Traditional Malay Architecture

Modern-day Malaysia has a landscape which features large urban centers co-existing with smaller towns and villages. The country’s big cities like Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Johor Bahru and others, are littered with numerous modern buildings including state of the art glass and steel towers, which stand cheek by jowl with older or more traditional edifices.

Traditional Malay houses are known as ‘Rumah Melayu’ and date back to a time before the arrival of foreign influences in Malaysian architecture. These traditional Malaysian homes were built both on Peninsular Malaysia and the island of Borneo and were usually constructed out of local sourced materials. These homes further featured structural and decorative elements which were in tune with the surrounding landscape.

The most common materials used in the construction of the many types of ‘ Rumah Melayu; were timber and bamboo, both of which are widely available in Malaysia. Additionally, the builders of these traditional homes used methods like dovetailing and other forms of joinery, which didn’t call for the use of nails. This type of grove and lock construction provided much flexibility to the owners as homes could be easily deconstructed and then reconstructed at a new location if need be.

Numerous traditional Malaysian homes can be spotted around the country event today, though the type and style of ‘Rumah Melayu’ differs from every region and state, However they have several common structural and decorative elements happen to be largely in tune with their environs.

Some of common features of the various types of ‘Rumah Melayu’ include:-

Stilts

Many traditional Malaysian homes were built on stilts and were referred to as ‘Rumah Panggung’. These homes were built on stilts for several practical reasons. They were so built so as to protect the homes from floods or to protect their inhabitants from wild animals and snakes. The stilts were also thought  to deter thieves and to allow for enhanced ventilation. Several Malaysian kampungs in Sabah and elsewhere, continue to host these traditional Rumah Panggung  or stage houses.

Stairs

Most traditional Malaysian homes feature stairways which connect the land in the front of the house to the verandah or porch known as serambi. Some homes have an additional stairwell within the interior of the dwelling.

Rooms

Traditional Malaysian dwellings are usually partitioned into two major areas, namely the main house known as Rumah Ibu and the separate kitchen area known as Rumah Dapur

Roof

The roof of a traditional Malaysian home is designed to provide shade and offer protection from the searing heat as well as the torrential rain. Most traditional Malaysian homes are topped with a gabled roof, which normally extends over the boundaries of the home to provide added protection as well as add a decorative element. However, some traditional Malaysian homes like Rumah Lancang or Rumah Lontik feature boat- like roofs while another type of traditional Malaysian home, the Rumah Lipat Kajang features a flat roof. Basically the style and structure of the roof of a traditional Malaysian home was largely determined by climatic conditions for the roof was meant to protect the home from various weather related calamities..

Various kinds of traditional Malaysian homes can be seen around the country today some  like the Rumah Limas are predominantly found in Johor and Malacca,while the Rumah Perabung Lima  are scattered throughout the length of Kalantan and Terengganu and the Rumah Gajah Menyusu is predominant in Penang. These are but a few of the many forms of traditional dwellings that are still evident in Malaysia and provide a valuable insight into the traditional style of architecture that has developed over the years in various parts of the country

Top foods to try in Malaysia

Malaysian cuisine is world-renowned for its unique flavors. Most visitors to Malaysia come back raving about the incredible flavors and tastes of native Malaysian fare. Malaysia is a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural society and its national fare is an amalgamation of Indian, Chinese and native Malay cuisines. In fact, Malaysian cuisine provides adequate representation to the country’s rich cultural diversity.

When visiting Malaysia, visitors are told there are some native foods that they simply ‘must try’. Listed below are some of these perennial favorites.

Nasi Lemak

Nasi Lemak, a classic Malaysian breakfast dish is a staple offering at both high end eateries as well as street side stalls. This dish consists of rice cooked in coconut cream and steamed in pandan(screw pine) leaves for enhanced flavor. Nasi Lemak is usually served with various accompaniments like acaar(pickled vegetables), ikan bilis (anchovies), slices of boiled egg, peanuts and a sambal(a chili and garlic paste). Aside from these accompaniments, a dish of Nasi Lemak also features a serving of meat, fish or poultry preparation like the popular Malaysian curry, beef rendang.

