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Penang
From its establishment as the 1st British trading post in the Far East in 1786, Penang (aka Georgetown) is today a bustling city with a unique blend of the East and West. It is reflected in its heritage buildings as well as in the lifestyles, food and customs of the locals.
Sites to see:
Georgetown
*Fort Cornwallis
*Esplanade
*Museum and Art Gallery
*Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion
*The Streets of George Town
Places of Worship
*Kapitan Kling Mosque
*Kek Lok Si Temple
*St. Georges Church
*Kuan Yin (Goddess of Mercy) Temple
*Khoo Kongsi
*Snake Temple
*Sri Mariamman Temple
*Wat Chayamankalaram
Natural Getaway and Parks
*Beaches & Fishing Villages
*Penang Hill
*Butterfly Farm
*Botanical Gardens
*Forest Recreational Park
From KL: The best way is to take a bus from Pudu Raya bus terminal, the journey is about 3 hours and should cost you less than RM50 roundstrip. Train is also a good way to travel but it takes longer. You can also fly to Penang from KL out of Subang Airport.
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| Christ Church |
Melaka (Malacca)
It is traditionally believed that the history of Malaysia began with the founding of Malacca in 1400 by Parameswara, a Sumatran prince. Thereafter, the state flourished under the Malacca Sultanate and eventually became the region largest emporium attracting traders from as far as China, India, Arabia and Europe. Malacca came under successive colonial eras when it was conquered by the Portuguese in 1511, followed by the Dutch rule in 1641 before the British took over in 1824. All foreign influences have over the years transformed the state in to a cultural melting pot. The Portuguese and Peranakan communities have, until today, remained a distintive feature of society in Malacca.
Attractions:
The Stadthuys
St. Paul's Church
Christ Church
St. Francis Xavier's Church
St. Peter's Church
A' Famosa
Dutch Fort
Dutch Graveyard
St. John's Fort
British Graveyard
Youth Museum
The People's Museum
Maritime Museum
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| A Famosa |
From KL: Best way is travel by bus. Take a bus from Pudu Raya. The journey should be about 2 hours at less that RM50 roundtrip. Many hotels in KL do arrange day trip to KL. You should spend a night in Malacca if you have time.
Accommodation is in abundance, normally prior reservations is not needed. Walk around and checkout your accommodation options.
Visit the State's official travel site for detail informtion on each of the attractions. My favourite thing to do in Malacca is antique hunting in the narrow street in oldtown Malacca (Near the Christ Church)
Island and Beaches
It would be an impossible task to describe every one of Malaysia's thousands of beautiful beaches. Ranging from the powdery stretches of sand that characterize the eastern coastline of Peninsular Malaysia to the black sand beach of Pantai Pasir Hitam and the smooth pebble beach of Pantai Batu Kerikil, Malaysia's shores offer more idyllic locales than one could explore in many lifetimes. In addition to the plenitude of beaches along the the peninsula and the coast of Eastern Malaysia, the country also possesses over a hundred tropical islands. Many of these are so beautiful as to have entered into legend centuries ago, like the islands of Langkawi remain desert isles, marked , or Pulau Tioman. Others only by the imprint of the South China Sea on their sands. 
Top Picks:
Langkawi:
Pulau Langkawi is the foremost of a group of 104 islands lying off the coast of Kedah, in northwestern Malaysia (30KM offshore Kuala Perlis and 51km from Kuala Kedah). The islands are blessed with intriguing heritage of fabulous myths and legends of orges and gigantic birds, warriors and fairy princess.
There are many other activities on the island besides the usual Sun, Surf and Sand. Checkout the Pulau Payah Marine Park, Underwater World Langkawi, Taman Lagenda, Croc Farm, Dataran Lang etc.
Getting There
By Air: The airport is about 20km from Kual and 8km from the beach resorts at Pantai Cenang. Malaysia Airlines has a direct flight to Pulau Langkawi from Kuala Lumpur daily and Air Asia flies to Langkawi 5 times a week. Silk Air flies from Singapore. International direct flights avaiable from Taipei, Osaka.
By Rail: Rail services are available from Kuala Lumpur to Alor Setar amd Arau; then take a taxi to Kuala Kedah or Kuala Perlis for the ferry to Pulau Langkawi.
