Must See

Cameron Highlands

Sip a freshly-brewed cup of tea in this cool hill station with a distinctly genteel English feel. The region, located about 150 km north of Kuala Lumpur, is home to a number of major tea plantations. At 5,000 ft (1,500 m) above sea level it is the highest area on the mainland, and enjoys a cool climate, with temperatures no higher than 25°C and rarely falling below 12°C year round.

Johor

In the southern state of Johor, visitors may watch the trance-inducing Kuda Kepang dances in Muar, accompanied by the euphony of devotional chanting and ghazal music.

Kota Bharu

Situated in the northeastern part of Peninsular Malaysia, Kota Bharu is the state capital of Kelantan.The town hosts a parade celebrating the Sultan's birthday (Puja Umur), which itself is part of a week-long festival, bursting with colour.

Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur, located on the central west coast of Peninsular Malaysia, is the country's capital and largest city. Commonly simply referred to as KL, the city is a fascinating mix of old and new. Stroll through the bustling night markets, picking up bargain souvenirs, or take the lift up the the dizzying viewing platform of the Petronas Twin Towers, once the world's tallest building. At 452-metres high, it's a vivid demonstration of modern Malaysian energy and engineering, incorporating traditional Islamic symbols in its design. The two towers are connected by a skybridge on the 41st and 42nd floors. The skybridge is open to all visitors, but passes are limited to around 1,400 people per day, and usually run out before noon. These free passes are obtained on a first-come, first-served basis. Other great views of the city may be seen from the Menara Kuala Lumpur (often referred to as the KL Tower), the fifth tallest tower in the world.

The Aquaria KLCC is an underwater park located beneath Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (near the Petronas Twin Towers) and adjacent to Kuala Lumpur City Centre. Featuring 60,000 sq ft in two levels with a 90-metre long underwater tunnel, it houses over 250 different species and over 20,000 land and aquatic animals from Malaysia and around the world.

One of Kuala Lumpur's best-known natural landmarks is Tasek Perdana Lake Gardens, which is located near the Malaysian Parliament building, and was once home to a British colonial official. The gardens include a Deer Park, Butterfly Park, Hibiscus Garden, Orchid Garden and South-East Asia's largest Bird Park. Within the gardens are Parliament House and the National Monument (Tugu Negara), an impressive brass structure and one of the world's largest free-standing sculptures. It commemorates those who died in Malaysia's struggle for freedom, principally against the Japanese occupation during World War II and the Malayan Emergency.

The Istana Negara (National Palace) is the official residence of His Majesty, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the King of Malaysia. As the palace grounds are not open to members of the public, the Main Palace Entrance is a favourite picture spot for tourists.

Architectural gems around the city include Kuala Lumpur Railway Station, which resembles a Moorish palace; the Sultan Abdul Samad Building, in Independence Square, which blends Victorian and Moorish architectural styles and the striking National and Friday Mosques.

Just outside the city, 15 km northwest, is the Forestry Research Institute's protected stretch of jungle, 15km (9 miles) northwest of Kuala Lumpur, where visitors may explore a number of low eco-impact trails. Also nearby (32 km west of KL) is the town of Klang, famed for its seafood and Bah Kut The (a herbal soup that uses pork ribs and tenderloins).

Langkawi Island

Langkawi Island, 30 km off the mainland coast of northwestern Malaysia is a free port and duty-free shopping haven, where pristine sandy beaches await at the end of a long shopping trip.

Malacca

Malacca, located in the southern region of the Malay Peninsula, was founded in the early 15th century. It remains predominantly a Chinese community, although there are many reminders of periods under Portuguese, Dutch and British rule. Attractions include Fort A Famosa (built by the Portuguese in 1511), St. Peter's Church (constructed in 1710 under the Dutch administration, it is the oldest Catholic church in Malaysia), and Jonker Street (Jalan Hang Jebat), which is famous for its antique goods and its carnival-like atmosphere during weekend nights.

Mount Kinabalu

Mount Kinabulu is South-East Asia's highest peak, rising to 4,094 m (13,432 ft). It is located in the Kinabalu National Park, in part of the eastern state of Sabah in Malaysian Borneo, and it is the highest point between the Himalaya and New Guinea. Although no technical skills or mountaineering equipment are required to climb Mount Kinabalu, a guide and a climbing permit (which can be bought on location) are compulsory. Rising early to tackle the final stretch, the view from the top at dawn is worth every ounce of energy exerted in the getting there.

