Pulau Pangkor.

Malaysian for "Beautiful Island", Pangkor Island is a quiet spot just off the western coast of the state of Perak.

Dotted with small fishing villages (making Pangkor a great place to sample the wide range of Malaysian seafood cuisine), Pangkor Island is emblematic of the serenity and calm of traditional Malaysian life.

In addition to the natural beauty of its shorelines and lush forests, Pangkor also showcases Malaysia's history within the world at large - the remains of a centuries-old Dutch fort from colonial times are still standing, and offer an intriguing glimpse into the changes that the country has undergone over the years.

Kapas Island.

Not to be outdone on land, the beaches and natural scenery surrounding Kapas Island are a picturesque paradise. There are many activities to partake in if snorkeling and scuba diving aren't your thing. You can trek the jungles that are located just before the shores, you can go windsurfing or sailing, or even rent out some sea kayaks and explore the majestic cliffs on the ocean.

Sadly, Kapas' Island beauty is what may be its downfall. Throngs of tourists flock to this treasured area of splendor and cause damage in their wake.

Kuala Lumpur.

The building that changed the landscape of a city, the Petronas Twin Towers have become synonymous with Kuala Lumpur. Designed by world renowned architect Cé sar Pelli and inspired by cultural Islamic art themes, the towers are shaped in the Rub El Hizb symbol, a double square star designed found in many Islamic flags and coat of arms. The towers gleam in the day, as the sunlight reflects off the thirty-two thousand windows that adorn the entire facade of the towers.

The towers are linked together on the 41st and 42nd floors by the Skybridge, a two storey bridge that is 58 metres long. Suspended 170 metres above ground, the view of the city from the Skybridge is spectacular. The Skybridge is open to the public but access is limited to 1,700 people a day. Free passes are available on a first first-come, first-serve basis at the Concourse Level of the Petronas Twin Towers.

The Petronas Twin Towers are the best known component of the Kuala Lumpur City Centre precinct, an urban development project also known as KLCC. Touted as a city within a city, KLCC encompasses the Petronas Twin Towers, the six storey Suria KLCC shopping centre at the base of the towers, the convention centre as well as the sprawling 50 acre KLCC Park at the heart of the precinct.

Since its completion in 1998, the towers have risen to become an icon that symbolizes not only Kuala Lumpur, but also Malaysia. Its fame as the tallest building in the world, before being surpassed by the Taipei 101 in 2004, was such that it was selected as a setting for many movies, TV shows and even video games. A 1999 Hollywood film, Entrapment, starring Sean Connery and Catherine Zeta Jones, featured the towers extensively.

The Petronas Twin Towers, part of the Kuala Lumpur City Centre precinct, is located at the junction of Jalan Ampang and Jalan P. Ramlee, in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. It is well connected and is easily accessible by road.

By Bus
There are many intracity buses that include Petronas Twin Towers a stop on their routes.

By Light Rail Transit
Visitors can get to Petronas Twin Towers via the Kelana Jaya LRT line as there is an LRT station located within Suria KLCC, at the base of the towers.

Pulau Langkawi.

Pulau Langkawi.

PULAU LANGKAWI, which has been nicknamed as the "Caribbean of The East", is a cluster of islands basking languidly in glistening waters. Not many island resorts in the region can boast of such pearls of exotic beauty, but Langkawi is an enchantingly white stretches of palm-fringed beaches. It has often been said that many locations within the group of 14 islands make idle settings for a romance novel. it is hard to imagine that only a decade ago Langkawi is a cluster of fishing villages surrounded by coconut trees, but this is something the visitors must see for themselves.

Pulau Langkawi comprises a group of 25 tropical islands lying off the north-western coast of Peninsular Malaysia, about 30 km form Kuala Perlis and 51 km from Kuala Kedah on the mainland. The main island is popularly known as Pulau Langkawi. The islands are blessed with an intriguing heritage of fabulous myths and legends of ogres and gigantic birds. As a natural paradise, the islands are perhaps unmatched anywhere else in Southeast Asia. With a geological history dating back many years, the islands contain unique rocks.

To sum it all, Pulau Langkawi is a reclusive retreat for the tired and beaten down corporate executive, and island resort for the entire family, a romantic escapade for honeymooners, as island resort for the entire family, a romantic escapade for honeymooners, a haven for water sports enthusiasts and a sanctuary for sun worshippers. Or in other words - a haven to blend into just for the fun of it all.
The main attractions of Langkawi lies in its undersea treasure of marine life. Pulua Payar Marine Park (Payar Island) which is an hour speedboat ride from Pulau Langkawi is regarded as Malaysia's best marine park with an abundance of underwater life. Snorkeling and diving are the most popular pursuits whereby you can travel.

