Northern Peninsula travel guide

North of KL are the temperate hill resorts and tea plantations of the Cameron Highlands, reminiscent of the English countryside and a popular weekend retreat. The former tin-rush town of Ipoh offers Straits Chinese architecture and some superb food. It is off the beaten track for many tourists, so makes a welcome break from the travel network. Offshore there is the 25-km-long island of Penang with its fine capital Georgetown packed with Chinese shophouses, temples and clan houses, and an array of beachside hotels. Less developed are the islands of Pulau Pangkor to the south and Pulau Langkawi to the north. The latter is closer to Thailand than to mainland Malaysia and offers world-class resorts, fine beaches and jungle adventures.