 

Roti Canai

The origins of the dish known as Roti Canai can be traced to Malaysia’s Indian immigrants who were brought by the British to work on palm oil and rubber plantations in the early 20^th century. The Malaysian roti seems to have been derived from the Indian bread called ‘paratha’ in fact the Malaysian version is known as ‘pratta’ and is flakier than the original. This roti is usually served with a dipping sauce, which consists of a chicken curry. However, the Malaysians have further modified the roti to meet local tastes, for it is often stuffed with fillings like eggs, sardines and even popular fruits like banana and durian. Roti Canai is a popular as a late night snack as well as a breakfast food for it was originally consumed by plantation workers before they began their work day.

Ikan Bakar

Ikan Bakar is a popular lunch time treat and features fish or seafood which is wrapped in a banana leaf and grilled over a charcoal fire. Ikan Bakar is usually served with a tamarind based dipping sauce called air asam.

 

 

 

 

 

Satay

Satay features skewers of barbecued meat (chicken, beef or lamb), which are traditionally served with a peanut based dipping sauce, along with other accompaniments like ketupat (rice dumplings of Indonesian origin),onions and cucumber.
Malaysian satays

Laksa

Laksa is considered to be the icon of Malaysian cuisine. Born out of the mingling of Malay and Chinese cultures, the Laksa has various interpretations. Every region in Malaysia has its own version of this flavorful noodle soup, though perhaps the most famous version is the spicy, sour, fish- based Asam Laksa which hails from Penang.

 

 

 

Nasi Kandar

Nasi Kandar is rice-based dish features steamed or flavored rice, offered with an assortment of curries like fish head curry, fried fish roe, okra curry and so forth.

Rojak

 For instance a fruit Rojak generally features cubed cucumbers, pineapples, bean sprouts and tofu fritters tossed together with a sauce made with tamarind, chili, sugar and shrimp paste while an Indian or Mamak Rojak features various components dough fritters, cubed potatoes, cucumbers, bean sprouts and more tossed together in a peanut based sauce.
Rojak is a tangy Malaysian salad, which is a popular lunch or teatime treat. There are various different versions of Rojak to be found all over the country.

Cendol and Ais Kacang

Malaysia, being a tropical country is hot and humid all year round. Hence Malaysian deserts typically feature a generous amount of ice to help combat the year round stifling heat. Cendol and Ais Kacang, are two popular refreshing Malaysian deserts which feature generous amounts of ice along with various other ingredients like coconut milk, grass jelly, gelatin, palm sugar, palm seed and more.

Halal food in Malaysia

Multi-ethnic, multi-cultural Malaysia has a population composed of a significant Muslim majority. It is no wonder then that the country is a major producer of Halal foods. In fact, Malaysia’ s certification of halal food products dates back to as early as the 1960’s, and the country, today has well developed and efficient system, which regulates the domestic food industry to ensure that it is in line not only with Shariah requirements, but also conforms to guidelines for hygiene, sanitation and safety standards.

Malaysia’s Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) has been responsible for the standardization of halal certifications in the country since August 2009. The  organization produces a regularly updated halal directory, which is essentially  is a compilation of information on food and beverage manufacturing companies, food premises, hotels, consumer products and slaughter houses which bear the JAKIM halal certification. This helps Muslim consumers in Malaysia easily identify and consume halal food products. Malaysia has also introduced various food production standards like MS 1500, MS 1480 and MS 1514, which prescribe guidelines for the Malaysian food production industry on the preparation and handling of halal foods.

In Malaysia, restaurants serving halal food sport easily spotted certifications to help inform Muslim customers and guide them in their choices. Similarly, meat products sold at the country’s many supermarkets are also clearly labeled as ‘halal’ and ‘non-halal’ in order to avoid confusion and misinformation. The global halal meat market volume has grown to be worth a gargantuan $300 billion and Malaysia with its well-developed standards and regulation for the production, storage, handling and serving of halal foods hopes to soon be a major player in this rapidly growing market.

