Malaysia: A Wonderful Place to Visit in Asia
Malaysia has a diverse and fascinating culture based in the vibrant fusion of cultures of Malay, Chinese and Indian customs. The country is a mosaic of mountains, rainforests, huge expanses of golden beaches and plantations of trees of palm and rubber. The territory awakens the five senses with the scent and flavor of spices, oriental beauty, the aroma of the old colonies, the forest sounds and colors of the jungle and seas. Malaysia is located in Southeast Asia and its borders are bounded to the North by Thailand, Indonesia and the southern part of Singapore and east by the Philippines. The country is divided into two regions: Peninsular Malaysia, bordered by Thailand and Singapore and constitutes about 40% of the territory of the country with several mountain ranges, and the provinces of East Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak on the island of Borneo, 700 km of the South China Sea, which dominates the jungle and an extensive river network.
Things to See in Malaysia
1. The capital Kuala Lumpur is a modern city with more impetuous than one million inhabitants. Beyond the skyscrapers that dominate the urban landscape, the city still retains many colonial buildings downtown, vibrant neighborhoods with street vendors and night markets full of life and color.
2. The Petronas Towers are an emblem of the city, being one of the tallest buildings in the world, dominating the skyline. On Merdeka, which was once the center of the colonial city, the square one can find the main buildings of the city. The Chinatown corresponds to one of the busiest and colorful city areas with outdoor markets. The National Museum with permanent exhibitions dedicated to the history, culture, flora and fauna of the country are the other places to visit.
3. The city of Malacca presents an interesting amalgamation of Chinese influences, Portuguese, Dutch and British and is considered the Malaysian city with more history. In the past, Malacca was an important commercial port in the region. Actualmante, still retains the golden periods of yore. The town still retains its mysterious streets, antique shops, temples and buildings that evoke the nostalgia of European colonial power stores.
4. The most important relic of the Dutch period is the cluster of buildings Stadthuys built from 1641 to 1660. This building houses some departments of the Government and the Ethnographic Museum. The majestic ruins of the church of St. Paul built by the Portuguese four hundred years ago are also a place to visit. In the historic center, you can still enjoy the Cheng Hoon Temple built in 1646 and stroll through streets full of fascinating antique shops in the area as the Hang Jebat.
5. The island of Penang, located on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia, is one of the main tourist centers of the country. Beyond the beaches, Penang is also known for vibrant and mysterious city of Georgetown with 400000 inhabitants, located in the northeastern coast of the island. This city breathes a purely Chinese essence to their old neighborhoods to amaze visitors by its rare beauty.
6. A visit to Georgetown can not help but explore the temple Khoo Kongsi with its statues of dragons, paintings and tiles of different colors; the temple of Kuan Yin Teng; The Penang Hill funicular railway that rises about 800 meters from the city and provides a breathtaking view of the city and where you can still visit a Hindu temple and a mosque.
7. The island of Pulau Langkawi, is a destination par excellence for those seeking rest and stunning beaches. This island is the largest of a group of 99 tropical islands with beautiful geological formations, numerous caves and dense tropical forests, a pair of golden sandy beaches and crystal clear water.
8. The area of Cameron Highlands, the center of peninsular Malaysia, comprises a set of populations living in the mountains between 1500 and 1800 meters. In this region you can explore the dense forest, amaze yourself with huge waterfalls and hiking. There are several guided tours that can be taken from Tanah Rata.
9. The island of Tioman offers idyllic scenery. Situated in the South China Sea in front of the east coast of peninsular Malaysia, the island offers beautiful beaches of transparent waters full of coral reefs, rich marine life and even rivers of crystal clear water and stunning peaks of Batu Sirau and Nenek Semukut. The best time to visit the island is between June and August, and during the monsoon season between November and January, the island is practically deserted. To reach the island you must take a boat from Mersing or Singapore.
Best time to go to Malaysia
The climate in Malaysia is hot and humid throughout the year. Typically, temperatures range between 20 º C and 30 º C with a constant humidity of around 90%. The region is under the influence of the monsoon. However, the rainy season occurs only on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, and the west coast and the rainy season occurs between September and December.
In the region of Sabah and Sarawak the rainy season occurs between October and February. The rainfall is characterized by being intense and fast with extended open where you could see the sun. If you want to enjoy the beaches should avoid the rainy season between November and January in the eastern coast of peninsular Malaysia.