Also known as Malacca, Melaka is the third smallest state of Malaysia but has a large personality that more than makes up for its small size. Melaka is often dubbed ‘soul of the nation’ and is one of the most popular destinations in Malaysia. People travel from all over the globe to explore this interesting city with its bustling markets, interesting architecture and the alluring aromas characteristic of local cooking.

There is a rich cultural heritage running through Melaka, which can clearly be seen in the city’s market places, museums, temples and even its parks. Visitors who venture out of the city will find many areas of natural beauty such as beaches, parks and forests abundant with a diverse variety of wildlife.

To get an idea of Melaka’s diverse history, pay a visit to the Muzium Budaya, also known as the Melaka Cultural Museum, while the Baba and Nyonya Peranakan Museum is situated in a carefully preserved Peranakan heritage town house. An interesting way to learn about the history of Melaka is by attending the Light and Sound Display, which is held at Bandar Hilir at 8:30 each evening.

On the outskirts of town, the Ayer Keroh Recreational Forest is a great place to relax in the shade or take a walk and explore the extensive collection of trees and flowers that have been carefully labelled. Also worth a visit is Malacca Zoo, which covers 54 acres and contains around 1,200 animals including the elusive Sumatran Rhinoceres and Seladang.

Heavily publicized as one of the region’s most popular attractions, Gunung Mulu National Park offers visitors 529 square kilometres of unspoilt wilderness marked with limestone and sandstone mountains and a large number of naturally beautiful attractions such as caves, trekking trails and diverse wildlife.

Once you’re inside the park, follow Hunter’s Trail, which will take you along an old tribal war path to discover a number of interesting animals and plants. Further into the park you will find a network of caves, which lead under the park for around 300 kilometres.

Be careful not to get lost because there’s plenty of other attractions to explore. It is a good idea to hire a guide at the entrance to the park to ensure that you manage to see all the highlights and stay on the right track. A good way to cut costs is to wait for other visitors to arrive and share the guide’s fee between you.

One of the most popular caves is known as Clearwater Cave. This is believed to be the longest cave in Southeast Asia and the trip includes a boat ride up the Melinau River to the mouth of the cave.

Dee Cave is also popular as it contains the world’s largest cave passage and visitors to this interesting cave must first embark on a three kilometre walk through the jungle.

The slightly sleepy town of Beaufort is a pretty place to spend a day or two. Although not the most exciting place in Malaysia, the town is filled with picturesque wooden shop houses and surrounded by a number of beautiful attractions.

Beaufort is a good place to stop if you are planning to visit the Klias Wetlands. Take a cruise on the Klias River to discover a wide range of wildlife such as monkeys, long tail macaques, birds and fireflies.

Experienced white-water rafters will want to go on a trip on the Pandas River. The river is certified Grade Three to Grade Four and is comprised of seven rapids between Pangi station and Rayoh, which is situated nine kilometres downstream. The trip includes a train ride through the countryside and for many is the highlight of their visit to this area.

A great way to see the surrounding countryside is by taking the slow train to Tenom to see the small traditional villages along the way. The train follows the Padas River Gorge and is fringed by dense jungle.

A good time to visit Beaufort is on Friday evening or Saturday morning when the weekly open air market attracts people from the surrounding villages. This is a good place to find a good meal, and particularly popular is the Chinese noodle dish known as Beaufort Mee.

Situated in Sarawak in East Malaysia, the large and lively Bako National Park is a great place to spend a day or two. With 27 square kilometres of dense rainforest and a number of beautiful beaches, this is one of the real highlights of Malaysia. The park has been open to visitors since 1957 and is home to animals such as silver leaf monkeys, long-tailed macaques, monitor lizards, plantain squirrels and the bearded pig.

Bako National Park offers visitors rare sightings of the unusual proboscis monkey as they swing from tree to tree in amongst the mangrove swamps. Follow the jungle trails to discover a large number of interesting animals and plants. Each of the colour-coded trails offers something different, such as the elevated wooden walkway, which allows visitors a closer view of the wildlife and an interesting perspective.

Visitors can stay at Bako National Park overnight in one of the bungalows or dorm rooms. Spending the night is a good option for those who want to go on a guided night hike, while waking up in the wilderness is an awe-inspiring experience. The best times to spot wildlife are just before dusk and dawn, so staying the night is the best option to get the most out of this unique experience.

To get to Bako National Park you will need to take a boat ride from the nearby village of Kampung, which serves as an interesting introduction to the area.

For those who are planning to spend some time in the city of Kuching, Kubah National Park is an unforgettable day trip destination. With 22 square kilometers of forest and sandstone hills, this is a great place to get back to nature.

Take one of the walking trails through the forest and you will discover sparkling waterfalls, spectacular rainforest and pretty orchids. The beauty of Kubah National park is that the trails are easy to follow, meaning that you don’t need to hire a guide to lead you around. Simply take your time and explore as and when you want, pausing to take it the dramatic landscape that greets you at every turn.

The most popular hiking trail takes about three hours and ends at the very summit of Gunung Serapi, which is the area’s highest peak. Stop to appreciate the spectacular views and perhaps also take the Waterfall Trail for the chance to swim in the cool, clear waters of a large naturally formed pool.

Follow the Ulu Rayu Trail to the Matang Wildlife Center. This area of the park features a number of pretty rock pools and waterfalls as well as animals such as crocodiles and hornbills. This is the perfect spot for a picnic, and visitors can also make use of the barbecue pits located at Matang Wildlife Center.

Malaysia Truly Asia

Holding its own among Asia’s best know destinations, Malaysia encompasses the best of the region’s outstanding characteristics, without the hassle or concerns of its neighbours. From the stunning beaches in Langkawi to the history on Penang and Sophistication of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia offers its 20 million annual visitors a completely satisfying experience.

On this site we cover the entire Peninsula and Borneo, including Melaka, the Cameroon Highlands, the islands of Perhentian and Redang, as well as Kinabalu, and the jungles and beaches of East Malaysia. Written by an old hand on Southeast Asia, this blog will soon be upgraded to a full travel site with hundreds of pictures and pages to help you plan your trip to Malaysia.

Whether you’re into diving, hiking, history, shopping, beaching, culture, backpacking or simply soaking up the atmosphere of this organised and mutli-cultural country, there’s something for you on this site. We’ve got the tourism on Malaysia covered.

The best way to see Malaysia is under your own steam with a rental car. This allows you to get around easily to the various rural areas of beauty. It’s best book online in advance using an online car hire comparator that lists the best deals from car hire companies in Malaysia