Compared with spicy Thailand to the north and cosmopolitan Singapore to the south, Malaysia is a relative secret to many from the West, and many travelers to Southeast Asia skip over it, opting for more heavily traversed routes.
Boy, are they missing out. Those who venture here wander through streets awash with international influences from colonial times and trek through mysterious rainforests and caves, sometimes without another tourist in sight. They relax peacefully under palms on lazy white beaches that fade into blue, blue waters. They spy the bright colors of batik sarongs hanging to dry in the breeze. They hear the melodic drone of the Muslim call to prayer seeping from exotic mosques. They taste culinary masterpieces served in modest local shops -- from Malay with its deep mellow spices to succulent seafood punctuated by brilliant chili sauces. In Malaysia, I'm always thrilled to witness life without the distracting glare of the tourism industry, and I leave impressed by how accessible Malaysia is to outsiders while remaining true to its heritage.
I cover the major destinations of peninsular Malaysia. We begin with the country's capital, Kuala Lumpur (KL), then tour the peninsula's west coast -- the cities of Johor Bahru, Melaka (Malacca), the hill resorts at Cameron and Genting Highlands, plus islands like the popular Penang, secluded Pangkor, and luxurious Langkawi. Then I'll take you up the east coast of the peninsula, through resort areas in Kuantan, Cherating, and Terengganu, plus the small and charming Tioman and Redang Islands. My coverage also includes Taman Negara National Park, peninsular Malaysia's largest national forest. Finally, we cross the South China Sea to the island of Borneo, where the Malaysian states of Sarawak and Sabah feature Malaysia's most impressive forests as well as unique and diverse cultures.
Malaysia is accessible to the rest of the world through its international airport in Kuala Lumpur. Regular flights also connect cities in the region to Malaysia's many smaller international airports. Domestic flights provide access to all parts of the country, and you can also travel by car, bus, or train from Singapore or Thailand.
