Amid the solar loungers on the idyllic Datai Langkawi Resort, positioned to face the half-moon-shaped seaside, watchful macaques spy on company from the shelter of the 10-million-year-old rainforest behind as hornbills swoop excessive overhead.
“I by no means knew we had locations like this,” says a visitor from Kuala Lumpur, occupying the sunbed beside me. “I really feel so proud to be Malaysian.”
It says all of it. Even Malaysian metropolis slickers, akin to this one, aren’t absolutely conscious of the wonders of their bodily various, multi-faceted and multi-cultural Asia, not to mention Australians who are likely to favour different elements of South-East Asia.
Whereas we won’t get sufficient of Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam, Malaysia remains to be largely undervalued, if not ignored, by us, regardless of reasonably priced direct flights from Australia, fabulous meals, distinctive wildlife and unrivalled worth for cash.
Not often has a rustic’s tourism slogan — “Actually Asia” — ever been extra correct. No fuss Malaysia, whereas certainly not good (consider all these damaging palm oil plantations) just about has all of it. It absolutely cannot maintain each its pure and man-made jewels, all remarkably reasonably priced to achieve and go to, to itself eternally.
To that finish, here is Traveller’s particular information to uncovering the largely hidden gems of this under-the-radar South-East Asian vacation spot.
CITIES + TOWNS
There are six worldwide airports scattered throughout Malaysia together with the capital, Kuala Lumpur, the place you possibly can keep in luxurious five-star resorts for a fraction of the tariff of most different cities all over the world.
KL can also be a significant hub for the tourism-friendly and unflashy islands of Penang and Langkawi in addition to the Bornean Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak.
The town’s newest crowning glory is the 678.9 metres excessive Merdeka 118, which when full will eclipse the famed Petronas Towers (petronastwintowers.com.my), at a mere 452 metres the world’s tallest constructing from 1998 till 2004.
Merdeka, designed by the Australian architectural agency, Fender Katsalidis, will home Malaysia’s largest shopping center however do not overlook Bukit Bintang, within the coronary heart of KL, whose high malls embrace the luxurious Starhill mall and Pavilion – residence of one among Malaysia’s most well-known sons, shoe couturier Jimmy Choo.
Solely a one hour flight from KL, reasonably priced Penang’s road meals and UNESCO heritage-listed metropolis of George City are unequalled draw playing cards for these within the know.
Whereas in Penang, drop into the outstanding China Home (chinahouse.com.my) a trio of linked heritage buildings, linked by an open air courtyard and transformed into retailers, cafes, a restaurant and bakery in addition to artwork and reside music venues.
It is owned by Narelle McMurtrie, an enterprising Australian expat who additionally operates the reasonably priced Bon Ton Resort (bontonresort.com) on the island of Langkawi, solely a brief flight from Penang.
Bon Ton’s eclectic visitor villas encompass conventional and century outdated Malay kampong homes rigorously transported from the mainland and transformed to function lodging on the resort, near the airport.
Even in case you’re not staying on the resort, its relaxed Nam Restaurant is a worthy lunch or dinner detour from the extra elaborate resorts elsewhere on an island noticeably extra serene and undeveloped when in comparison with Bali.
In reality, it is all the higher for it, with Langkawi, a pinch over one hour’s flying time from KL, internet hosting a few of the world’s most interesting eco-friendly luxurious resorts (see beneath), distant and largely abandoned seashores, fabulous birdlife and wildlife.
On Malaysian Borneo, about two and a half hours from KL, the cities of Kota Kinabalu and Kuching (residence of the nineteenth century mysterious “White Rajahs” dynasty), are the primary gateways to the myriad adventures on the world’s third largest island.
These embrace conquering the nation’s highest mountain, Mount Kinabalu, at 4095 metres (almost double the peak of our Mount Kosciuszko) nevertheless it’s the unimaginable biodiversity that lures its many followers.
Principally ignored by Western vacationers, Johor Bahru, on the southern tip of the Malay peninsula, lies on the border with Singapore.
It is an reasonably priced weekend seaside getaway vacation spot for the area, rivalling such conventional weekender cities as history-rich Malacca, as soon as crucial buying and selling port in all of South-East Asia, greatest reached by luxurious coach or automotive from KL or Singapore.
