28 days in Malaysia Itinerary

An unusual blend of a developing nation and the modern world, Malaysia ranks as one of the richest countries in Southeast Asia, its prosperity largely resting on thriving high-tech industries. Malaysia vacations remain a more affordable alternative to the expensive tourism in some neighboring countries. Take a trip to Malaysia to explore busy cities filled with colonial-era architecture, tranquil tea plantations supporting a large portion of the local population, and dozens of scattered islands happily evading the worst aspects of mass tourism. While there may be fewer visitors, there's no shortage of fine beaches, mangrove estuaries, and verdant rainforests filled with exotic wildlife.

The Malaysian state of Perak centers around human history and natural beauty. Dutch and British colonial empires both viewed the area as strategically important because of its tin mines, and the footprint of the two European powers can still be seen in historical sites, architecture, and museums here. The rural inland regions feature untouched areas of forestland, while the coast is made up of remote islands dotted with quant fishing villages and white beaches.

Highly industrialized and urbanized, the island of Penang sits off the western coastline of Peninsular Malaysia and boasts a rich cultural heritage blending Chinese, Indian, and European influences. Although most visitors come for the beaches and fishing villages, no tour of Penang is complete without a stop in World Heritage-listed George Town. This cosmopolitan island capital boasts a diverse architectural heritage, its oldest sections packed with 19th-century mosques, churches, temples, and colonial buildings. Another highlight of Penang tourism are the many festivals, showcasing cultural diversity and offering foreign visitors a chance to soak up the atmosphere of the "Pearl of the Orient."