If you planned to visit Malaysia in 2007 but do not have time, you can do a quick visit to the top tourist destinations in just 7 days. Of course, visiting a country takes time but not everyone has it. If you happen to fall into this category, then it’s time for a hasty visit.
Malaysia’s tourism ministry is organizing a Visit Malaysia 2007 campaign. You will most likely see a motto which looks like this – Malaysia, land of wonders or simply Malaysia Boleh! and Visit Malaysia 2007. Filled with cultural diversity, Malaysia’s population consists of a mixture of ethnicity. Majority of the population are Malays followed by the Chinese and the Indian community. Malaysia is divided into the Peninsular and separated by the South China Sea lies Sabah and Sarawak.
As for the 7 days visit I would recommend that you visit these famous tourist destinations:
1. Mount Kinabalu, Sabah (3 days)
2. Pulau Langkawi, Kedah – and Penang Island (if you want – 3 days)
3. Kuala Lumpur city (1 day)
One of the most noticeable tourist destinations in Malaysia is of course the highest peak in South East Asia, the Mount Kinabalu in Sabah. Towering over 4,095 meters above sea level, Mount Kinabalu is surrounded by a diverse flora and fauna. If you like hiking in the jungle and climbing mountains be sure to give Mount Kinabalu a visit. I am sure that you will never forget this experience.
For tourist coming from abroad, most likely you will arrive at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport situated in Sepang. When you arrive at the airport, be sure to check for airlines that are flying to Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. You can choose between AirAsia and the Malaysian Airlines. A ticket with a return flight to Sabah will cost you approximately $120. If your flight happens to leave a few days later, you can always check in to the Pan Pacific hotel located just beside the airport. A night at the Pan Pacific costs around $100 to $200 depending on the size of the room. Take the opportunity to visit Kuala Lumpur city at night. It has a vibrant night lifestyle where you can find good food and also nice drinking spots. However, I would recommend that you do this on the last few days of your visit – the time to shop for souvenirs right?
Your flight to Kota Kinabalu will take approximately 2 hours. When you arrive at the airport, you can get a cab to the nearest hotel. But be sure to check out for tour guides or packages heading to Mount Kinabalu. A drive to the mountains will take 3 hours from the city. There you can stay in a nice hotel or if you prefer socializing, then by all means get a room at the lodge. You can expect to meet tourists from all over the world here. A climb up the Mount Kinabalu will take a full day. Usually the first day you will camp at the lowest base camp on the mountain. Early in the morning the next day (before sunrise that is) your journey to the peak will commence. Be sure to have a healthy body and constant exercise before you climb up the mountain as you will have all sort of challenges. Expect to see the biggest flower on your hike – the Rafflesia.
The whole journey to Sabah will take approximately 3 days. To get to the next destination which is Pulau Langkawi or Langkawi Island in English, you will need to get a flight ticket to your destination. Check the Kota Kinabalu airport for tickets to Langkawi Island. A flight to the island will take approximately 3 hours. When you do land on the island, you have many choices of accommodation – from economy chalets to a five star hotel. Pick one that suits your budget. The next day, hire a local guide to take you around. Be mesmerized by the white sandy beaches and of course the nice blue sea. Also, Langkawi Island is a duty free zone and you can expect liquor as well as tobacco based products selling dirt cheap. You might want to do some shopping here as well. But please make sure that you don’t bring liquor or tobacco out of the island or you will get taxed by the government. If you intend to cut your trip short in Langkawi, take a short trip to the next island – the Penang Island just down south. To get to Penang Island, just get a ferry ticket from the port and your journey would take 45 minutes. You can expect to see remnants of previous British colonization through various tourist spots. A visit here will just take a day.
On your final day, do drop by the Kuala Lumpur city as your last destination. To get to Kuala Lumpur city from Langkawi or the Penang Island, check out for tickets in the airport. A flight ticket usually costs roughly $20 to $50 for the trip. You can find backpackers accommodation as well as five star hotels in the city. Be sure to visit the Petronas Twin Towers and also the KLCC shopping complex. You can find a huge range of assorted goods here. Remember to get souvenirs from the souvenir shops!
Be sure not to miss an opportunity of a lifetime – Visit Malaysia 2007!
