A Brief Guide to Malaysia's Cities, Resorts and Islands
Malaysia
– overview
Kuala Lumpur
Penang
Pangkor and Pangkor Laut
Langkawi
East Coast Resorts
Borneo- Sabah and Sarawak
Malaysia – cities, regions and resorts
Geographically Malaysia consists of two distinct parts: Peninsular Malaysia, home to the country’s most popular beach resorts such as Penang and Langkawi as well as to one of Asia’s fastest growing cities, Kuala Lumpur. East Malaysia occupies the northern segment of the island of Borneo, and is made up of the states of Sabah and Sarawak. Malaysia is a fascinating mix of cultures and welcoming people, with strong Malay, Chinese and Indian influences on Peninsular Malaysia to the diverse tribal culture found in East Malaysia. As such it offers the visitor numerous holiday choices from exploring the high-tech city of KL, relaxing on the beaches of one of its many islands or meeting the tribal villagers of Sabah.
Tempting Beaches
Stretching from Thailand to Singapore, the west
coast of Malaysia hides numerous small islands, each with its own endearing
charm, the most popular of which are Penang, Langkawi and Pangkor. Penang
is the largest and most developed island connected to the mainland by
bridge. Its most visited areas are Batu Ferringhi, a well-established
beach resort popular with families, and the island’s capital Georgetown
with its intriguing history and fascinating culture. Langkawi is located
at the northern tip of Peninsular Malaysia and offers empty beaches and
beautiful scenery including vast expanses of untouched rainforest. Pangkor
and Pangkor Laut are small idyllic islands famed for their beaches and
relaxed pace of life. The beaches that lie on the east coast offer superb
snorkelling and endless white sand. Kuantan is one of the largest of the
east coast beaches whilst further north, retreats can be found on Tioman
Island and the Perhentian Islands.
A
Cultural Lifestyle
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s
rapidly developing capital, offers a strong cultural
contrast of old and new, with ancient shop houses and temples standing
aside glittering skyscrapers and colonial buildings. With so many cultures
in Malaysia there is always a reason to celebrate; the most important
and colourful occasions fall on the days during Hari Raya Puasa, ending
the month-long fast of Ramadan. Visitors have a wide choice of activities
to choose from including visiting the huge Batu Caves, the shopping malls
under the towering Petronas Twin Towers as well as colonial tours to nearby
Malacca city.
A
Culinary Delight
Generally the food in Malaysia is simply terrific,
a diner’s delight of different cuisines, drawing on Malaysia’s three main
communities, Malay, Chinese and Indian. Often regarded as the national
dish, satay consists of tasty skewers of meats dipped in spicy peanut
sauce. Nonya cooking is a local variation on Chinese and Malay food and
generally a home skill to prepare. The most popular Nonya dish to try
is Laksa, a spicy coconut soup adopted by all Malaysians.
Sporting Paradise
Central Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia
are a nature or water lover’s paradise with some of the most diverse natural
habitats in the world made accessible. Choose from the lush hill stations
of the Cameron Highlands or explore the pristine rainforest of Taman Negara
National Park. The more active traveller can climb the mighty Mount Kinabalu
in Sabah or visit the native Orang-utans in Sandakan, or explore the diving
reefs off the east coast peninsula.
Shopper’s Delight
For traditional handicrafts, try Kuala Lumpur’s
Central Market complex in Chinatown. Jalan Petaling in the heart of Chinatown
is a colourful shopping street and has some craftwork, amazingly priced
clothes and of course copy watches. Chow Kit market is also very good
for local craftwork. Kuala Lumpur houses two international shopping malls:
KLCC located by the Petronas Towers and Berjaya Times Square in the city
centre. Bargain hunters should note that imported electrical items are
available at a fraction of the cost.
Spas and Boutiques
The perfect treat after a hard day’s sightseeing
in KL would be to head to your hotel’s spa and let their professionals
soothe your aches and tension away. The Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur has a
wide range of treatments and aromatherapy at Clarins. The Datai, Langkawi,
is a favourite of all pampering aficionados, who
head for the Mandara Spa for a host of exotic treatments, carried out
on individuals or couples in beautiful traditional surroundings, set within
an ancient Malay rainforest, with the soothing sounds of Nature all around;
a haven of serenity and natural beauty for those seeking to restore the
body, mind and soul. Shangri-La Rasa Sayang launched Chi Spa Village in
2006, set to be the most spacious spa in the world, with private villas,
individual treatment rooms as well as personal bathing, treatment and
relaxation areas. Chi draws inspiration from the origin of the Shangri-La
legend, high on the mystical Himalayan landscape.
