Malaysia As A Tourist Destination

Malaysia has fast grown as a global tourist destination, thanks to its cosmopolitan, cultural, historical and natural treasures. It has enough to satisfy the urge of every visitor, and when they return, they keep on singing accolades about this wonderful country. Malaysia has so much to offer, that the visitors keep on gathering gifts, which never seem to end.

Cosmopolitan Tourism
For tourists aspiring for cosmopolitan tourism, Capital Kuala Lumpur makes for a fulfilling experience. The burgeoning city has all a tourist craves for: plenty of sightseeing, fun-filled shopping, rollicking nightlife, gleaming skyscrapers, and multi-cuisine dining. Long history of the city ensures that it has a large number of intriguing places to visit. Plenty of malls satisfy tourists when it comes to shopping. The city has several places where you could enjoy bargain shopping. One can shake legs all night in any of the nightspots. Restaurants specializing in almost all kind of world cuisines can be found in Kuala Lumpur.

Cultural Tourism
Cultures have blended in Malaysia for several centuries. It has come under the influence of several cultures, particularly Arab nations, China and India. Chinese opera, Indian dance, and Malay arts are popular cultural activities in Malaysia. Unique arts and traditions distinguish Sabah and Sarawak from the other parts of Malaysia.

Traditional art forms of various cultures are practiced in Malaysia, most notably in the areas of dance and performance art. Some of these activities are Bunga Malai (Garland Making), Wayang Kulit (Shadow Play), Bergendang (Drumming), Maggagong (Gong Ensembles), Silat (The Malay Art of Self defense) and Sumpit (Blow Pipe).

Historical Attractions
Monuments are the witness of their times. Petronas Twin Towers are the epitome of the modern times while Sultan Abdul Samad building, a colonial structure, tells something about the times of yore. Leaning Clock Tower is the Malaysian version of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Istana Negara along Jalan Istana is a not-to-miss when in Kuala Lumpur. If you are fond of architecture, you could visit mosques, churches, temples, statues, towers and palaces, dispersed all over the country.

Malaysia has several evocative museums. Muzium Negara keeps the visitors intrigued with its displays on flora and fauna, culture and people, weaponry and the arts. Other well-known museums of the country are Seri Menanti Museum (Negri Sembilan), Sultan Alam Shah Museum (Selangor), Taiping Museum (Perak), State Warrior Museum (Pahang) and the Sabah Museum.

Natural Attractions
Mother Nature has been benevolent on Malaysia. Fresh looking beaches, azure waters, and cajoling waves are few features of Malaysian islands. You could enjoy all kinds of water sports in Malaysia. Pulau Tioman (Pahang), Pulau Redang (Terengganu), Pulau Rawa (Johor), Pulau Perhentian and Pulau Tioman are tailor-made for scuba diving and snorkelling. And, of course, Pulau Langkawi is always there to welcome the tourists.

Malaysia has several lakes where you could enjoy satisfying holidays. For cool holidays, you could visit highland resorts. Popular highland resorts in Malaysia are Fraser's Hill, Cameron Highlands, Genting Highlands and Maxwell Hill. For mountain sports, adventurists can visit at Gunung Kinabalu, highest peak in Southeast Asia, as well as Gunung Tahan (Pahang), Gunung Ledang (Johor), Gunung Mulu (Sarawak) and Gunung Jerai (Kedah).