MALAYSIA - a Complete Guide

Although regarding tourism, Malaysia has been stepping it up a notch, it's still by far not as overrun by travellers as other Asian countries.

At the Mardaka Square, the colonial past and today's modernity come together.

Besides a fascinating mix of religions and cultures, you find unspoiled nature and empty beaches on the Malayan Peninsula between Thailand and Singapore.


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Guide to KUALA LUMPUR

Kuala Lumpur is not that much of a great city. However, practically everyone is visiting; because basically, everyone has to: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia's capital and home to 1.7 million Malayans, has two major airports, a busy, reliable train system - and is more or less halfway between the northern border to Thailand neighboring Singapore in the south. It's a hub.

View of Kuala Lumpur from the most imposing landmark - the Murugan statue in front of the Batu Caves in the district of Selangor, 12 km north of Malaysia's capital.

As a matter of fact, it is the eighth most visited city in the world. So every visitor spends at least one to two days, whether they like it or not. And actually, there are some great spots to like.

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Guide to IPOH

Though Ipoh is Malaysia's third largest city and a two-hours-train ride north of the capital, it is mostly considered a gateway: To the Cameron Highlands in the east or to the Pangkor Island in the west.

Ipoh welcomes its visitors at a colonial building - the railway station, opened in 1917.

This means that Ipoh's own attractions are widely underestimated: The Hakka Chinese heritage, mysterious cave temples, and bustling Asian city life.

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Guide to MALACCA

In 2008, Malacca became - together with George Town on Pulau Penang - part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. For a reason: The city - home to almost half a million inhabitants - is the oldest Malaysian settlement on the Straits of Malacca and therefore reflects the countries everchanging, fascinating history.

Colonial Chinese Shop Houses.

Located less than a two hours drive from Kuala Lumpur, the city center is as beautiful as an outdoor museum, yet bustling with authentic everyday life.

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Guide to KUANTAN

In Malaysia, it is very easy and comfortable to travel between touristy hot spots: There are shuttles and connections and people practically carry you from place to place.

Sultan Ahmad Shah State Mosque, the state mosque of Pahang.

It's getting far more complicated and time-consuming as soon as you leave these beaten paths. It's not impossible, it just takes some detours and a little more time.

However, due to this, I skipped some destinations along the east coast I initially planned to visit. Basically, Kuantan was the only place left on that list.


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Guide to the TAMAN NEGARA

Let the adventure begin: One of the highlights of my visit to Malaysia was the two day trip to the
Taman Negara, which simply translates to National Park and - being about 130 million years old - is one of the world's oldest rainforests.

The sky's the limit: These trees had many years to grow.

So if you're a bit sad not having enough time to visit also the natural wonders of Malaysian Borneo, a visit to the Taman Negara should make up for it - at least a little bit.


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Guide to PULAU PERHENTIAN besar

The stopping point is the meaning of Perhentian in Malay - pronounced perhentee-yan and referring to the once thinly populated islands having been a waypoint for traders between Bangkok and Malaysia.

My corner of the Perhentian Islands.

These isles, that used to be home to a couple of fishermen and their families, albeit still quite secluded, now cater to national and international tourists alike.
Divers and snorkelers find a fascinating variety of sea life such as clownfish, cuttlefish, blue spotted rays, and sea turtles in the turquoise waters.
But unfortunately also irresponsible fellow humans.

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Guide to PULAU LANGKAWI

Eager to enjoy Thailand-ish beaches without the crowds? Pulau Langkawi, i. e. Langkawi island, is Malaysia's northernmost island and actually geographically closer to its neighbor.

Lots of space for anyone on Pulau Langkawi. 

It's the same turquoise waters, white sands, swaying palms, and enchanting long tail boats as in Krabi and on the Andaman islands - but there are so much fewer tourists that you can actually enjoy it.

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Guide to GEORGE TOWN on PULAU PENANG

George Town is fantastic - I don't even know where to start: It was the first British settlement in Southeast Asia and became - together with Singapore and Malacca -  a British crown colony in 1867.

View of the modern part of the city of George Town from the Kek Lok Si Temple.

George Town, counting about 710,000 inhabitants, is Malaysia's second largest city and the capital of the Penang Island.

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Guide to the CAMERON HIGHLANDS

While we poor Europeans are travelling to Asia seeking the tropical sun, the Colonialists - no matter which motherland had sent them - were desperately looking for cooler places in higher regions, building settlements and mansions there to take a break from....being wealthy and having servants.

A visit to the beautiful tea plantations is not to be missed when visiting the cool highlands.

Whether you go to Da Lat in Viet Nam, Thansur Bokor in Cambodia - or precisely the Cameron Highlands: You'll find temperate climate, elegant villas and holiday homes, and excellent infrastructure in lush surroundings.

Having been to many of these places, I must say that the Cameron Highlands are a bit less colonial and a whole lot more sumptuous.

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Guide to PULAU PANGKOR

While the most popular islands like the Perhentians or Tioman are on the otherwise very conservative and religious east coast, Pangkor is in the west, three hours from Kuala Lumpur and even less from Ipoh.

Secluded Coral Beach.

So hop on the ferry in Lumut and half an hour later, you'll find yourself in a tropical paradise.

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