Pulau Perhentian, meaning 'stopover island', is not to be missed. Situated 21km off the coast of Terengganu, it consists of the islands of Pulau Perhentian Besar and Pulau Perhentian Kecil. Covered by unspoilt jungle, windswept palms, powdery white beaches and surrounded by sapphire blue waters, Pulau Perhentian is a sanctuary for fishermen, migratory birds and of course, discerning holiday-makers. Located just off the edge of the Pulau Redang Marine Park, Perhentian's coral-fringed waters have excellent underwater seascapes for snorkelling and scuba diving. Arrangements can also be made for island cruises, and boats can be hired to go exploring for private bays and secluded coves. A trip to these tropical islands is also a must for those who enjoy windsurfing, sailing, canoeing and deep-sea fishing. Of the two islands, Pulau Perhentian Kecil is more geared towards backpackers. Here, you'll find a wide range of budget options for both food and accommodation. Pulau Perhentian Besar, on the other hand, is more developed and therefore offers better facilities. Nevertheless, there are chalets, dormitories and campsites on both islands.
	Key Tips
	For the best sunsets in the Perhentian Islands, go to Coral View Island Resort , get a cool drink at the café overlooking the sea, and soak in the view.
	How to get there
	By Road From Kuala Terengganu, take a taxi or bus to the fishing port of Kuala Besut. It lies about 1 hour north of town. The jetty is here. By Boat Board a boat at the Fisheries Complex for Pulau Perhentian. The boat ride to the island takes about an hour.
	Who to contact
	For more information, please contact Terengganu Tourism Office Tel: +609-622 1433 / 1893
	Accommodation Overview
	The twin islands offer an astounding range of accommodation, from budget guesthouses to a 4-star resort. If you are here for diving, it is best to book them as part of an organised dive tour so that meals, diving and accommodation are all-inclusive.

The fun never stops at Genting, City of Entertainment, perched on the top of cool, breezy Genting Highlands. One big attraction in Genting is the cool weather. Because of the 2,000m altitude, Malaysians like to visit just to enjoy the 'European' weather! In the evening, there is spectacular entertainment at the Genting International Showroom or Pavilion, be it a thrilling magic show or an ice-skating extravaganza. There are also opportunities to go shopping at First World Plaza, visit the indoor and outdoor theme parks and feast on a wide range of delicious food at the many restaurants. The First World Plaza indoor theme park / shopping complex features a series of fun rides and six theme areas named after famous cities and landmarks from around the world - France (Champs Elysees), England (London), Italy (Venice), America (Times Square and Universal Walk), Switzerland (Swiss Alps) and Malaysia (Genting Walk). The Snow World features a log cabin, an igloo, toboggan slides and a snowy play area. It's cold in here, so remember to wear warm clothing. Children will surely love the Rainforest Splash Pool, although the air is chilly, the pool is filled with warm water. Other attractions are Genting Sky Venture, the only free-fall skydiving simulator in Asia, and Genting X-pedition Wall, an international-standard rock-climbing wall stretching to 15 metres in height, with a 6-metre overhang. There is also bowling, a video arcade, a cineplex and many more fun rides. One of the most popular attractions is the casino, the only one in Malaysia

Key Tips

Make hotel bookings in advance if you wish to spend the night as Genting is a very popular weekend destination.

How to get there

By Road About 45 minutes' drive from Kuala Lumpur via the Karak Highway. By Bus or Taxi Taxis to Genting are available at the Puduraya Bus Station in Kuala Lumpur. The Kuala Lumpur-Genting direct coach service is available from KL Sentral, Jalan Duta Coach Station, Puduraya and Gombak LRT Station.

Who to contact

For more information, please visit the link at the left side bar.

Accommodation Overview

Genting has the highest concentration of hotels in Malaysia, ranging from 5-star to more affordable accommodation.

Labuan island is located off the northwest coast of Borneo, north of Brunei Bay and faces the South China Sea. It comprises of the main island of Pulau Labuan and six smaller islands namely Pulau Kuraman, Pulau Daat, Pulau Rusukan Besar, Pulau Rusukan Kecil, Pulau Papan and Pulau Burung. It is located at 05 latitude North and 115 longitude East, and lies approximately 10 km southeast off the coast of the East Malaysian state of Sabah.

Labuan is only 8km or twenty minute boat ride from Menumbok, a small fishing town in Sabah. High speed air-conditioned ferries ply daily to Labuan from Sabah, Sarawak and Negara Brunei Darussalam. The trip from Kota Kinabalu, capital of Sabah takes about 3 hours and about an hour from Negara Brunei Darussalam. It is roughly equidistant from Bangkok, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Manila and Singapore. There are direct flights from Kuala Lumpur as well as from Brunei.

