Malaysia isn’t just a transit stop on the way to Europe or other Asian cities. It’s a phenomenal destination in its own right too, boasting nature, nightlife, activities, delicious food and some truly unique experiences.
And that’s really just the tip of the iceberg.
From the urban sprawl that is Kuala Lumpur to the jungle tribes in Malaysian Borneo, and from the tropical islands in the Andaman Sea to the summit of Mount Kinabalu, Malaysia is truly a country of incredible contrasts.
To give you just a taste of what this fascinating country has to offer, here are seven absolutely incredible experiences you can have in Malaysia.
Make sure you read until the end where you can find out how you can WIN a four-night holiday to Malaysia courtesy of Excite Holidays and Tourism Malaysia.
1. Boogie all night long in KL
Malaysia’s vibrant capital knows how to party to all hours (which comes at quite a surprise to the uninitiated) and you won’t have any trouble at all finding a d-floor to show off your moves in KL.
Bukit Bintang is a renowned nightlife spot in KL, and it’s here that you’ll find clubs such as Havana, a pumping venue with an alfresco courtyard downstairs and a dance floor upstairs; Nagaba KL, which is where some of the best DJs in the country perform; and Pisco Bar, a Peruvian/Spanish bar that serves awesome cocktails, ceviche and great tunes.
2. Climb Mount Kinabalu
Climb to the top of 4,095-metre tall Mount Kinabalu in Sabah, Malaysia’s tallest mountain and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and tick this off your travel bucket list.
Most tour companies organise overnight treks to the mountain summit, arriving just in time to watch the sun rise.
3. Gorge yourself silly in Penang
Undoubtedly the foodie capital of Malaysia, odds are you’re not going to be able to leave Penang without putting on a couple of extra kilos!
This multicultural city (with significant Indian, Malay and Chinese communities) absolutely adores its food, and you will too as you amble along its lively streets, feasting on some of the best food in the world, such as assam laksa, hokkien hae mee, nasi lemak and roti canai.
4. Find the largest flower in the world
The Rafflesia Flower is considered to be the largest flower in the world, and it’s here at Gunung Gading National Park in Sarawak (a two to three-hour drive from Kuching) that you’ll be able to chance upon it.
Growing up to 100 centimetres in diameter and weighing up to 10 kilograms, the Rafflesia Flower is like something out of Jurassic Park. But unlike most flowers, your nose isn’t going to like the smell of this flower – the Rafflesia Flower gives off a rotten meat smell to attract insects! Still, seeing one up close is nothing short of amazing.
5. Wear out the plastic with bargains in KL
Kuala Lumpur isn’t just Malaysia’s nightlife mecca (see #1 above); KL is also a shopper’s paradise colonised with some of the best boutique shopping in South East Asia, which thankfully comes with an agreeable price tag!
It’s also a city of bargains, which you’ll see for yourself with a wander down Petaling Street Market and Central Market, or an air-conditioned stroll through the many levels of Suria KLCC – a luxury shopping centre that occupies the bottom six podium floors of the Petronas Twin Towers.
6. Go island hopping off Langkawi
Get off the beach and hop onboard a boat as you sail away from Langkawi Island in search of sparkling blue water and deserted islands home to lizards, monkeys and eagles.
Contrary to popular belief, Langkawi isn’t a singular island, but is actually an archipelago made up of 99 islands in the Andaman Sea. You’ll experience this for yourself if only you got onboard…
7. Get back to nature at Bako National Park
An easy day-trip from Kuching in Sarawak on the island of Borneo, Bako National Park is nature lover’s dream destination.
Home to an extraordinary array of animal life, such as the Proboscis monkeys, wild boar, monitor lizards and hundreds of bird species, the 27 square kilometre park is actually one of the smallest national parks in the state, yet it features multiple biomes (including rainforest), waterfalls, secluded beaches, and trekking trails.
Bako National Park is only reachable by a 20-minute longboat ride from Kampung Bako.
Inspired to visit Malaysia yet?
Thanks to an exciting (ha!) promo sponsored by Excite Holidays and Tourism Malaysia, one lucky travel has the chance to WIN a four-night holiday to Kuala Lumpur. All you have to do is make a paid booking in Malaysia with Excite Holidays before the 18th July 2016. Each booking you make will give you one entry into the draw to win, so the more bookings you make, the greater your chances at winning!
To learn more about this phenomenal destination, head to Excite Holiday’s Malaysia microsite and find out why a trip to Malaysia should be your next holiday.
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