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Getting Around | Tourist Office | Entertainment | Things to do and see
Top Things To Do Malaysia
Go to one of Malaysia's annual festivals, which celebrate significant religious events and public holidays and are staged throughout the year, magnificent spectacles that burst with vibrancy and colour. Each of the different communities has its own customs, traditions and festivals. Kelantan is a state especially renowned for its many cultural festivals. Puja Umur (the birthday of the Sultan) is celebrated with a week-long festival, beginning with a parade in Kota Bharu. The Annual Penang International Dragon Boat Festival is another colourful, popular event (website: www.penangdragonboat.com).
The tropical waters off peninsular Malaysia and Borneo offer ideal conditions for scuba-diving. Water visibility is often greater than 30m (100ft). The best dive sites include: Layang Layang, located northwest of Kota Kinabulu off the coast of Sabah and accessible by air, a coral atoll consisting of 13 coral reefs linked together, with an amazing array of marine life and cliffs that plunge 2000m to the ocean bed; Miri, located north of Kuching off the coast of Sarawak, Borneo, with popular dive sites that include a Japanese World War II shipwreck and Scubasa Reef, a shallow reef which provides refuge for migrating turtles during August each year; Pulau Redang, home to Malaysia's first protected marine park, the Terengganu Marine Park, located north of Kuala Terengganu and an archipelago that contains nine islands; Pulau Sipadan, Malaysia's only oceanic island, renowned for its wide range of rare marine species; Pulau Tioman, located within the Pahang Marine Parks, consisting of eight islands and with one of the best dive sites being Tiger Reef, which has a particularly high number of sea fans; Tunku Abdul Rahman Park; Pulau Tenggol, a popular weekend getaway for Malaysians, located south of Terengganu, accessible by air and with waters protected by marine park status; Pulau Paya Marine Park; Pulau Perhentian, located in the South China Sea, off the coast of Kelantan, rich in giant soft corals, large schools of pelagic fish and nocturnal shellfish, plus surrounded by beautiful beaches and a tropical interor filled with wildlife such as monkeys, flying squirrels and butterflies; Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park; and Labuan Island, a popular wreck-diving destination, with two wrecks from ships sunk in World War II, and one recent Malaysian wreck.
Nearly 75 per cent of Malaysia is covered in forests, of which the rainforest is reputedly the world's oldest (130 million years). There are seven national parks and many wildlife reserves and protected areas. Many of the parks offer excellent trails for jungle trekking, particularly at Taman Negara National Park (peninsular Malaysia). The best time to visit is between February and September (dry season). There are many clearly marked trails including a canopy walkway. Expert guides should be hired from the Wildlife Department at the Taman Negara Resort at Kuala Tahan, the park's headquarters. Tour packages lasting from one to three days are available. Kuala Tahan is reached by a three-hour riverboat trip from Kuala Tembeling, but there is also a daily shuttle bus from Kuala Lumpur. Treks up Gunung Tahan mountain (2187m/7174ft) are also possible; a guide is compulsory and the trip takes several days. In East Malaysia, the best treks are in Sarawak, Borneo and Gunung Mulu National Park, which is renowned amongst caving enthusiasts. The recently discovered Sarawak Chamber and the 51km- (32 mile-) long Clearwater Cave (accessible by boat only) are favourite destinations. Permits for Gunung Mulu National Park must be obtained in Miri, reached either by a short flight or a couple of three-hour boat trips. Adventurous trekkers may wish to explore the Kelabit Highlands around nearby Bario, but these are quite demanding and should only be undertaken in the company of a local guide. Another famous trekking destination is the Kinabalu National Park, located in the state of Sabah, whose centrepiece, Mount Kinabulu (4101m/13,452ft), is South-East Asia's highest peak. Despite its size, Kinabulu is very easy to climb. No skills are required, but a guide and a climbing permit (which can be bought on location) are still compulsory. The climb involves an overnight stay in one of the resthouses along the route. Owing to the altitude, people with high blood pressure or heart problems should not attempt the climb.
Participate in one of Malaysia's traditional, unusual sports, including Gasing-top spinning (called Main Gasing), which uses tops fashioned from hardwood and delicately balanced with lead. Wau-kite flying is another favourite pastime. Sepak Takraw is a game like volleyball, played with a ball made of rattan strips. Players may use their heads, knees and feet but not their hands.
