Malaysia is a country of rich cultural and natural diversity, home to Malay, Chinese, Indian and several smaller ethnic groups. See this diversity in the country’s architecture, religions, festivals and cuisines. The landscape encompasses mist-shrouded mountains, unspoiled beaches and steamy tropical forests. Visit to enjoy the outdoors and discover fascinating cultures.

Many visitors’ first taste of Malaysia is Kuala Lumpur. The capital is one of the most modern cities in the country, with a skyline dotted with skyscrapers. Walk along the Skybridge of the paired Petronas Twin Towers, one of the tallest buildings in the world. Dine in the revolving restaurant of the 1,380-foot (420-meter) Kuala Lumpur Tower. Beneath the tall structures are many mosques, shrines and temples. Admire the architecture of the National Mosque with its main dome the shape of an 18-point star. Visit the temples and markets of Brickfields known as “Little India” and browse the night markets of Chinatown.

Take a bus or train to the Batu Caves, 8 miles (13 kilometers) north of Kuala Lumpur. Hindus in Malaysia regard this as one of their holiest sites. Climb the more than 270 steps to tour cave temples and see ornate Hindu shrines.

Enjoy the country’s natural richness while trekking through Taman Negara National Park, one of the world’s oldest rainforests. Go on a safari along the Pahang River. Take the Jungle Railway between Gemas and Tumpat. Photograph the 150-foot (45-meter) limestone spikes known as the Pinnacles at Gunung Mulu National Park. Travel to the Northern Peninsula for its miles of beaches. While there, visit Georgetown to see its colonial buildings, fort and ancient temples.

For more of the country’s cultural treasures, head to the towns of the Southern Peninsula. Visit the churches, temples and mosques of Malacca. Explore Istana Lama Seri Menanti, an early 20th-century palace in Negeri Sembilan.

Malaysia is located just north of the equator, between Thailand and Singapore. The national language is Malay, but English is widely spoken. Enjoy Malaysia’s cultural diversity, spectacular scenery and year-round, hot subtropical climate.