Southern Peninsular Malaysia

For many long-term overland travellers Southern Peninsular Malaysia is their first stop in Southeast Asia after jetting in to Singapore. With the Straits of Melaka lapping at its western coast, the South China Sea lying to its east and the island city-state of Singapore linked to the south, the three southern states of Johor, Melaka and Negeri Sembilan make for a great introduction to Malaysia's natural wonders, as well as some of the kingdom's fascinating and rich cultural history.

Located a two-hour drive from Kuala Lumpur (commonly referred to as KL), the cosmopolitan city-state of Melaka is teeming with historical and cultural sites. Founded in the 15th century at its strategic location, the city soon became Southeast Asia's top maritime trading centre and oversaw a period of tremendous Malay prosperity.

Its allure however was also its downfall, and it was seized by the Portuguese in the 16th century, heralding a period of colonialism that also saw the Dutch and British wield control.

Melaka today is slowly transforming – and some would say losing its heart -- as Malaysia too develops, but it remains home to unique customs and traditions, a delicious home-grown cuisine and an intriguing meld of architectural influences. When they're done "antiques" hunting, travellers can explore further afield in the eponymous state to its beaches and islands, including Pulau Besar.

Johor is Malaysia's southernmost state. The relatively young and urban state capital of Johor Bahru offers little other than decent food, but plenty of natural attractions lie further afield. The state's highest peak, 1,276m Gunung Ledang, can be scaled during a serious two-day hike, and on a clear day the peak offers sprawling views of the Straits of Melaka and the coast of Indonesia's Sumatra.

The fishing village and sea port of Mersing serves as a gateway to the stunning palm-fringed islands of the Seribuat archipelago, including renowned Tioman, a well-deserved diver and snorkeller magnet that strictly speaking lies in Pahang state.

Endau-Rompin national park, which straddles both Johor and Pahang state, offers decent trekking opportunities through virgin dipterocarp forest, and is home to several endangered species such as the two-horned Sumatran rhinoceros. Also rare at the park is other tourists – they tend to flock instead to Taman Negara to the north.

Negeri Sembilan, which literally means nine states, lies between KL and Melaka and was settled centuries ago by the Minangkabau tribes from the highlands of Indonesia's western Sumatra. These people brought with them a distinctive architecture -- upswept rooves resembling buffalo horns are the main feature -- synonymous with the state today, along with a spicy cuisine.

The culture here still to an extent follows a matrilineal social system, which dictates marriage customs, inheritance rules and property ownership. The state capital of Seremban is a bit light on attractions but nearby lies the former royal town of Sri Menanti, home to the amazing Istana Lama, a wooden palace completed in 1908 without any nails.

The coastal resort of Port Dickson, a popular weekend retreat for Malaysians escaping the hustle of KL, is pleasant enough for a seaside break though the waters of the Straits of Melaka are not known for being particularly pristine.