Since the reefs and crystal-clear waters around the Perhentian Islands in Malaysia are home to a diverse variety of coral, sea turtles, sharks, and colorful fish, they are incredibly popular with snorkelers and divers. Travelers flock to these islands to unwind, slow down, and take in the laid-back pace of island life. The islands are worth the extra cost, even if they are more expensive than the rest of Malaysia.
Sunset
It takes a few minutes to get to Coral Bay on Kecil, the ideal location to watch the sunset. There are a few small, unnamed beaches close to D’Lagoon where you can enjoy the view in a more relaxed atmosphere if you’d prefer to observe it away from the crowds.
Sea Kayaking
For sea kayaking, the waters near the islands are ideal. Budget between 60 and 80 MYR for a rental. One of the most well-liked locations for kayaking is Long Beach, although you can also paddle Kecil’s 14 km (9 km) coast in 3-5 hours.
Relax at Adam & Eve Beach
People typically come here to unwind and tan on one of Kecil’s least populated beaches. It is remote northwest of the island and has crystal-clear water, ideal for snorkeling. You may avoid the crowd because not many people make it here. Bring a book and snack, then unwind all afternoon.
The Srivijaya and Majapahit kingdoms, followed by the Melaka Sultanate, governed modern-day Malaysia long before European colonial forces dared to imagine taking over Southeast Asia. Hindu influences began to expand throughout the peninsula and archipelago during the early eras. During the heyday of the Melaka Sultanate, Arab traders imported Islam, the predominant religion of Malaysia.
Just 12 years after World War II, Malaysia initially declared independence from Britain in 1957. This situation altered when Malaysia was founded in 1963 and states like Sabah, Singapore, and Sarawak were adopted. However, only two years later, Singapore was evicted due to widespread ethnic unrest brought on by the growing threat of Chinese influences on the region, and Singapore later gained independence.
Malaysia, in contemporary times, is described as a melting pot. There is still a strong influence of old Malay, British, Dutch, Portuguese, and Hindu culture in many areas of the nation, which has produced a wide variety of local architecture, languages, religions, and cuisine. British labor migration laws brought about a significant influx of Chinese and Indian migrant workers in the 19th century. Today, the Malay population, which makes up 52% of the population, is only surpassed by the offspring of these laborers, who make up over 30% of the population.
Despite the diversity, the Malaysian government launched an aggressive “National Cultural Policy” strategy to forge a unified national cultural identity, wherein the government recognized Malay as the official culture.
Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia’s largest capital city has a lot to offer tourists, no matter their hobbies. Kuala Lumpur is a metropolitan metropolis with a substantial religious influence. It is full of upscale retail possibilities, thrilling activities, and interesting locations to visit.
Petronas Twin Towers
The twin towers of Kuala Lumpur, made of steel, glass, and reinforced concrete, are the city’s most identifiable feature. The twin skyscrapers, once the world’s tallest towers, are still the world’s tallest twin structures. The towers, which stand 88 floors tall, are not only the most noticeable building in Kuala Lumpur but also a stunning fusion of modernist design with Islamic art features.
A sky bridge that connects the skyscrapers is located on the 41st and 42nd floors, despite being a popular tourist destination, the sky bridge.
Merdeka Square
The streets surrounding the square are lined with the city’s most recognizable ancient colonial structures; many are open to visitors or make stunning photo backgrounds.
The Malaysian Ministry of Information, Communication, and Culture is located in the Sultan Abdul Samad Building, which bears a strong Moorish influence. At the same time, the adjoining Kuala Lumpur City Gallery combines unique exhibits and small models to chronicle the city’s history.
Kuala Lumpur Tower
The KL Tower, which rises 421 meters into the air and is one of the tallest freestanding buildings in the world and the tallest in Southeast Asia, serves primarily as a TV and communications tower, an Islamic falak observatory, and a vantage point over the city. An upside-down funhouse museum, a small aquarium, a gift shop with high-quality handicrafts, and the Sky Box, a glass box that extends out from the Sky Deck and provides unhindered views of the city in all directions—including under your feet—are just a few of the attractions inside the tower.
Gunung Mulu National Park
The Gunung Mulu National Park is one of Southeast Asia’s most breathtaking natural attractions and is renowned for its amazing limestone karst formations and fantastic cave systems. Some of the world’s longest and largest cave systems may be found in this national park, situated in the Sarawak State of Malaysian Borneo. These include the Sarawak Chamber, the largest underground chamber in the world, which can reportedly store 40 Boeing 747 airplanes.
The park’s other noteworthy features include the Pinnacles, a collection of pointed limestone spires, a karst sinkhole known as the Garden of Eden, and two majestic peaks, Gunung Mulu and Gunung Api, all of which are surrounded by rainforest, crystal-clear rivers, rugged mountains, and deep ravines.
Borneo Rainforest
One of the remaining great refuges for biodiversity is the Borneo Rainforest. The third-largest island on the earth, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei, share approximately 400,000 square kilometers (154,440 square miles) of rainforest, home to an abundance of rare plants, trees, mammals, reptiles, insects, and bird species. Although Borneo’s rainforest ecosystem may be centuries old, it faces threats from deforestation, poaching, and habitat degradation due to the island’s wild and inaccessible location, an ever-increasing human population of over 20 million, and increased global reliance on Borneo’s undeveloped resources.
There are up to 90 different types of bats, innumerable tropical bird species, and the magnificent Red Flying Squirrel, which soars effortlessly between treetops. The rivers are home to strong Saltwater Crocodiles, and the forest is full of hundreds of species of snakes, lizards, and other reptiles.
No matter what month you choose to visit Borneo, be prepared to sweat because the island is hot and humid all year. Because Borneo is divided in half by the equator, you may anticipate pretty constant average temperatures and daylight hours. It never gets any hotter or colder than 32°C or 27°C.
Kuantan
The largest city on Peninsula Malaysia’s east coast is Kuantan, which serves as the state of Pahang’s capital. The surroundings are ideal for a peaceful escape. Flight time from Singapore and Kuala Lumpur is only one hour. Kuantan’s gorgeous beaches and waterfalls rank among the most visited attractions.
Gua Charas is another lovely location in Kuantan. This cave temple, which is 25 miles from the heart of Kuantan, is interesting to explore. Buddhists and Hindus both regard the location as sacred.
Bukit Panorama is perched atop a hill that rises to around 270 meters. Starting at the Bukit Panorama Trailhead, the ascent ascends a flight of stairs. The journey to the overlook can take anywhere from 30 to 1 hour.
The best views are at sunset, a weekend ritual in this region and ideal if you’re thinking about what to do in Kuantan at night. If you’re an early riser, daybreak is also stunning.
