Streets Ahead Of The Rest
Ranking the prettiest streets in the world may seem like an impossible task but according to one U.S. magazine Malaysia is home to the one of the best.
Jalan Kek Chuan in George Town, Penang, is the 17th prettiest street in the world, according to New York-based House Beautiful. Out of the 40 finalists, only one other Southeast Asian street made the list.
George Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site so it’s reasonably easy to see why this particular street was chosen, given its eclectic colour scheme, superb architecture and ornate shops that blend the best of Eastern and Western designs.
“Amidst countless breathtaking destinations across the globe, the humble street of our state has emerged as a shining gem, captivating the hearts of visitors from every corner of the world,” said Yeoh Soon Hin, Penang’s Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairperson in a Facebook post.
Going It Alone
You don’t necessarily have to be with a group or family to enjoy Malaysia. Lonely Planet have just named Penang as the second best destination for solo travellers in Southeast Asia
Highlighting the city’s vibrant street food and creative local culture, the publication went on to explain why it was an ideal destination for those travelling solo.
“Because of its humble appeal, operators accept smaller numbers, which means individual travellers will find it easier to be confirmed for activities such as cooking classes and walking tours.
“Solo diners can enjoy budget meals as low as RM10, and the makeshift seatings encourage tables to be shared, so it’s a great opportunity for some chat with fellow diners.”
Other notable attractions mentioned in the LP article included museums and hotels such as Cheong Fatt Sze and the Edison George Town.
“For the solo visitor who loves serendipitous street discoveries, the city rewards with its pretty (and delicious) surprises.”
Uncover a Hidden Treasure
While the Middle East is rightly famed for the beauty of its mosques, there are equally impressive places of worship to be found in other parts of the world.
A recent article by The National listed some of these architectural gems and the Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Mosque in Selangor made the list.
According to the article, Malaysia’s largest mosque is far enough away from Kuala Lumpur that it escapes the attention of most of the millions of tourists who visit the capital city every year.
Also known as the blue mosque due to the colour of its massive dome, the building was completed in 1988. It has one of the largest religious dome in the world, measuring more than 50m in diameter and reaching more than 106m above ground level.
It features a combination of Malay and Modernist styles while elements of Malay and Islamic architecture are incorporated into the finishes of the building.
The complex is located in Shah Alam city, which also has the Sultan Alam Shah Museum, Imperial tombs and serene National Botanic Gardens.
Best of the Best
Online travel platform Tripadvisor included three Malaysian destinations in its annual Travelers’ Choice Awards Best of the Best (Asia) list.
The awards are based on eight million listings over a 12-month period and helped the online travel site rank the top 25 tourist attractions across the continent.
Leading the charge for Malaysia was the Royal Selangor Visitor Centre (RSVC) in Setapak Jaya, which was ranked in sixth place.
Allowing visitors to experience and enjoy pewter craftsmanship, tours and workshops, the RSVC is no stranger to accolades. It has already received a Certificate of Excellence, Hall of Fame inclusion and a Traveller’s Choice Award from Tripadvisor.
The world famous Petronas Twin Towers received more than 30,000 reviews on the platform, earning it 12th place on the list. Completed in 1996, the 88-storey buildings remain one of the most prominent architectural marvels in the world.
Proving that being small can still have a big impact, MinNature Malaysia was ranked at 23rd on the top 25 list.
Located in Sungei Wang Plaza, the miniature gallery enables visitors to explore the cultural heritage of Malaysia in intricate mini detail.
What Lies Beneath
Sometimes you have to dig below the surface to find the best tourist attractions on the planet…or indeed, underneath it.
A recent article in the Sydney Morning Herald listed the Batu Caves as one of the 10 most incredible underground structures.
Located in Gombak, Selangor, Batu Caves offers the authentic beauty of the surrounding limestone and the impressive architecture of a temple and statues.
Organically formed, these caves are more than 400 million years old and are world famous for the 272 colourful steps that visitors must climb to reach them. The temple, which is nestled in the heart of the cave, was built in 1920.
The location has been a place of worship for more than a century, attracting Hindus from all over the world who come together during festivals to celebrate and pray as a community.
One of the most prominent and unique trademarks of Batu Caves is the golden statue of the Hindu God, Lord Murugan, which stands at the foot of the stairs. More than 40 metres tall, the sculpture is a proud symbol of the Hindu temple in the caves.
Other than the famous temple, Batu Caves is also home to many other attractions that visitors can explore.
Situated on the furthest left-hand side, the Ramanya Cave is famously known for its psychedelic dioramas. Cave Villa, which sits at the foot of the hill, takes you through a koi pond as well as a water garden on its raised walkway.
Visitors can also enjoy the hourly dance performances, statues and shrines that are dedicated to the Hindu deities.
The Dark Cave, which is located at the 204th step, stretches over two kilometres in distance. Visitors can also opt for a guided tour for a deeper exploration of the wonders of the Dark Cave.
