More than any other spot in the country, Kuala Lumpur, or “KL” as it is commonly known, is the focal point of new Malaysia. While the city’s past is still present in the evocative British colonial buildings of the Dataran Merdeka and the midnight lamps of the Petaling Street night market, that past is everywhere met with insistent reminders of KL’s present and future. The city’s bustling streets, its shining, modern office towers, and its cosmopolitan air project an unbounded spirit of progress and symbolise Malaysia’s unhesitating leap into the future.

The city converges Malaysia’s past and present along with its many constituent cultures, and even its remarkable natural treasures. In the botanical and bird parks of the Lake Gardens, one is treated to a first glimpse of the unsurpassed beauty and variety of Malaysia’s plants and animals. In the vibrant Central Market, music, crafts, and cultural practices from Kelantan to Sarawak can be explored and experienced. And in the National Museum, the dizzying multiplicity of Malaysia’s cultural history comes into focus. As the entry point for most visitors and the meeting point of the country’s many attractions, Kuala Lumpur is a grand gateway to a fascinating destination.

With a height of 1,453 feet, the Petronas Towers rise above the skyline of Kuala Lumpur. They have become the symbols for the astounding growth that has taken place in Malaysia over the last two decades.

The Malaysia Tourist Information Complex (MATIC), a good place to begin any visit to Kuala Lumpur, is the one-stop information centre, which provides a general picture of what the city and Malaysia have to offer. Audio-visual equipment provides background information on each state in the country. You can book a tour, arrange to go on a trishaw ride in the city, change your money, and book air or bus tickets to various destinations in Malaysia. International calls, facsimile and telex services are also offered. For your first taste of Malaysian cuisine, there is a restaurant in the right wing of the building. Cultural performances are held daily.

Central Market is another good spot to go to when in KL. Fifty years ago this site was occupied by a wet market. Today, the art-deco structure of the Central Market is a centre for the display and development of Malaysian culture, arts and crafts. There are many performances, demonstrations, and activities offered here, including batik painting, fortune telling, shadow puppet plays, glass blowing, dance classes, art classes, and many others.

But if you want to do some exotic shopping, Petaling Street, the centre of Kuala Lumpur’s original Chinatown, offers anything from gems and incense to toys and t-shirts. Enjoying the night market is really a matter of just wandering about and enjoying its sights, sounds and energy.

If you want to see the National Library, then head for Jalan Tun Razak. The extensive holdings include a collection of publications on Malaysia by Malaysian authors as well as ancient Malay manuscripts.

For those wanting to get away from the hustle and bustle of the daily grind, Langkawi Islands presents nature in its purest form. A group of 104 islands, located in the northernmost tip of Peninsula Malaysia, Langkawi is better known for its legendary.

For those seeking the sun, sea and surf, the island offers white sandy beaches, to add to this limestone hills, lush vegetation and exotic flora and fauna for nature lovers. Apart from the seaside attractions, Langkawi is also a duty free shopping island. It is one of the best spots where one can shop for authentic handicraft and local products especially those from the fishing village.

Delving further into the island, some of the interesting places worth a visit are the Kuah Town, which is undoubtedly the largest town in Langkawi and also known as the 'capital' of Langkawi. Most visitors first embark on this spot upon arrival. It is where the airport and ferry jetty is located. On this part of town, one would find an easy harmony of cultures between the Malay and Chinese population of Kuah. Mouth-watering seafood is prepared in traditional styles at the numerous little restaurants and bazaar stalls scattered throughout the place.

For the adventure enthusiast, Pantai Rhu (Casuarina Beach) is lined with tall shady Casuarina trees. Besides being a magnificent beach where snorkelling could be done at coves rich in coral and marine life, it is also an ideal place for a good swim and a sun bath. Around the island, there are numerous water sports that could be undertaken such windsurfing, sailing, snorkelling, scuba diving, swimming and coral seeing. But one must bear in mind that topless sun bathing in open public areas is against Malaysian law.

If that is not enough, spend a day island hopping on a speedboat with stopover at Singa Besar Island, Dayang Bunting Island, Beras Basah Island and Tuba Island. These islands are complete for picnickers and offers hours of pleasure at the sea. In Singa Besar Island, one will find a wildlife park that offers various natural wildlife observation towers and recreation. The Seven Wells and Fishing Village are definitely a must-see. The Seven Wells is a spot where a freshwater stream cascades about 90 meters down via a series of seven pools. Visiting the pools, especially the one on top will definitely bring about excitement besides enjoying the greenery and cool surrounding.

If you are the more serious minded, then Langkawi Golf Club, serves your Golf interest with state-of-the-art facilities.
Having got accustomed to Langkawi and its attractions, getting around the island is easy and convenient. Plenty of taxis and buses serve the major part of the island. Visitors may hire their own car, van or motorcycle to explore various part of the island. Local tour agencies would also be glad to show one around with a small fee. Generally, moving around the island is very safe.

A worthwhile look at the start of your stay in Kuching Sarawak are the two monuments the South and North City Councils have built for themselves. The City North building is about 15 minutes out of the city (over the river) on top a hill and commands a good view of the area. City South is closer to the centre of city along Jalan Padungan. One reason for dropping in at these places is that they both have large models of the city and the surrounding area. The detail of these models is quite impressive and it is normally possible to pick out individual buildings.