What to see

PULAU SINGA BESAR
Many Monkeys, deer, iguanas and peacocks roam about freely on Pulau Singa Besar, a wildlife sanctuary located southwest of Pulau Langkawi. Picnic on the pristine beaches and enjoy swimming in the surrounding waters. To preserve the island's natural surroundings, no hotels or chalets have been built. Instead, camping is encouraged. However, visitors will have to bring along their own tents and camping equipment if they wish to spend the night on the island.

Pulau Singa Besar
This lion of an island may lack the size but it certainly makes up in heart. Contrary to its name which means ‘Big Lion’, the island does not house those giant felines. Instead it is a wildlife sanctuary for monkeys, deer, snakes, lizards and birds. The island is also rich in unique rock formations and mangrove plants. A one-day trip can be arranged where a guide will explain about the flora and fauna as you traverse the island. There is no accommodation but you are allowed to camp overnight with permission from the local Government.

Pulau Tuba

Pulau Tuba is a beautiful, remote island that is home to a group of traditional fishermen. Though it is relatively undeveloped, there is a sole resort and home stay programmes among the fishermen. The island is a great place to do bird-watching and jungle-trekking.

Pulau Bumbon
The island is only ten minutes from the Kuah jetty; its beaches are pleasant and peaceful. Those who seek a truly secluded place should come here. You can get to the island by booking a day trip through a tour guide in Kuah.

Sabah (orang utan).

sabah

Sabah has comfortably set itself in its far eastern corner of Malaysia. Far from the aggressive tectonic movements of Indonesia and placed just below the spectacular typhoon belt of the Philippines, in which Sabah earned the title of “The Land Below The Wind”. Although it is the second largest state in Malaysia, its magnificence is boundless.

Sabah’s grandeur stretches from the depths of the vibrant ocean until the highest peak in Southeast Asia and the spaces in between is nothing less than amazing. While most of the world is getting predictable , Sabah on the other hand is still as flamboyant and relatively unexplored. Its untainted rainforest is home to a plethora of organisms living in a chaotic harmony with each other. The thick jungle provides residency to the unique Proboscis Monkey and the famous man of the forest, the "Orang Utan". These captivating creatures are a rarity and have specifically chosen this paradise as their home. Other wildlife roaming free, the Sumatran rhino, Asian elephant, gibbon, civet, lemur, Malaysian sun bear, including large species of insects and plants, topped with many species of birds which color the forest canopies. The world’s biggest flower, the Rafflesia can also be spotted among the other treasures of the rainforest.

The essence of Sabah lies in the defined backbone of its mountainous range, where the giant Mount Kinabalu stands majestically. The mountainous nature creates a complex and extensive network of river valleys. The meandering rivers flow throughout the vast fertile rainforest ending out onto the clear pristine ocean. The immaculate beaches create a sandy pathway all along the shoreline and just off the coast an abundance of islands scattered across the bluish-green ocean are among the most sought after destinations in the world. The ocean floor is rich in exotic coral reefs and much other marine life making it the ultimate activity for not only scuba divers but to anyone who dares to swim in a garden of coral with the other fishes.

Sabah is very much a holiday destination to the avid traveler and anyone in search of total relaxation. With its abundance of parks, beaches and resorts, there is always something to see and experience. But Sabah is not only about that. There are just as many forest and animal reservations which act as a sanctuary to the state’s fascinating organisms with the goal of preservation and education. These centers welcome anyone to come to admire the beauty and learn the importance of preserving the land and its current wildlife tenants.Before officially being a state in Malaysia, Sabah had a series of other governing powers, starting from neighboring local powers such as Brunei and the Philippines all the way to western colonization by the English. Today, five administrative divisions which govern a total 23 districts make up the current Sabah. Among all the beauty and splendor, there is a peaceful and refreshing cultural integration between the many ethnicities that are living in Sabah. Officially, there are about 32 different ethnic groups living and striving together. The largest non-indigenous group is the Chinese, which make up 30% of the whole population.

The largest indigenous group is the Kadazan-Dusun which contributes 25%, followed by Bajau and Murut respectively contributing 15% and 3%. The English language is widely spoken and understood and Bahasa Malaysia being the national language and means of communication. A number of Chinese dialects are also spoken and each indigenous group has their own language. Unlike most of Malaysia, cultural integration is far more plentiful and apparent in Sabah while maintaining their traditions.