The term ‘Halal’, ‘Guaranteed Halal’ or ‘Muslim Food’ essentially means:-

·         The food is not derived from or consists of any part of or item from animals that are forbidden for Muslim consumption by Islamic law or even animals that have not been slaughtered according to Islamic law.

·         Moreover, ‘halal’ food does not contain any substance considered impure according to Islamic law.

·         The ‘Halal’ food is prepared, processed or manufactured using equipment or utensils free from impurities as defined by Islamic law

·         The preparation, processing or storage of halal food has not been contaminated taking into account the above guidelines.

The Islamic tourist industry is growing rapidly. However, Muslims visiting Malaysia should not be worried about locating halal food in Malaysia, for it is widely available in every part of the country.

36 hours in Penang

Penang, popularly referred to as the ‘Pearl of the Orient’ is one of Malaysia’s most popular vacation destinations. World-famous for its numerous street-food delights, pristine beach fronts and various cultural attractions, Penang caters to all ages and tastes. If you are planning to visit Penang sometime soon, our thirty-six hour guide should help you plan your visit to this enchanting city.

Friday

9 am

Start the day Penang-style

Start your day as the residents of Penang do with a hearty breakfast and in Penang, you are really spoiled for choice for several eateries in this foodie destination open as early as 5am to serve breakfast to hungry hordes. Indulge in local breakfast specials like dim sum, kaya toast, Koay Teow Th’ng, Yong Tau Fu, Hokkien Mee or Loh Mee or even in a traditional Indian feast of thosai and idli before your day gets underway.

10 am

Visit the Penang Botanical Gardens

The Penang Botanical Gardens span thirty verdant acres. Also known as the Waterfall Gardens after the stream that tumbles down from Penang Hill, the gardens are a favorite haunt of the city’s morning walkers and joggers. The botanical gardens encompass various attractions like an orchid house, a palm house, a cactus garden, a bromeliad house and many tropical trees, plants and shrubs. Several long-tailed macaque monkeys are resident in the garden and should not be fed as they are known to bite. A path from within the garden leads to the top of Penang Hill.

12 pm

Take in the views from atop Penang Hill

You can attempt to walk up to the summit of Bukit Bendera(Penang Hill) from the Penang Botanic Gardens but this walk can take between two to three hours. An easier way to access this summit is to ride the air-conditioned funicular, which transports you to the summit in five minutes. Once you are at the summit, you are awarded with jaw-dropping views of the city of Georgetown, surrounded by lofty hills and sparkling seas. Once you have savored the views, you could perhaps stop for a cup of tea or a refreshing drink at one of the many cafes located atop Penang hill.

1pm

Visit the Kek Lok Si Temple of Supreme Bliss

As you make your way down from the summit of Penang Hill, you should stop at the Kek Lok Si Temple of Supreme Bliss. This temple complex is the largest Buddhist temple complex in Malaysia and displays Chinese, Thai and even Burmese influences in its design. Built in 1893, the temple is a must-visit site in Penang, for it features various interesting attractions like gardens, water bodies, multi-hued frescoes along with  a seven-storey Pagoda of Ten Thousand Buddhas and a 30 meter(90 feet) high statue of Kuan Yin(the Goddess of Mercy).

2.30 pm

Stop for lunch at the New World Park Food Court

The New World Park food court is regarded as one of Georgetown’s best food courts. New World Park is actually failed amusement park, which was converted into a food court and it now features various kiosks offering a whole host of Penang specialties, like Mee Rebus, Nasi Kandar, Lok Lok, Cendol, Rojak and many more.

4pm

Visit the Khoo Kongsi Clan House

Amongst the many heritage buildings of Georgetown, is the magnificent structure of the Khoo Kongsi clan house. This imposing edifice which features Indo-Malay influences was built in 1920 after the original was destroyed by a fire in 1906. The walls, pillars and roof of the imposing structure are adorned with intricate carvings created by master craftsmen from China. The temple is the site for many Chinese opera performances during the seventh lunar month.

