The Malaysian is currently pushing to make the country the centre of tourism and commerce in the South East Asian region, and with good reason – the country is both strong economically and able to boast attractions that will appeal to anyone. There aren’t many countries where a person can enjoy a stunning, unspoilt, sandy beach before returning to their incredibly modern hotel in the centre of one of the most forward-thinking cities in the Asian world, then hop on a train to a nearby seemingly-ancient town that doesn’t seem to have been stepped in by foreigners in a thousand years.

The capital of Kuala Lumpur is the figurehead not only for Malaysia, but for the whole South East Asian world – this is a city at the forefront of style, technology and still holding firm to the many cultural influences that the country as a whole has had over the years. Visitors to the city may well be overwhelmed by the ‘muddy estuary’ – not least because this title, coined by tin prospectors in 1860, really doesn’t apply anymore! The sights, smells and sounds may be a bit much to take in, especially if one were to expect a more laid-back experience in the country, but it certainly isn’t something to be avoided. The massive Petronas Twin Towers dominate the KL skyline, Merdeka Square sits at the very heart of the city and harks back to the days of old, the National Mosque is a nice representation of the bridge between old and new in the country – there is a plethora of other attractions, as well as the usual bars, cafes, restaurants, theatres and clubs and no one visit to this city alone is enough to take everything in.

Elsewhere the tourists flock to places like the island of Penang and Georgetown, with an olde worlde feel that is unfortunately disappearing – nevertheless there are more than enough regions of unspoilt beauty alongside the tourist traps that are beginning to blight the North. The hill resorts of peninsular Malaysia offer something of a respite from the hectic city life in the country, as well as some much needed cooler temperatures and less humidity – the largest of these is the Cameron Highlands. There are a ridiculous amount of other places to visit and things to see throughout Malaysia, from the beautiful Sabah and Sarawak to the Turtle Islands, Pahang and Tioman. There really is so much to see and do in the country it would take a lifetime to see it all, clich&eactute; as that may sound.

Malaysia is something of an oddity, thanks to the massive juxtaposition of old and new throughout the country, and the push for more tourism in the area is sure to see a lot of the natural beauty of the region lost to countless hotels and resorts. For this reason, it is certainly a country that should be visited sooner rather than later – having said that though, the country is sure never to be totally spoilt and is sure to always provide a shockingly pleasant holiday spot.