 Kuala Lumpur
Central Market
The cultural heart of Kuala Lumpur is the Central Market, housed in an art-deco building in downtown KL. Here you can witness music, dancing, shadow-puppet shows, batik painting and fortune telling as well as grabbing some bargain handicrafts, art and souvenirs. On weekends, the Central Market amphitheatre holds free cultural performances starting at 7:45pm.
National Zoo and Aquarium
The impressive National Zoo is 13km northeast of the city. It's home to hundreds of different mammals, birds and reptiles. The neighbouring aquarium has an extensive collection of freshwater and marine animals.
Petaling Street
This is the centre of Kuala Lumpur's original Chinatown and is overloaded with exotic sounds, sights and smells. It comes alive at night when legions of vendors spread their wares out on the street, offering everything from gems to toys to fake designer clothes.
Little India
The heart of Kuala Lumpur's Indian community, Little India is located along Jalan Masjid India and is a bustling and vibrant marketplace. It's packed with street stalls selling brightly coloured saris and fabrics and delicious Indian curries, breads and snacks.
Mid Valley Megamall
Located at Jalan Syed Putera, Mid Valley Megamall is the largest retail, food and entertainment complex in Asia and is a great place for kilometre upon kilometre of shopping.
 Istana Budaya
Dubbed the Palace of Culture, it is one of the best ways to experience Malaysian performing arts. The resident artist, Istamuzika, is made up of 25 contract and permanent musicians who perform traditional, creative and contemporary music.
Selangor
Selangor is the most developed, industrialised and diversified state in the country. Many of the country’s largest industrial operations including manufacturing, industrial and commercial activities are found in the various industrial zones, particularly in the Klang Valley. Selangor has several interesting tourist attractions, including buildings of historical and cultural interest, the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia and the trendy township of Bandar Sunway.
Genting Highlands
54km north of Kuala Lumpur is the resort area of the Genting Highlands, 2000 metres above sea level. The main action is at the Genting Highlands Resort, with an exciting range of entertainment, leisure, recreational and sporting facilities. There’s hotel and apartment-style accommodation as well as camping facilities. The whole family will find something to do here, with Genting Theme Park, Casino De Genting and Awana Eco Sports Park all at your disposal.
Alor Setar
Alor Setar is a rapidly developing city in the state of Kedah, surrounded by extensive rice fields and some of Malaysia's best-preserved 18th century ruins. One interesting place to visit in the city is the Alor Setar Tower, a communication tower that offers a fine view of the city from its revolving restaurant.
Lembah Bujang
A fascinating place to visit for those budding archaeologists, Lembah Bujang lies between Gunung Jerai and Sungai Muda in Kedah, Northern Peninsular Malaysia. More than 50 temples have been found of Buddhist and Hindu origin, eight of which have been restored using original materials. Other exhibits are displayed in the grounds of the Lembah Bujang Archaeological Museum, located not far from the small village of Bedong.
Cameron Highlands
This fertile, mountainous area in central Peninsular Malaysia is where much of Malaysia's tea is grown. This area is much cooler than the plains and a great place to escape the heat and humidity, with its tranquil gardens, jungle walks, waterfalls and wild flowers.
Georgetown
Georgetown is the capital of the resort island of Penang, off Peninsula Malaysia's northwest coast. This vibrant, Chinese-influenced city is full of beautiful Chinese temples and houses and excellent markets. The area has plenty of history, with a stone fort built by the Britons in the late 1700s and cannons that were once fired from pirate ships in the 17th century.
 Melaka
Melaka is the second smallest state in Malaysia, and was a prosperous centre for the spice trade in the 15th century. Since that time it has been invaded and colonised by the Portuguese, the Dutch and the British. Much of its tourist appeal comes from the legacies of its history, reflected in the numerous heritage buildings within the capital city, Melaka. The other attraction comes from its population, a melting pot of Malays, Chinese, Indians, Straights-born Chinese and Indians, Portuguese descendants and Eurasians.
Langkawi
Langkawi is a collection of small islands in Malaysia's north, close to Thailand. Many of the islands are ringed by white, sandy beaches – some of the best in Asia - while inland there are rustic villages scattered around the rice paddies and rainforested mountains. The largest island, Pulua Langkawi, has its own domestic airport.
Sabah
Sabah, on the island of Borneo, is the second-largest state in Malaysia and is finally being recognised as an exceptional tourist destination. Seemingly a thousand miles away from the craziness of Kuala Lumpur, Sabah is still rugged and wild. It is blessed with brilliant coral reefs, dramatic mountains and lush rainforests and is home to the endangered orang-utan. Sabah offers excellent trekking, rafting, snorkelling and diving.
Theme Parks
Sunway Lagoon
Located in Bandar Sunway, Selangor, and only 20 minutes from Kuala Lumpur, Sunway Lagoon is Malaysia’s premier theme park. Consists of three different worlds. Waters of Africa is the ultimate water park with an African wilderness theme, where you can challenge your family and friends in the 6-laned Congo Challenge. Wild, Wild West is set in the old frontier days with cowboys and Indians, where rides such as Niagara Falls Flame Ride and The Tomahawk are the favourites. Then, there is the World of Adventure, containing the world’s largest Suspension Bridge, which offers spectacular views of the Lagoon.
Within the 32-hectare park are water-based attractions like giant waterslides, twin speed slides, double twister, toboggan, slow river, waterfall garden and wave pool. At Fort Lagoon Wild you can take a white-knuckled ride on the Grand Canyon River Rapids, Buffalo Bill Coaster and the Colorado Splash. There are also dry adventure activities like the Flying Carpet and the Galleon. Parents will appreciate the Pyramid shopping complex and the option to stay at the neighbouring Sunway Lagoon Resort.
