Malaysian Treasures
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Malaysia has a wealth of treasures, we've chosen 5 of the best to share with you.
With so many things to do and see in Malaysia, the choice of where to go might seem hard. Tim Richards, a travel writer specialising in Malaysia, reveals his top 5:
Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia 's capital - Kuala Lumpur - was named in 1860 after the "muddy river" in its centre. There's not much mud in evidence now. It's a tourism must for its ceaseless energy, sophisticated shopping and fine colonial architecture. Contrast the twin Petronas Towers at 452 metres and 88 floors tall and with six floors of classy shopping at their base, with the historic Masjid Jemak mosque, the Supreme Court and the railway station in their Moorish elegance. But for all its urban highways KL, as everyone calls it, is as much about hawker food stalls and older districts like Little India and China Town on Petaling Street. KL got close to sweeping away all its local character but stopped just in time.
The twin Petronas Towers
Penang
Penang was an island covered in jungle until 1776 when the East India Company decided it would be a good staging post on the opium route to China. Old Georgetown city still exudes a rich oriental character and you should take the ferry from the mainland instead of the new bridge if you have the choice. Energetically-pedalled trishaws are still the most atmospheric kind of sightseeing transport. Penang is known for several major Buddhist temples but the most fascinating is the Snake Temple at Bavan Lepas. You'll see snakes everywhere - sliding across the altars, slithering across the floor. There's even a tree full of them. But be fearless, they are all fang-less. Local photographers will help you capture the scene with the snakes around your neck.
A Penang Snake charmer
→ Next Page: Meet the local tribesmen
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