Because of its diverse ethnic groups, Malaysia can be considered a country that represents the whole of Asia. Its vast mountains and thick greenery are a sight for any nature lover. Malaysia also offers the world sprawling cities and skyscrapers that mark its progress in the world of cutthroat competition.
Kuala Lumpur, the central city of Malaysia, caters to the whims of every tourist, whether they are lovers of nature, adventure or avid shoppers. Dominating the city are the Petronas Twin Towers, visible from any corner of the city. This architectural wonder is built with a design based on geometric patterns originating from ancient Islam. The 88-story towers are made up of materials like stainless steel that makes their spires glisten on the horizon. They are connected at the 41st and 42nd level by a pedestrian skybridge. Right beside it is the KL Tower which is the fifth tallest communication tower in the world.
Another scene not to miss around the city is the Merdeka Square, where colonial rule was put to rest when the Malaysian flag was raised for the first time on Aug. 31, 1957. The square remains an important location for national events. For history lovers, there are a lot of wonderful museums to visit including the National Museum, which houses the country's most important heritage as well as the Islamic Arts Museum, which highlights the beauty of Islamic art.
For nature lovers, the Butterfly Gardens, the Hibiscus and Orchid Gardens provide a paradise of different species and varieties of color and wonder. Just outside KL, the Fraser Hill is another place worth visiting. Looking like a little Scottish village, the hamlet sits amidst the Pahang Rainforest at 1,524 meters above sea level. It is popular for those who are interested in nature-based pursuits like trekking, bird watching and horse riding.
The Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve situates right at the heart of KL, beginning at the slopes of the KL Tower. The natural trails take you within the forest where the majestic, centuries-old Jelutong trees are. The Batu Caves are one of the most visited sites in KL. Batu Caves is made up of three main caves and several small ones. The Temple Cave or Cathedral Cave is the best known and biggest of the Batu Caves. To reach the temple cave, you must make your way up 272 rock stairs and through numerous macaque monkeys. The ceiling of this cave is more than 100 meters above ground and the area is illuminated by daylight through holes in the ceiling.
Kuala Lumpur also offers a mind-boggling array of things that are hard for shopping lovers to resist. From exclusive, international, high street fashion brands to the local flea markets and bazaars, KL is one of the premier shopping destinations of South East Asia.
The culture in KL varies from the traditional to modern and contemporary. It celebrates all forms of culture including art, theater and dance, music and even films. Art critics will simply love the collection of art displayed at the various galleries regardless of taste. The KL Performing Arts Center has played host to many interesting shows and is crucial in developing Malaysia's standard in performing arts.
When it comes to local food, Malaysia is colorful. Anyone waiting to test their taste buds on the local delicacies should not miss the local Malay, Indian and Chinese outlets along with the local hybrid interpretations of Nyonya and Mamak food. In the meantime those hankering for a more cosmopolitan menu will not be disappointed by the array of Western, Mediterranean, Italian, French and Middle Eastern food that is available along with the creative fusion interpretations in town.
Putrajaya is Malaysia's third and latest federal territory. It has taken over the administrative functions of the capital city. The streets are elegantly designed with a European feel, and the government buildings are a blend of modern architecture and Islamic arts. The Putra Mosque is a beautiful structure depicting the evolution of Muslim mosque architecture. It is built across the waters of the Putrajaya Lake and its pink dome and minarets form prominent highlights. Another attraction is the Dataran Putra or Putra Square, which is the center for holding national events and formal parades. It is a circular structure that is surrounded by waterbeds, flowers and trees. The design incorporates many local motifs with a blend of modernity, creating symbolic meanings that reflect the unity of the Malaysian state. At the very heart of the city is the Putrajaya Wetland with a natural landscape dominated by the Putrajaya Lake. The lake and wetland are two of the most distinctive features of the city.
The Island of Langkawi is an exotic holiday destination that offers idyllic beaches side by side with ancient rainforests and quaint villages. Langkawi is an archipelago of 99 tropical islands off the northwestern coast of Peninsular Malaysia, 30km from Kuala Perlis on the mainland accessible by boat. The archipelago has some of the world's most pristine rainforests, limestone and karst formations, caves with stunning stalactites and stalagmites, and among the world's most beautiful beaches washed by clear emerald waters teeming with marine life. There's so much to see and to do in Langkawi. Diving and snorkeling in the pristine water filled with rich marine life tops the list for most people. You can also take a cable car ride up the mountain that offers a breathtaking 360 degree panoramic view of the islands, the rural lowlands and the seas as far as Thailand. For nature lovers, you can explore the lush forests and appreciate the unique wildlife of the islands from a different perspective. Langkawi is also a top honeymoon sight for new couples to enjoy.
For rest and relaxation, this is the wrong place to go. Genting Highlands is usually a chaotic location where people come from all over the world to have fun. Located at the peak of the mountain, the Highlands provide its visitors with all the adventure that they came looking for. The Genting Skyway, which is the longest cable car service in South-East Asia at 3.38, takes the tourists from the village of Gohtong Jaya to the mountain top meters. For families visiting, the First World theme park is the place to go. There is a wide selection of outdoor and indoor theme parks. For water lovers, there is a choice between an indoor splash pool with warm water, or an outdoor water park. The outdoor theme park features more than 20 classic rides suitable for the entire family and other adventure rides for the daring and fearless to get their adrenaline running. For those who want more than a day worth of fun and games, there are several hotels including the First World hotel, the Resort Hotel and many others.
Cameron Highlands is the smallest district in the state of Pahang and is one of the wonders of Malaysia. It is the largest and most famous hill resort in the country. This highland paradise still retains much of the charm of an English village. No trip to Cameron Highlands is complete without a visit to the tea plantations. You get to visit the factories to learn about tea making or sit down and enjoy a cup of tea at the cafe. The view overlooking the plantations is beautiful and perfect for the picture album. Another attraction are the strawberry farms that can be found almost everywhere in Cameron Highlands. All offer locally grown strawberries and homemade strawberry jams at a very cheap price. Some farms let you pluck your own strawberries and charge you according to weight. Vegetable farms are located throughout the highlands and most of the farms allow visitors in. These farms produce everything from flowers and vegetables to strawberries. The Highlands are also the leading producer of fresh flowers in Malaysia. At the flower gardens and nurseries, be dazzled with the mix of colors and species being grown here. After visiting the fruits and vegetable farms, you might want to buy some. The night market that comes to life on Saturday nights is a good place to look for everything under one roof.
There are several other places that cannot be missed if you have the time to spare like the Pangkor Islands, the Penang Hill, the culture-rich Terengganu, Klantan and Johur. The best part of any travel in Malaysia is that wherever you look, there is scenery worth a million dollars. You will not feel the distance that you travel because you will be busy looking around you taking in all the beauty you can.
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