Mines Wonderland
A family favourite which includes a rollercoaster, merry-go-round, miniature golf and Malaysia’s first ever Winter Wonderland, the Snow House. The prize of the theme park is the dazzling Light Fantasy on the Water, consisting of water creatures made of thousands lights parading on the lake.
This theme park is located at Selangor’s Mines Resort City, south of Kuala Lumpur. Adjoining Mines Wonderland is the Mines Shopping Fair, a Venetian-inspired shopping complex with Snow Town, an indoor theme park with an Ice-Skating Rink, a Fun Pub and a 28-lane Bowling Centre.
 Desa WaterPark
This family entertainment park is located 15 minutes away from the heart of Kuala Lumpur. The Park houses 12 wild water rides including the Thunderbolt, the country’s longest water coaster and Action River, an exciting ride around the theme park grounds. There are also three wave pools including the Bubble Pool for toddlers.
Genting Theme Park
Kids are sure to love this Theme Park, made up of an indoor and outdoor section. The Indoor Theme Park offers attractions such as Space Odyssey 2020, Motion Master Simulator, 3-D dome and the Around the World Train Ride. Outside, there are roller coasters, train rides, the Flying Dragon and the runaway mine train.
A’Famosa Water World
Located near Alor Gajah, along the North-South Highway, this park is situated within the A’Famosa Resort Malaka. The park has thrills and spills for all ages with a seven-storey Speed Slide, raft ride, kids’ play pool, tots activity pool and jet ski. Visitors can also board the Hot Air Balloon to get a bird’s eye view of the resort. The resort also boasts the A’Famosa Animal World Safari, Arabian Village and archery range open to the public.
Bukit Merah Laketown Water Park
Another water park to keep the family cool on a hot Malaysian day, this park is located within the Bukit Merah Laketown Resort at Semanggol, Perak. It comprises water attractions including the Giant Wave Pool with its metre-high waves, Giant Water Flume Slides, Raft Tube Slides, a 300m-long Slow River cruise and a Kid’s Water Playground complete with buckets of pouring water and water-jet guns to aim at siblings and parents! The Giant Bubble is Swedish-made inflated bubble for visitors to climb, bounce, slip and slide on.
Diving and snorkelling
The east-coast islands of Malaysia offer some of the best diving and snorkelling in the world. Tioman Island, Sabah, Palau Kapas, Redang and the Perhentian Islands all boast good coral reefs and diverse marine life.
Turtle watching
Between May and September, Rantau Abang in Terengganu is the nesting ground of giant leatherback turtles. Turtle sanctuaries have been established in an effort of reverse the decline of these endangered reptiles.
 Eco-Leisure Activities
There are a variety of eco-leisure activities on offer in Malaysia. With its beautiful mountain ranges with different levels of difficulty, you can go mountain climbing whether you are a beginner or an expert mountain climber.
If fishing is your favourite pastime, you can now fish all you like. Malaysia caters for all types of fishermen with favourite locations being Tasik (Lake) Kenyir, Tasik Temenggor and Tasik Chenderoh for freshwater fishing, the Aur, Pemanggil and Tioman Islands for game fishing and Tanjung Karang, Sungai Besar and Bagan Datoh for deep sea fishing.
Malaysia also has some of the best diving spots in the world with its varied underwater life. Marine parks are the best places to experience the aquatic life.
Golf
Malaysia has over 200 golf courses at its disposal, due to its popularity among the Malaysians. There is a variety of backdrops for your game of golf, from a tropical beach to the middle of the jungle. Designed by golfing greats, Malaysian golf courses are of the highest standard and relatively cheap fees with Green Fees ranging from RM50 to RM200.
TOP TEN things to do
- Have an up-close encounter with an orang-utan at the Orang-Utan Rehbilitation Centre near Sandakan, Sabah.
- Lose yourself in the maze of markets in vibrant Petaling Street at night.
- Enjoy the beautiful beaches of Langkawi.
- Dive or snorkel on the coral reefs off the east coast.
- Explore some of the oldest rainforest in the world in Mt Kinabalu National Park.
- Take a leisurely trishaw tour around Penang.
- Be captivated by one of the many exciting festivals and events held throughout the year.
- See the world's tallest building, the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur.
- Take a walking tour of historic Georgetown, Penang.
- Tour a tea plantation in the Cameron Highlands.
Events
The Malaysian people love festivals and celebrate both religious and secular holidays with zeal. With over 500 events in a single year, chances are you will be able to catch at least one interesting festival during your stay. Colourful parades, exciting sporting events and plenty of food and dancing will delight the whole family.
Chinese New Year - Chinese New Year in February is celebrated almost everywhere in the world, but the Malays celebrate it with particular joy and enthusiasm.
Water Festival - Held from April 12 to May 11, this festival is dedicated to having fun on the water, and visitors can participate in thrilling kayak, canoe and jet-ski races.
Kite Festival - A display of beautiful, exotic kites can be seen gliding above the islands of the East Coast during July.
Mooncake Festival - The Mooncake Festival originated during the Mongolian dynasty in China. The event is celebrated in August with lantern processions by children and the selling of Chinese mooncakes in markets, hotels, shopping complexes and Chinese food outlets.
National Day Celebrations - Each year on August 31, Malaysians celebrate their independence with parades and fun-filled events throughout the nation.
Pesta Malaysia - During September, the Malaysian people celebrate their culture and heritage in a festival of music, dancing, craft and cuisine in this two-week long affair.
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