7pm

Have a rummage at the night market at Batu Ferringhi

Penang’s famous white-sand beach front, Batu Ferringhi is home to a wide variety of resorts and offers much water sporting action as well. However, a prominent attraction on Batu Ferringhi is its night market, which is populated by several vendors who offer a wide range of products like toys, souvenirs, apparel, accessories and more. 

9pm

Dine up a storm at Gurney Drive

Gurney Drive also known as Persiaran Gurney’ is Penang’s world-famous food-street. Located along the gorgeous Penang waterfront, Gurney Drive hosts numerous hawker stalls and restaurants offering  a whole host of famous Penang foods like Char Kuay Teow, Wantan Mee, Rojak, Oyster Omelet and many more.

Saturday

10 am

Explore Fort Cornwallis

Fort Cornwallis is a prominent historical landmark in Georgetown. This fort, which is named after the former governor-general of Bengal, Charles Cornwallis features ten feet tall walls laid out in a star-like formation. Inside the fort are some interesting old-world structures like a chapel, prison cells, a munitions storage area and several bronze cannons. Fort Cornwallis today is a privately managed site, which features an information kiosk, a café, an amphitheater, a history gallery and a souvenir store. Guides are available onsite to offer tours and regale you with historical information about the fort.

12 pm

Take a tour of Penang’s famed Blue Mansion, the Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion

Take a tour of this gorgeous Chinese mansion, which is also known as the Blue Mansion for its azure color .This restored Chinese mansion was built by a Chinese tycoon Cheong Fatt Tze on Leith Street in Georgetown in the 19^th century. The mansion is now a heritage hotel and is an architectural masterpiece, which has been recognized for its restoration efforts by UNESCO. During the tour you will be able to see its many decorative elements like carved doorways and windows, wrought iron spiral staircases, courtyards adorned with verdant planters and so forth.

2.30pm

Tour Little India and Chinatown

After a morning of much sight-seeing and history, take a break and  indulge in a variety of Indian eats like Paper Thosai, Roti Canai, Nasi Biryani at the many restaurants located within Penang’s Little India. This atmospheric enclave was founded by Indian immigrants, who arrived in Penang in the early 19^th Century as plantation workers, spice traders and even money-lenders. After lunch, you can walk around the area and take in its various sights and sounds like the Sri Mariamman Temple and the  many sari and jewelry shops. You could then carry on and do a tour of Penang’s Chinatown which is located close by.

4pm

Spend some quality family time at the Penang Butterfly Park/ Penang Bird Park/ Penang Toy museum

If you are visiting Penang with your children, then you should perhaps aim to visit at least one if not all these three family-friendly attractions to keep the young ones happy..

http://www.penangbirdpark.com.my/

http://www.timeout.com/penang/attractions/venue/Museums/title/Penang-Toy-Museum

http://www.butterfly-insect.com/

8pm

Dine at Cassis Restaurant

Savor some delectable Italian fare at Cassis, a rising star on Penang’s contemporary dining scene.

Sunday

10 am

Take in some culture at the Penang State Museum and Art Gallery

The Penang State Museum and Gallery hosts several galleries which chronicle Penang’s rich cultural history. The museum’s vast permanent collection features paintings, costumes, antiques, maps, historical documents, photographs and much more. The Penang Art Gallery is located on the first floor of the museum and features works of local artists alongside works of old masters.

2pm

Break for lunch at the famous Tek Sen restaurant

Tek Sen restaurant on Lebuh Carnarvon is a well-established dining institution in Penang. Offering a wide range of Southern Chinese eats, the restaurant is a favorite with tourists and locals alike.

3pm

Visit the Penang Snake Temple (Temple of the Azure Cloud)

The Penang snake temple is located in the small town of Bayan Lepas. This fascinating attraction was built to commemorate the famous Chinese monk, Chor Soo Kong. The legend associated with the temple states that Chor Soo Kong was a great healer who sheltered snakes, which had wandered into his home from the jungle. The Penang snake temple today hosts several deadly pit vipers. These deadly creatures lie coiled up on the alter tables and seem oblivious to the presence of their many human visitors. A common belief sates that the incense burnt at the temple paralyzes these lethal reptiles and they are quite  harmless.

