What can be better than a refreshing visit to one of the most famous Malaysia’s hill resorts. Think of seeing tea plantations and vegetable farms on a very nice and sunny days at almost 2 KM above sea level.

It is situated north-west of Pahang in cool fresh air, away from noise and pollution of the city. If you would like to rent a car and drive there it is going to take around 3-4 hours from Kuala Lumpur (295km drive through breathtaking green jungle), the fastest way to drive there is to take the expressway near Tapah town. A lot of people prefer driving to taking a tour with a travel agency since driving itself can be an eye candy. There are a couple of really nice places to stop by such as Kuala Woh Forest Recreation Park where you can have fun at a hot spring.

There are quite a few companies that organise tours to the Cameron Highlands that arrange pickup service from major hotels of Kuala Lumpur (RM320 adult, RM200 child).  Most travellers prefer to leave in the morning and come back in the evening, since there are a lot of things to see it is usually better to spend the whole day, you really wouldn’t want to rush.

Tours will take you to the tea plantation, where tea-making process will be revealed to you in front of your eyes, strawberry farm can delight your eyes with bright-red coloured strawberries in the amount you could only dream about, butterfly park, where you can find some astonishing looking species of the most exotic butterflies and take some photos, a rose garden (no need to say anything if you understand the value of pretty flowers).

Absolutely any nature lover will be happy to spend a day in an incredibly green paradise of Cameron hills, they are literally too green.

Kota Kinabula is a fabulous destination easy to get around by taxi, bus, motor cycle or even just walking there is much to see and one compact easy to negotiate destination

A good place to start after enjoying the beaches is The Atkinson Clock Tower – built in 1902 in memorialize Francis George Atkinson, the first district officer of Jesselton, as KK used to be know. The tower is on a hill beside Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman very close to the city centre.

For those who enjoy religious wonders the Sabah State Mosque – located on Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman and also worth seeing is The State Museum which gives a quick quide to the city’s history and culture.

Another must see is Monsopiad Cultural Village which is about half an hour south-east of the city centre, this small park shows the traditional way of life of the Kadazan ethnic group and tells the story of Monsopiad, a Kadazan local hero, who  300 years ago  killed 42 men who attacked his village. Take a cab form KK and arrange pick up 3 hours later.

Near the small town with the same name Lok Kawi Wildlife Park is just south Kota Kinabalu. It features all manner of monkeys, elephants, birds, local deer, a few tigers, a Sumatran Rhinoceros and is expanding with a reptile house very soon. It’s a marvelous wildlife experience as you get much closer than you would in the jungle. The best way to get there is a pre arranged cab with pickup from Kota Kinabalu.

The Cameroon Highlands is a very kid friendly destination with a mild climate and easily accessible attractions. Although little here is children specific, except for some playgrounds and park exhibits, the destination itself is exciting for young and old alike.

Even the most unfocused child should have a lot to occupy them. With a little pre arrangement games, such as spot the fauna or name the insect can provide hours of contented fun.

There is so much to see and do that a three day family visit is action packed. Getting around is very easy with on foot or local buses for the budget conscious. Maps are plentiful so make sure you pick up one for you and one for them!

Taxis and four wheel drive offer tours of the area.

The Butterfly Park contains fish snakes, turtles, tortoises, scorpions grasshoppers, stick insects and guinea pigs. Most children will find this very interesting but supervision and support is needed for the more sensitive child! Allow 1-2 hours here which includes ample time for lunch or refreshments.

The Strawberry Parks are everywhere and kids not only love picking strawberries but can also eat them later with ice cream topped with sugar. Yum!

The Cactus Farm and Robinson waterfalls are well worth visiting but supervision is, of course, recommended in both these areas.

A trip to The Smokehouse Restaurant for tea and scones is a must and maybe as a reward for a picking up litter excursion which many children enjoy. Hotels provide a plastic bag and a useful activity for the ecology of this wonderful place.

With its natural beauty, interesting history and many architectural marvels, Kota Kinabalu is a popular destination among tourists from all over the world. Because of its small size, tourists can enjoy walking around Kota Kinabalu to admire local attractions while other popular tourist destinations are only a short drive away.

State Mosque
The main mosque is located in the outskirt of Kota Kinabalu on the way from the airport to the city centre. This is the central place of worship for Muslim community in Sabah boasting its beautiful domes and golden motifs. It is also a fine example of contemporary Islamic building.

Sabah Museum
Just five minutes from Kota Kinabalu’s city centre, the museum consists of many interesting galleries displaying totemic figures, old photographs, ancient pottery from all over Southeast Asia and antique Korans. A variety of life-size replicas of traditional houses of ethnic entitles in Sabah are shown in the Heritage Village. Here you can also find an Ethno Botanic garden and a Zoological garden, an all-in-one stop that invites visitors to discover diverse cultures and fascinating history of Kota Kinabalu.

Atkinson Clock Tower
This is one of the major landmarks in Kota Kinabalu located on the bluff along Signal Hill Road. Built in 1905 by Mary Edith Atkinson as a memorial to her son, Francis George Atkinson, who was the first District Officer of Kota Kinabalu, this clock tower is one of the oldest structures in Sabah that has survived the WWII.

