Kafe Heng Huat

Malaysia

　　Outside Kafe Heng Huat you'll find Soon Chuan Choo who, in her trademark red chef's hat, has been turning out some of Penang's best char kway teow (rice noodles, shrimp, cockles and eggs fried in chilli) for nearly 50 years. Adjacent stalls sell won ton mee (wheat- and egg-noodle soup)...

Borneo Sun Bear Conservation Centre

Malaysia

　　The wonderful BSBCC provides care to rescued sun bears (44 at the time of writing), the world's second-most endangered bear. It's possible to see the bears foraging, climbing and sunning themselves in the forest from two elevated walkways and viewing platforms. There are telescopes set up for a closer look...

Sultanate Palace

Malaysia

　　This wooden replica of the palace of Sultan Mansur Shah, who ruled Melaka from 1456 to 1477, houses an open-air cultural museum and lovely gardens. The fine buildings were crafted without the use of nails and closely follow descriptions of the original palace from Sejarah Melayu (Malay Annals), a chronicle...

Royal Belum State Park

Malaysia

　　This 1175-sq-km park within Belum-Temenggor Rainforest was gazetted in 2007 to protect a rich menagerie of tigers, tapirs, panthers and the Sumatran rhino – though the latter is now believed to be extinct in Malaysia. The spears of submerged trees poking above the waterline of the largely dam-flooded lake are...

Deer Cave & Lang Cave

Malaysia

　　A 3km walk through the rainforest takes you to these adjacent caverns. Deer Cave – over 2km long and 174m high – is the world’s largest cave passage open to the public, while Lang Cave – more understated in its proportions – contains interesting stalactites and stalagmites. Be sure to...

Anjung Gurney Night Market

Malaysia

　　Penang's most famous hawker complex sits just past the Gurney Plaza mall, cooled by breezes wafting in off the sea. It buzzes with stalls serving Muslim and Chinese-Malay dishes, including flame-cooked satay sticks, fried oysters, loh bak (five-spice pork sausage), lok-lok (skewered meats, seafood and vegetables cooked in broth), rojak...

Bako National Park

Malaysia

　　Bako National Park is one of the best places in Sarawak to see rainforest animals in their native habitats. It's notable for its incredible biodiversity, encompassing everything from terrestrial orchids and pitcher plants to proboscis monkeys and bearded pigs. Hiking trails cross the sandstone plateau that forms the peninsula’s backbone...

China House

Malaysia

　　You can't really say you've been out in George Town until you've stepped inside China House. This block-wide amalgamation of shophouses is packed with hip places to eat, drink, shop and chill out. By day, order coffees, smoothies and adventurous fusion meals at Kopi C, and extremely good three-inch thick...

Ramayana Cave

Malaysia

　　No cave at Batu is more spectacularly embellished than Ramayana Cave, which boasts psychedelic dioramas of the Indian epic 'Ramayana'. Pass the green, 15m-tall statue of Hanuman and cross the bridge to enter. Inside you can't miss the giant statue of Kumbhakarna, brother of Ravana and a deep sleeper (note...

Lorong Baru Hawker Stalls

Malaysia

　　Ask locals where their favourite hawker stalls are and most will pick this night-time street extravaganza. It's a great spot for ikan bakar (grilled seafood), asam and Penang laksa, fried oysters, apong (coconut pancakes), Hokkien mee (noodles in prawn broth) and pohpiah (spring rolls). Prepare to battle for a seat...

Panorama Langkawi

Malaysia

　　The highlight of this family-friendly amusement park is SkyCab, a cable car that whisks visitors to the top of Gunung Machinchang (713m). For an extra RM6/4 (adult/child), you can walk along the 100m-high SkyBridge for knee-trembling views across the jungle canopy. Arrive early to avoid long queues at weekends and...

Boh Tea Garden

Malaysia

　　Velvety green views are glorious from this out-of-the-way tea plantation, though it's a long drive to get here (allow 40 minutes from Tanah Rata and use your horn on corners; the estate is six snaking kilometres off the main road). Sip tea on an idyllic outdoor terrace, buy boxes of...

Boh Sungei Palas Tea Estate

Malaysia

　　If there's time for only one tea-themed experience in the highlands, make it this spectacularly situated plantation, with its own tea interpretation centre and a cafe stunningly cantilevered over endless emerald whorls of tea buses. A short film explains the estate's history and free 15-minute tours (every 15 minutes) demonstrate...

Agop Batu Tulug

Malaysia

　　This hill, 2km north of the Batuh Putih bridge, features three caves housing the ancestors of local Orang Sungai (People of the River). Because the Kinabatangan has a habit of frequently flooding, the final resting place of the dead has traditionally been located in cave complexes. Nine-hundred-year-old ironwood coffins are...