8pm

End your day at China House

China House located in the heart of Georgetown is a multi-use space consisting of three heritage buildings offering various dining, shopping and entertainment options.

Gastronomic Delights in Malaysia

Malaysian cuisine is world-renowned for its unique flavors. Most visitors to Malaysia come back raving about the incredible flavors and tastes of native Malaysian fare. Malaysia is a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural society and its national fare is an amalgamation of Indian, Chinese and native Malay cuisines. In fact, Malaysian cuisine provides adequate representation to the country’s rich cultural diversity.
When visiting Malaysia, visitors are told there are some native foods that they simply ‘must try’. Listed below are some of these perennial favorites.

Nasi Lemak

Nasi Lemak, a classic Malaysian breakfast dish is a staple offering at both high end eateries as well as street side stalls. This dish consists of rice cooked in coconut cream and steamed in pandan(screw pine) leaves for enhanced flavor. Nasi Lemak is usually served with various accompaniments like acaar(pickled vegetables), ikan bilis (anchovies), slices of boiled egg, peanuts and a sambal(a chili and garlic paste). Aside from these accompaniments, a dish of Nasi Lemak also features a serving of meat, fish or poultry preparation like the popular Malaysian curry, beef rendang.

Roti Canai

The origins of the dish known as Roti Canai can be traced to Malaysia’s Indian immigrants who were brought by the British to work on palm oil and rubber plantations in the early 20th century. The Malaysian roti seems to have been derived from the Indian bread called ‘paratha’ in fact the Malaysian version is known as ‘pratta’ and is flakier than the original. This roti is usually served with a dipping sauce, which consists of a chicken curry. However, the Malaysians have further modified the roti to meet local tastes, for it is often stuffed with fillings like eggs, sardines and even popular fruits like banana and durian. Roti Canai is a popular as a late night snack as well as a breakfast food for it was originally consumed by plantation workers before they began their work day.

Ikan Bakar

Ikan Bakar is a popular lunch time treat and features fish or seafood which is wrapped in a banana leaf and grilled over a charcoal fire. Ikan Bakar is usually served with a tamarind based dipping sauce called air asam.

Satay

Malaysian satays  feature skewers of barbecued meat (chicken, beef or lamb), which are traditionally served with a peanut based dipping sauce, along with other accompaniments like ketupat (rice dumplings of Indonesian origin),onions and cucumber.

Laksa

Laksa is considered to be the icon of Malaysian cuisine. Born out of the mingling of Malay and Chinese cultures, the Laksa has various interpretations. Every region in Malaysia has its own version of this flavorful noodle soup, though perhaps the most famous version is the spicy, sour, fish- based Asam Laksa which hails from Penang.





Nasi Kandar

Nasi Kandar is rice-based dish features steamed or flavored rice, offered with an assortment of curries like fish head curry, fried fish roe, okra curry and so forth.








Rojak

Rojak is a tangy Malaysian salad, which is a popular lunch or teatime treat. There are various different versions of Rojak to be found all over the country.  For instance a fruit Rojak generally features cubed cucumbers, pineapples, bean sprouts and tofu fritters tossed together with a sauce made with tamarind, chili, sugar and shrimp paste while an Indian or Mamak Rojak features various components dough fritters, cubed potatoes, cucumbers, bean sprouts and more tossed together in a peanut based sauce.

Cendol and Ais Kacang

Malaysia, being a tropical country is hot and humid all year round. Hence Malaysian deserts typically feature a generous amount of ice to help combat the year round stifling heat. Cendol and Ais Kacang, are two popular refreshing Malaysian deserts which feature generous amounts of ice along with various other ingredients like coconut milk, grass jelly, gelatin, palm sugar, palm seed and more.