Stay in a Malaysian longhouse, which are common along the rivers in Sarawak and Sabah, and are really entire villages housed under one single roof, inhabited by native communities. For some years now, Tourism Malaysia has been promoting these characteristic habitations to tourists who are welcome to stay free of charge (although small gifts as a sign of appreciation are recommended). Visitors should be accompanied by a local guide who can also take them on a jungle walk.
Malaysia's central railway travels largely through areas of dense jungle. It commences near Kota Bahru and continues via Kuala Krai, Gua Musang, Kuala Lipis and Jerantut to meet the Singapore-KL railway line at Gemas. Take this route and you will find yourself enjoying rail travel with a difference.
Explore Malaysia's experiments with ecotourism. The Forestry Research Institute, 15km northwest of Kuala Lumpur, is a genuine example of ecotourism in that it is a stretch of jungle that has been protected and is now being used to study how this unique eco-system works. The centre also looks at ways of sustainable development and at ways of protecting this environment. There are a number of low eco-impact trails that visitors can explore.
Bathe in the restorative waters of the Pedas Hot Springs, 30km (18 miles) south of Seremban. Visitors will find bathing enclosures, dining and recreational facilities.
Step back in time with a trip to the city of Malacca, only two hours by road south of Kuala Lumpur, but centuries away in ambience. Founded in the early 15th century, Malacca remains predominantly a Chinese community, although there are many reminders of periods under Portuguese, Dutch and British rule; some of these can be seen in the Malacca Museum. Old men in fishing boats still cruise up through the centre of the modern city with the catch of the day, which can be enjoyed in the city's excellent restaurants. River cruises that open up the city's history are justifiably popular.
Top Things To See
Malaysia is, surprisingly for some, enriched by modern, daring architecture. Nowhere is this better observed than in Kuala Lumpur (or KL, as it is locally known), Malaysia's hub; a huge, bustling, cosmopolitan city that is the business heart of the nation. Here, the voluminous Petronas Twin Towers dominate the city at a height of 436m (1453ft): they are amongst the tallest buildings in the world. From the viewing level of the Towers, the city unfolds with its old mosques and ramshackle buildings, contrasting with the gleaming skyscrapers that have sprouted as Malaysia has become one of the regional economic powerhouses. The Menara Kuala Lumpur is the tallest telecommunication tower in South-East Asia and the fourth-tallest in the world. Merdeka Square is at the very heart of old Malaysia, with the stunning highlight, the Sultan Abdul Samad Building, which bizarrely blends Victorian and Moorish architectural styles. The Tasek Perdana Lake Gardens are one of the city's best-known natural landmarks, a popular spot for picnics and walking. Within the gardens are Parliament House and the National Monument. The National Monument, an impressive brass sculpture, is one of the world's largest free-standing sculptures. Outside of Kuala Lumpur, however, the trend continues. In Ipoh, Malaysia's third-largest city and dubbed the 'City of Millionaires', the ghosts of its grand colonial days ensure a mixture of colonial and modern architecture. Thirty minutes' drive from Ipoh, near Batu Gajah, stands the impressive Kellie's Castle. Surrounded by rubber plantations, the magnificent ruins of the unfinished castle are all that remains of Scotsman William Kellie Smith's nostalgic ambition to recreate an authentic piece of his Scottish homeland. Work halted with the sudden demise of Smith in 1926 and, since his death, the rumours and mystique surrounding the castle have intensified. Reputed to be haunted, the castle is also believed to possess secret rooms and tunnels, undetected to this day.
Mosques are to Islam what cathedrals are to Christianity: you would be foolish to miss out on the sights of these wonderful and varied tributes to religion and, indeed, you often will not be able to miss out on them, such is their visual prominence. Malaysia has some mosques of the very highest standard. In Kuala Lumpur, the National Mosque is surrounded by lawns ornamented with fountains. This modern mosque, built in 1965, gleams every bit as brightly as any of Kuala Lumpur's skyscrapers. The main dome is moulded in the shape of an 18-point star to represent the 13 states of Malaysia and the five central Pillars of Islam. The huge main prayer hall can hold up to 10,000 worshippers, although this section of the mosque is closed to non-worshippers. Also in the capital, the Friday Mosque is situated astride the confluence of the Klang and Gombak Rivers at the point where the first Europeans scrambled ashore, and is the most stunning and popular sight in the city. The best time to visit is at sunset or during the muezzin's call to prayer, which echoes around the ornate domes and palm trees, lending the mosque an air of calm amidst the skyscrapers. Other mosques worth visiting or inspecting throughout Malaysia are Kuala Kangsar; the Ubudiah Mosque; the State Mosque in Seremban, which has nine pillars to represent the nine districts of the state, and which overlooks the tranquil Lake Gardens, which include two beautiful lakes and a floating stage where cultural shows are performed; the Tranquerah Mosque, one of the oldest in the country, in Malacca; Kuching's Sarawak State Mosque, with its magnificent gilt domes; and the many religious buildings of Labuan, which include the An'nur Jamek Mosque, which has a progressive futuristic design.
