Friday 31 August 2012 Shanghai DailyA12 MALAYSIA SPECIAL

Malaysia offers diverse playground for travelers

Hu Min

Soft sand, azure water, abundant sunshine, brilliantly colored coral and swaying palms. This

picturesque scene appears in “Summer Holiday,” a Hong Kong romance movie that triggered considerable interest in Redang Island, Malaysia, where some scenes for the movie were filmed.

Redang is considered one of the most romantic beach resorts in Malay-sia. Yet this resort and many others are just part of Malaysia’s charm. The country also enchants tourists with its modern skyscrapers, old mosques and tasty food. Take a quick tour of this remarkably diverse country.

City tourKuala Lumpur is a place for wander-

ing randomly, stopping to shop and eat at places that catch the eye. As the cap-ital and largest city in Malaysia, Kuala

Lumpur blends an amazing variety of modern and traditional architectural wonders and old mosques.

The 88-story Petronas Towers, twin skyscrapers, are the city’s most famous landmark. The towers were the tallest buildings in the world for six years, until Taipei 101 was completed in 2004. They are still the tallest twin skyscrap-ers in the world and are now the fourth highest buildings on the planet.

Frenchman Alain Robert, who is know as “Spiderman,” scaled one of the towers in about two hours in 2009. It was his third attempt and after reaching the top he was held by Ma-laysian police. He climbed up without using any equipment.

Central Market is another of the city’s treasures. Half a century ago it was a wet market, but today the art-deco structure is a center for the display of Malaysian culture, arts and crafts. It features batik painting,

fortune telling, shadow puppet plays, glass blowing and art classes.

Chinese tourists may be curious to check out Petaling Street, the center of Kuala Lumpur's original Chinatown. It maintains much of its traditional atmosphere, particularly at night when vendors spread their wares out on the street. While it is possible to purchase anything from gems to incense, the best way to enjoy the night market is just wandering about and taking in the sights, sounds and energy.

Religious sites such as Jamek Mosque and National Mosque of Malay-sia are also major attractions.

Built in 1909, Jamek Mosque is one of the oldest in the city. The mosque features a Moorish style of architec-ture.

National Mosque of Malaysia has capacity for 15,000 people and is situ-ated among beautiful gardens. Its key features are a 73-meter minaret and a 16-pointed star on the main roof.

Beaches Malaysia boasts many tropical

beaches fringed with palms that provide an alluring paradise for those who want a break from city life.

Redang Island offers spectacular snorkeling and scuba diving.

One of the largest islands off Ma-laysia’s east coast, Redang has sand as soft as snow, bright blue water and brilliantly colored coral, fish and other sea life.

Redang is one of nine islands forming a marine park that contains around 500 types of coral and 3,500 species of fish.

Langkawi is a collection of 99 is-lands that form an archipelago. While most of the islands are small and un-inhabited, a few have been designated for tourism. Langkawi itself is a magi-cal name which summons up images of tropical romance and carefree days under swaying coconut palms.

Pulau Dayang Bunting, the second largest island of Langkawi, is famous for its verdant rainforest and beautiful lakes. Its name translates as “Isle of the Pregnant Maiden” because legend has it that any barren woman could conceive after bathing in a large lake on the island. The lake was believed to have magic power after a blessing from a fairy princess.

The waters in the archipelago offer corals and aquatic species such as moray eels, rock groupers, black-tip

sharks and clown fish. Crocodile Adventureland is home to more then 1,000 species of the reptile.

Other recommended beach areas in Malaysia include the island of Borneo and Penang.

Summer resortKnown as the “Fun City above the

Clouds,” Genting Highlands is a self-proclaimed city of entertainment. Perching on the peak of Gunung Ulu Kali at 1,800 meters, it comprises hotels, casinos and theme parks, thus offering a popular getaway from the summer heat.

Visitors enjoy the misty clouds and fog as the peak overlooks lush valleys of rainforest, and a serene mountain environment.

The resort is near the border of Se-langor within an hour's drive of Kuala Lumpur.

Cuisine and shopping

If you plan to visit Malaysia, go hungry.

It is a paradise for foodies because it can satisfy different tastes from street snacks to sumptuous meals. With a rich variety of spices, aromatic herbs and roots grown locally, Malaysian cuisine is a delight.

It blends three food styles — Malay, Chinese and Indian. Malaysian spring rolls and curry puff (small pie consist-ing of specialized curry with chicken and potatoes in a deep-fried or baked pastry shell) are popular snacks.

Kedai mamak (curry houses) are common in Kuala Lumpur. Along with many curries, these places also serve roti canai (a flat bread found in India and Malaysia).

Bukit Bintang is the shopping and entertainment district of Kuala Lum-pur. The area is home to many land-mark shopping centers, al-fresco cafes, swanky bars, night markets, as well as hawker-type eateries.

The Golden Triangle, Bangsar and Midvalley, Heritage Row and some areas in Damansara and Hartamas are the usual places for people looking to dine out with a bit of flare.

If you are looking for a bite of something special, visit Terengganu, a sultanate and constitutive state in Malaysia. Turtle eggs are widely sold here. There is also Terengganu’s most famous culinary product, the keropok lekor, a thick hot dog-like sausage.

Night view of

Petronas Towers

Chicken satay is a popular Malaysia dish.

A mosque in Malaysia