Canny Singaporeans descend day by day on the historic outdated city part of JB, as Malaysians wish to consult with it, with its streets and shophouses missing the over-restored nature of some their Singapore equivalents.
They arrive throughout the causeway, which separates Malaysia and Singapore by solely 2.4 kilometres, significantly for the scrumptious and genuine meals, together with the greater than century outdated Hiap Joo Bakery the place they patiently queue for the spongy banana cake.
Elsewhere, two Malaysian locations to observe are Terengganu, on the west coast of the Malaysian peninsula, with its string of tropical islands, colonies of sea turtles and signature dish of stuffed crab, and food-crazy Ipoh, about two and a half hours by prepare from KL, and a rival to the street-food king Penang.
FOOD + DRINK
Ask a Malaysian the nation’s greatest place for consuming they usually’ll doubtless say “Penang”. They’d be proper, too. The island is rightly famed for its road meals, eaten in markets, on busy streets and hidden laneways, particularly its char kway teo (rice noodles with Chinese language sausage and prawns) – greatest eaten in a morning market, and asam laksa, a tamarind-infused fish broth with noodles, pineapple and herbs.
Off the streets, a brace of younger, native cooks is driving the upmarket Penang scene. You will want to tug strings to get one of many 18 seats at chef Lee Chong Chee’s Juju Lounge, hidden among the many tangle of lanes in historic George City, for a 10-course omakase of native, sustainable seafood, whereas Gen restaurant (genpenang.com) is ranked on the coveted Asia’s Finest Eating places 2021 checklist.
Put aside a number of hours for its multi-course tasting menu that includes chef Johnson Wong’s reimagined Malaysian classics, or e-book forward to style the sustainably sourced, European-inspired dishes of chef Kim Hock’s Au Jardin (restaurant-aujardin.com), within the outdated Penang bus depot.
On Penang’s drinks entrance, new Christoph’s is owned and operated by Austrian expat Christoph Girsch, former supervisor of the E&O lodge. He pitches his restaurant-bar as having one of the best negroni in Penang, and he does not disappoint. Gin and views are on the menu on the new Gin Library, on the twenty third ground of Courtyard by Marriott Penang (courtyardpenang.com).
Let’s not neglect KL, the place the go-to street-food strip Jalan Alor continues its sizzle-fest unabated. KL restaurateurs Alex and Kelvin Cheah’s newest venue with chef Raymond Tham is Burnt & Co, the latest opening within the Artisan Playground (artisansplayground.my) connoisseur meals corridor on Jalan Ipoh, centered on charred and wood-smoked all the pieces. Beginning or ending on a excessive be aware, new cocktail bars on the town embrace the photogenic Her Home, hidden away in an outdated mahjong cafe in Chinatown.
Rivalling Penang as a foodie vacation spot, Ipoh is 2.5 hours by high-speed prepare from KL, and infrequently used as a handy overnighter or refuelling cease on the best way from KL as much as Penang or the Cameron Highlands (try Ipoh’s glamorous prepare station).
Ipoh’s liquid calling card is kopi putih, a glass of creamy white espresso served in a large number of old-school kopitiams (espresso homes), accompanied by a bowl of curry noodles or chee cheong enjoyable (rice noodles); on this city, a “new faculty” kopitiam is one with air-con.
Need to begin an argument? Ask two Malaysian locals the place to get one of the best Hainanese rooster rice (dubbed Ipoh rooster rice right here). It isn’t about discovering the new new child on the block: veteran Lou Wong is consistently within the high 10s. Cruise Ipoh’s road artwork, together with the distinctive works on Concubine Avenue by Penang-based artist Ernest Zacharevic, who portrays day by day life in Malaysia.
Then, seize a snow beer, and in case you’re not already relaxed in laid-back Ipoh, wind down additional on the geothermal springs and ice baths at Banjaran Sizzling Springs Retreat (banjaranhotspringsretreat.com), 20 minutes from city.
