Peace Park|Interesting Places In Sabah|Malaysia

Interesting Places In Malaysia

Peace Park at Layang-Layangan Village in the west coast of Labuan,Sabah is situated close to Surrender Point, the place where the 32nd Japanese Southern Army surrendered to the 9th Australian Imperial Forces on 9 September 1945. The Japanese arrived in Labuan on January 1, 1942, less than a month after they had started their campaign in Malaya at Kota Bharu. They took formal possession of the island on the 3rd, having faced no resistance.

The Peace Park was built as a memorial and also as a renunciation of the horrors of war. It is dominated by the memorial mound which is surrounded by landscaped gardens and pavilions. Small ponds with stone bridges and park seats are all Japanese-inspired. A bronze plaque commemorating the surrender is mounted on a stone slab near the entrance.


The Peace Park was heavily funded by the Japan Shipbuilding Industry Foundation, chaired by Ryoishi Sasagawa, as well as by families of the dead and comrades in arm from some industrial firms. On April 14, 1984, Mitsunori Ueki of the South Pacific Memorial Association Incorporation in Japan handed over the Peace Park ceremonially to the Sabah Chief Minister, Datuk Harris Salleh. Till this day, funding still comes in abundantly from Japan to keep the Peace Park in good shape.

With serene waters under arched bridges and around shaded gazebos that embrace the large raised mound with two outstanding curved walls that is the centre of attention in the Peace Park. At the entrance of the Park stood a distinguishable stone slab, and on it carved clearly to echo till the end of time – “Peace is the best”.

MAWAR House Handicraft Centre|Interesting Places In Johor|Malaysia

Interesting Places In Malaysia

MAWAR House Handicraft Centre is located close to Lido Beach, on Jalan Sungai Chat. The existing MAWAR (Majlis Wanita Johor or Johor Ladies Council) house was lavishly restored to preserve the rich architectural design of this heritage of Johor. The completed building is a stunning, yet functional structure that blends well with the new majectic Mawar Building.

The MAWAR House Handicraft Centre offers hand-drawn and dyed batik cloths, batik paintings, straw mats and other goods for sale, making it a one-stop handicraft centre destined to be one of Johor's leading tourist attractions. The village is the place to go for a fascinating demonstration of traditional songket weaving, batik silk painting and the art of fine pottery.

Also within the vicinity, is the MAWAR Gallery, dedicated to famous ladies of Johor. This permanent gallery is to honour the gracious and famous ladies of Johor, who have contributed immensely to the knowledge and achievements of Johor. Portraits of all past Sultanahs of Johor since 1886 until the present day, as well as ladies of the Royal Family and grand ladies of Johor are displayed here.

It serves as a tribute to ladies from all walks of life and professions, and as honour to their great achievements contributing to the growth and excellence of Johor. Housed in a building about 100 years old, the gallery is an amazing achievement towards the recognition of women in Johor.

Maybank Numismatic Museum|Interesting Places In Kuala Lumpur|Malaysia

Interesting Places In Malaysia

This museum is located in the city centre of Kuala Lumpur in the Maybank Tower near Puduraya. Although not as comprehensive and decorated as well as Bank Negara Money Museum, it has an impressive collection of coins and notes that go way back to the time of the Malacca Sultanate, the occupation of Malaya by the Portuguese, Dutch, British and Japanese during "World War 2. The exhibit was officially opened by the then Bank Negara Governor, Tan Sri Dato Jaafar Hussein on 9 January 1988.

The numismatic collection include the following :

. Miniature Cannons were used in Borneo as currency by the natives. They were used for bartering, wedding gifts and for barter trading. A real cannon is usually fired during weddings, births and visits by the VIPs.

. Malacca Sultanate 1400-1511 merchants used gold dust, silver bars and blocks of tin instead of coins. As more traders come in from the Middle East, Pasai coins were introduced during the reign of Sultan Muzaffar Shah.

. Portuguese Occupation 1511-1641 saw the introduction of the currency in the form of gold catholico, the silver malaquese, bastardos, soldos and dinheiros in an alloy of tin and lead.