The people are as vibrant as the land itself and energy is spread wide and unconditional. Both mystical and magical, there is adventure for those seeking it and will enchant anyone who sets foot on the land. It is uniquely exciting, yet calming.

The Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre was set up in 1964 to rehabilitate orphaned baby orang utan. Set in the lush 4,300-hectare Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve, the Centre under the administration of the Wildlife Department of Sabah attracts tourists and researchers alike, giving them the opportunity to watch their natural habitat. A boardwalk leads you to a viewing gallery and feeding platform where the apes are fed milk and bananas twice a day at 10.00am and 3.00pm by rangers. Feeding time also attracts long-tailed macaques to the area.

While orang utan rehabilitation is still the primary goal at Sepilok (orang utan), it also focuses on public education on conservation, research and assistance on other endangered species such as the rhinoceros.

Visitors are restricted to walkways. Some orang utan have become familiar with people but touching them is strongly discouraged, and while the apes are naturally shy and gentle, the more mischievous ones may try to grab your phone or hat, in which case you should call for a ranger as trying to wrestle the 200 pound apes may not be a good idea.
For the more adventurous, there is trekking through mangrove forest. As this is under the Forestry Department, you will have to get a permit from them before trekking the 5km trail which runs through Sepilok Laut. You can also arrange for a boat return or accommodation in chalets in the forest.

Sarawak.

Sarawak. Sarawak is located on the island of Borneo. Sarawak is the largest of Malaysia's 13 States. It is home to Batang Rajang, the country’s longest river, and Mulu, the world’s most extensive cave system. Holding the world’s oldest and second largest tropical rainforest after the Amazon, Sarawak is a marvel of biodiversity. Sarawak also known as the Land of Hornbills. It is naturally blessed with vast areas of both lowland and highland rainforest. The rainforest is home to an incredible variety of more than 8,000 species of flora and over 2,000 fauna, the majority of which are insects. Sarawak also rich in culture, history and heritage. Sarawak is presently divided into 11 administrative divisions; Kuching, Kota Samarahan, Sri Aman, Betong, Sarikei, Sibu, Kapit, Bintulu, Mukah, Miri and Limbang. Kuching is the state capital and seat of the government. Day 1 - Upon arrival at Kuching International Airport, meet and proceed to Kuching City Tour. The perfect introduction to Sarawak’s historic capital, this tour includes Kuching’s Chinatown, the Cat Statue (Kuching means “Cat” in Malay), the colourful Tua Pek Kong Chinese Temple, the Civic Centre Viewing Platform and the world famous Sarawak Museum. Across river, visit the unique Cat Museum, passing the magnificent State Mosque and the Astana, the former residence of the White Rajahs. Return via the golden-domed City Mosque and proceed on foot through Old Kuching, visiting the colourful Central Markets and squeezing through narrow alleyways crammed with spice dealers and textile shops. Pass by the heritage buildings of the White Rajah era, the Pavilion, the Square Tower, the Court House, the Charles Brooke Monument and the Post Office. Day 2 - Breakfast at the hotel, depart for Semenggok Forest Reserve, the best place in Sarawak to view semi-wild orang utans, who have been rescued from captivity and trained to survive in the surrounding forest reserve. The rehabilitated animals roam freely in the rain forest, and often return to the centre at feeding time. Thanks to the successful breeding programme at Semonggok there is a good possibility of experiencing one of the most heart-warming sights in Borneo - an orang utan mother with a young baby. The centre is 30 mins drive from Kuching and another 20 mins on foot. Along the way visitors pass by the ethno-botanical gardens, with their unique collection of rain-forest plants. Semengok also has a number of short collection of rain-forest plants. Semengok also has a number of short jungle trails and optional forest walks can be incorporated into the tour. (Note : As the orang utan in Semengok are semi-wild, sightings cannot be guaranteed.) Transfer to Sarawak Cultural Village. This award-winning living museum showcases Sarawak’s unique and diverse cultures in an accessible, visitor-friendly setting just 35 minutes from Kuching. The seven authentic traditional buildings are set amidst a scenic 17 acre site and are populated by members of Sarawak’s many ethnic groups, going about everyday activities. These include wood and bamboo carving, beadwork, weaving, sago-making, sugar-cane crushing, pepper-growing and the preparation of bird’s nests. Visitors can learn how to throw a Malay spinning top, shoot a Penan blowpipe or pick out a tune on an Orang Ulu sape. The tour concludes with a colourful multi-ethnic cultural performance in the village’s air-conditioned mini-theatre. Day 3 - Breakfast, Free at leisure until transfer to Kuching International Airport for your departure flight (B) .