Have you ever wanted to traverse the rainforest that holds the world’s largest flower ever to bloom? Does walking up 272 flights of stairs to see a 400 million old cave dedicated to a deity seem to excite you? Fancy having a sky dinner overlooking the world’s tallest twin skyscraper? Look no further; Malaysia will satisfy your adventurous needs. This guide will leave you booking the next available flight to Malaysia before you know it.

Batu Caves

The Malay word ‘batu’ directly translates to stone. Initially known as a 400-million-year-old limestone cave recorded by William Hornaday, it was turned into a place of worship by K.Thamboosay Pillay. Inspired by the vel-shaped opening of the cave, he dedicated the cave to Lord Murugan, the Hindu god of war. In the present day, thousands of Hindus would gather during Thaipusam to give praise and worship to the deity. Take the train from KL Sentral- it is the cheapest and fastest way to get there.

Largest Rotting Flower

A brightly coloured red with yellow spots on its five petals is known as Rafflesia. This flower is in the Tambunan Forest Reserve in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. A little warning before you go near the flower as it does not smell aromatic like flowers normally do. Instead, it emits a foul odour and has been likened to the smell of rotting flesh.

Petronas Twin-Towers KLCC

A sucker for tall inspirational skyscrapers? The Petronas Twin Towers is the tallest twin tower in the world and has remained unrivalled since 1996. The building was designed to resemble Malaysia’s local handicrafts and weaving patterns. The interior of the building has spiralled patterns, and the flooring has pandan leaf shapes engraved on it.

You can easily book a guided tour by using your smartphone – it is RM400 for ten people. You can also shop till you drop- the skyscraper boasts of having plenty of luxury brands, local goods, and restaurants just below the twin tower!

 

Strawberry Splurge and an English Chalet

Ever been obsessed with strawberries? Love putting them on pies, cakes, juicing them up, or eating them with chocolate fondant and whipped cream! Then say no more because Cameron Highlands is the best place to splurge on everything strawberries. Situated on the borders of Pahang and is colder due to its location on a steep hill above sea level- you might enjoy the refreshing change in weather.

Stop by Jim Thompson’s Tea Room at Bala’s for teatime- it has a beautiful English chalet and an even more eye-catching English garden. It feels reminiscent of 1950’s Malaya during colonial rule as much of it has remained unchanged. As an experienced local, this chalet does have some of the best homemade scones with cream served with a side of strawberry jam.

A Scottish Man’s Unfinished Castle

Nestled in the quiet corners of Batu Gajah in Perak lies an unfinished castle. Tamilvanan workers constructed the building under the architect William-Kellie Smith who purchased the land to build a castle for his son- others claimed it was for his wife. The castle’s architecture encompasses Scottish, Moorish and Tamilvanan inspired shapes. However, due to the Spanish flu spread that infected all the Madras-born Tamilvanan workers, the building was left incomplete. Shortly after, William died of pneumonia, and the entire building was sold off to a British company. The towering castles are still a sight for sore eyes – use your GoPro cam and capture those picturesque moments.

Hawker Paradise

Char-kuey teow, dim sum, curry laksa, Penang prawn mee and array of seafood so fresh you’ll want more-visiting Penang Island is a must! Rent a car or holler at the passing trishaw and make your way to Gurney Drive, which is hosts Penang’s most famous hawker stalls. You will not only get ‘ikan bakar’-which is Malay for charred fish- for as cheap as RM3 (£0.53), but you will get to taste diverse types of Malaysian food.

Bintang Walk

This is truly a breath-taking street meant for everyone to enjoy. Whether you prefer the local Indian food of Malaysia or the high-end gourmet cuisine of Pavillion- there is truly something for everyone. Suppose you end up going to Pavillion during any of the major festivals. In that case, you are in for a treat as Pavillion boasts some of the most extravagant and flamboyant decorations. Last year, there was a 4-D ox engineered to propel out of the mall’s top floor- just a glimpse of Pavillion’s decor splurge. If you need help planning during the pandemic we have you covered.

Jonker Street Malacca

Be sure to stop by the Portuguese settlement in Malacca and their famous Jonker Street! Malacca boasts some of the best Portuguese dishes- Portuguese egg tart anyone? Be sure to stop by the museums and find out how the Portuguese settlers integrated into Malay culture- you may even be able to indulge yourself in some folk tales. Also, Jonker Streets offers a plethora of street food, and do not leave until you have tried the famous ‘ice kacang’- this is shaved ice topped off with syrup, coconut sugar, agar-agar, and some secret ingredient we will never know about.

This remains an inexhaustive list as Malaysia has abundant museums, cultural festivals, and heritage sites. There you have it, folks. Malaysia as its finest- have you already booked that flight ticket yet?