. Malay States Currency in the form gold coin called "mas kupang" was used during the reign of Sultan Abdul Jalil Shah III from 1623-1677. In Kedah, the animal currency in the form of fighting cock was used in the 16th century. Tin ingots currency in the shape of an elephant and crocodile were used in Selangor and Perak.

. Straits Settlements 1826-1939 which were formed by three settlements of Penang, Singapore and Melaka began to use coins that were issued from the year 1826-1939. Many of the coins were issued during the reign of three English monarchs. They were Queen Victoria, King Edward VII and King George V.

. Foreign Currencies issued by Brunei, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand and the Phillipines are also on display here.

. Private Bank Notes used in Melaka and Penang are also shown here. The special currency notes used at Sungai Buloh Leprosarium was introduced in 1935 and was used only within the Sungai Buloh Leprosy Settlement. It was believed that the used of normal currency can lead to the spread of the disease.

. Bank Negara Malaysia first issued currency notes in June 1967 with denominations of $1, $5, $10, $50 and $100. A $1,000 denomination was issued on 2 September 1968. In the year 1982-1984, new design of currency notes of $1, $5, $20, $500, $10, $50, $100 and $1,000 with emphasis on Malaysian characteristics and security were introduced.

Kinabalu Park|Interesting Places In Sabah|Malaysia

Interesting Places In Malaysia

Kinabalu Park, the entrance to Mt Kinabalu, is located at 1,585 metres above sea level and is the main starting point for the summit trail that leads to the top of Mt Kinabalu. This flora and fauna botanical paradise covers an area of 754 sq km and is made up of Mount Kinabalu, Mount Tambayukon and the foothills. It was gazetted to preserve this valuable natural environment.

Establish as a state park in 1964, this botanical paradise is ranges over 4-climate zones, from the rich lowland dipterocarp forest through the montane oak, rhododendron, and coniferous forests, to the alpine meadows plants. And stunted bushes of the summit zone. Kinabalu Park has probably one of the richest flora collections in the world.

The biggest attraction in Kinabalu Park would be the Mount Kinabalu Botanical Garden and one of the world’s most prominent mountains, Mount Kinabalu. The mountains have a fascinating geological history, taking 'just' a million years to form. The mighty Mount Kinabalu is actually a granite massif that was later thrust upwards through the crust of the surface.

Subsequent erosion removed thousands of feet of the overlying sand and mud stone, exposing this massif. During the Ice Age, glaciers running across the summit smoothed it out, but the jagged peaks that stood out above the ice surface remained unaffected, retaining the extremely ragged surfaces. This rugged mountain is the focal point of the National Park.

Cat Museum|Interesting Places In Sarawak|Malaysia

Interesting Places In Malaysia

The Cat Museum is located on the Ground Floor of the Kuching North City Hall Headquarters Building at the Bukit Siol, Jalan Semariang, Petra Jaya, Kuching, Sarawak. It is owned by the Kuching North City Hall (DBKU). There are 2000 exhibits, artifacts, statues about cats from all over the world. According to Malaysian and Chinese beliefs, the cat is a lucky animal.

The museum covers an area of 1,035.9 square meters on top of the hill called 'Bukit Siol' which stands 60 meters above the sea level with beautiful sceneries overlooking the beautiful city of Kuching. The responsibilities of the Cat Museum are to carry out research, collection, presentation, documentation, promotion, publication, education and awareness of historical heritage, cultures and the natural environment.

The Cat Museum's cat artefacts displayed were previously on show for the first time at the National Museum, Kuala Lumpur, in 1987 as one of its gallery. Later it was brought to Kuching (The Cat City) under the care of Sarawak Museum and was put on display for the first time on 1 August 1988, when Kuching was proclaimed as a Cat City. Today, the collection of the exhibited materials from all over the world is one way of making the Cat Museum as a "Cat Information Centre".

Portuguese Square|Interesting Places In Melaka|Malaysia

Interesting Places In Malaysia

The Portuguese Square is Melaka’s version of the Lisbon Square. It lies on the Malacca town outskirts, in the district of Ujong Pasir. This place was the settlement area of the Portuguese sailors and warriors. While staying there, they eventually married some of the local girls and decided to stay there permanently. To this day, the area is home to the descendants of the Portuguese.