Penang’s rival as one other Peranakan heartland and UNSECO-listed city, Malacca’s strengths are its Peranakan mansions, road artwork and glitzy trishaws. A newcomer on the Peranakan – or Baba Nyonya – delicacies scene is Peranakan Mansion whereas Malacca’s distinctive Kristang (Malacca-Portuguese) delicacies is a less-explored drawcard: attempt it at Melba at The Mansion on the Majestic lodge (majesticmalacca.com).
NATURE + OUTDOORS
Free diving with turtles in Sabah. Photograph: Daniel Douglas Bin Mohammad Douglas
Enjoyable truth: the smallest bears on the planet are present in Malaysian Borneo. A lot much less enjoyable truth: they’re hunted for medication and the pet commerce with the solar bears, as they’re recognized, additionally threatened by their lack of habitat.
They be part of orangutans, proboscis monkeys, pangolins, lorises and pygmy elephants within the endangered parade of unique animals indigenous to this outstanding island, shared between Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei.
The Bornean Solar Bear Conservation Centre (bsbcc.org.my) is the one one among its type, and homes 37 rescued bears in Sabah whereas subsequent door to the Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre (wildlife.sabah.gov.my). Each are open to guests, or by means of regionally run excursions together with long-standing Borneo Eco Excursions (borneoecotours.com).
The most effective locations from which to remain and observe the entire island’s unimaginable wildlife in Sabah is the distant riverside Sukau Rainforest Lodge (sukau.com). The legendary naturalist Sir David Attenborough stayed there whereas filming on the island.
With Sabah effectively and really on the eco-map, it is time to give its fellow Borneo state, Sarawak, its second within the solar. Take a motorcycle trip by means of its villages, dive its wealthy waters and go to Semenggoh Nature Reserve (semenggoh.my) to see semi-wild orangutans roaming free.
Again on Penang, it is only a quick, and steep, funicular trip to one among Malaysia’s nice environmental triumphs, The Habitat Penang Hill (thehabitat.my). It is residence to shy dusky langurs, big-eyed flying colugos and even uncommon clouded leopards.
Formally designated by UNESCO in September 2021, the biosphere reserve consists of the pristine, 130-million-year-old rainforest protecting the north-western part of Penang Island.
On the former British hill station, its 1.6km suspended nature stroll amongst ferns and large butterflies will fill your lungs with recent air, whereas zip-lining and even staying the evening on its starlight tenting journey is an unmissable deal with.
HOTELS + RESORTS
The Danna, Langkawi is an element of the Small Luxurious Motels of the World group.
5-star luxurious comes with an exceedingly cheap price ticket in KL for as little as $120 an evening. Notable newcomers in downtown KL embrace the re-branded and reimagined Parkroyal Assortment Kuala Lumpur (panpacific.com) in Bukit Bintang, simple to identify with its exterior partitions of lush, tumbling gardens, in addition to a rooftop pool and bar and a weekend Malaysian excessive tea providing.
The Kempinski Lodge Kuala Lumpur (kempinski.com) and a Conrad are additionally on the playing cards, and a Park Hyatt is ready to occupy the highest flooring of the Merdeka 118 (merdeka118.com), which has been pushed again to 2023.
Boutique lodge aficionados ought to get your hands on Kloe (kloehotel.com) with its 5 individually styled artist lofts offering sanctuary for growers and eaters, sketchers and listeners within the massive metropolis.
Elsewhere, by far one of the best guess in Penang is a keep in a renovated Chinese language shophouse, ideally within the remarkably well-preserved and in depth UNESCO-listed outdated city.
Select from one of many metropolis’s many boutique resorts set in restored shophouses such because the Australian-founded Seven Terraces (georgetownheritage.com) or The Edison (theedisonhotels.com), or lease an entire home.
Penang’s most distinctive lodge, the Blue Mansion (cheongfatttzemansion.com) has renovated two shophouses within the historic part of George City, with the venerable institution making an look within the hit film Loopy Wealthy Asians.
Lovers of George City’s Edwardian structure ought to be aware that Penang’s grand dame, the Jap & Oriental (eohotels.com), simply exterior the World Heritage zone, has had a lick of white paint and freshened herself up. Discover your cane chair on the terrace within the newly reopened Heritage Wing, order a big G&T and play spot-the-resemblance between the E&O, in-built 1881, and her extra well-known little sister, Raffles Singapore.