By Road: The North-South Expressway makes driving pleasurable from Kuala Lumpur to Kuala Perlis, a journey which takes about 5 hours. From here board a ferry to the island. (Regular ferry services are available from Kuala Kedah and Kuala Perlis on the mainland to Kuah, the main town on Pulau Langkawi. The trip takes about an hour.)
Pulau Pangkor
The ultimate destination of most travellers to this coastal state is Pulau Pangkor, which has enchanting beaches on its western shore. Among them are Teluk Belanga, Teluk Nipah and Pasir Bogak. There are also quiet coves and untrodden bays at Tortoise Bay, Teluk Nipah and Teluk Chempedak, which offer complete privacy. A round-island trip is one of the best waysto take in Pangkor Island; it costs about RM25. Around the coastal roads, there are quaint Malay villages with wooden houses on stilts. You may chance upon shy deer or playful monkeys in the forests. The forest-fringed Pantai Puteri Dewi (Beach of the Lovely Princess), provides its own resort, set in the curve of the bay.
Pualu Pangkor is famous for its fine fishing. Return at the end of the day to pleasant and attractive hotels--among them are Pasir Bogak Beach, Pulau Pangkor, Sri Bayu Beach Resort and Pan Pacific Resort. A number of chalets can be found near the beach, too.
Getting There:
By Air: Pelangi Air offers direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to Pangkor.
By Road: The road journey from Kuala Lumpur to Lumut takes approximately 2 hours. At Lumut, take a ferry to Pulau Pangkor, a half hour iourney.
By Rail: KTM Bhd (Malayan Railways) operates daily services from Kuala Lumpur to the north with a stopover at Ipoh. From Ipoh, taxis are available to Lumut. Then take a ferry to Pangkor.
For further information, please contact:
Perak Tourist Information Centre
State Economic Planning Unit
Jalan Dato' Sagor
Jalan Dewan
30000 Ipoh, Perak
Tel: 05-2532800
Fax: 05-2418173 
Pulau Tioman
For centuries, Pulau Tioman has been regarded as a jewel in the sea. One early Malaysian legend claims Tioman to be a transformed dragon princess. Apparently the beautiful princess stopped enroute to Singapore from China to admire the charms of this spot. So enraptured was she that she decided to discontinue her journey, take the form of an island, and remain there as a place of shelter and comfort to passing travellers. Tioman's beauty, from its towering dual volcanic peak to its soft sands, swaying palms, and vibrant profusion of tropical wildflowers, is such that it lends credence to the tale. One indication of Tioman's enduring ability to inspire fables is that it was chosen as the location for the film version of the musical "South Pacific." It is Bali Hai.
Getting there:
The boat ride from Mersing takes about 1 1/2 hours, while from Singapore will be about 4 1/2 hours. Pulau Tioman is also served by Pelangi Air and Berjaya Air.
Pulau Perhentian
Pulau Perhentian is a resting spot for fishermen and seabirds alike. The island lies 21 km off Besut in Terengganu. The sea journey takes about one and a half hours from Besut. Blessed with a long stretch of white sandy beach and exceptionally clear waters, Pulau Perhentian is a fine destination for snorkeling, scuba-diving, wind surfing, sailing and deep-sea fishing. Chalets and campsites are available.
Getting there:
From Kuala Terengganu, take a bus or taxi to the jumping-off point of Kuala Besut.It takes about an hour. From the Fisheries Complex at Kuala Besut, take a boat to Pulau Perhentian. The boat ride takes about 1 1/2 hours.
Pulau Redang
Another enchanting island off the coast of Terengganu is Pulau Redang. It is relatively uninhabited except for a fishing village built on stilts over the sea. Its surrounding waters support a variety of marine life--hard and soft corals of every hue, anemones, and colorful clams. The crystal clear waters make this an ideal spot for swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving.
Getting there:
Ferry service is available from the Kuala Terengganu jetty and it takes 45 minutes.