Tawau Hills Park

Malaysia

　　This small reserve has forested hills rising dramatically from the surrounding plain. If getting into the Maliau Basin or Danum Valley feels like too much of an effort, consider Tawau Hills a user-friendly alternative. The forest here is impressively thick, there are trails for hikers of all abilities and the...

Penang National Park

Malaysia

　　At 23 sq km, this is Malaysia's smallest national park, but it's beach-fringed forests are home to silvered leaf monkeys, flying lemurs, leopard cats and abundant bird, amphibian and reptile species. You can easily fill a day with activities such as jungle walks and boat trips to serene golden-sand beaches....

Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre

Malaysia

　　Around 25km north of Sandakan, and covering 40 sq km of the Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve, this inspiring, world-famous centre welcomes orphaned and injured orangutans for rehabilitation before returning them to forest life. There are around 200 living in the reserve, though only a few are regular visitors to the feeding...

Masjid Daerah Taiping

Perak

　　With its prominent gold domes, this mosque is an arresting feature of central Taiping's skyline. Only Muslims may enter. ...

Taiping War Cemetery

Perak

　　Arranged across two green spaces bisected by a main road, this small cemetery has row upon row of headstones for the British, Australian and Indian troops killed during WWII. Some 331 wartime casualties are identified within, and hundreds more unknown soldiers are buried here. 　　The cemetery is located about 2km...

Zoo Taiping & Night Safari

Perak

　　Animals are always happiest in the wild, but Taiping's zoo is a well-maintained space managed by conservation-minded staff. Elephants have shade and space to bathe in dust and water, while other creatures such as lions, Malayan sun bears and orangutans have sizeable enclosures. A miniature train chugs around the site,...

All Saints Church

Perak

　　Consecrated in 1887, this timber church is one of the oldest Anglican churches in Malaysia and is still used as a place of worship. The Gothic-inspired ensemble was designed by Australian architect George A Lefroy. Step inside to see original stained-glass windows, a pipe organ (a rarity in Malaysia), carved...

Taman Tasik Taiping

Perak

　　Taiping's centrepiece is a 64-hectare expanse of lagoons and grassland east of town. Created in 1880 on the site of an abandoned tin mine, the gardens owe their lush greenery to Taiping’s annual rainfall – thought to be the highest in Peninsular Malaysia. These artificial lakes are a pleasant place...

Muzium Perak

Perak

　　With many of Perak's museums in dire need of more funding, Taiping's well-maintained Muzium Perak stands out. Parts of the pristine, whitewashed building date to the 1900s and inside are diverting displays about natural history (complete with a century-old elephant skeleton), state history and Malaysian customs. The silver engraving, embroidery...

Heritage District

Johor

　　Wandering around the characterful heritage area between Jln Ibrahim and Jln Ungku Puan is a high point of any visit to Johor Bahru. Walk past colourful old shophouses filled with barbers, Ayurvedic salons, sari shops, gorgeous temples, a few modern-art galleries and old-style, as well as trendy, cafes and restaurants....

Chinese Heritage Museum

Johor

　　Well-displayed exhibits chronicling the history of Chinese immigrants in this part of the Malay peninsula are the highlight of this three-storey museum. Learn how the Cantonese brought their carpentry skills to this area, while the Hakkas traded in Chinese medicines and the Hainanese kick-started a trend in coffee shops, which...

Bangunan Sultan Ibrahim

Johor

　　Sitting magnificently atop Bukit Timbalan, the imposing Bangunan Sultan Ibrahim is a mighty melange of colonial pomp, Islamic motifs and indigenous design. Completed in 1942, the city landmark was employed as a fortress by the Japanese as they prepared to attack Singapore. Visitors are not allowed to enter, although you...

Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque

Johor

　　The stunning whitewashed walls and blue-tiled roof of this Victorian-inspired mosque speak of a mix of architectural influences. Built between 1892 and 1900, it is quite rightly hailed as one of the most magnificent mosques in the area. At the time of research it was undergoing long-term renovation with no...

Johor Bahru Old Chinese Temple

Johor

　　Once the centre of JB's Chinese immigrant community, and used by five different ethnic groups to worship five different Chinese gods, this small but atmospheric temple is more than 130 years old. Little remains of its original masonry after major renovations in 1995, but it does house some genuine antiques....

Royal Abu Bakar Museum

Johor

　　The marvellous Istana Besar, once the Johor royal family’s principal palace, was flung up in Victorian style by Anglophile sultan Abu Bakar in 1866. It was opened as a museum to the public in 1990, displaying the incredible wealth of the sultans to the hoi polloi in over 60,000 pieces....