 

I-City, Shah Alam

Paris has for years been known as the ‘city of lights’. However, the French capital now has a rival for this title, in the form of a relatively new sprawling, urban development situated in Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia. i-city as this urban center is called, is also popularly referred to as the ‘City of digital lights’, for it resembles a sparkling fantasy at nighttime, when it’s is lit up with over one million LED lights. Designed by renowned, award-winning, America architect Jon A Jerde, i-city spans an expansive 72 acres and is situated besides the Federal Highway in Section 7, Shah Alam.

i-city is a fully integrated, comprehensive city consisting of business, leisure and residential areas and encompassing large shopping malls, office towers, hotels, residences, restaurants, cutting-edge information technology centers and various attractions like Waterworld, Snowwalk,  the Trick Art Museum, the Red Carpet Wax Museum, Funworld and more.

As night falls, i-city comes to life with an explosion of color, for its specially fabricated pine and maple trees are illuminated with thousands of lights and the city is transformed into a sight to behold. While the original ‘City of Light’ Paris is renowned for its classical charm, Malaysia’s ultra-modern i-city, which was inaugurated in 2010, is a technological marvel with its own distinct appeal

Major attractions at i-city

Water World

Water World, is as its name suggests a waterpark filled with thrilling rides suitable for all ages. The park occupies a 10 acre space and features various exciting rides like the Ultimate Tornado, a thrilling vortex ride, the first spiral slide of its kind in South-East Asia which takes riders on a mad, rapidly twirling ride through a 160 foot long tunnel and then plunges them into a tilted water funnel for additional thrills. Other rides on offer include the Rainbow Racer Slide, the Family Raft Slide, and the Giant Jacuzzi, the Children’s Adventure Pool, the River Adventure ride and a Wave Pool. Aside from rides, Waterworld also hosts various concerts and events periodically.

Snow Walk

Snow Walk brings Arctic climes to steamy Malaysia; on offer at Snowwalk are various ice sculptures and rides. Here you will find igloos, snowmen, ice penguins, a mini-bobsled ride, an ice bar and yet more LED lights. I-city’s Snowwalk is a big hit with kids and adults alike.

Red Carpet

Opened just in time for Visit Malaysia Year 2014, Red Carpet is an interactive, wax museum that aims to dazzle and delight with its many exhibits. Extending over 30,000 sq. feet with an Oscar awards-like setting, the museum houses wax replicas of luminaries in its six main galleries, namely World Icons, Celebrities, Sport Stars, World Book of Records, Interactive and All Stars Café. These wax figurines further feature special effects like voice and motion and never fail to enchant and delight.

Trick Art Museum

i-city’s cutting edge technology is once again on display at its Trick Art Museum where two dimensional paintings are converted onto 3D, so that they look different from every angle. The museum spans 8000 sq. feet and has five main themes like Masterpieces, Egyptian, Sea Life, Animal Kingdom and Modern Classic.

True Discovery

Taking a break from LED lights, the True Discovery section features old-world like attractions like exotic reptiles, tarantula spiders and more.

Fun World

Fun World also offers classical attractions like a Giant Ferris Wheel, A Pirate Ship, Bumper cars and more.

Malaysia’s i-city is a work in progress as it is still evolving and developing, do stop by and have a look, you are sure to be awed by its ingenuity and technological brilliance.

http://i-city.my/tourism/

 

Fun and learning in Aquaria KLCC

KLCC (Kuala Lumpur City Center) is a prominent attraction located in the heart of the Malaysian capital. Famously associated with sights like the Petronas Twin Towers, the Suria KLCC mall, the Dewan Filharmonik Petronas (Petronas Philharmonic Hall), this major sight-seeing hub has now come to be known for one of its relatively recent attractions, Aquaria KLCC, a world-class aquarium that showcases marine life from around Malaysia and beyond.

Designed by the New Zealand- based Marinescape Ltd, an aquarium construction and design specialist, Aquaria KLCC was conceived in 2002 and it was open to the public in 2005. This expansive aquarium, which occupies a massive 60,000 square feet area at the concourse level of the Kuala Lumpur Convention Center, hosts more than 5000 exhibits of aquatic and semi-aquatic marine life. The many exhibits of Aquaria KLCC are hosted within various themed areas like the Highlands, the Touch Pool, The Electric Zone, The Stream, Jewels of the Jungle, the Flooded Forest, The Coast, the Oceanarium, Weird and Wonderful, the Discovey Zone and so forth.