Through the years, the Eurasians who stayed here are considered to be excellent cooks. They are also well versed in entertaining other people. Because of this, the area became the favorite among the Melaka attractions for everyone who wants to have a great night. Every Saturday evening, the square lights up in a festive mood and performers participate in cultural dances to their heart’s content. Performances take place in the square where visitors can observe dancers spiral around in their customary costumes to the musical harmony of the orchestra. Every other night, including Saturdays, you’ll hear bands playing the night away in a scene resemblant to Portuguese style living.

Notable in this area is the Portuguese food wherein the recipes have been handed over for generations which has become part of Melaka tourism. The Portugal square is famous for its restaurants, which serve sumptuous seafood dishes like fragrantly spiced baked fish wrapped in banana leaves. Be sure to come here at dawn where you will still have time to shop in their stalls for a good souvenir.

St. John's Fort|Interesting Places In Melaka|Malaysia

Interesting Places In Malaysia

There is another fort which are not far from A’Famosa which is St, John’s Fort. St. John’s Fort is a military installation situated on top of St. John’s Hill in Bandar Hilir, south of Melaka. Later it was made into a Dutch military installation in the late 18th century.

Rebuilt by the Dutch in the 18th century, St. John's Fort was once a private Portuguese chapel dedicated to St. John the Baptist. St John's Fort used to be a vantage point from which to defend Melaka from attack, but it is no longer near the shore line following land reclamation work in the 20th Century. Note also that the majority of the canon positions face in land, indicating the fact St John's was last used to defend Melaka from attack over land, not from the sea.

Today, the National Museums Department is taking care of this important historical remnant; and in the early morning or late in the afternoon, one will find many joggers running up and down the hill as it is one of the more popular jogging spots. Thus, besides it being used as a historical attraction for tourists, locals also used the hill to keep themselves in trim and view the new skyline of Malacca.

Monkey Tops Safari|Interesting Places In Sabah|Malaysia

Interesting Places In Malaysia

Monkey Tops Safari is located about 100 km south of Kota Kinabalu, Sabah and accessible by highway and takes about 1 hour 30 minutes to get there. You can see an abundance of mangrove trees are found in the Klias Wetland Peninsula. This wetland forest is enriched with vegetation and wildlife such as the proboscis monkeys, long tail macaques, crocodile, fireflies and many species of birds.

The building is made of local building materials and can accommodate at least 200 visitors at any one time. The complex houses a counter bar and a souvenir shop with a good assortment of local handicrafts. It also has a 30 feet observation tower that enables you to enjoy the sighting of tropical wetland and its rich wildlife across the river banks. The complex has a 500-feet boardwalk with Nipah Atap roofing and a river jetty providing a comfortable river cruise.

Facilities they have are built using local materials, eco-lodge consist of boardwalk, bird watch tower, dining hall, sundeck, fish spa and space for 300 visitors. Multi-media facilities for seminar for seminar etc are available. Incentive group event most ideal. River cruise boat 25-33ft, capacity 16-30 people on most comfortable seating.

Langkawi Cable Car|Interesting Places In Kedah|Malaysia

Interesting Places In Malaysia

Langkawi Cable Car is located on the southwest coast of the main island, just a 30-minute drive from Kuah Town and only 15 minutes from Langkawi International Airport. The Langkawi Cable Car is a major attractions in Langkawi Island, Kedah, Malaysia. It provides an aerial link from Burau Bay Resort at Teluk Burau to the peak of Machinchang mountain, the location of the Langkawi Sky Bridge. The total length is 2.2 km (1.4 miles). It was officially opened on 2003.

A cable car ride takes you to Langkawi's second highest peak, where the view of the surrounding islands is spectacular. On a clear day, you can see parts of Thailand towards the north and Indonesia towards the south-west. The cable car ride up the hill takes about 20 minutes and is highly exhilarating. The over-ruling height of Machinchang mountain(708m), its commanding views over Langkawi, the western sea-coast, and the dramatic views over the funnel with its staggered rock blocks will make the visitors wonder in amazement and bring the visitors so close to nature that they can practically touch it.

