Image of Petaling Street, Malaysia courtesy of Tourism Malaysia.
Culture vultures. Due to its location, Malaysia has long been at the center of historical ebbs and flows, from serving as a key entrepot for trade, to becoming a prize to be fought over by Europeans and local rajahs, to its present flowering as an independent and culturally vibrant nation.
Georgetown and Fort Cornwallis on Penang and the cultural melting pot of Melaka are just a few of the places in Malaysia that any serious (even not-so-serious) students of Asian history should visit to get a grasp of the many cultures that called Malaysia home, including the ones that stay to this day.
Shopaholics. Fly into Malaysia's capital and the shopping in Kuala Lumpur won't disappoint. Whether you're buying on the cheap in Chinatown or going whole hog on the shopping in the upscale malls in the Golden Triangle, Kuala Lumpur has all the retail therapy you'll ever want. Worry about your credit card bill tomorrow.
Nature trippers. Between the mountains and the sea, the geography and biology of Malaysia provide a stunning look at a region whose biodiversity finds no equal anywhere else.
The Malaysian government has, quite handily, roped off a number of their most spectacular nature spots into reserves, to better protect them, and to better show them off to curious visitors. Hang around long enough and you might encounter one of the region's endangered orangutans.
Luxury travelers. Malaysia is one of Southeast Asia's wealthier nations, and they're not ashamed to show it off - just check out the Kuala Lumpur skyline, and if the Petronas Twin Towers ascending the heights doesn't convince you, I don't know what will. Travelers to Malaysia with some money to burn have plenty of choices.
Image © Nguyen Hung Vu/Creative Commons
Your humble guide is happy to report that I've filed more reports for these potential Malaysia travelers elsewhere, as part of a publication for Tourism Malaysia. Culture vultures can read more about exploring historic Melaka, or find out when one of the many Malaysian events and festivals takes place. Shopaholics can read all about the shopping in Kuala Lumpur. Nature trippers can read about five Malaysian National Parks of interest. And luxury travelers can check into one of Malaysia's five most luxurious city hotels, or if they're the sun-and-beach type, they can relax in one of Langkawi's five most luxurious resorts.
If you enjoyed these articles and would like to find out more about travelling to Malaysia, please visit the Tourism Malaysia website.
For information you need to know before flying into Malaysia, read our primer on Malaysia Travel Information.