Things to do in Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur’s tallest landmark, the Petronas Twin Towers have become a symbol of the city as a whole. There’s no better way to take in this thriving metropolis than from the observation deck on the 86th floor. Below is a concert hall, upmarket shopping mall and interactive science discovery centre.

Part of an archipelago of some 99 islands, Langkawi is home to some of Malaysia’s best beaches. It’s also Southeast Asia’s first Unesco Geopark, covering islands, waterfalls, lakes, ancient fossils, pinnacles, caves and beaches. If you’ve come to soak up beautiful scenery or to relax on golden beaches, this is definitely the place for you! Fossil fanatics will also get the chance to see ancient and extinct sea creatures, between 250 and 550 million years old, which have been preserved in the rock and limestone cliffs.

In its glorious 15th-century heyday, Melaka was the most vital port in Southeast Asia, with as many as 2,000 ships docked here at any one time. Today, even as high-rises make their presence felt, the colonial past remains in the architecture and monuments. Give yourself a day to explore this amazing town and its wealth of historic buildings – be sure to check out the famous red church, the town hall (now home to a fascinating museum) and the bastions from the Portuguese era.

The famous island of Pulau Sipadan is one of the world’s five best dive sites. A pinnacle of limestone and coral rising up 2,000ft from the floor of the Celebes Sea, it spreads out like a mushroom cap to form Malaysia’s only oceanic island. You won’t find another underwater experience like this one anywhere else in the world – and if you’ve never been diving before, there’s no better place to start!

The national park of Taman Negara provides an ideal setting for exploring vast rainforest, fast-flowing rivers and mountains of the peninsula’s Main Range. The boat ride on the Tembeling River is likely to be one of the highlights of your visit. Along the way, you may see wildlife and the Orang Asli fishermen – the only human residents allowed by park authorities to stay here. There are also marked trails leading from the park’s headquarters into the forest, which you can explore with your own group or on an organised tour.

On the northeast coast of Pulau Pinang, George Town is the island’s main attraction and a Unesco World Heritage Site. With rich colonial and historic roots amid the clutter of a market and commercial town, its narrow streets and busy thoroughfares add to the adventure. The city’s Chinese history is reflected in the shophouses and old hotels, and it also offers delicious food and great shopping.

One of the most extraordinary experiences, the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre is a nature reserve that provides rehabilitation and care for young orangutans, previously held in captivity. This centre prepares them to live alone in the forest. Boardwalk trails take visitors to the feeding areas, where you will discover that the orangutans are as curious as the visitors. These marvellous animals have a good sense of parody – watching someone put up an umbrella in the rain, they will immediately mimic this, using leaves and twigs.

The refreshing temperatures and spectacular scenery make a journey to Kinabalu Park, a Unesco World Heritage Site, more than worthwhile. At 13,435ft, Gunung Kinabalu is one of the highest peaks between the Himalayas and New Guinea, and the climb to the summit takes two days, with an overnight stay halfway up. Even if you avoid the vigorous climb to the mountain’s summit, the scenery, plants and wildlife close to the park’s headquarters are hugely rewarding.