The Civic Centre building on Jalan Budaya, besides commanding an excellent view of the city, also houses some attractive gardens. The Matang Wildlife Centre is about half an hour (20km) north-west of the city. The Bako National Park is about the same distance to the north-east. About 40km south towards Serian is a crocodile farm. As expected there are a large number of temples around the city. The most accessible temples are the Buddhist, the two more interesting are Tua Pek Kong which is located by the river at about the middle of the waterfront walk-way, the other is Kuan Yin located along Jalan Tabuan. If you are interested in beaches and lying around in the sun then travel north to Damai beach and the Santubong resort. Near the Damai beach resort is the Damai Cultural Village showing the various cultural and racial groups within Malaysia and how they live. There is a show that runs for about an hour that you need to synchronise your visit with. If you don’t want to participate then don’t sit in the front row!

It is advisable to get some local help, if you plan to eat out.

There are plenty of very nice places to eat, especially for seafood. At the end of a hot walk there is nothing better than an ice Kachang, a mixture of ground ice, condensed milk, jelly pieces, soya beans, etc. One of the stranger snacks is called rojak. It is a combination of various vegetables and fruit mixed with a dark brown syrup. It is quite tasty. The main shopping centres are the Sarawak Plaza which is located centrally next to the Holiday Inn, Saborkas which is a short trip along Jalan Tan Haji Openg, and the Riverside Majestic. In all but the large department stores, feel free to ask for discounts on the displayed price. Just asking normally gets 10 per cent off the price and bargaining can get you larger discounts.

Formerly known as Jesselton and affectionately called KK, the capital of Sabah was destroyed almost totally during World War II. This gateway to East Malaysia has risen from the ashes as a small but modern municipality with a population of 20,000. It is a bit of a wild and slightly chaotic place, which exudes a certain charm to the place.

Though it is not a very big place and it achieved a city status as late as 2000, there is a lot to see around the town, and the suburbs such as Penampang, Inanam and Tuaran. There are a lot of interesting things to do around the town, night or day, and there seems to be a market of some kind just about everywhere.

Among the major city landmarks are the Sabah Museum, a fine example of locally designed architecture that reflects the ‘Spirit of Sabah’, and the Sabah state mosque, constructed with resplendent dome and located on the way to the airport.
The highlights of the city is Sinsuran Market, located right on the waterfront down the road from the ferry terminal. During the day it is a neat place to buy handicrafts and fruits while at night it converts into one of the most extensive night markets you will see anywhere. Kampung Likas Floating Mosque on the outskirts on the road to Ranau and Inanam eclipses the one in Kuala Terengganu as the nicest floating mosque in the country. Gaya Street, a narrow, tree-lined avenue that houses one of the oldest areas in KK, hosts a street fair every Sunday from early morning spanning about five block cluttered with shops selling just about everything from local handicrafts to puppies and rabbits. Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, encompassing five islands off the coast of KK is a major tourist attraction. Gaya Island is one of the most popular as it has a nice beach and a Bajau fishing village.

Eating out is also a not be missed experience in KK. Between Indonesian, Filipino, Western and Chinese foods, there is a wide choice. KK's Chinese coffee shops have some of the nicest Roti Panggang (fresh baked buns filled with red beans, kaya or chicken) anywhere that make a great mid-day snack. You can also get very nice papaya salads at most of the lunch stalls.

Penang needs little introduction to many visitors to Malaysia, having long been known as one of Southeast Asia’s finest destinations. Its outstanding beaches and exotic sights have made it one of the most popular destinations in the region.

As fabulous as its beaches are, some of Penang’s deeper mysteries should also be experienced. According to local folklore, the Snake Temple, dedicated to a Buddhist healer-priest, was inhabited by snakes who crawled out of the jungle on the night of the temple’s completion. The snakes are still there today. The Kek Lok Si temple, at Air Itam, is reputed to be the most beautiful and largest temple complex in Southeast Asia. Its seven-storey pagoda, over 90 feet high, is a harmonious blend of Chinese, Thai, and Burmese architecture and craftsmanship. Other worthwhile stops are the delightful Penang Bird Park, the romantic peak of Penang Hill, Fort Cornwallis and the Pantai Acheh Forest Reserve (criss-crossed with beautiful trails leading to isolated beaches).

Sri Mariamman Temple, a Hindu temple, built in the late nineteenth century, features fascinating sculptures of gods and goddesses over its entrance and on its facade. Housed within its ornately decorated interior is a priceless statue of Lord Subramaniam, embellished with gold, silver, diamonds, and emeralds. The statue figures prominently in the annual Thaipusam Festival, when it is borne on a silver chariot through the city streets to the temple at Jalan Waterfall.

The hills of Penang—Western Hill, Tiger Hill, Strawberry Hill, and others—have long been popular refuges from the heat of the low-lying city. As the funicular railway proceeds along its half-hour climb of the hill, a broad panoramic view of Georgetown slowly unfolds. The view from Flagstaff Hill, at the top of the line, is a lovely way to watch night descend over the island. For those who enjoy a vigorous walk or fear a funicular ride, there is a very good walking track up the hill. It takes about four hours and should not be undertaken frivolously. The jungle trail begins at the moongate at Waterfall Road, about 300m from the entrance to the Botanical Gardens.

The Penang Bird Park occupies a generous landscaped site in Seberang Jaya. Within its beautifully-designed aviaries are over four hundred species of birds from all over the world. Man-made islands with cascades, gardens, and ornamental plants abound. Then there is the Orchid and Hibiscus Garden at Bukit Jambul which includes a Reptile Farm. Attractions include an ornamental Japanese pond, a cacti garden, a pottery corner, a deer park, and cascades. Apart from the birds, nature lovers can also visit the Penang Butterfly Farm and the Botanical Gardens. Located at Teluk Bahang, the Butterfly Farm has hundreds of species of butterflies and insects amidst landscaped tropical gardens. he Botanical Gardens offer peace and tranquillity amidst lush green surroundings, tropical plants, and the vibrant colours of Penang’s flora. The 30-hectare garden also features a waterfall.