See some of Malaysia's dazzling caves. The Batu are large natural caves that can be reached by 272 steps, and which house the Hindu shrine of Lord Subramaniam. Nearby is the Museum Cave, a fascinating display of brightly coloured statues and murals from Hindu mythology. Meanwhile, just north of Ipoh at Jalan Kuala Kangsar, Perak Tong, a limestone cave temple, houses over 40 statues of Buddha. In a cave behind the main altar, 385 steps lead up to a magnificent viewpoint, from where one can survey the surrounding countryside. Sam Poh Tong and Kek Lok Tong, near Gunung Rapat, are impressive cave temples where statues of Buddha stand alongside magical stalactites and rock formations. Both temples have Buddhist vegetarian restaurants in the temple grounds. Gunung Mulu National Park is a World Heritage Site and amongst its thousands of different plant species and abundance of wildlife are some magnificent limestone caves these just happen to be the most extensive cave system in the world, including the Deer Cave, Clearwater Cave and The Cave of the Winds. The park is also home to Sarawak's last nomadic tribe. Elsewhere, the Niah Caves are also worth a visit, showing evidence of human existence dating back to 5000 BC. The caves are valued for their guano and bird's nests, the latter being used to make soup. Many of the caves and some are more easily accessible than others may be visited with a guide.
Traverse Malaysia's stunning rainforests and jungles to obtain different vistas of beauty. Templar Park, 22km (14 miles) north of Kuala Lumpur, is a well-preserved tract of primary rainforest, which is rich in scenic beauty. Jungle paths, swimming lagoons and waterfalls all lie within the park boundaries. Malaysia's largest national park of them all is Taman Negara. Surrounded by the world's oldest tropical forest (supposedly 130 million years old), the park has remained virtually untouched and is a favourite haunt for outdoor enthusiasts, especially birdwatchers. The journey to the park headquarters involves travel by train, road and a three-hour boat ride. Accommodation is mostly modest and the more comfortable lodgings are limited.
If you are keen to watch for birds, head to Ipoh where the Kuala Gula Bird Sanctuary is host to over 150 different species of birds; lucky visitors may see smooth otters, long-tailed macaque and ridge-back dolphins. The best time to visit is between September and December when many migratory birds arrive at the sanctuary. Also, Penang Bird Park is a must for bird lovers and horticultural enthusiasts alike. This landscaped park in Seberang Jaya is home to over 400 species of birds and specially designed aviaries are placed among manmade islands with beautiful waterfalls and gardens ablaze with ornamental flowers and tropical greenery.
