Of course, thats not to say the backpacker is tied to Kuala Lumpur. Far from it, in fact leave KL with your rucksack on your back and a veritable wealth of rural delights awaits.

From the City to the Beach

After the on-rush of Malaysias capital, the large island of Penang provides the perfect come-down. Almost a country in its own right, Penang boasts the pleasingly relaxed colonial city of Georgetown, along with sparkling white beaches and a host of inland temples to really get lost in.

Hostels in Penang are uniformly cheap, and offer a great base from which to explore the island. Having chilled-out and people-watched in Georgetown, steal a view over much of the city from Penang Hill before hitting the beaches along the north coast or the small islands just off the south shoreline. 

And once youre kicking back on the white sands or dipping in the blue-lagoon seas, Malaysias rural appeal really becomes apparent. While Thailand may take all the glory, this is Southeast Asia, and the countrys shoreline is as good as any going.

Having rushed around KL and sauntered around Georgetown, then, Malaysias many small, tropical islands allow the backpacker to gently explore with the serene complexion of tranquillity. Try Langkawi for good beaches coupled with tourist facilities, or head to Tioman a remoter and less visited island thats often hailed as the most beautiful in the world.

All in all, its a delight from start to finish. From its bustling cities to its deserted shorelines, there are few countries that provide for the humble backpacker like Malaysia.