Opened simply earlier than the pandemic, the brilliant, all-white Status Lodge (theprestige.my) was absolutely constructed for the Insta set, with its heavenly rooftop pool and rooms like gilded birdcages. The vibe is lighthearted hipster – nothing understated right here.
Whereas Langkawi has a status for being a sleepy Bali (not such a foul factor), it excels in luxurious properties hidden amongst its historic rainforests. The bellwether is The Datai (thedatai.com), whose new rainforest pool villas are the most well liked ticket on the town, with their 7.6-metre non-public swimming pools hidden within the dense and intact jungle.
Elsewhere on Langkawi, the 126-room Danna Resort & Seaside Villas (thedanna.com) is a member of the Small Luxurious Motels of the World group, however in case you’re travelling on extra of a price range, the brand-new Mercure Langkawi Pantai Cenang (all.accor.com), 10 minutes from the airport and 10 minutes to the seaside, could also be one of the best guess.
Johor, Malaysia’s southernmost state and the one closet to Singapore, is residence to the sun-and-sand playground of the Desaru Coast (desarucoast.com), a sort of Malaysian Nusa Dua on the South China Sea.
Close by is the big-ticket Legoland Malaysia (lego.com) with its personal themed lodge close to to the Malaysia-Singapore border in Johor Bahru.
As soon as a sleepy backwater for native vacationers solely, one new upmarket opening throughout the pandemic is the wonderful worth Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas (anantara.com) which now competes with the considerably pricier One & Solely Desaru Coast (oneandonlyresorts.com).
Do not miss the beach-focussed nature excursions on the new Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas. They’re run by the skilled naturalists from the excellent Jungle Walla (junglewalla.com) group from the Datai Langkawi resort which is owned by the identical group because the Anantara Desaru Coast.
One of the crucial interesting points of Desaru is its new-found accessibility. Whereas it is about two hours by street from Singapore, one of the best technique of transport is the brand new 90-minute ferry (batamfast.com) which departs Singapore close to Changi Airport, for an spectacular trendy terminal at Desaru. Thus far the ferry service solely operates on Thursdays by means of to Sundays however fingers are crossed that demand will see it prolonged.
Additional afield, Sabah, one among Malaysia’s two states on Borneo, will see the opening of the Alila Dalit Bay subsequent yr (aliladalitbaysabah.com), with Crowne Plaza, Sheraton, Membership Med and Hyatt all jostling for house in Kota Kinabalu subsequent yr.
Belinda Jackson and Anthony Dennis have visited Malaysia on a number of events and have been company of a few of the featured properties. See malaysia.journey
FIVE MORE MUST KNOWS ABOUT MALAYSIA
GEOGRAPHY
Malaysia includes two main landmasses: Peninsula Malaysia and Jap Malaysia consisting of a complete of 13 states, 11 of that are located on the mainland with Sabah and Sarawak on the island of Borneo.
TRANSPORT
Low-cost airways hyperlink the cities – attempt Malaysia’s AirAsia (airasia.com), Malindo (malindoair.com) or Firefly (fireflyz.com.my), owned by Malaysia Airways. There’s additionally an inexpensive and ever-improving long-distance prepare community (ktmb.com.my). The primary ridesharing app in Malaysia is Seize (seize.com)
CLIMATE
With two totally different environments within the east and west of the Malay peninsula, and one other in Borneo, humidity remains to be the secret right here; anticipate it and you will not be dissatisfied. March to October are the driest months on the peninsula, whereas April to September is greatest for Sabah and Sarawak.
ETIQUETTE
A typical greeting in Muslim Malaysia is to easily contact your coronary heart together with your proper hand (bonus factors for being COVID-friendly). As that is an Islamic nation, albeit it a relatively and largely reasonable one, take care together with your costume, avoiding something too revealing.
ALCOHOL
Like to social gathering? Flip round, dig out the Bintang singlet and head straight again to Kuta. Nonetheless, whereas Muslim Malaysians aren’t permitted to devour alcohol, the rest of the inhabitants, together with vacationers accomplish that however discreetly and responsibly.