If you come to Malaysia on holiday, chances are that you will want to see some of its stunning beaches. The island of Penang has long been eulogised as the 'Pearl of the Orient', lying just off the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Recently a network of expanded tourist facilities has been created, which have ruined many of the island's main beach charms, but most of the island is still a beautiful tropical oasis of palm trees and sandy beaches. It was the natural harbour that first attracted the British to Penang in the late 18th century, and the port is still one of the most important in the country today. More than 100km (60 miles) north of Penang lie the 104 islands, many of which are just outcrops of coral, that make up Langkawi. The largest, Langkawi Island, is the only one with sophisticated tourist facilities (it has been declared a free port and duty free shopping is available). Several international hotels and resorts have opened as the government and international developers flood into what is set to become Malaysia's premier island beach resort. The island's many coves, lagoons and inlets make it ideal for all kinds of watersports. The state of Kelantan also has many clean and unspoilt beaches and the sea is ideal for swimming, diving and fishing. The coastal Port Dickson is about one-and-a-half hour's travelling time from Kuala Lumpur and Malaysians flock here from the city at weekends - but with 18km (11 miles) of beach, there is always plenty of room. The bays are fine for all kinds of watersports and fishing. However, the water quality is not always good and the sea around the beaches is often too shallow for decent swimming. Nevertheless, they are certainly scenic. Desaru is one of Johor's newest resorts and boasts unspoilt beaches and jungle. However, it is probably Malaysia's East Coast that contains many of the finest beaches in the country, including some of the least spoilt in southern Asia. In effect, the whole east coast is one huge beach, backed by jungle. Kuantan, the state capital of Pahang, is fast gaining popularity as a beach resort. Telek Chempadek, just 5km (3 miles) north of Kuantan, is another popular beach resort with a wide range of watersports available, including windsurfing, water-skiing and sailing. It has a good selection of restaurants along the seafront. Asia's first Club Mediterranιe holiday village is in Cherating, about 45km (30 miles) north of Kuantan. The beaches at Cherating are some of the finest on the east coast and conditions are particularly favourable for windsurfing. The island of Tioman, in the South China Sea off the coast of Pahang, will be familiar to fans of the film South Pacific, as it was here that the film-makers found their mythical Bali Hai. The sweeping palm trees and luxuriously white beaches are still there, but fame has come at a price with a rush of development, which on one side has brought the ease of direct flights and express boats from the mainland, but also a raft of accommodations, not all of them of the same quality and aesthetic standards. Tioman is the largest of a group of 64 volcanic islands, and also the largest island on Malaysia's east coast. The three most popular resorts are ABC, Salang and Juara. Tioman is also one of the best destinations in Malaysia for scuba diving and snorkelling. The state of Terengganu has 225km (140 miles) of white sandy beaches. Swimming and all forms of watersports are favourite pastimes. And the twin islands of Perhentian Besar and Perhentian Kecil are certainly worth a mention, considered to be the two most beautiful islands in the country by many. They both boast pristine white beaches, crystal clear waters and are still relatively unexploited. The strict local beliefs mean that alcohol is not common and this has helped deter major companies from setting up here, leaving the islands in their natural state for those who do choose to visit. The islands are popular for scuba diving and snorkelling with easy access to reefs and good visibility.
For an unusual attraction, go to the Snake Temple in Penang, which swarms with poisonous snakes, their venomous threat countered by heavily drugging them with incense.
Malaysia is not all jungle and coastline it also has its very own highlands to explore. In the Central Highlands, dotted about the mountain range that runs down the spine of Malaysia, are several hill resorts. All are situated more than 1400m (4500ft) above sea level and offer cool, pleasant weather after the humidity of the plain and the cities. Still further north are the Cameron Highlands. These are among the best-known mountain resorts in Asia, and consist of three separate townships: Brinchang, Tanah Rata and Ringlet. An international-standard hotel and many bungalows are set around a golf course in lush green surroundings. From here you can visit Gunung Brinchang: at 2064m (6773ft) above sea level, it is the highest inhabited point in Peninsular Malaysia and therefore a magnificent viewpoint.
In the southern state of Johor, Johor Bahru is Malaysia's southernmost gateway. In this state, be sure to watch the trance-inducing Kuda Kepang dances in Muar, accompanied by the euphony of ghazal music and devotional chanting To elaborate, Kuda Kepang is a puppet shaped like a legless horse that is straddled by performers usually a troupe of around 15 people and then harnessed in a sort of repetitive, bobbing movement. The dance is particularly likely to be performed at cultural or personal celebrations, such as festivals or weddings. It is believed to have originated as a means of spreading the religion of Islam by Muslim missionaries in the 14th century.
In the interior of Pahang, visit Malaysia's answer to Loch Ness: Lake Chini's waters are said to contain mythological monsters that guard the entrance to a legendary sunken city.
Do not miss the opportunity to see orang-utans in their natural environment. In Sabah, on the northern tip of Borneo, some of the world's oldest jungles and South-East Asia's highest peaks are home to such creatures. The Sepilok Orang-Utan Rehabilitation Centre in Sandakan has many of these 'wild men of Borneo' in fact, it has the world's largest orang-utan population. The sanctuary is a rehabilitation centre where orang-utans reap the benefits of inhabiting virgin rainforest in a protected environment. Now one of Sabah's top tourist attractions, the centre is no flippant tourist site as it actively manages to take in injured or orphaned orang-utans and return them to the wild once they are rehabilitated. There is no guarantee of seeing an orang-utan, but they usually turn up for their twice-daily feedings.
This page was created on Tue, 2 Jan 2007 15:37:02 +0000
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