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur, known as "KL" by the locals, was founded as recently as the 1890s. Although still a relatively young city, Malaysia's capital offers a multicultural heritage which is reflected in its architecture - mosques and temples stand beside colonial buildings and modern tower blocks. Sights to see include the King’s Palace, the National Mosque, the Railway Station and the many beautiful parks and sanctuaries. If you’ve a mind to shop, KL competes with other Far East cities as a bargain-hunter's paradise, offering a vast array of modern shopping malls and traditional markets. All this makes KL a great base from which to explore the fascinating country of Malaysia.
Penang
Just two kilometres off the mainland of Malaysia lies the colourful and scenic island of Penang, often referred to as the 'Pearl of the Orient'. Penang offers miles of golden sandy beaches, the most famous of which is Batu Ferringhi on the northern coastline where the majority of hotel development has taken place. Away from the beaches there is a wealth of multi-cultural heritage to be explored. In 1786 Penang was established as the first British trading post in the Far East and quickly attracted people from all over Asia. Modern Penang retains these influences, especially in the form of the many remaining colonial era buildings and in the capital Georgetown, a real Chinatown with far more obvious Chinese flavour than Hong Kong or Singapore.
Pangkor and Pangkor Laut
Just off the west coast of the state of Perak
in the Straits of Malacca, about 250km north of Kuala Lumpur, lie two
beautiful tropical islands. They provide a total contrast to the bigger
and better known west coast islands, Penang and Langkawi, located further
north. The main island of Pangkor is a 30-minute ferry ride from the town
of Lumut on the mainland. Mostly populated by fishing communities, Pangkor
abounds with natural attractions: the beaches, the forests and the coral
in the seas surrounding the island. The Pangkor Island Beach Resort has
a wonderful setting for a relaxing tropical retreat, nestled on the northern
end of the island. The idyllic island of Pangkor Laut is situated just
off the seaward side of Pangkor Island. Virtually the entire 300-acre
island is covered in virgin rainforest estimated to be more than two million
years old, whilst the magnificent bays and fine sandy beaches along its
perimetres are perfect to “get away from it all”. Pangkor Laut Resort,
set on its own private island, is one of the most delightful resorts in
Malaysia and sister property to Tanjong Jara on the East Coast .
Access to the Islands
The islands are accessible by good quality roads from
Kuala Lumpur to the coastal town of Lumut (about three hours drive) from
where ferries depart for the islands. See each hotel description for more
details of overland transfers from Kuala Lumpur. Alternatively, flights
from Subang, the former international airport in Kuala Lumpur, to Pangkor
airport operate five times a week and cost approximately £45 each way,
but are subject to change. Flights are operated by Berjaya Air and take
just 40 minutes. Please note the baggage allowance is only 10kg per person.
Land transfers from Pangkor airport to the Pangkor Island Beach Resort
are complimentary. Transfers to Pangkor Laut are by taxi from Pangkor
airport to the jetty and then a 20-minute boat ride to Pangkor Laut Resort.
These transfers cost £10 per person, per way and are payable locally.
Langkawi
Pulau Langkawi is the main island in a little known
cluster of 104 islands scattered over 526 sq kilometres of the Andaman
Sea off the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia close to the border
with Thailand. It is an island known for its natural beauty as well as
its enduring legends. Langkawi has developed into a leading international
resort island over the last ten years, and the hotels are dotted around
the island’s perimeter. As there are no cities or large towns, Langkawi
still retains a rural laid-back charm. Marine Parks provide some of the
most spectacular snorkelling and diving opportunities in Malaysia and
the island abounds with beautiful secluded beaches.
Access to Langkawi
Malaysian Airlines now operate direct flights
in to Langkawi from London Heathrow travelling via Kuala Lumpur on return.
Domestic flights between Kuala Lumpur to Langkawi are also operated daily
by Berjaya Air.
East Coast Resorts
The east coast of Malaysia has some wonderfully inviting sandy beaches, a few large towns and dozens of little fishing villages that maintain a distinctive way of life little changed in centuries. The town of Kuantan is midway up the coast and there are several resorts situated to the north between Kuantan and Kuala Terengganu. A hire car is the ideal way to explore this area which is steeped in Malay culture and allows you to make the most of the beaches and coastal scenery. Offshore, in the South China Sea, lie several islands with pristine white sand beaches fringed by coral reefs and draped in tropical jungle. The sparsely inhabited island of Redang is off the northern part of the coast while Tioman, the most spectacular of the east coast islands, is off the southern part of the coast. Both islands offer a real Robinson Crusoe experience.
Borneo - Sabah and Sarawak
Sabah and Sarawak are located on the island of Borneo and separated from Peninsular Malaysia by the South China Sea. Sabah is mountainous with lush tropical rainforests, beautiful flora and fauna and welcoming people. The neighbouring state of Sarawak is Malaysia’s largest and one of the most colourful, blessed with untamed natural wonders, hospitable ethnic groups and an age-old culture.