Malaysia is one of the top holiday destinations in the world, a multicultural country where everyone lives in peace, regardless of race or religion. It is a festival country, with hundreds of festivals and celebrations every year. Malaysia is a country of contrasts. Modern skyscrapers tower tiny wooden homes constructed on stilts and 5-star luxury hotels overlook ancient reefs. Towering mountains are covered in the rainforest that sweeps down the sides to floodplains that are full of life and cooler highlands sweep into humid mangroves and warm beaches. With so much culture, so much diversity, choosing where to visit can be hard. Two of the most beautiful places in the country are Penang and Langkawi and each has its own landmarks and hotspots that are worth visiting.
Penang:
Penang is full of attractions that suit just about every age – from the modern to the ancient. Amusement parks mingle with cultural attractions and, while there is plenty to see, there are three that you simply must add to your visit list:
- Penang Hill
Penang Hill is officially known as Flagstaff Hill or Bukit Bendera. It towers above sea level by n impressive 821 meters, a cool place to escape from the heat. A trip up the hill is an experience not to be missed and those who make the trip are rewarded with breathtaking views of the entire island. A funicular train provides an easy way up the hill, taking just half an hour although the more intrepid could hike it. At the peak are a Hindu temple, a mosque, a church and a snake show where, for a small fee, you can have your photo taken with a tame python.
- Fort Cornwallis
Fort Cornwallis is one of the most iconic landmarks in Penang. Surrounded by 10-ft-high walls, laid out in a star shape, the fort is home to a few prison cells, a 17th Century chapel, a storage area for ammunition and so much more. You can see bronze cannons, among which is a Dutch one firmly believed by the locals to be good for female fertility. The fort is named after a former Governor General of India, Charles Cornwallis and was once constructed entirely of wood. Over the years, the wood has gradually been replaced with concrete. Covering an area of 4490 sq. ft, the Fort was originally built in 1786 as a stockade, containing no permanent structures. The wall is the only original part of it remaining to this day and a wander around the perimeter will take just 10 minutes.
- Penang Khoo Khongsi
Also called Dragon Mountain Hall, Khoo Khongsi is a clan house for Chinese families with the surname of Khoo. The Khoo Khongsi is one of the big five clans, or the goh tai seh, that was the main part of the Hokkien community in Penang more than 600 years ago. It is one of the most decorative of the houses and can be found on Jalan Acheh. The Khongsi is representative of wealth and good luck and was designed for the named family to join together both socially and spiritually and, today, you will see the stone carvings around the entrance hall and the pavilions. You will see murals that depict social occasions, like weddings and birthdays and, perhaps the most memorable, a mural of the 36 guardians. Huge paper lamps cast an orange light over the clan house and ceramic sculptures of dragons, carp, and immortals surround the ridges of the roof.
Langkawi:
Langkawi is one of the most popular of all the beach destinations and is home to some of the most beautiful landscapes, a lively nightlife, sprawling parks, stunningly pristine beaches, historical and iconic sculptures and much more. The island is part of the archipelago in the Andaman Sea, just one of 104 islands often collectively known as The Jewel of Kedah because it is such a rich and varied place to visit. There is so much to do, from cable cars over the island, expansive wildlife parks, museums and stunning beaches but two places you must have on your to-visit list are these.
- Eagle Square
Eagle Square is officially known as Dataran Lang and it is the place to be. The square is a sculpture, 12 meters in height, of an open-winged eagled, located in Kuah on an elevated platform. Just 5 minutes away from the square are plenty of other attractions and plenty of restaurants to choose from and people often visit Eagle Square just to relax and to watch the ferries as they sail across the harbor.
- Underwater World
To truly understand the beauty of Langkawi, you must see it from under the water. You don’t need to go scuba diving to do this, though. At the Underwater World park, there is a 15 m long tunnel that takes you under the water, allowing you to view turtles, giant stingrays and sharks up close. In the rest of the park, you will find more than 500 different sea creature species, including rockhopper penguins, harbor seals, flamingos, mandarin ducks, and seahorses.
If you only have a short time to visit Penang or Langkawi in, make sure you take in these popular attractions as they provide you with an idea of the diversity of the country.