Published on November 29, 2017
Petaling Street, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Image courtesy of Malaysia Tourism.
What You’ll Get
This 9-day, 8-night tour traces a vital trade and tourism route down Southeast Asia’s Malay Peninsula, from Malaysia’s capital Kuala Lumpur to Southeast Asia’s most modern city Singapore
Highlights
Trade links, kingdoms, sailors, empires local and foreign – the Malay Peninsula has seen them all come and go. This tour of the Malay Peninsula’s top tourist stops acquaints travelers with the best destinations along this vital trade corridor stretching from centrally-located Kuala Lumpur to Singapore off the southernmost tip of the Asian mainland.
Start at Kuala Lumpur: over 2 million call this city home, holding tradition in high regard despite the proliferation of ultra-modern and futuristic skyscrapers.
Take a half-day trip through the Istana (Royal Palace), Dataran Merdeka (Independence Square), Chinatown, National Monument, Petronas Twin Towers and Chocolate Boutique.
Spend another half-day touring the Perdana Lake Gardens, full of flowers and butterflies within sight of the city’s modern skyline.
At Malacca, you’ll find a wealth of history and culture stretching back to the 15th century, when this city was founded.
The Portuguese, Dutch and British ruled over Malacca’s silk and spice trade for centuries and these invaders have left an unparalleled legacy of historical relics and monuments, which you’ll explore in detail: the Stadthuys, St. Paul’s Church and the mighty Porta de Santiago, built by the Portuguese in 1512.
Explore Jonker Street next, known for its antiques, souvenirs, arts and crafts. Good walking shoes are a must for this leg of the trip.
Stop over at Legoland in Johor, at the southernmost tip of the Asian Mainland. The first Lego theme park in Asia has plenty to offer the young and the young at heart!
Finally, you’ll arrive at Singapore, a multicultural yet modern city bursting with surprises: Chinatown’s traditional Chinese culture spilling over its narrow streets; a cruise down the Singapore River offering sights of both ancient shophouses and the hypermodern city skyline beyond; a trip through the Civic District and its British colonial structures; a visit to Singapore’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Singapore Botanic Gardens; and a fun tour of Sentosa, Singapore’s signature resort island.
A Famosa, Malacca, Malaysia. Image courtesy of Malaysia Tourism.