The island is mainly flat and undulating and the highest point is only 85 metres. More than 70 percent of the island is still under vegetation. Due to the fact that land utility is geared more towards property and industrial use, there is less agricultural activity in the area. Most of the island's prime land, waterfront and suburbs are utilised for residential and tourism development. A sizeable area on the south western side of the island is utilised by shipbuilding, manufacturing and oil and gas industries.

Labuan has a tropical climate with two annual monsoon seasons - the South West monsoon from April to June and the North East monsoon from September to December. It is free from hurricanes and typhoons and enjoys good climate all year round. Daily temperatures average between 28 to 32 degrees celsius.

Pahang

Pahang, the largest state in Peninsular Malaysia, is endowed with a diverse range of attractions. Nearly two-thirds of the state is enveloped in verdant rainforest, making it a magnificent enclave of lush greenery, exotic wildlife and natural wonders.

The country's premier national park, Taman Negara, as well as the Endau Rompin State Park, contain an astounding ecological diversity with a vast collection of flora and fauna. The Orang Asli, Malaysia's indigenous people, with their intriguing traditions and way of life, add colour to Pahang's heritage.

Pahang's long, scenic coastline is a paradise of swaying palms and sandy beaches washed by the South China Sea. Cherating Beach and Tioman Island are renowned as the region's most popular beach resorts, captivating sun seekers with their exciting beach activities, underwater attractions and relaxed charm.

The formidable Main Range of mountains divide the state into east and west, and Gunung Tahan, the highest peak in the peninsula, provides challenging adventures for serious climbers. The state's mountainous terrain has also endowed it with several invigorating hill stations, ideal for fun-filled family holidays.

Genting Highlands, dubbed the City of Entertainment, and Bukit Tinggi, a French-themed resort, are excellent getaways situated an hour's drive from Kuala Lumpur. Fraser's Hill and Cameron Highlands are quaint hill stations, which offer fantastic bird watching and nature trails. Kuantan, the state capital, is an interesting mix of modern buildings and charming old-world cottage industries.

Pahang's majestic nature, exciting eco-adventures, beautiful beaches, bustling townships, quaint villages, friendly people, unique handicrafts and delicious food make for a mesmerising and unforgettable vacation. Come, discover this gift of nature!

Kuala Lumpur

A delightful mix of cross-cultural influences and traditions, Kuala Lumpur radiates an exciting, enticing charm, which will no doubt pique your interest throughout your stay.

Let the city's warmth embrace you as you lose yourself in its unique blend of tradition, cultureold world charm and new world sophistication. Explore its nooks and crannies, and you'll discover captivating sights, sensational sounds, aromatic smells and fantastic people.

Kuala Lumpur, affectionately known as KL, is an amazing cultural melting pot. Here, you will wander through communities of Chinese, Malays, South Indians, East Malaysian ethnic groups, Thais, Indonesians, Sikhs and a huge community of expats. Each community offering its own festivals, food, music, art and fashion while influencing each other's cultures.

KL has a lively nightlife scene and a fascinating art and performance culture, which blends contemporary and traditional styles from many backgrounds. There is the widest range of sporting activities available with state-of -the-art facilities to impress any sporting enthusiast. The architecture is somewhat eccentric and is certainly unique, from hundred year old mansions to awe-inspiring sky scrapers, and all within metres of each other. Treat your tastebuds to Kuala Lumpur's extremely varied cuisine, which is certainly a tasty adventure in itself! Above all else KL is a shopping haven, offering everything from street side trinkets to haute couture.

The resulting kaleidoscope of cultures, costumes and cuisines is nothing short of a whirlwind for the senses - more intense here than anywhere else in the country.

Tourists to Kuala Lumpur can also experience the magic of the city through a unique double decker bus tour. For further information, check out their website at: www.myhoponhopoff.com

Negeri Sembilan

Negeri Sembilan starts just 50 km south of Kuala Lumpur. Negeri Sembilan, which literally means nine states, has many villages with patches of urban development. But that is slowly changing.

Negeri Sembilan is well-known for its strong Minangkabau influences, which are still evident in its unique architecture and matrilineal society.

The Minangkabau people migrated across the Straits of Melaka from Sumatra centuries ago and their traditional houses are distinguished by sweeping roof peaks shaped like buffalo horns. Some examples of these influences can be seen in the State Mosque and the State Secretariat Building.

The Minangkabau people of Negeri Sembilan still practise the matrilineal social system known as the "adat perpatih", where the women are the head of the household, making the state the only one to adhere to such social norms.

The state has one of the most accessible beaches closest to the federal capital of Kuala Lumpur, known as Port Dickson, which is popular with weekenders. But beyond this famous beach, there is a little bit of everything for everyone to explore in this state, from the history buff to the nature lover.