Kota Kinabalu City Bird Sanctuary
Located in the heart of the city, the bird sanctuary is home to a number of bird species including many migratory species from Northern Asia and also hundreds of tiny fish that hide under the mangrove roots to escape feeding birds. One of the best-known natural sites for wildlife in Malaysia, Kota Kinabalu City Bird Sanctuary is a must-visit place that will delight children and adults alike.

Mount Kinabalu National Park
This is one of the best national parks in Malaysia with Mount Kinabalu being the highest peak in Southeast Asia. Offering breathtaking views from Mount Kinabalu, the park is also perfect for trekking and walking. Tourists can observe many beautiful species of fauna and flora while many find it an ideal place for camping.

Situated just 10 kilometres off shore on the West Coast of Sabah, the volcanic island of Pulau Tiga offers good walking trails as well as several excellent snorkelling spots.

This picturesque spot became famous when it was used as the site for the first location for the hit reality television series Survivor. Consequently, Pulaua Tiga is often referred to as Survivor Island.

There are two main resorts located on Pulau Tiga and those with a taste for luxury will be able to treat themselves to a little pampering surrounded by sun, sea, sand and tropical beauty. While many people come here to relax and unwind, those with energy to spare will be able to take part in water sports such as sailing, kayaking and scuba diving.

Pulau Tiga is famous for its naturally therapeutic volcanic mud. Those who want to get back to nature and get up close and personal with the island’s wildlife can stay on the island’s campsite.

Pulau Tiga is located 120 kilometres from the city of Kota Kinabalu and visitors can catch a bus from the Segama overhead bridge, which is located next to the Post Office. A one-way trip costs approximately RM18.00, while a taxi ride from the taxi stand next to the Merdeka Field should cost around RM180.00 each way.

The central region of Malaysia is a great place to visit to escape the scorching Malay weather as temperatures are significantly cooler here, especially in the stunningly beautiful region known as the Cameron Highlands.

Central Malaysia is also home to the capital city of Kuala Lumpur, which contains all the interesting attractions and facilities you would expect from a modern Asian city. This is a good place to use as a base as you explore the beauty that surrounds Kuala Lumpur.

Another interesting metropolis is Melaka, which is renowned as the center of the Muslim faith in Malaysia. This is a good place to learn about the Muslim faith and traditions, as well as sampling a range of traditional Malay dishes.

One of the great things about central Malaysia is that it is particularly easy to get around, with bus and rail networks linking the major towns and cities. The railway network starts in Thailand and continues south into Singapore, meaning that both countries are easily accessible.

Malaysia’s many festivals are particularly vibrant in central Malaysia, with much of the attention focused on Kuala Lumpur. Many visitors try to arrange their trip so that they will be in Malaysia capital city during at least one of the major festivals or holidays.

Eastern Malaysia is divided from Central and northern Malaysia by the South China Sea. East Malaysia consists of the Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak, which are located on the island of Borneo, as well as the Federal Territory of Labuan, which lies off coast of Sabah. Although less populated than Peninsular Malaysia or West Malaysia, East Malaysia is much larger and contains more of the country’s natural resources.

Most visitors to Malaysia tend to head straight to East Malaysia to enjoy adventure activities such as trekking, caving, white water rafting and camping. There are a number of spectacularly beautiful national parks in this region of Malaysia such as Kubah National Park and Bako National Park.

East Malaysiaa is home to the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, and thousands of people come here each year to interact with the old men of the forest. There are a number of beatuful beaches and islands to discover in this region of Malaysia as well as pretty towns to explore.

The people of East Malaysia are warm and welcoming and visiting the region’s villages is a rewarding experience. This region is famous for its diverse cuisine, and top of the menu is fresh fish, which is especially delicious when eaten on the beach at sunset.

The capital of Negeri Sembilan, Seremban is located 50 kilometres south of Kuala Lumpur, making this a good place to take a break on the way further south. Seremban is home to the Minangkabau culture, a diverse civilization within Malaysia which takes its name from the Malay word menang kerbau, meaning “winning buffalo”.

This interesting city is full of both natural and man-made beauty such as lakes, temples, gardens and Minangkabau art and handicrafts. This is a good place to pick up an unusual souvenir and explore the city’s unique style.

The Minangkabau people are well known for their unique roof architecture, which curves upwards to resemble buffalo horns. There are many examples of this architectural style in Seremban such as the Seremban Municipal Council Hall, the Wisma Negeri and the State Museum.

A great place to see traditional Minangkabau architecture is the Rumah Minangkabau, which is situated next to the State Museum on Jalan Labu. This ornate wooden building was constructed in 1898 and is engraved with verses from the Holy Koran. Not for the faint of heart, the Rumah Minangkabau is believed by locals to be haunted and definitely has a spooky feel.

One of the great things about Sremban is its diversity and you will find a wide range of temples here. A particularly decorative example is the Sri Bala T. Temple, which is dedicated to Hindu deities. Built in 1970, the State Mosque can be found on a small hill top overlooking the picturesque Lake Gardens, while nearby is the Catholic Church of the Visitation. Large fast food chain McDonalds may not seem like the holist of places, but you will even find a small, colourful Chinese shrine situated here.

Seremban Parade is an interesting place to hang out, and this is a good place to pick up a bargain, find a good meal and shop for local arts and crafts. Another good place to people watch is the Seremban Lake Garden, which are large and beautiful. Here you will see people jogging, families picnicking and amorous couples sneaking looking at each other and perhaps even holding hands.

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