Malaysian holidays: Places to visit in Malaysia By Catherine Mcgloin

Six of the best places to visit and things to do on holiday in Malaysia, from shopping and skyscrapers in KL to beaches in Langkawi.

TIRED of Thailand? Seen the sights in Singapore? Then head to multi-cultural Malaysia and explore a very different side of Southeast Asia.

Laze on the beaches in Langkawi or feast like a king in the foodie paradise of Penang, there’s so much to see and do, so here are six not to be missed places in Malaysia:

1. Langkawi

A tax-free haven, Langkawi is a firm favourite with honeymooners looking for luxury resorts and secluded sandy beaches. But if you’re working to a strict budget then there are still lots of alternatives. Spend the afternoon splashing around in the crystal clear pools at the top of Telaga Tujuh waterfalls.

2. Penang

The Cheong Fatt Tze mansion in Penang is one of the many places in the island where visitors can experience old world charm. - Filepic

Wander through the streets of Penang, past crumbling Chinese shop fronts and Peranakan mansions in search of some of the world’s most famous graffiti. Cool down with an ice bowl of cendol, a popular Malaysian dessert made from coconut milk and green jelly noodles, just one of the many dishes that has helped to put Penang on the culinary map.

3. Cameron Highlands

Bored of the beach? Then head to the Cameron Highlands. Visit the butterfly farm, or walk through the jungle and discover over 700 species of Malaysia’s most unusual flora and fauna. Take a break from trekking and sip some of the finest tea in Southeast Asia at the Boh Tea Plantation, accompanied by scones and fresh strawberries which are grown in abundance here.

4. Ipoh

Ipoh, or the Bouganvillea City, is the perfect spot to experience life in British Colonial Malaysia. Walk along the banks of the Kinta River in the city’s old town and take in the Edwardian railway station and town hall. For bigger thrills, try your hand at white water rafting, jungle trekking and caving in and around Malaysia’s fourth-largest city.

5. Kuala Lumpur

Needing a city fix? Malaysia’s capital is packed with shopping malls and sophisticated skybars, perhaps the most famous being the one on the roof of the Traders Hotel which has a brilliant night-time view over the Petronas Towers. Escape the chaos and spend the day at the Batu Caves, a popular Hindu shrine and home to hoards of cheeky monkeys just outside the city.

6. Kuching

The famous Cat Statue near Padungan is famous tourism spot in Kuching. - Filepic

On the opposite side of the Chinese Sea lies Malaysian Borneo and the capital city of Kuching. Stargaze at the Sultan Iskandar Planetarium, Malaysia’s first, or get some retail therapy and bag a bargain at the Main Bazaar. Head to Padungan, an inner city suburb, for five-star hotels and the best nightlife in Kuching. – Skyscanner (www.skyscanner.net)

http://www.thestar.com.my/Travel/Malaysia/2014/03/06/Malaysia-holidays-Places-to-visit-in-Malaysia/