Malaysia is a mosaic of culture and tradition
Vibrant and exotic, Malaysia is a dream holiday destination for food lovers, bargain hunters and intrepid explorers. Located on the southern border of Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia is a particularly popular holiday choice, offering great diversity in people, activities and climates. An impressive country of diversity and contrast as western modernisation meets ancient traditions in a fusion of Malay, Chinese and Indian cultures. Malaysia is home to areas of outstanding natural beauty with its many national parks, sandy beaches and some of the world’s oldest tropical rainforest. It is also a country with a rich cultural heritage and love of celebration and colourful festivals. It is here on the peninsula that you can enjoy the vibrant capital city of Kuala Lumpur – Asia’s newest capital city, and a symbol of modern Malaysia. Away from the city, tropical island resorts, jungle escapes and wildlife encounters await those with a taste for adventure.
History and culture
Malaysia came to be through the federation in 1963 of the former British colonies of Malaya – East Malaysia’s Sarawak and Sabah, along with the island of Singapore (which then became an independent nation in 1965). Sitting at an Asian crossroad, Malaysia is home to a diverse range of Malay, Indian, Chinese and indigenous cultures and customs. A charming history dates back to the 15th century when Malacca, on the west coast in the Perak state, was a vital world trading port for spices. Traders arrived from all corners of the world, creating a very unique potpourri of diverse communities and cultures. The art, food, dance, music, architecture and almost all aspects of life are influenced by this eclectic fusion, creating some of Asia’s most fascinating experiences, expressed throughout the year in a variety of festivals and events.
Natural wonders
Malaysia is blessed with a good dose of natural beauty, from its untouched national parks to its palm-fringed beaches. Start with an island break: Perak state has a western coastline facing the Straits of Malacca and not far off its coast are a number of outstanding islands such as Pangkor and its luxury neighbour, Pangkor Laut. Popular Penang and Langkawi offer a rich culture and history alongside palm-fringed tropical beaches.
On the east side of the Peninsula, Tioman and Redang islands are two of the most beautiful islands in Malaysia, renowned for underwater adventure, snorkelling and windsurfing. And Cherating Beach on the mainland offers a traditional beachside village atmosphere.
For some jungle adventures, don’t miss Taman Negara National Park, claimed to be one of the world’s oldest jungles at around 130 million years old and offering some of the world’s most outstanding species of jungle flora and fauna. Go on an adventure trek along jungle trails, go white- water rafting and fishing or take an unforgettable three-day return guided hike to the summit of Peninsular Malaysia’s highest mountain, Gunung Tahan (2187 metres).
Dining
The melting pot of cultures in Malaysia makes it a gastronomic heaven, with its traditional culinary style influenced by the arrival of international traders in times gone by. While each state has its own distinctive Malay specialities, you can find all kinds of cuisines, from local Malay to Indian, Middle Eastern, Chinese and Thai, in almost every city and town. Spicy and flavoursome, some of the most popular Malaysian dishes are satay, beef rendang curry, ayam goreng (fried chicken), laksa (coconut curry noodle soup) and roti jala (lacy pancakes – often replacing the staple rice as an accompaniment to a meal).
With thousands of kilometres of shoreline as well as numerous fertile lakes and rivers, seafood is also a very popular option for dining in Malaysia. Fish is steamed, baked, curried and stir fried while shellfish and crustaceans are often used in delicious soups.
Shopping
Malaysians love to shop! This probably explains the vast number of luxury malls, stores and street-side stalls in Kuala Lumpur, making it a premier South-East Asia shopping destination. Be sure to visit the ‘Golden Triangle’ array of shopping centres, Petaling Street in Chinatown for budget to mid-range articles, Bukit Bintang for a wide range of fashion and electronics and the eclectic streets of Little India.
The Shopping Carnival, an annual sale held in March or April in Kuala Lumpur and other major cities, is a particularly great time to visit Malaysia if you enjoy picking up a few bargains. Alternatively, witness the local lifestyle at a lively local pasar malam, or night market. One of the most popular in Kuala Lumpur is the Bangsar Baru market, held every Sunday from 5.30pm.
Get in the know...
If you’re in Kuala Lumpur and need a quick fix of nature, venture behind the six-level Suria KLCC shopping mall to KLCC Park and relax in the sun with the locals. This 20 hectare natural wonder offers a 1.3 kilometre jogging track, plenty of rest areas, landscaped greenery, a playground for the children, a wading pool and a 43 metre elevated bridge that gives great views of the Petronas Towers. Enjoy the park’s ‘dancing fountains’ – programmed to perform 150 different movements!
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