A blend of different races, religions and ethnic groups; Malaysia truly represents Asia as a whole. Also known as a land of celebrations and festivities, here all festivals belonging to different communities and ethnic groups are celebrated with great pomp and gaiety. What makes Malaysia an ideal tourist destination is its warm waters, postcard perfect beaches lined up with high end luxury resorts, charming hospitality of the people, thousands of options for a great gastronomy experience, exotic wildlife and adventure activities like quad biking, trekking and mountain climbing.

Begin your tour to Malaysia by visiting the vibrant, bustling and cosmopolitan capital city of 'Kuala Lumpur', a perfect place to indulge in some best gastronomic experiences and boutique shopping. Here are some of the major activities which you should not miss while in Kuala Lumpur:

1. Begin your day by taking the morning tour of Kuala Lumpur's lush rainforest to understand the forest eco-system in a better way. The rainforest canopy walks above the treetops is a unique experience in itself.
2. Take a guided city tour that includes a visit to the local tourist attractions like the National Museum (get to learn about the history of Malaysia here), the 'National Mosque', the 'King's Palace' (a perfect spot to get some memorable pictures clicked), and the 'Petronas Twin Tower'.
3. Visit the 'Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary' where you can get an insightful experience of interacting, feeding and bathing with the majestic elephants.
4. Do not give a miss to the mystical 'Batu Caves'. Get awed with the beauty of huge statue of Lord Murugan here. Feed some peanuts to monkeys here and enjoy a sip of water from fresh and huge coconuts available in the small market nearby.
5. In the night, stroll through Kuala Lumpur's famous Central Market and indulge in some bargaining at the local stalls selling the Malaysian handicrafts and souvenirs. At the market, you can also get your portrait sketched by a local artist in just few minutes.
6. After the tour of the Central Market, head towards the Asia's tallest tower, the KL Tower to spend a memorable evening with your loved one at the revolving restaurant located on top of the tower. Enjoy a sumptuous buffet dinner here comprising of authentic Malaysian and International cuisines while enjoying the breathtaking panoramic views of Kuala Lumpur's skyline lit up with dazzling lights.
7. If time permits, you can take an excursion trip to one of the neighbouring fishing villages and see how entire villages are built on stilts. Also enjoy the taste of fresh sea food on the excursion trip. 

The next destination in Malaysia after Kuala Lumpur is the beautiful Penang where you can indulge in some water sports or just laze around the beaches and spend a relaxing time. Here are some of the must do activities in Penang:

1. Span through the streets of 'Georgetown' in Penang to get a glimpse of buildings dating back to the colonial era. 
2. Visit the largest Buddhist Temple in Penang, the 'Wat Chayamankalaram' famous for its third longest statue of Reclining Buddha in the world.
3. A visit to the world's unique 'Snake Temple' which is one of its kind, is a must during your trip to Penang. Live snakes live in this temple and you can actually see them coiled up on floor or the alter tables.
4. As Penang is a paradise for food lovers, you can enjoy here authentic Malaysian cuisine or indulge into Chinese or Indian hawker food at any restaurant. 
5. During night, take a trip to the markets in 'Batu Ferringhi', which is filled with colourful local stalls.

For couples and honeymooners, a trip to Langkawi is a must for a romantic vacation. Stunning beaches and an undiluted scenic beauty is sure to make your vacation a memorable one. Here are some of the highlights of the trip to Langkawi:

1. Take an awe-inspiring cable car ride up to the sky bridge located on top of 'Gunung Mat Chinchang' and get some incredible views of the island and Andaman Sea from the top. 
2. Laze around on a private beach front in a luxury resort and spend a perfect vacation away from the hustle bustle of everyday life. 
3. Get yourself rejuvenated at one of the luxury spas or take a round trip around the Dayang Bunting and Beras Basah Islands. 
4. Get awed with the gorgeous beauty of Langkawi on a private yacht. Enjoy cocktails and a gourmet dinner while enjoying the scenery and the changing hues over the horizon.

Another must visit destination in Malaysia is Sabah where you can explore some hidden caves, climb 'Mt. Kinabalu' or indulge in scuba diving. Do not miss the following activities when in Sabah:

1. Take a trip to 'Kinabalu National Park' and enjoy some stunning views of the surroundings by taking walks along some fantastic walking trails inside the park. 
2. Try some scuba diving at the world's top ranked place for scuba diving, the 'Sipadan Island'. 
3. Spot some of the Asia's exotic wildlife such as rhinoceroses and elephants at the banks of the Kinabatangan River. You can also enjoy a night safari to the river to spot some nocturnal animals.
4. Visit the 'Rafflesia Forest Reserve' where you can get to see the world's largest flower, Rafflesia.
5. Take a trip to the 'Madai Caves', the birthplace of the famous Chinese delicacy, 'bird’s nest soup'. The nests of Swiftlets birds are harvested in these caves by the Idahan tribe and a special festival is held every year by the tribe during the harvesting season. 

Your trip to Malaysia is incomplete without indulging in some quad biking at the Mulu National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage site), exploring the dark limestone caves or taking some fascinating treks through the lush green forests in Sarawak. Other must do activities at Sarawak are listed below:

1. Get some fascinating views of the 'Mulu National Park' from the world's longest tree canopy walk.
2. Enjoy the annual Rainforest World Music Festival at the Borneo Jungle. 
3. Visit the Cat Museum in 'Kuching' and appreciate the gigantic cat statues.

Image Source: TripAdvisor