MALAYSIA PORTS AND CITIES
MALAYSIA PORTS AND CITIES
| Kemaman | Kota Kinabalu | Kuala Lumpur | Kuantan |
| Langkawi | Malacca | Penang |
Kemaman
Cruise to Kemaman in Malaysia and Sample the Tasty Fish Dishes
The Malaysian town of Kemaman is situated on the south coast of the China Sea and is fast becoming the new cruise gateway to the Asia-Pacific region. Although the town itself has few attractions, just outside lies Kuala Kemaman - a little fishing village, which hosts a riverside jetty crowded with restaurants and boats. Here you can sample some of the local fish dishes including otak-otak and ikan baker. Nearby you will also find Pekan, the royal town of Pahang - home to the region's royal family and renowned for its silk weaving and batik. Admire the elaborate Malay architecture and historical artefacts at the Sultan Abu Bakar Museum and see the fascinating Royal Palace. The Penang Silk Weaving Centre showcases the town's traditional silk weaving methods – an intricate art that has been passed down from generation to generation.
Kota Kinabalu
Don't Lose Your Head When Cruising to Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia, as you will Find Yourself on the Mysterious Island of Borneo
When you cruise to Malaysia's Kota Kinabalu, you may be surprised to find yourself on the mysterious island of Borneo. That is because Malaysia comprises not just the former Malaya peninsula, but two states in Northern Borneo as well - Sabah, the capital of which is Kota Kinabalu, and Sarawak. Once called Jesseltown and largely rebuilt after World War II, Kota Kinabalu is now a cosmopolitan city of Malays, Indonesians, Indians, Chinese and Filipinos. With plenty to see and do, the many interesting sites include the State Mosque with its 216ft-high minarets, the Sabah Museum and the outdoor market at Kampong Ayer Square. As well as encompassing the towering 13,500ft Mount Kinabalu, the Kinabalu National Park contains a rich diversity of flora and fauna, including everything from rare orchids to deer and monkeys. There are also superb beaches at the nearby Tanjung Aru resort and fascinating tours to the stilted villages of the descendants of the head-hunter tribes, who gave Borneo its once fearsome reputation.
Kuala Lumpur
See the Magnificent 'Blue' Mosque on Your Cruise to Kuala Lumpur (Port Kelang), Malaysia
Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur may have got its name - meaning 'muddy confluence' - from the two rivers which meet in its centre, but cruise ships must dock at the deepwater cruise port Kelang, which is 90 minutes drive away. This, though, is good news for cruise visitors because, along the way to the capital, you not only see the magnificent Salahuddin 'Blue' Mosque - the largest in southeast Asia with room for 16,000 worshippers - but also visit the Batu Caves where a stone staircase with 272 steps leads up to a Hindu Shrine. If you make the effort, you are rewarded with the company of scores of monkeys which live around the caves. KL - as the capital is known throughout Malaysia - is a mixture of modern buildings (including the worlds tallest - the Petronas Towers) and fascinating historic districts like Chinatown. The National Museumis well worth a visit as it tells the entertaining story of KL and Malaysian history.
Kuantan
Travel Back In Time with a Cruise to Kuantan, Malaysia
Palm-fringed beaches, paddy fields and sleepy fishing villages reflect a lifestyle that has changed little through the centuries. Kuantan is the capital of the Pahang region and a wonderful place to cruise to find traditional souvenirs from the industries that have developed here over the years: silk-weaving, pandan leaf basket-making, batik painting, wood-carving, jade necklace and silver filigree jewellery-making. The cultural mix is also diverse with a large Chinese population living side by side with Malays and Indians, making for a superb selection of ethnic restaurants. Another highlight of the area is the beautiful Sultan Ahmad Shah State Mosque, completed in 1993, with its impressive blue dome and ornate minarets. When cruising to Kuantan, you can also visit the lotus-covered Lake Chini which - allegedly - has its own version of the Loch Ness monster.
Langkawi
Are 99 Islands of Paradise Quite Enough to Satisfy on Your Cruise to Langkawi, Malaysia?
Let your imagination roam among the many magical myths and legends surrounding the 99 islands of Langkawi. Overflowing with ancient geological wonders, mysterious caves and mist-shrouded mountains, Langkawi as a cruise holiday destination is a tropical paradise endowed by nature with variety and great beauty. You don't need to be a marine biologist to appreciate the pristine beauty of Pulau Payar Marine Park. Located about 19 nautical miles south of Langkawi, you'll find everything from long, sandy white beaches and crystal-clear water to lush rainforests and exotic vegetation. The park includes an underwater coral garden, where you can swim and snorkel amongst the multi-coloured fish. If you prefer to stay dry, simply hire a glass-bottom boat to observe this wondrous underwater world. There's plenty to do for the more adventurous, active traveller. Let a captain drop you off at a small island of your choice and spend the day observing wildlife, such as deer, monkeys and iguanas native to the island. Or you can try your hand at a more traditional activity. Langkawi is a golfer's paradise with a number of challenging courses. Other aesthetic adventures include sailing amid calm, moderate winds and horse riding through lush jungles and picturesque mountains.
Malacca
Experience Multi-Cultural Malacca on Your Cruise to Malaysia
Malacca, also known as Melaka, is situated 95 miles south of Malaysia's capital of Kuala Lumpur. In the days of the great sailing ships, the port was one of the busiest on the peninsula. Shipping now is confined to coastal trade, because the harbour is inaccessible to ocean-going cruise and other ships. During the early 15th century, the city was established by the Malay Prince Parameswara. Following a visit by a Chinese Admiral Cheng Ho, The Chinese used their powers to develop the port into a successful trading centre. A large number of Chinese settled here, followed by masses of European colonizers, including the Portuguese, British and Dutch. Today evidence of all these colonies remain, both from a cultural and architectural standpoint.
Penang
Experience Penang In Malaysia as a Mixing Pot for Many Cultures
Once a British Colony that was a major trading port for tea, spices, china and cloth, now a great port for cruise ships, Penang an island where European, Malaysian, Hindu, Middle Eastern, and Chinese cultures met, melded, and flourished. Today, its capital, Georgetown, is a bustling cosmopolitan city that has managed to preserve its unique heritage and its exotic blend of cultures. Georgetown is perhaps the best-preserved city in Southeast Asia. It boasts a European-style esplanade and a wealth of temples, mosques and Chinese clan houses. Soak up the stunning beauty of the sparkling beaches. Hike the tropical jungles. Stroll the colonial-era streets of Georgetown. See a snake temple. Tour a batik factory and spice garden or visit a traditional Malay village. Penang Bridgeis one of the longest bridges in Asia connects Penang with the Malay Peninsula. Snake Temple is dedicated to the deity Chor Soo Kung whose disciples include the mostly defanged pit vipers that inhabit the temple. The Wat Chayamangkalaram features the world's fourth-largest reclining Buddha, over 100 feet long and covered in gold.
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