Malaysia

At a Glance

Malaysia is a Southeast Asian country of remarkable diversity, where the rainforest-covered highlands of Borneo and the Peninsula, the street food culture of Penang, the colonial heritage of Malacca, and the skyline of Kuala Lumpur all form part of the same journey. The population is a blend of Malay, Chinese, Indian, and indigenous cultures, and this is reflected most deliciously in the food, which is arguably the best in the region. It suits a very wide range of travellers and is consistently underrated.

• Home to the world's oldest rainforest — older than the Amazon by 70 million years.
• Four of the world's top 10 tallest buildings have been built here.
• Ranks higher for press freedom than Singapore despite being its poorer neighbour.