Malaysia has always been one of the most sought after places in Asia. Not only does it have a high concentration of diverse cultures which includes both Asian and Western, but it is also the best destination for any kind of traveller.
There are activities that focuses mainly on backpackers like hiking up Bukit Tabur, Pine Tree Trail, or Cameron Highland Trails. One can also enjoy sand and sea at Monkey Beach, Langkawi, and Cherating. For usual tourists, the Petronas Twin Towers or the Kuala Lumpur Bird Park are always popular attractions.
But, a lot of globetrotters do not know that Malaysia is also the best place to go on a road trip. Yes, you might have heard of the traffic stories some have told, both from locals and foreigners who have visited the capital. However, the city centre is not the only place where you can drive around Malaysia.
West Malaysia, the place where you can find yourself in between Thailand and Singapore, offers such a variety of terrain that it will almost feel like you have gone to different places all at once. From Kuala Lumpur, you can drive towards historical cities like the beautiful Penang Island, or see the old-world charm of Melaka.
Seems exciting, isn’t it? But, before you browse through a car list in Malaysia, you will need to know these must visit places during your road trip.
Kuala Lumpur
Of course, what is a Malaysia trip without visiting the city centre? As was previously mentioned, the traffic here may not be to your liking. But it is not as bad as some people are saying, in fact, you will find that it traffic is pretty much the same with where you are from.
Make sure to take pictures of the Petronas Twin Towers; visit places like the Bukit Bintang shopping district, the Hindu temples at Batu Caves, Sultan Abdul Samad Building, and the National History Museum. You can also hike up Bukit Tabur where you will be treated to panoramic views of Kuala Lumpur.
Ipoh City
This is the third largest city in Malaysia, and it has quite a number of nicknames. Among the nicknames include The Hill City because it is surrounded by hill formations, The Town Built on Tin, and the City of Millionaires because of the fortunes made during the tin-mining industry.
Here you will find an incomplete castle ruins called Kellie’s Castle. It was started by a Scottish planter named William Kellie Smith for his wife. You could see influences from India and the Hindu religion in its structure, in fact, Smith imported bricks and tiles from India and even hired workers from there. This first elevator in Malaysia could have been found there, traveling from the roof down to the underground tunnels.
Bukit Tinggi
If you are looking for a respite from the city, Bukit Tinggi is the perfect place to drop your bags and enjoy a relaxing stay at a hill resort. This is where Colmar Tropicale is located, a French-themed village and hotel. It is inspired by Colmar in Alsace, France and offers more than just an awesome backdrop for your photos, it gives you a French countryside experience that is almost the real thing. You will also find a Japanese botanical zen garden rabbit farms in Bukit Tinggi.
Penang
Offering a unique glimpse of Malaysian history, Penang is a city rich in culture and old world glamour with a modern twist. At Penang, you will see street art that depict the daily lives of the locals, streets crawling with coffee shops and hole-in-the-wall restaurants with different themes. It is the perfect place to start your local food trip.
Here are just some of the places you can go to just by driving around Malaysia. So make sure you have a car ready, a couple of snacks for the trip, and an awesome itinerary for this one-of-a-kind road trip.