Another unique attraction to the Langkawi Cable Car is the Langkawi Sky Bridge. The bridge is located atop of the Machinchang mountain and forms part of the Gunung Machincang Geo-eco Tourism Park. The sky bridge hangs at about 100m above the ground, swinging out over the landscape to give visitors a unique spatial experience. Measuring 125m in length, the structure ranks among the world’s longest curved suspension bridge. As a bonus, your ride will take you over jungle waterfalls and a thick carpet of virgin rainforest. It's a very educational and thrilling experience for the whole family.

Lambir Hills National Park|Interesting Places In Sarawak|Malaysia

Interesting Places In Malaysia

The famed Lambir Hills National Park is located along the Miri-Bintulu road, 36 km south-west of Miri town in Sarawak, East Malaysia. It was gazetted as a park in 1975, and covers an area of 6,952 hectares. This park has an outstanding regional and global conservation significance for its extraordinary species-rich forest, ideal for botanist and researchers throughout the world. Moreover, the park has a high potential value for recreational, educational and research purposes.

There are around 1,173 tree species in the park alone, with 286 genera and 81 tree families making Lambir one of the more diversified forests in Malaysia. Wild animals can also be found in the deeper parts of the park, especially monkeys, sun bear, pangolin and bats. The main attraction of the park is its beautiful waterfalls, the nearest just a mere 0.18 km is Latak Waterfall. It is a 20 minutes walk from the Park office. The waterfall is about 25 metres high and pluges sheer into a large deep pool with a broad sandy poolside.

Visitors can also climb the tree tower and view the scenic Dipterocarp forest profile. it is also an excellent place for bird watching. There are also trails which are constructed for visitors to explore the forests, hills, valleys and waterfalls. They are well-marked no guide is required and can be explored unguided. However, the Summit Trail which leads to the Lambir's Summit, does require a guide and is excellent for adventurous hikers.

Kota Tinggi Waterfall|Interesting Places In Johor|Malaysia

Interesting Places In Malaysia

The Kota Tinggi Waterfall is located 62km away from Johor Bahru, and 16km away from Kota Tinggi, Johor. The waterfall, which is 36m high, originates from the top of Mount Panti. The waterfall area is a great place to have family picnics, but the place can get crowded during the weekends. The scenery is perfect as you watch the water cascading down with the view of the 600m high Gunung Muntahak in a distance.

A favourite among locals, this tall, cool waterfall with its pristine recreational forests and good jungle tracks, is just one of the many attractions of Kota Tinggi. Almost like a water-themed park, the corresponding stretch of rapid water had been channelled to whisk bathers seeking adventure, down the slide with a huge inflatable tube. Definitely for the thrill-seekers but the upper pools where the cascades flow are left untouched.

Visitors can spend a night there at a Swiss style chalets built near the falls which is equipped with cooking facilities. There are public changing rooms and camping grounds at the base of the waterfall. There is also a restaurant nearby that provides both Chinese and Western food. Food stalls are set up here as well. A camping ground has also been opened for those who wish to camp out. There are parking spaces available for cars, buses and motorcycles as well.

Mulu Caves National Park|Interesting Places In Sarawak|Malaysia

Interesting Places In Malaysia

The Mulu Caves National Park is situated close to the southern border of Brunei and Malaysia, about 100km east-southeast of the town of Miri and 100km due south of Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei. Mulu Caves National Park is home to one of the longest networks of caves in the world. Here lies the worlds largest underground chamber, the Sarawak Chamber, capable of accommodating forty Boeing 747 airplanes.

The Park has three mountains, Gunung Mulu 2,376m, Gunung Api 1,750m and Gunung Benarat 1,585m. Many of Mulu’s attractions lie deep below the surface. Hidden right underneath the forested slopes of these mountains is one of the largest limestone cave systems in the world. There are at least 300km more of explored caves, which provides a spectacular sight. These caves are also home to millions of cave swiftlets and bats.

