Malacca, the third smallest state in the Islamic nation of Malaysia is located in the southernmost region of the Malay peninsula on the straits of Malacca. The Malacca town, the capital of the Malacca state has been a UNESCO World Heritage site and has been attracting a large number of tourists from around the world. The Malacca town was the center of the Malaccan sultanate and was the seat of social and cultural activities in the 15th and 16th century.

Malacca is known for its heritage buildings and the other beautiful temples and settlements in the region. The Stadthuys, that was completed in the year 1660 is now a museum and is the oldest Dutch building in the East. The Portuguese settlements with their small street lined with beautiful wooden houses is a good place to visit. The A Famosa fort which is one of the only surviving pieces of European architecture is visited by hundreds of tourists each year.

(Image courtesy of Marufish)

KL or Kuala Lumpur as it is always called is the largest city and the capital of the Islamic state of Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur had its origins in the 1850’s and what was once a small tin manufacturing city has now turned into a huge bustling metropolis with a population of about 7 million. The name Kuala Lumpur literally translates into “muddy confluence” in the local Malay language and the city has its name as it is situated in the confluence of the Klang and Gombak rivers. Kuala Lumpur has a year around Tropical Equatorial climate and receives abundant rainfall.

Though Kuala Lumpur doesn’t have lots of places to see, its all about having fun and seeing the few places that are scattered throughout the city. the Dataran Merdeka or the Independence square is where Malaysians celebrate their Independence day. Some colonial mosques are also found in the city that reflect the Islamic culture. Another place of interest for tourists is the Golden Triangle which is the main center for nightlife and shopping in KL. The Petronas Twin Towers, once the world’s tallest building is also found here.

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Langkawi, is an archipelago consisting of 99 islands that lie in the Andaman sea, a little Northwest of Malaysia. The islands are a part of the Kedah region of Malaysia that lies off the Thai coast. Pulau Langkawi is the largest island in the group and the only inhabited one with a population of   98000. The island is sheltered by the Peninsular Malaysian region and therefore escapes the monsoon showers. The region literally a tropical paradise and is fringed with white sanded beaches and was once upon a time called as “Malaysia’s best kept secret”.

The island is home to hundreds of species of birds, including migratory ones and is a great place for birdwatching. With a number of mangroves in the islands, tourists can have fun by going on a mangrove cruise. Scuba diving and shark watching are yet other activities for the adventure looking tourist. The Seven Wells waterfalls is a beauty that stands out in the forests in the island and is a must visit.

(Image courtesy of judhi)