Eastern Peninsular Malaysia

The vast swath of territory encompassed by Eastern Peninsular Malaysia forms what many consider to be the heartland of Malay culture. With the Titiwangsa mountain range to the west and the South China Sea to the east, this region stretches from the Thai border in the north all the way to Johor in the south. It boasts a rich jungled interior and stunning beaches and islands -- some would rank the beaches amongst the best in the entire region.

Yet despite this wealth of attractions, the East, made up of Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang States, sees less tourists than the far busier west coast. Physically cut off from the west by the mountainous interior (the railway didn't reach Kelantan till the 1930s), the region's relative isolation saw it develop on a different track to the rest of the country.

While Terengganu has oil, the region lacked the substantial tin deposits and so never saw the immigration in large numbers that the Peninsular's west coast did. The result is a more Malay populace and an ongoing reliance on agriculture and fishing as the primary industry. The region is also seen to be considerably more conservative in its religious outlook than other parts of Malaysia, with the northernmost state of Kelantan being Malaysia's most conservative Muslim state by far.

For the foreign visitor this all translates into a more rustic, low-key travel experience. Those with a strong interest in Malay culture will find this region to be especially interesting, with both Terengganu and Kelantan housing numerous excellent museums -- both states are considered to be outstanding examples of Malay handicrafts.

If you're more interested in some downtime on the beach, you're in the right area -- there is no shortage of coastline and the offshore islands -- choose from the Perhentian, Redang, Kapas and Tioman islands -- are world class. Back on the mainland, don't forget the backpacker hangout of Cherating -- it has been responsible for many an itinerary shake-up.

This region is also home to Malaysia's crown jewel of national parks, the sprawling Taman Negara National Park -- which straddles all three states. Malaysia's oldest and largest national park, it encompasses pristine rainforest -- including some of the oldest rainforest in the world -- and a wealth of bird life. Visits can entail anything from a short stroll in the woods to quite demanding four- and nine-day treks into the park. For the traveller with a keen interest in the natural environment, Taman Negara is where it's at.

Further to the south you'll find Kenong Rimba National Park, smaller and less-visited than Taman Negara, it is more affordable and still boasts an impressive range of bird life --along with a well developed trail network.

The region is bisected by the Jungle Railway -- a spectacular train route running from Tumat in the far north to the mainline station of Gemas in the south. There is also a good road network supported by comprehensive bus coverage. Airport coverage is more limited with the state capitals of Kota Bharu, Kuala Terengganu and Kuantan all having airports, none of which are regional hubs.

When compared to Malaysia's west coast, this is a more conservative region. Both men and women should keep that in mind when making wardrobe decisions. Less of an issue for most, alcohol can be quite a challenge to find -- especially in Kelantan -- Chinese owned restaurants and shops and larger hotels are generally your best bet.