6 Must Visit Places
- Gunung Mulu National Park
- Penang
- The Perhentian Islands
- Malacca City
- Mount Kinabalu, Sabah
- George Town
Gunung Mulu National Park
Gunung Mulu National Park Named after Mount Mulu in Asia, the park attracts tourists from all over Asia. They come to enjoy trekking, caving and hot springs.
Climbers can reach Mount Mulu after a 24-kilometre trek at 1,200m elevation that begins at the park headquarters. However, those who want to spend a more relaxed day out can also take the more accessible trails in the park.
However, the park’s most popular attractions are its caves and the millions upon millions of bats that live within them. The caves are hidden deep within the rainforest and karst rock cliffs and break many records. They include Southeast Asia’s most comprehensive cave system and the most significant cave passage in the world. At 115m high and 600m long, Sarawak Chamber is the largest cave chamber in all of Asia. Unfortunately, it isn’t easy to access and requires a guided tour.
Popular park activities include kayaking, mountain biking, and a stroll in the canopy skywalk that spans 500 meters.
Penang
Malaysians should be proud of their island off the west coast. Georgetown, a colonial city, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has many attractions, including museums, a fort at the sea, historic homes and, most importantly, a famous street food scene.
Many artists have created murals that line the streets of Georgetown. In addition, there are many Shops, Cafes and Things to Do all around the city.
Penang is a great place to enjoy delicious street food of all kinds. Penang’s waterfront esplanade, Gurney Drive, is lined with eateries and stalls for Indian, Chinese and Malay dishes.
The Perhentian Islands
Perhentian Islands are a favourite destination for backpackers and budget travellers. The Perhentian islands are especially popular with Perhentian Kecil, the smaller of the two islands. Here you can enjoy the fine sand and excellent snorkelling/diving during the day before the parties get started at night.
The Perhentian Besar, the large island, is close by and caters to couples and families. It also offers an excellent option for travellers who want to have more fun and not party as much. No matter which island you choose to visit, the Perhentians can only be reached by speedboat. There are some challenges when trying to set up shop on the islands.
Perhentian Islands have very seasonal. Perhentian Kecil can be hard to find accommodation during July, which is the peak month. However, the islands are almost empty during the winter months because of rain and storms.
Perhentian Islands are a favourite destination for backpackers and budget travellers. The Perhentian islands are especially popular with Perhentian Kecil, the smaller of the two islands. Here you can enjoy the fine sand and excellent snorkelling/diving during the day before the parties get started at night.
The Perhentian Besar, the large island, is close by and caters to couples and families. It also offers an excellent option for travellers who want to have more fun and not party as much. No matter which island you choose to visit, the Perhentians can only be reached by speedboat. There are some challenges when trying to set up shop on the islands.
Perhentian Islands have very seasonal. Perhentian Kecil can be hard to find accommodation during July, which is the peak month. However, the islands are almost empty during the winter months because of rain and stormy seas.
Malacca City
Malacca City is the capital of Malacca State. It’s rich in history and culture. The colonial city located along the Strait of Malacca was listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site in 2008. It is known for its local architecture, food, and the famous Jonker Street Night Market. It has been under Portuguese and Dutch rule for a long time. However, the Malacca Sultanate of the 15th century is widely believed to have markedly enriched Malay culture. Top attractions include the St Paul’s Church and A Famosa Fort and Stadthuys, the official residence of the Dutch governor.
Mount Kinabalu, Sabah
Mount Kinabalu, at just over 4,000m high, is Malaysia’s tallest mountain. Kinabalu Park is one of Malaysia’s oldest national parks and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Kinabalu’s unique ecosystem of alpine meadows and grasslands mixed with shrublands makes it home to an incredible range of animal and plant species, including threatened orangutans.
Mount Kinabalu, a popular destination for climbers, can be difficult to summit. The park issues only 185 climb permits per day. Visitors must reserve accommodation and hire a guide before they can hit the trails. In addition, there are restrictions on who can join climbing groups for those under 16.
Before climbing, climbers should stay in Kinabalu National Park. The park is at an elevation of more than 1,800m. This will allow for adequate acclimatization.
George Town
The UNESCO World Heritage Site has designated the older section of Malaysia’s second-largest city. However, George Town is equally famous for its cuisine as its architecture. The city is known as the capital of Malaysia and has some of Asia’s best street food. It can be found along the coast on Gurney Drive or Chulia Street. This popular destination for backpackers and the oldest street in the city.
Although George Town’s waterfront and port area are popular tourist attractions, there is much more to do and see. The U-shaped Rainbow Skywalk is the city’s tallest building. It offers an outdoor viewing platform with a glass roof that reaches 68 feet in the air. Take the tram to Penang Hill for a more tranquil view of the city. The cityscape at night is stunning.
You might consider visiting the Batik Painting Gallery Penang to get some souvenirs in batik or the 19 -century Kek Lok Si Buddhist Temple.
