Top 5 family getaways – MALAYSIA WORLD HERITAGE TRAVEL SITE

Planning a holiday is tough enough, but planning a kid-friendly holiday? Where to go? What to do? With the many activities Malaysia has to offer, parents would have a tough time making arrangements that cater to everyone’s needs.The beach? But Sally doesn’t swim. The mall? But John would rather go skate-boarding. Fear not, for we have taken into consideration the needs of beach bums, mall rats, adrenaline junkies, nature and animal lovers, to come up with a list featuring the top five destinations for families.

1. Pulau Langkawi
With the array of amazing beaches Malaysia has to offer, families should not miss out on the clear, cool waters and the golden sand. Perhaps the most famous of them all, Pulau Langkawi in Kedah packs a punch, offering sparkling beaches and a wide variety of activities to choose from.

The Pulau Payar Marine Park are surrounded by coral reefs and attract visitors to swim, snorkel and scuba dive.

Take the cable car ride to the top of Mount Mat Chinchang for one of the most breathtaking views of Langkawi at the height of 708m above sea level. Then come back to solid ground to shop in the Oriental Village – a shopping zone built around a lake against the scenic backdrop of the mountains. Or catch a glimpse of the mysterious deep as the Pulau Payar Marine Park Snorkeling Tour takes you South of Langkawi Island to discover untouched corals and unsoilt marine life. For all you nature lovers, take the Langkawi Mangrove Forest and Eagle Watching Tour to experience Malaysia’s unusual ecosystem of mangroves, monitor lizards, limestone crags and mud crabs that brings to the viewer a delightful kaleidoscope of flora and fauna. With so much to do and more, the whole family would never know what “boredom” feels like in Pulau Langkawi.

The entrance to PETROSAINS cleverly not giving away the many wonders behind.

2. Suria KLCC
Shopping is a necessity, wherever you go. The urge to dress up the little tykes and purchase items for their delight is a mutual feeling among all parents. That being said, where better to shop, yet keep your kids entertained than at Suria KLCC? Malaysia’s premier shopping centre, Suria KLCC boasts shops on six floors and a cinema with a seating capacity of up to 2400 visitors.

Also, visit the next generation aquarium at Aquaria, the nation’s state-of-the-art oceanarium which houses over 5000 exhibits of aquatic and land-bound creatures. For starters, visitors will be able to touch the horseshoe crab, spotted starfish, and the gentle bamboo shark.

For those who are seeking a more adrenaline-driven activity, jump into in a custom made cage and experience diving with wildlife predators!

Another popular attraction for families is the 50-acre public park right in the heart of the golden triangle. Have an outdoor picnic under the canopy of greens in the middle of a bustling city, and then jump into the cool waters of the public pool for a refreshing change.

But family trips to KLCC will never be complete without spending a day at PETROSAINS – an interactive discovery centre that embraces and showcases general science in a fun and interactive manner. Visitors will be able to touch, feel and manipulate tangible exhibits that combine futuristic elements and a constructive learning experience to provide a wholesome exposure to all.

3. LEGOLAND Malaysia
Theme parks will always remain a popular attraction for both adults and children. With its exhilarating rides and mind-stimulating activities, the whole family can be sure to go back exhausted yet satisfied. Malaysia’s latest theme park attraction brings us to Johor, with the recent launch of LEGOLAND Malaysia.

Putting aside the fact that they have over 40 fun rides, shows, and attractions, the best part is that nearly everything requires a hands-on approach! Kids will love the pedalling, pushing, squirting, steering, splashing, programming and of course, the building experience!

Located right at the heart of LEGOLAND is MINILAND, where Asia’s beloved landmarks have been painstakingly recreated using more than 30 million LEGO bricks. With just a touch of a button, watch the animated characters in MINILAND come to life! A day-long voyage notwithstanding, LEGOLAND Malaysia puts the kids at the forefront, with them using nothing but creativity to take things a step further.

4. Kuala Lumpur Lake Gardens
Fancy taking some time off from the hustle and bustle of the city? With numerous hiking trails, recreational parks, and zoos, families will enjoy valuable time with one another, all done within the vicissitudes of nature. Take a trip to the Taman Tasik Perdana, or known as the Kuala Lumpur Lake Gardens, the city’s most popular park. Among the attractions here include the national monument, orchid garden, hibiscus garden, deer park, butterfly park, and the bird park.

At the Kuala Lumpur Bird Park, visitors can get really close to the birds who call the place home.

Visit the “World’s Largest Free-flight Walk-in Aviary” at the Bird Park, which is designed to imitate the natural habitat of birds, to provide visitors with an up-close-and-personal moment with a large variety of bird species. Children will enjoy the bird-feeding and bird-shows, while surrounded by mother nature. Or have your kids get in touch with Malaysia’s national flower in its most panoramic setting yet at the Hibiscus Garden, which houses over 500 species of hibiscus plants from all over the world.

5. Taiping Zoo
As far as zoos go, the national zoo would be the top pick for visitors, but for those who enjoy a smaller, more intimate setting, then the Taiping Zoo is the way to go. Nestled in the Taiping Lake Gardens, the abundance of natural flora gives the zoo the upper hand of being able to expose visitors to the wonders of nature. While it offers the usual daytime admission to all, both children and adults will be mesmerized by the night safari.

With the lighting specially designed to imitate the moonlight, visitors will be able to view nocturnal creatures in their natural settings. Dubbed “a window to the creatures of the night”, numerous sounds by these creatures can be heard in their peaceful environment. Home to over 180 species of animals including tigers, elephants, hippopotamus, giraffes and many more, visitors are welcomed to visit them in the “open concept” animal enclosures. The concept features natural barriers to separate them from visitors instead of cages.Visitors will also enjoy the cultural performances such as tribal dances and blowpipe demonstrations. Also, don’t miss the Creatures of the Night Show specially put up by the animals in the Night Safari.