Malaysia - Must See Tourist Attractions And Activities

Malaysia is located just above the Equator in the Southeast region of Asia. It is a country of diverse attractions and the people of this country are multi racial. This has made Malaysia a cultural hub and an attractive destination for tourists.

The phrase "Truly Asia" has often been used to describe Malaysia as a visit to Malaysia would give a visitor an insight to everything Asia. The variety of festivals, food and religious practices is truly an experience to cherish.

For those of you who have yet to visit Malaysia, I would encourage you to do so. So, what is there to see and do in Malaysia? Let me enlighten you.

The weather is simply fantastic. Malaysia enjoys an equatorial climate. It is generally warm and sunny all year long except for the occasional rain. The temperature is generally about 27C - 30C though the mornings and nights are slightly cooler.

Tourists from various parts of the world have been known to make a beeline for Malaysia to escape the cold winter months in their home states. Some have even invested in real estate here and divide their time between their homes.

The warm and sunny climate throughout the year allows for outdoor activities to be enjoyed on a daily basis. Of course it rains at times but this too adds to the truly Malaysian experiences.

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Warm weather combined with beautiful soft sandy beaches draw the crowds to the Malaysian coasts. The warm waters and the gentle breeze make the Malaysian beaches a favorite tourist destination.

Here, you will find world-class hotels and chalets to cater to the needs of every tourist. From couples looking for a romantic getaway, to families with young children there is something for everyone.

Although the majority of tourists come to the coasts to simply rest and relax, there are numerous activities for the adventurous individual. Water sport activities, fishing expeditions and even island hopping adventures can easily be arranged at the hotels.

Most of these coastal areas also provide an authentic glimpse of rural Malaysia and an opportunity to try the local cuisine especially the seafood. There many seafood restaurant located near the hotels for the convenience of the tourists.

Sipadan Island, located off the coast of Sabah, in East Malaysia is a diving enthusiast’s dream come true. The jade green waters around this island contain one of the richest marine habitats of the world. The diversity of the species and the abundance of marine life in the waters of Sipadan had earned it a place as one of the best diving sites in the world. In fact, in 2013, Sipadan Island was ranked fifth by Lonely Planet in its list of top diving sites in the world.

To get to Sipadan Island, one needs to fly to Kota Kinabalu, the capital of the state of Sabah and from her to get to the town of Tawau. For further information do explore the link below.

Mount Kinabalu is the tallest mountain in South East Asia. Like Sipadan Island, Mount Kinabalu is located in the state of Sabah in East Malaysia and stands at 4095m above sea level. Climbing this legendary mountain is not for the fainthearted. Seeped in folklore and legends, Mount Kinabalu is a formidable adversary and one has to be physically fit to attempt the climb. There are trained guides to accompany those who are planning to make the ascent.

Mount Kinabalu is located in the Kinabalu Park. This is where those who are planning to climb will have to register. The climb itself takes two days. The first day of the climb will take you a short distance from the summit. The final push to the summit is done in the early hours of following day where a breathtaking sunrise greets you. The return will see you back at the base camp by late afternoon.

The climb itself will take one through different vegetation. At the lowest altitude in the Kinabalu Park is the lush Malaysian rainforest and higher up this will be replaced by coniferous trees and finally all you will see are small shrubs and moss. If you are lucky, you will be able to see the Rafflesia, the largest flower in the world during your trek up the Kinabalu!

The rainforests of Malaysia are truly exceptional. With its location on the equator, Malaysia boasts of lush evergreen rainforests that is home to a myriad of flora and fauna. The best place to experience the beauty of the rainforest would be to visit our largest national park better know as ‘Taman Negara’. Taman Negara covers 4343 square kilometers of primary rainforest.

There is a resort on the fringes of the park where tourists can stay and enjoy the beauty of the forest. Although a primary rainforest, Taman Negara has something for everyone. There are various treks to explore, canopy walks to try, boat rides to enjoy and wildlife sighting activities. There is even an aborigine’s settlement that tourists can visit and beautiful waterfalls within the perimeters of the park. For the more adventurous tourist there are many challenging trails to try.

Malaysian is a multi-ethnic society. The people of Malaysia are made up of so many different ethnic groups. The Malays, Chinese and Indians are the largest ethnic groups. Apart from this there tare the Sikhs, Eurasians and a myriad of indigenous ethnic groups that have lived harmoniously for generations.

Each of these ethnic groups has its very own festivals and cultural celebrations that make visiting Malaysia a truly memorable experience for tourists. With so many different ethnic groups living here, it seems that there is always a festival or an occasion for tourists to partake here in Malaysia. The various ethnic groups and their cultures have in its own way influenced each other and this has resulted in a unique Malaysian culture.

Ask anyone who has visited Malaysia about the best thing here and you will probably get the same answer. The food. Malaysia is paradise where food is concerned. The diversity of the people here has made this country a food hub and a culinary paradise. Not only is there a wide variety of food here, it is also available at all times of the day. From the hotels and high-end restaurants to the food courts and hawker centers, there is so much to try and enjoy here.

Food courts are usually packed (see pic) and the variety of food available is mind boggling. Tourists usually enjoy eating in these food courts and mingling with the locals (who are only too happy to recommend the various dishes to try).

Shopping is fun in Malaysia. There are bazaars and night markets every other day. Here, you will be able to buy fascinating items from clothes and hair accessories to food and kitchenware. The list is endless. The items sold at these night markets are cheap and attractive.

Of course, there are the larger shopping malls and boutiques where well known branded items can be bought. In the capital city of Kuala Lumpur, there are numerous shopping malls that tourists love to frequent.

Apart from all that has been mentioned above, there are numerous other reasons to visit Malaysia. Its world-class attractions like the Petronas Twin Towers is one of them. Standing at the height of 452m, these towers were the tallest buildings of the world from 1998 to 2004.

The Sepang International Circuit is another well-known landmark. If you are an F1 enthusiast, you will have to come here during the race periods. Sepang International Circuit has played host to many international races with drivers from all over the world coming in.

From the natural attractions of islands, mountains, beaches and rain-forests to the diversity of the people and cultures plus the excitement of the cities and towns, Malaysia has a lot to offer.

This is where you should be. This is where you are going to have so much fun!