On display at Aquaria KLCC are several fascinating sea creatures like sand tiger sharks, green sea turtles, giant pacific octopoi, water rats, giant groupers and many more. The inhabitants of the aquarium are not limited to Malaysia alone but hail from faraway lands like South America and more. The themed areas containing then exhibits are arranged in a pattern so as to transport visitors on a journey of discovery through the oceans.

Some star attractions at the aquarium include areas like the Oceanarium, consisting of a 90 meter long underwater tunnel, which allows visitors to get up close and personal with residents of the ocean depths, like sharks, giant sting rays and green sea turtles. Yet another popular enclave is the aquariums interactive Touch Pool, Aquaria KLCC’s version of a petting zoo, where visitors can reach out and feel marine creatures like horseshoe crabs, horned sea starfish, bamboo sharks and others.

The aquarium’s periodic feeding sessions have an enormous appeal and visitors are actually encouraged to look up the aquarium’s various feeding schedules on its website so that they can enjoy watching marine creatures like sharks, turtles and eels congregating to receive their feed during their visits.

Aquaria KLCC is open daily. During the week, the Aquarium is open from 11am until 8pm though it operates for extended hours on weekends and public holidays.

Aquaria KLCC provides the ideal educational cum entertainment experience and must not be missed, especially if you are visiting Kuala Lumpur with your children.

          

Top 5 beaches of Malaysia

Malaysia is fast becoming a favored choice for a beach vacation. It’s hardly surprising, for this South East Asian country abounds with spectacular beachfront destinations. Listed below are five spectacular beach destinations in Malaysia, which many tourists believe to be ‘the best’ amongst the many that dot coastlines of Peninsular Malaysia and the island of Borneo.

Pulau Redang

Pulau Redang is situated 45 kms north-north east of the city of Kuala Terrenganu and is renowned for its many stunning white sand beaches. Pulau Redang can be easily accessed by a ferry ride originating from the Merang or Shahbandar jetties in Kuala Terengganu. The ferry ride from the Merang jetty takes about 45-60 minutes while the ride from the Shahbandar jetty takes around 90 minutes. You can also fly directly to Redang Island on the air carrier Berjaya air which provides scheduled air connections between Pulau Redang and destinations like Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.
Pulau Redang is an island paradise, located in the South China Sea, off the northeast coast of Peninsular Malaysia.

Perhentian Islands

The islands form a part of a protected enclave and hence activities like fishing and collecting coral are prohibited here. The islands abound with many stunning diving and snorkeling spots like Teluk Puah, Shark Point and Tanjung Basi.
The Perhentian islands are located north of the beach paradise of Pulau Redang. These islands consist of a small cluster of relatively untouched islands popular with backpackers and scuba enthusiasts. Perhentian Besar (Big Perhentian) and Perhentian Kecil (Small Perhentian) both host miles of virgin, white-sand beachfronts dotted with a few beach shacks, bars and cafes.

Langkawi

The island of Langkawi is known as the ‘jewel of kedah’. This popular beach vacation destination is famed for its many gorgeous white sandy beach fronts like Tanjung Rhu beach, Tengah beach, Datai Beach, Cenang Beach, Kok beach, Pasir Tengkorak Beach amongst others. These various beaches of the islland Langkawi host a wide variety of resorts and offer a wide array of water sporting activities.

Pulau Tioman

Pulau Tioman is yet another island paradise situated 35 km of the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, in the South China Sea. This jewel-like island is renowned for its sandy beaches, coral reefs and lush rainforests. The marine area around the island has been classified as a marine park in an effort to protect its native aquatic flora and fauna. Pulau Tioman is littered with excellent dive sites, including four recreational wrecks and the Renggis reef.

Labuan Island

Located off the northwest coast of Borneo, in the state of Sabah, Labuan Island hosts several stunning beach fronts and is also a popular spot for shipwreck diving. The main dive sites on Labuan Island are Cement wreck, the American wreck, the Australian wreck and the Blue Water wreck

 

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City of Entertainment- Genting Highlands

If you are holidaying in Kuala Lumpur, you might want to consider taking a trip out to the famed ‘City of Entertainment’, Genting Highlands. Genting Highlands is an integrated development featuring a theme park, hotels and casinos located at the summit of Gunung Ulu Kali, a peak rising to a height of 1800 meters above sea level. This resort area can be easily accessed by an hour’s drive from Kuala Lumpur, for it is located approximately 35 km away from the Malaysian capital, near the border of Selangor.

