Kuala Lumpur

Malaysia's cosmopolitan capital Kuala Lumpur is the first stop for most travellers to Malaysia. Known for its high-end dining and fabulous shopping centres, the city's modernity is encapsulated by its most visible landmark: the Petronas twin towers. Although it is much younger than other Malaysian urban centres, such as Malacca, exploring its patchwork of neighbourhoods on a sightseeing tour reveals the city's rich tapestry. The old colonial heart of the city is a peculiar mix of Victorian and Mughal architecture with a green central park and two buildings now transformed into museums. The city's China Town district is the surprising home to an intricate old Hindu temple dedicated to the god of rain, testament to the melting pot of cultures and religions that converge in Malaysia.

Close to the capital, the Batu Caves are a must-see. Beyond the entrance flanked by giant golden statues, the atmospheric limestone caves are a labyrinth of tunnels, rock chimneys and yawning caverns consecrated as a Hindu temple with dozens of statues of deities, shrines and floral offerings.

Over in Malaysian Borneo the main jumping-off point is Kuching in the south, which embraces its identity as the city of cats, welcoming visitors with giant feline statues. Mostly modernized, some streets are still lined with Chinese-style shop houses, a symbol of the settlers who first came here. Key sights include Astana Palace, Fort Margherita and a handful of cultural museums. The wide waters of the Sarawak River separate the city in two, and on one bank you'll find quaint water towns still going about traditional life. Most hotels are in the airy waterfront area on the opposite bank. On the edge of the main city, the area has a riverside walkway and pier offering boat trips from simple river crossings to sightseeing tours and evening dinner cruises with local dance and music shows on board. From Kuching you can make forays to the scenic longhouse villages of the Sarawak jungle.

In north-east Borneo's Sabah province, you'll find the modern seaside city of Kota Kinabalu. Though remnants of its sultan-ruled past can be seen in some of the city's architecture, the original colonial settlement was flattened during world war two. An open-air museum of gorgeous stilted huts, gardens, lily ponds and lakes, takes visitors through the traditional roots of the island's various indigenous groups. The harbourside night market is a great place to experience local colour with a fish market, fruit and veg stalls, cooking stations selling freshly cooked food, and an area of little shops selling local goods.