Both UNESCO World Heritage sites, the cities of Melaka and George Town boast well-preserved local architecture and historical value. The two trading cities on the Malacca Straits played an important role in global trade between East and West for centuries, evidence of which can be seen today in the handsome buildings in both cities. George Town is a superb destination for shopping, with its shops and boutiques selling everything from handicrafts and spices to coffee and textiles. In Melaka, don't miss the so-called Street of Harmony in the Chinatown district, where a Taoist temple, a Muslim mosque and a Hindu temple exist side-by-side in a respectful peace that makes both locals and visitors proud.
A coastal nation, much of Malaysia is surrounded by beaches. Unless you're traveling to Malaysia from some other tropical paradise, the beaches in general will impress, but a few are simply unmissable. Tanjung Rhu Beach in Langkawi is home to a luxurious Four Seasons hotel -- to say nothing of perfectly white sand and deep blue water. For a very different type of beach, head to Kampung Juara on Tioman Island, a remote and pristine beach with nothing more than a few huts on the coast. For divers and snorkelers, sites like Pulau Redang, Layang-Layang and Sipadan are among the world's finest.
The tiny Borneo outpost of Kuching in Sarawak is famous for its beautiful riverfront, tropical colonial architecture and romantic walks along its postcard-perfect side streets. Surrounded by the Borneo jungle, however, Kuching is also a mecca for hip, independent travelers; it hosts international music and arts festivals and has a string of trendy bars and eateries in town. For a more traditional small-town experience, strict historical preservation laws for the buildings in George Town and Melaka have managed to maintain the neighborhood fabric of Malaysian town life.
No restaurant strip or trendy eatery can compete with a hawker center in variety and sometimes even in quality. These huge establishments, made up of hundreds of different food stalls that rent space in the center, are the best places to get to know the astounding variety of Malay cuisine. Gurney Drive in Penang is especially noteworthy, offering a variety of Malay, Chinese and Indian delicacies in a seaside location. Just point to whatever you'd like, and watch it be prepared before your eyes. For shopping, keep it local by visiting one of Malaysia's bustling street markets. The Central Market in Kuala Terengganu is famous for handicrafts like textiles, baskets and metalware and the perfect place to pick up gifts and souvenirs.