Melaka

The city of Melaka is divided into the new and old sections. The older part of the city is fairly compact and has many historical and cultural attractions tucked into the nooks and crannies of its narrow streets.

Much of the remnants of Melaka's glorious past lie within the Town Square and waterfront area near the river.

Just above the Town Square is St. Paul's Hill (Bukit St. Paul) which is the site of the original Portuguese fort of A'Famosa and St. Paul's Church.

There is a sign-posted heritage trail which visitors can follow to visit all the historical places in the old part of town. The new section of Melaka lies across the Melaka River and is mostly built on land reclaimed from the sea. It consists of modern shopping centres like the Mahkota Parade and is a bustling food and entertainment district.

Outside Melaka town, there are a some nice beaches, two excellent offshore islands with resorts and a golf course. The Air Keroh district is close to the North-South Expressway and has many recreational theme parks.

Pulau Sibu is a pleasant hideaway with its lush tropical vegetation, endless stretches of golden beaches and clear blue waters. The island is also dotted with numerous sea caves carved out of rocks. The constant pounding of the sea during the monsoon season has given the island a beautiful yet rugged appearance. The surrounding waters contain fascinating coral reefs teeming with colourful marine life. Shipwrecks off its coast can also be found. In the olden days, Chinese junks and pirate vessels often exchanged cannon fire around this island, and the remains of these battles lie scattered around the seabed. There are facilities for scuba diving, snorkelling, windsurfing, sailing and angling. Visitors can go for a hike through the jungle leading to unspoilt mangrove swamps or visit the kelong, or jetty, where anchovies are caught. Alternatively, head for the kampong, or village, to get a first-hand look at how coconuts are smoked to make copra.

Tips

If you are travelling with children or you are not a strong swimmer, choose to stay on a beach on the western side of the island where the sea is calmer, as you can avoid exposure to the South China Sea here

How to get there?

By Road and Sea You can catch a boat ride to Sibu Island from Tanjung Leman jetty, south of Mersing. From Mersing town, travel south along the Mersing - Kota Tinggi (Highway 3) trunk road for about 44km and turn left. The road passes through an oil palm plantation, and is narrow and winding in certain parts. From Johor Bahru, head for Kota Tinggi town. From Kota Tinggi town, travel north on the Kota Tinggi - Mersing trunk road (Highway 3) for 48km and turn right to the same junction mentioned above. Pulau Sibu is about 20 minutes' boat ride from Tanjung Leman.

Who to contact ?

For more information about Sibu island, please contact the Johor Marine Park Information Centre in Mersing at 607-7991161 or the Mersing Tourist Information Centre (METIC) at 607-7995212.

Accommodation Overview

Accommodation on the island ranges from fully furnished chalets to basic A-frame huts. There are also restaurants serving Asian and Western cuisines.

Shrouded in mystical legends and folklore, Gunung Ledang continues to charm and intrigue locals and visitors alike. According to the legend of the Princess of Gunung Ledang, the Sultan of Melaka wanted the Princess' hand in marriage and she, not wanting to marry him, demanded that the Sultan present her with seven jars of women's tears, seven trays of mosquitoes' hearts and seven bowls of the sultan's son's blood. After he was unable to meet these impossible requests, she fled to the mountain and continues to live in a hidden cave, to this day. The mountain is ideal for a myriad of outdoor activities with challenging mountain trails, icy waterfalls, and exotic flora and fauna, including many species of birds. At the relatively flat summit, which is 1,276m above sea level, a panoramic view of the Straits of Melaka and even the Sumatran coastline can been seen on a clear day. Also, Sagil Waterfall is a popular picnic spot at the base of the mountain.

Key Tips

There is a hiking trail and a rough road leading to the summit. If you make a hike to the summit, you will find a refreshing waterfall but it is best to arrange for a pick-up from the summit.

How to get there

By Road From the North-South Expressway, the turn-off point is 25km after Ayer Keroh. Head towards Tangkak. Proceed along the pastoral Route 23 for another 6km, past Sagil town, before turning left onto a road in a rubber plantation and proceed another 1km. From here, the route to the foot of Gunung Ledang or Mount Ophir should be visible. By Bus or Taxi A bus service is available to Gunung Ledang from Tangkak, about 16km away. Taxis can also be hired from Tangkak.

Who to contact

For more information on Johor Bahru, please contact the Johor Tourist Information Centre (JOTIC) at 607-2242000.

Accommodation Overview

There is a very nice resort at the base of the mountain, as well as budget hotels in the nearby town of Tangkak. Alternatively, there is a lovely campground near the summit.