From the soaring skyscrapers of Kuala Lumpur to the palm-fringed islands of the Langkawi archipelago, Malaysia is a land of vibrant diversity. Though smaller in size than the state of California, the country has plenty to lure travellers into extending a stopover. It’s separated by the South China Sea into two regions: Peninsular Malaysia to the west – site of the cosmopolitan capital city and buzzy, food-focused hotspots such as Penang – and East Malaysia on the island of Borneo, which abounds in natural beauty and wildlife.
There are white-sand beaches, verdant rainforests and a profusion of cuisines to be found across the country, so it’s just a matter of planning your route to see as much as possible. Qatar Airways regularly flies from London Heathrow to Kuala Lumpur via Doha, and it’s about an hour’s flight to both Penang and Langkawi with Qatar Airways’ Oneworld partners, making for effortless twin-destination trips.
Kuala Lumpur
KL ticks all of the capital-city boxes with international five-star hotels, vast shopping malls and a head-spinning skyline centred around the gleaming Petronas Twin Towers. But there’s more than the fast-paced urban life of the Golden Triangle here: rainforest coexists with high-rise buildings, while the timeless and traditional can be explored in the temples and coffee houses of the Old Town.
Merdeka – Malay for Independence – Square, in central downtown Kuala Lumpur, is well worth a visit, as is the intricate Thean Hou Temple, devoted to the Chinese sea goddess Mazu. Another big draw is the food scene, which has seen this Malaysian metropolis earn its rightful place on every city tripper’s radar, thanks to a lively string of speakeasies serving artisan cocktails, elevated street-food spots, chic cafés and cool hangouts.
Langkawi
This archipelago of 99 islands off the west coast of Malaysia remains gloriously off-grid despite being just an hour’s flight from Kuala Lumpur. Many of the islands are inhabited only by majestic bird and monkey species, which creates an absorbing tapestry beneath the canopy of lush rainforest.
One of the most famous attractions is the Langkawi Sky Bridge, a spectacular 410-foot-long structure suspended 2000 feet above sea level – the longest free span and curved bridge in the world. Brave it for a brilliant view that takes in the Telaga Tujuh waterfalls and several islands. Visiting these spots during a day of island hopping is another must for those who want to see the animals of this unique part of the world – as is taking a boat tour through the mangroves. You can head to the roving night market for superb food that’s amazing value for money, and try local delicacies such as sugar cane juice – just what you need after a day of exploring.
Penang
For years, travel aficionados have pointed to Penang as Asia’s most exciting foodie hotspot, a multifaceted hub set against a striking backdrop of Chinese and colonial architecture. Recently a crop of new hotels, diverse restaurants and an increasingly vibrant arts scene has added to the allure of this tropical island state on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia.
Penang’s capital, George Town, was named a Unesco World Heritage site for its one-of-a-kind architectural and cultural townscape, thanks to its unique diversity – Sino-European shophouses, Chinese clan homes, mosques, Hindu temples and British Colonial buildings – as well as its reputation for some of the best street food on the continent. Earlier this year, Malaysia’s first-ever Michelin Guide included two restaurants here (and another couple in Kuala Lumpur) and also highlighted plenty of pocket-friendly Bib Gourmands.
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