The alluvial plain in the park comprises of lowland alluvial forest, tropical heath forest, peat swamp and riparian forest. It is the most complex vegetation formation in the park. Some emergent species attain a height of forty meters, with maximum girths of 250m. Mulu Caves National Park is also considered to be one of the richest sites in the world for palms, with approximately 111 species and 20 genera recorded.

Besides exploring Mulu's underground world there are many other activities which can be enjoyed as short day trips out from Park Headquarters. They include trekking without a guide, longboat river trips and guided walks. Dense vegetation clings to every surface and trees are draped with orchids, ferns and creepers. Insects, lizards and squirrels dash up and down the tree trunks with butterflies and dragonflies adding a burst of colour as they glide by. Peculiar insects buzz past in search of a mate and a wild perfume wafts down from the canopy where tropical flowers bloom.

Beras Basah Island|Interesting Places In Kedah|Malaysia

Interesting Places In Malaysia

Beras Basah Island or Pulau Beras Basah is one of the 99 magnificent islands in Langkawi,Kedah. The beautiful, less crowded and nearly untouched island is easily accessible with a boat from Pekan Kuah and Awana Porto Malai. It has a lush, mysterious forest with majestic mountains as its backdrop. The beach is breathtakingly beautiful with white powdery sand and blue green water. The mountainous surface of the island makes it a suitable refuge against the furious winds.

Popular activities there include snorkelling, swimming, para sailing and relaxing under the sun. Be careful of the occasional jelly fishes hovering near the shores though. Island hopping is highly recommended as it is a good way to tour this whole island as well as Pulau Singa Besar and Pulau Dayang Bunting. This island does not possess a hotel or lodging. Hence, tourists generally prefer to stay on the nearby inhabited islands. The small ferry boats take the tourists from the main island to this place every day.

Beras Basah Island is also popular with Caucasian tourists who are ready to catch some sun. Paragliding and 'Banana Boat' rides are offered at this stop. This is an ideal place to unwind and to relax. With the crystal clear sea water, exotic sandy beaches and breath taking views making this place a perfect spot for a memorable holiday. Visitors can spend a calm and leisure time on the pleasant beach here.

Wetland Park|Interesting Places In Putrajaya|Malaysia

Interesting Places In Malaysia

Putrajaya Wetlands in Putrajaya, Malaysia is believed to be the largest constructed freshwater wetlands in the tropics .It has a total area of 200 hectares (3.35 km²). Putrajaya Wetlands consists of 24 wetland cells, Wetlands Park (Taman Wetland) and the other Wetlands areas. The Wetland now is also a wildlife sanctuary which attracts a huge variety of animals to the combined terrestrial-aquatic wetland environment.

This park is highly popular among health buffs in the mornings and during weekends, picnickers throng its surroundings. Pergolas are available if you want to have a shaded picnic with tables and benches. Otherwise, plenty of trees offer a cool respite from the tropical heat.

Putrajaya Wetlands has also embarked on planning and implementing recreational and educational activities by adopting a holistic approach towards creating a premier eco-tourism park. It is also constantly revising and updating the programmes and activities to give better experience for its visitors. There is also a range of camping opportunities and youth leadership camps for children and teenagers.

The Sultan Abdul Aziz Royal Gallery|Interesting Places In Selangor|Malaysia

Interesting Places In Malaysia

The gallery is located in 'old' Klang, which is an 'old' town of central Malaysia, approximately 35kms west of Kuala Lumpur. The Sultan Abdul Aziz Royal Gallery in Klang was first commissioned in 2002. The museum is a dedication of the ninth Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, the present Selangor Sultan to honour his late father, Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah.

There are various royal collections depicting the reigning period of the late king, from his early childhood through his appointment as the eighth Sultan Selangor in 1960 and as the eleventh King in 1999. Among the collections include replicas of Selangor's crown jewels, royal seal of Sultan Sir Abdul Samad (fourth Selangor Sultan) and state sword decorated with silver and Burmese rubies used by the fifth Selangor Sultan.

The exhibits in the gallery are evenly paced and more importantly, they are attractively positioned to allow visitors enough room to contemplate and digest the available information and exhibits. It may well deserve the accolades of being the best in its league and has definitely set new benchmark for must-see museums in Malaysia.