Arulmigu Sri Rajakaliamman

Johor

　　Step through the looking glass into this wonderland of a temple built from mirrors, glass and metal – not a single inch of the vaulted roof or wall has been left unadorned. The temple is dedicated to Kali, the goddess of time, change, power and destruction. ...

Legoland

Johor

　　Got kids? Asia's first Legoland offers over 70 rides and attractions, plus a waterpark that can be visited separately or as part of a package. Nearly everything is hands-on, and it's not just about the bricks. Expect to crawl around, pull yourself up a tower with ropes, ride a dragon-coaster...

Crystal Mosque

Kuala Terengganu

　　Domes and minarets made up of facets of bronze-tinted, smokey glass and reflecting each other provide for a striking riverside apparition. Built in 2006, but definitely channelling 1970s glam, this mosque is best seen from the river and when illuminated at night. ...

Central Market

Kuala Terengganu

　　The Central Market is a lively place to sample tasty local snacks, sniff a durian and purchase other fresh fruit and fish. Browse a wide collection of batik and kain songket (traditional handwoven fabric) for artisanal souvenirs. Many stalls don't operate on Friday. ...

Istana Maziah

Kuala Terengganu

　　On the eastern flank of the hill near the Central Market is the sultan’s palace. It’s built in colonial-era style, but renovations have given the structure a blocky feel. The palace is closed to the public, except for some ceremonial occasions. ...

Ho Ann Kiong

Kuala Terengganu

　　One of Chinatown's most attractive buildings, this compact and colourful riot of red and gold architecture and decor dates back to 1796. It was extensively rebuilt in 1801 and again in 2010 after a devastating fire. Explore the 'wishing tree' behind the temple that is slowly engulfing an old building,...

Masjid Tengku Tengah Zaharah

Kuala Terengganu

　　The most famous religious structure in the state is the Floating Mosque, located 4.5km southeast of Kuala Terengganu. It’s not really floating, just set on an artificial island, but its white, traditional Moorish design shimmers in the daylight and is warmly enchanting as the sun sets. Bus 13 from Kuala...

Taman Tamadu Islam

Kuala Terengganu

　　Touted as the world’s first ‘Islamic civilisation park’. Taman Tamadu Islam is divided into two zones. Zone A is free to the public and houses the Crystal Mosque. Zone B, for which there is an admission charge, features a series of miniature models of famous Islamic landmarks from across the...

Pulau Duyung

Kuala Terengganu

　　This is the largest island in the estuary. It is changing fast, with modern housing estates being built on reclaimed land, but there is still a sizeable presence of old wooden houses and a village lifestyle. Fishing boats are built here, using mostly age-old techniques and tools, and visitors are...

Kompleks Muzium Negeri Terengganu

Kuala Terengganu

　　Located around 6km west of the city centre, the traditional houses that front the museum's spacious grounds are worth the price of admission. Exhibits range from the historically interesting (a Jawi – traditional Malay text – inscription that essentially dates the arrival of Islam to the nation) to threadbare taxidermy....

Istana Batu

Kota Bharu

　　The pale-yellow building, constructed in 1939, was the crown prince’s palace until it was donated to the state. Now a museum, the richly furnished rooms give a surprisingly intimate insight into royal life, with family photos and personal belongings scattered among the fine china, chintzy sofas and the late sultan’s...

Muzium Negeri Kelanta

Kota Bharu

　　Next to the tourist information centre, this is the official state museum. The exhibits on Kelantan’s history and culture are interesting, but the accompanying signage can be poor. ...

Kampung Kraftangan

Kota Bharu

　　This handicraft market, a touristy affair opposite Istana Batu, has a one-room museum with displays of woodcarving, batik-making and other crafts. ...

Muzium Islam

Kota Bharu

　　Muzium Islam occupies an old villa once known as Serambi Mekah (Verandah to Mecca) – a reference to its days as Kelantan’s first school of Islamic instruction. Nowadays it displays a small collection of photographs and artefacts relating to the history of Islam in the state. ...

Istana Jahar

Kota Bharu

　　Kota Bharu’s best museum focuses on Kelantanese ritual and crafts. It's housed in a beautiful chocolate-brown building that dates back to 1887 and is easily one of the most attractive traditional buildings in the city. 　　The collection here includes detailed descriptions of batik-weaving, the elaborate ceremonies of coming-of-age circumcision, wedding...

Bank Kerapu

Kota Bharu

　　Built in 1912 for the Mercantile Bank of India, the Bank Kerapu building was the first stone structure built in Kelantan. During WWII it was the HQ of the Kempai Tai, Japan’s feared secret police. Today it is also known as the War Museum, thanks to its focus on the...