Malaysia holidays - A stunning example of Asian beauty

Fusing natural splendour with rich culture and modern cities

Malaysia is a country divided in two. Half sits on the East Asian peninsular, south of Thailand and north of Indonesia. The second part constitutes around a third of the island of Borneo, alongside Indonesia and tiny Brunei.

A nation of beautiful contrast, you can find just about whatever you’re looking for. The centrally-located Kuala Lumpur is a sprawling city where mesmerising skyscrapers jostle for your attention with splendid street food.  

Penang is famously branded ‘the Pearl of the Orient’ and lives up to its nickname with jaw dropping natural beauty and impressive cultural sites. Alternatively, if you’re just looking for simple beach beauty you can’t go wrong with the scintillating archipelago of Langkawi.

Picturesque, quaint and irresistible, the green hill station Cameron Highlands offers unspoiled beauty surrounding a number of towns. With rolling tea plantations, colourful strawberry farms and wonderful walking trails, a trip here will grace you with tranquillity. Situated in the central hills of Peninsular Malaysia, The Cameron Highlands provides one of Malaysia’s premier, untouched beauty spots. Trekking here will uncover scenic waterfalls and exotic birds, while it’s just as amazing an experience to visit the towns and see life here at its simplest and finest.

Unspoiled landscapes, sleepy fishing villages and religious communities can be found in the East Coast of Malaysia, one area of which is Kuantan. Kuantan is the largest city on the East Coast and the capital of the state of Pahang. It’s a lovely beach city with stretches of golden sand and pretty mosques, but even here isn’t really designed for tourists and it feels refreshingly genuine. The food here is spectacular too, thanks to the rich bounty of the sea.

The East Coast is certainly one of the least developed areas of the country. It’s devoutly religious and relatively conservative, lending itself to a very quiet and peaceful atmosphere – perfect if your goal is relaxation but a little stiff if you’re looking for friendly locals and fun evenings. Trekking is a great idea here as it’s an ideal place to find verdant forests untouched by tourism.

Malaysia’s people are primarily Muslim, although there are enclaves of most of the world’s major religions. Malaysia is one of the world’s most harmonious countries, and there is very little tension between religions.

Why visit Malaysia?

• One of Asia’s most diverse and inspiring countries – it manages to remain both developed and exotic
• A huge number of festivals take place in Malaysia every year, from the Colours of Malaysia in late May to the Rainforest World Music Festival in June
• A huge country set across two vastly different regions – if you’re visiting the jungle-clad Borneo, you can get a real kick at the end of your holiday by spending a few nights in Kuala Lumpur too
• Kuala Lumpur is one of Asia’s great cities, Langkawi boasts some truly beautiful beaches and the Cameron Highlands offer secluded natural beauty
• The food will surprise you every day with its endless variety and depth of flavour