Kellie’s Castle

Situated by a small river, 30km south of Ipoh stands the impressive colonial remnant; Kellie’s Castle. William Kellie Smith, a Scottish planter commissioned the construction of this mansion which was never completed. Shrouded with mystery, it holds magical charm amidst its imposing six-storey structure.

Besides being haunted, the castle is said to have hidden rooms and secret underground tunnels. A deer enclosure and a small aviary share the grounds providing nature’s charm to the quaint building. It was also the set for some scenes for the movie Anna And The King thus making it a popular choice for travellers. Kellie’s Castle is an official Malaysian Heritage Site and is situated in the town of Batu Gajah, Perak.

Pangkor Island

Just off the west coast of Perak in Peninsular Malaysia lies one of the most enchanting islands, Pangkor Island. For centuries this island has enthralled visitors with her charming beauty. Just a three-hour drive from Kuala Lumpur, the tranquil setting and the charming local fishing settlement makes Pangkor Island an appealing spot for tourists. With a range of resorts from the top notch in luxury to the mid range, Pangkor promises a relaxing getaway with emerald green waters and astounding views. Soak up the sun and catch sights of fishing boats on the pristine beaches. Besides the beaches, retreat into the cool shades of the virgin jungles for a closer look at nature.

Kota Kuala Kedah

Kota Kuala Kedah, or Kuala Kedah Fort, is a Malay fort in Kuala Kedah where many wars were fought to maintain Kedah’s independence against a host of invaders. There is a moat surrounding the fort and a double brick wall standing 1.8m apart with the middle space fortified with packed earth. Within the fort lie a number of buildings that include a royal audience hall.

The fort which was particularly restored hold hosts to the walls, canons and gateways. Kota Kuala Kedah is now popular as a seafood haven. The choices are numerous as restaurants along the fishing village serve scrumptious seafood meals. There is nothing like sitting among the ruins of the crumbling walls and reflecting back the era long forgotten.

Langkawi Island

Steeped in legend, this archipelago of 104 islands lies north in the western coast of Peninsular Malaysia. The most talked about legend is that of Mahsuri who is said to have laid a curse on the island for seven generations. The curse is however over now and the island is now a booming tourist destination. There’s loads to offer visitors in terms of sights and things to do, from visiting traditional villages and rice paddies to shopping for duty free items. Above all, this lovely white sanded island is a beach paradise. The water is crystal clear and has a gentle continental slope.

Snake Temple

Also known as the Temple of The Azure Cloud, the snake temple was built in 1805 by a thankful patient in dedication to Chor Soo Kong, a Buddhist healer and priest. Located in the small town of Bayan Lepas, the temple houses venomous snakes; although they’re said to be slightly doped due to the strong smoke of the incense that permeates the air. The snake population has decreased considerably due to urbanisation but there are still some coiled up on the alter table. Touch the snakes at your own risk. Although admission is free donations are always appreciated by the snake handlers.

Kek Lok Si Temple

Reputedly the biggest Buddhist temple complex in Southeast Asia is Kek Lok Si Temple. Standing majestically on a hill in Air Itam, the tiered temple boasts the beautifully crafted “Pagoda of Ten Thousand Buddhas” blending Thai, Chinese and Myanmar architecture. The temple took more then 20 years to build and currently features a turtle pond, shrines, gardens and beautiful sculptures. Besides visiting the temple, souvenir shops line the way leading up to the temple which offer good bargains. Try the local delicacies, hawker stalls are aplenty, located near the Air Itam market. Admission to the temple is free.

Bukit Larut

At an altitude of 1019m and 12km from Taiping, Bukit Larut is the oldest hill station in Malaysia. Bukit Larut makes an excellent day trip just to savour the astounding views that can be seen over Taiping and the Lake Gardens. Clear days are even better, giving the view of Penang right until Pulau Pangkor. Journey to the top is only accessible via government land rovers which are stationed at the foot of the hill. Perched on the hill is a jungle alive with flora and fauna. There is a path to follow and visitors will be rewarded by the sight of numerous birds and monkeys.

Perlis State Park

The Perlis State Park is located along the north-western part of the Thai-Malaysian border. The park provides the perfect setting for activities such as bird watching, jungle trekking and hiking. The park is situated on the longest continuous range of limestone hills in the country, known as the Nakawan Range which stretches 36km. There is rich bio-diversity in the forest, with rare species of ginger, ferns and balsams found here, and also the rare Stump-tail Macaque. Visitors who intend to stay need to obtain permission from the Perlis state Park management to enter. Hostels and chalets are provided.

Lembah Bujang/Bujang Valley

Lembah Bujang is a sprawling historical complex, stretching all the way from Gunung Jerai in the North to Sungai Muda in the South, and is one of Malaysia’s oldest archeological sites. Visit the Archeological Museum and take in history with its collection from the excavation which includes stone carvings, pottery shards and other discoveries.

Batu Ferringhi

Situated along the coastal road of Georgetown, Batu Ferringhi is famous for its Casuarina-lined beaches which boast several international deluxe resorts. Water-sport activities are a huge draw to visitors and locals alike. Along this famous beach area, there are numerous large hotels, restaurants, rental services and souvenir stalls. As the sun sets, the sidewalks facing the Batu Ferringhi road become cluttered with makeshift stalls. The open air-bazaars sell anything from souvenirs to local batik at very affordable prices.