Pahang

In the interior of Pahang, visitors may find Malaysia's answer to Loch Ness: Lake Chini. These waters are said to contain a dragon that guards the entrance to a legendary sunken city.

Pedas Hot Springs

30 km (18 miles) south of Seremban, on the western coast of Peninsular Malaysia is the small town of Pedas. Here visitors may bathe in the restorative waters of the Hot Springs and enjoy dining and recreational facilities.

Penang

Penang Island, just off the west coast of the north of Peninsular Malaysia is home to the unusual Snake Temple, where swarms of pit vipers slither across the floors and steps. The temple is filled with the smoke of burning incense, which is believed to drug the snakes and render them harmless; however, as a safety precaution, the snakes have also been de-venomed.

Other attractions in Penang include the Khoo Kongsi Clanhouse in Cannon Square (a large Chinese clanhouse with elaborate and highly ornamented architecture), the Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion on Leith Street (an indigo-blue mansion with 38 rooms, 5 granite-paved courtyards, 7 staircases and 220 louvre windows), the National Park of Penang, Penang Botanic Gardens (on the outskirts of George Town) and the annual Penang International Dragon Boat Festival.

Perhentian Islands

Snorkle or dive in the aquamarine waters of this beautiful marine park off the northeast coast, which teems with technicolour fish and underwater life. The twin islands of Perhentian Kecil and Perhentian Besar are said to be the country's most beautiful. Located 19 km off the coast of northeastern Malaysia, they are popular for scuba-diving and snorkelling with accessible reefs. Both islands are fringed by white sand beaches, crystal clear waters and are still relatively unexploited.

Caves

Malaysian caves include the Batu Caves, which are a series of caves and cave temples north of Kuala Lumpur. Of the various cave temples that comprise the site, the largest and best known is the Temple or Cathedral Cave, so named because it houses several Hindu shrines beneath its 100 metre vaulted ceiling. The site serves as the focus of the Hindu community's yearly Thaipusam festival, which in 2006 attracted more than 1.5 million pilgrims. The Museum Cave has a display of statues and murals from Hindu mythology.

Gunung Mulu National Park, in the state of Sarawak, is home to the extensive cave system in the world, including the Cave of the Winds, Deer Cave and Clearwater Cave. Also within Gunung Mulu National Park is the world's biggest natural enclosed space - Sarawak chamber, found in Gua Nasib Bagus. It is 2,300 feet (700 m) long, 1,300 feet (396 m) wide and at least 230 feet (70 m) high, and is said to be large enough to fit several jumbojets inside. Other caves include the cave temples at Perak Tong, Sam Poh Tong and Kek Lok Tong.

Parks and Sanctuaries

There are a number of parks and wildlife sanctuaries in Malaysia, including:

Taman Negara on the Western Peninsula, is Malaysia's largest national park. Surrounded by the world's oldest tropical forest, the park is a favourite haunt for outdoor enthusiasts and birdwatchers. It is home to some rare mammals, such as the Asian Elephant, Sumatran Rhinoceros, Indochinese Tiger and Malayan Gaur (seladang).

Penang Bird Park in Seberang Jaya is home to over 400 bird species. Its specially designed aviaries are placed among manmade islands with ornamental gardens and beautiful waterfalls.

Templar Park, 22km (14 miles) north of Kuala Lumpur, is a well-preserved tract of primary rainforest. Jungle paths, swimming lagoons and waterfalls lie within the park boundaries.

The Kuala Gula Bird Sanctuary in Ipoh on the Western Peninsula is host to over 150 species of birds. Lucky visitors may also see long-tailed macaque, smooth otters and ridge-back dolphins.

Join the russet-furred 'man of the forest' amid the humid rainforests of Sabah on the island of Borneo. The Sepilok Orang-Utan Rehabilitation Centre, located about 25 kilometres west of Sandakan, was started in 1964 for rescue and rehabilitation of orphaned baby orang-utans from logging sites, plantations and illegal hunting. You can get really close to them on purpose-built wooden walkways, where they are looked after before being re-introduced into their native habitat. They can also be seen in Sarawak.