Taman Negara National Park
Spread out over 4343sq km. of the fomidable Titiwangsa Mountain Range is Taman Negara- One of the world's oldest tropical rainforest at 130 million year-old. National Geographic Society conduct one of it's biggest research project here. A sanctuary to hundreds of species of birds, butterflies, insects, fish and plants. Hime to Malaysia's friendly oborigunes, the Orang Asli. A shy yet gentle race, they continue to live the nomadic wat they've lived for centuries although fully aware of the country's fas-pace development.
Things to do:
1. Bird Watching. (Over 350 species spotted here)
2. Orang Asli Settlements.- Kampung Yong
3. Cave exploration.- Gua Kepayang, Gua Daun Menari and Gua Telinga
4. Jungle Trekking
5. White water rafing at Sundai Temling
6.Gunung Tahan, highest peak in the Peninsular Malaysia, 55KM trail to the peak
7. Canopy Walk, the world's longest at 400 meters at 30 meters above ground.
8. Fishing
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| Canopy Walk |
Getting there
There are currently four main entrances to Taman Negara:
1. Kuala Tahan, Pahang
2. Merapoh, Pahang
3. Kuala Koh, Kelantan
4. Tanjung Mentong, Terengganu
However, the easiest is via Kuala Tanan and I will only post info on this entrance.
The nearest town is Jerantut, Pahang. The journey from Kuala Lumpur or Kuantan by car or public transport takes about 3 hours. From Jerantut, visitors can either take a bus or taxi to the Kuala Tembeling Jetty, which is another 16 km from Jerantut.
Visitors from Singapore can board the night train, which stops at the Kuala Tembeling Train Station. From the Kuala Tembeling Jetty visitors have to take a boat along Sungai Tembeling for 2 1/2 hours to 3 hours to reach Kuala Tahan.
The boat fare is RM18 per person. Boats leave at 9am and 2pm daily. Boats depart from Kuala Tahan at 9am and 3pm daily except for Friday when afternoon departure is at 3:30pm. Speed boat available at 10:30am and 1:30pm daily and the trip only take 45min. The speed boat departs from Kuala Tembeling.
Take the train to Kuala Tembeling or Jerantut from KL, then take a local bus/taxi to Kuala Tembeling.
More info, please contact the:
Department of Wildlife and National Parks
KM 10 Jalan Cheras
Cheras, 56100 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
also:
Taman Negara Resort
Cameron Highland
Cameron Highland is a popular hill resort, located in the state of Pahang, on the Main Range of Peninsular Malaysia. At 1524m above sea level, it is the largest of the Malaysian hill resorts. (My personal favourite too) Much of its appeal lies on the neat sprawling tea plantation which date back to 1929, as well as terraced flower gardens, strawberry farms, orchards and vegetable garden.
What to see/do?
Ringlet: 1st township on the way up to Cameron Highland. Lake House hotel is a little further up, this would be my choice of accomodation.
Tanah Rata: 13km from Ringlet is the main town of Cameron Highland. It has population of about 7000.
Golfing
Junggle Trekking (from tanah rata, there are about 14 different trails at various difficulties and length)
Butterfly Farm (several)
Honey Bee Farm (located in Brinchang, after Tanah Rata)
Sungai Palas Boh Tea Estate (This is a must, guided tour)
Getting there
Bus: There are at least 4 buses depart from Pudu Raya Bus terminal in KL. The journey is about 4-5 hour. Fare is about RM11 (US3) or there are 3-4 of your, share a taxi and it should cost you about RM150 (US40).
Rail: Take train from KL to Tapah, from Tapah, either bus to taxi to Tanah Rata.
1 ) All Souls Church
2 ) Bertam Valley
3 ) Bharat Tea Estate
4 ) Boh Teh Estate
5 ) Butterfly Garden
6 ) Cameron Highlands Golf Club
7 ) Cameron HighlandsGolf Course Inn
8 ) Equatorial Hotel
9 ) Father's Guest House
10 ) Lake House
11 ) Gold Dollar Tea Estate
12 ) Heritage Hotel
13 ) Kea Farm
14 ) Mardi
15 ) Merlin Hotel
16 ) Parit Waterfall
17 ) Police Station
18 ) Robinsons Waterfall
19 ) Rose Garden
20 ) Sg. Palas Tea Estate
21 )Strawberry Farm
22 )Ye Olde Smoke House
23 )Youland FlowerNursery |
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