First timers in the city will obviously want to see the Petronas Towers up close (to walk across the Skybridge you need to be there at 8.30am to get one of the free tickets). An alternative is to visit the viewing platform of KL Menara which, due to its construction on a hill, actually looks down on the towers.
There's also some enjoyment to be had from visiting Masjid Jamek on Jalan Tun Perak, one of the oldest mosques in the city dating back to 1907. As well as being architecturally fascinating, it also sits where the Klang and Gombak rivers meet — the 'muddy confluence' which translates to 'Kuala Lumpur'. It was here that the city was born.
Generally though, while KL is a splendid place for shopping, dining and living, it doesn't offer up much in the way of sights for tourists. After two or three days you'll be inclined to try somewhere different. Hop on a luxury coach to Penang — it takes no longer than flying if you include waiting time at the airport, but gives you the chance to see Malaysia's enormous palm oil plantations.
Food is centre of life in Penang. If you're a fan of spice, try the Penang nasi kandar (rice drenched with lashings of different curries). You can buy it anywhere, but Nasi Kandar Line Clear in Penang Road is especially good.
The largest Buddhist temple in South-East Asia, Kek Lok Si, can be found in Air Itam, but most people are drawn to Penang to see the colonial architecture that Georgetown offers. Look out particularly for the Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, which is a sensational blue colour guaranteed to get keen photographers snapping.
For those with just a week to spare, get the ferry from Penang to Langkawi and spend a few days lounging on the beach. However, those with time to really explore should fly from Penang International Airport to Kota Kinabalu in Sabah. Air Asia usually offers the cheapest flights.
There's plenty of beach opportunities in KK, as it's known, but plough forwards to Mount Kinabalu, located in Kinabalu National Park. At a height of 4095m (13,435 ft) it's possible to hike to the summit, but take a jacket to fight the cold, and don't even consider it if your usual idea of a hike is leaving the sofa to grab a beer.
Take the bus to Sandakan, where you can spend time considering the horrors of the Sandakan Death Marches, the single worst atrocity suffered by Australian servicemen during the World War II. Having paid your respects at the Sandakan War Memorial Park on Mile 8, Jalan Labuk Utara, seek out the Sepilok Orang Utan Sanctuary to lift your spirits again.
To round off your two weeks, stock up on books and hit the beach. Two of the country's most scenic options lie off Sandakan — Turtle Island, for the sight of turtles coming ashore every night to lay eggs, or Lankayan, for totally stunning beaches and solitude. Fully rested, you can fly direct from Sandakan Airport back to KL.
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