GC:ASIA

GC:ASIA The Windows of Malaysia

PAUL CABILDO

Travel Writer

I have always been vocal that Malaysia will always be my happy place. With so many breathtaking places to visit, mouth watering foods to try and friendly people, for sure, Malaysia will always have a special place in heart. I’ve visited this country a few times and it never gets old. Malaysia occupies parts of the Malay peninsula and the island of Borneo. It’s known for its vibrant cities, tropical rainforest, relaxing beaches, busy shopping districts, and iconic buildings.

Now that most of the countries are still on lockdown and won’t open to tourism anytime soon, we can only look back to the times when traveling is a breeze. Although I miss traveling big time, I feel grateful that I have tons of travel memories I can cling on to at least until everything gets back to normal.

Let me take you to Malaysia and share with you some of the must-visit places in this awesome Southeast Asian country.

Petronas Twin Towers - Kuala Lumpur

You have never been to Malaysia if you did not visit the iconic Petronas Twin Towers. The famous twin towers are situated in the heart of Kuala Lumpur and were built to house the headquarters of Petronas, the national petroleum company of Malaysia. An Argentine-born Marxian architect, Cesar Pelli designed the famous building. The 88-story building was the tallest building in the world from 1988 to 2004. To date, the twin skyscrapers remain to be the tallest twin towers in the world. The observation deck on the 86th floor offers a close-up view of the pyramidal towers with digital displays about the history of the twin structures.

Petronas Twin Towers is also home to multinational companies including Accenture, Al-Jazeera, Barclays Bloomberg, IBM, Microsoft, and Reuters to name a few. A sky bridge two stories tall links the two towers between the 41st and 42nd stories. The sky bridge serves as a passageway from one building to another without the need to go back to the ground and is also an emergency exit route.

Masjid Putra - Putrajaya

Masjid Putra or Putra Mosque is known for its pastel Pink architecture. It sits next to Perdana Putra which houses the prime minister’s office in Putrajaya. The mosque was completed in 1999 and was crafted with rose-tinted granite. It consists of a prayer hall, courtyard or Sahn, and various learning facilities and the mosque is big enough to accommodate 15,000 worshippers at a time.

This religious structure faces the scenic Putrajaya Lake. Putra Mosque combines the Malaysian, Persian, Arab-Islamic architectural design, local craftsmanship, and the use of indigenous materials. And the result is a world-class architecture that is truly worth visiting.

Batu Caves - Selangor

The word Batu in Malay translates to “rock”. Rising almost 100 meters above the ground, Batu Caves is located in Selangor, Malaysia, and this limestone hill houses a series of caves. The biggest cave is known as the Cathedral or Tempe Cave that has a high ceiling and the only way to reach it is to climb the 272 steep and colorful stairs. It is one of the most popular Hindu shrines outside India and it is the focal point for the Thaipusam Festival, a Hindu celebration that was first celebrated on this famous hill in 1892 and has since attracted thousands of tourists from different parts of the globe annually. Aside from the caves, the goldpainted statue of Murugan that stands 140 feet is one of the most famous landmarks of Batu Caves.

Chew Jetty - Penang

Located in Weld Quay, George Town, Penang, Chew Jetty was part of the seven Clan Jetties. To date, only six jetties remain after one was demolished by fire. These jetties are known as the waterfront society of old Chinese settlements. Wooden houses were built on stilts by the immigrants and over time, food stalls and other tourism-related business has evolved.

Chew Jetty is said to be the most tourist-friendly of all the jetties. No wonder, it became a popular tourist destination. Strolling along a wooden walkway will take you on a food adventure and sightseeing. Don’t forget to try the famous Chew Jetty big bowl noodles that can satisfy at least five people with a big appetite. Before you leave, bring home some souvenirs that are being sold all over the place.

Street Art in George Town - Penang

George Town is the multicultural capital of Penang. It depicts the colorful life and tradition of its inhabit ants. George Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site as evidenced by its well-preserved cultural and historical heritage. Walking along the streets of George Town is fun and the rich and stunning street paintings make it even more enjoyable. It’s like interactive murals that are worth capturing and sharing on social media. This street art conveys the way of life of the people in Penang.

The transformation of the streets of Penang into street art started with a Lithuanian artist named Ernest Zacharevic. He was tasked to create six murals for the George Town Arts & Culture Festival in 2012. And just like that, Penang evolved into a vivid and aesthetic place while preserving the old culture. A combination of the old and the new that unfolds a fascinating world to be enjoyed by locals and tourists.

I enjoy traveling and have documented my Asian travels to come up with a handy guide that includes some of the best places to visit in Southeast Asia. Travel Asia Mini-Series is still available on Amazon and Google Play.