeast Asia on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra. The interesting thing about the flower is that it blooms only 5 days, and then dies.
