Culture, Highlands & Beach

Explore the evocative temples, towering skyscrapers and leafy squares of Kuala Lumpur. Ascend the 272 steps that lead up to the Batu Caves, a vast cavern just outside the city, filled with shrines, monuments and a troop of cheeky monkeys. Also be sure to go up to the observation deck of the Petronas Towers, two glittering skyscrapers joined by a bridge. Back on ground level, check out the oldest Hindu temple in Malaysia at Sri Mahamariamman, or the lantern-clad Chinese temple of Thean Hou. KL is a great place to shop too, so browse for souvenirs in the markets and malls.

Gaze across the emerald green tea plantations, rolling hills and misty peaks of the Cameron Highlands. A visit to a tea plantation is a must-do – you can sip on the different brews, and for a real taste of home try the home baked scones with cream and jam. The highlands are also home to a cluster of honey and strawberry farms so perhaps pop in for all sorts of strawberry and honey related treats. For a more relaxed approach, put on your hiking boots and take a walk through the hills, admiring the gorgeous views.

Head on to Penang and see the sights of the island, including the historic colonial architecture and the pretty beaches. The island’s capital Georgetown is a World Heritage Site and filled with crumbling mansions and atmospheric shophouses, where the sounds of the prayer calls emanate from the mosques and the waft of incense from the Chinese temples hangs in the air. The main activity here is eating, and there’s a good reason why. Tuck in to Chinese-style char kway teow and spicy laksa in the hawker stalls or restaurants for an authentic taste of Malaysia.

Take the ferry to Langkawi, an archipelago of 99 islands carpeted in lush jungle and surrounded by clear waters. Stay on Pulau Langkawi, the main island, where upmarket hotels and luxury spas dot the shoreline, but the interior retains its traditional village feel. Aside from beach lazing and wave splashing, you can head to the Telaga Tujuh Waterfalls, otherwise known as the Seven Wells, a collection of seven pools making up a waterfall where you can swim and even slide between the pools. After a hard day’s beach lazing (or waterfall swimming), sip cocktails and watch the sun set over the ocean.