You can alternatively also access the resort via a thrilling cable car ride originating from the town of Gohtong Jaya, located at the foot of the peak. The ride up the peak is quite exciting as Gunung Ulu Kali is blanketed by a thick rain forest cover, and the summit of the pinnacle is almost always enveloped my ethereal mists.

The Genting Highlands resort development was founded in 1971 by Lim Goh Tong, a Chinese immigrant who had arrived in Malaysia in 1937. The idea of founding a multi-purpose resort within easy access from Kuala Lumpur, struck Lim one day when he was having tea at the Cameron Highlands resort. He then went on to pool all his resources to facilitate the creation of such an entertainment hub and the Genting Highland resort project was launched. The resort opened for business in 1971.  The Genting Highland resort was also granted the only casino license in the country, by the then Malaysian Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman. Over the next thirty years, the simple entertainment hub grew by leaps and bounds, so that today it is quite expansive in size and encompasses a wide range of leisure options like theme parks, hotels, a cable car system and more. It still remains the only option for legal gambling in Malaysia, so if you are a fan of Las Vegas, then glitzy glamorous Genting Highlands should feature on your radar screen

Additionally, it is worth noting that Genting Highlands is blessed with a year round amiable climate, which features temperatures ranging from 20°C to 25°C during the day and 15°C to 20°C at nighttime, so if you are looking for a respite from the searing KL heat, a Genting Highlands getaway may be a perfect solution.

Attractions

First World Plaza shopping mall

The First World Plaza shopping mall complex at the Genting Highland resort aside from hosting shops and retail outlets, also hosts an indoor theme park and the First World Hotel. Gaily adorned with a multi-hued façade, statues, neon lights and replicas of popular landmarks the Statue of Liberty, the Eiffel Tower, the Petronas Towers and more, the mall also hosts an indoor theme park equipped with various small rides like a ferris wheel. Other than rides, the mall also features several gaming and entertainment centers like a Ripley’s Believe it or not Museum, Vision City Games, Genting Cyberworld, a rock climbing studio, a 28 lane bowling alley, a children’s playground and  snooker rooms.The Plaza also hosts concerts and shows at its Pavilion Hall regularly.

 

Theme park

The larger theme park located outside the mall, offers attractions like SnowWorld, a 4D Motion Master Ride, the Genting Sky Venture, which features a wind tunnel and offers visitors a sky-diving experience. A house of horrors called the Haunted Adventure and a Rainforest Splash pool are other attractions on offer at the theme park.

The Genting Skyway

The Genting Skyway gondola ride was founded in 1997. The skyway is one of the longest and fastest gondola lifts in Southeast Asia extending over 3.38 from the base station in Gohtong Jaya up to the summit of the Gunung Ulu Kali peak.

Valley View Gardenia

Valley View Gardenia is a beautifully landscaped garden and park located near the Theme Park Hotels. Littered with fountains, gazebos, flower-lined walkways, the garden is a restful tranquil spot in the hub of activity, Genting Highlands

The Casino

The Genting Highlands casino is undoubtedly its biggest draw. As the only legal gambling spot in Malaysia, it is inundated with crowds all day long. The casino however offers limited access and admits only non-Muslims who are aged 21 and above. On offer at the casino are popular gambling games like poker, blackjack, baccarat and slot machines.

Food and Beverage outlets

The resort features a wide variety of food and dining outlets. Restaurants, cafes, food courts are available on site at the resort’s various hotels and at First World Plaza Mall. All these various dining outlets offer a variety of local and international eats.

Hotels

The Genting Highlands resort offers a wide range of accommodation options at its various hotels like The Theme Park hotel, the First World Hotel, the Resort Hotel, the Highlands Hotel, the Awana Hotel and so forth.