THE Lonely Planet travel guidebook has picked Malaysia as one of the world’s top seven destinations for Year 2008, with many of its hottest tourist attractions on the east coast of peninsular Malaysia.

According to the international publisher, these tourist magnets include wildlife parks like Taman Negara, Lake Kenyir (South-East Asia’s largest man-made lake), elephant sanctuaries in Kuala Gandah as well as turtle sanctuaries. The latest to come on stream in 1999 was the Ma’ Daerah Turtle Sanctuary Centre in Kemaman.

According to the Lonely Planet website: “Malaysia is one of the most pleasant, hassle-free countries to visit in South-East Asia. It’s buoyant and wealthy and has moved towards a pluralist culture based on a vibrant and interesting fusion of Malay, Chinese, Indian and indigenous cultures and customs.

“Aside from the gleaming glass towers of the 21st Century, Malaysia boasts some of the most superb beaches, mountains and national parks in Asia.

“The jungle at Taman Negara is so dense that you could pass within metres of an animal and never know it. The probability of spotting wildlife increases the further you trek from the heavily-trafficked park headquarters…

“The greatest reward of a visit to Taman Negara has to be present in one of the world’s most pristine extant primary rainforests. The jungle here is claimed to be the oldest in the world. None of the Ice Ages had any effect here and Taman Negara has eluded volcanic activity and other geological upheavals.”

Malaysia joins six other countries as “best choice” for a holiday. Then there’s Armenia (famed for its medieval monasteries, mountain peaks, sighting of the ultra rare Caucasian leopard), Bhutan (the last surviving great Himalayan kingdom with towering monasteries, intact Tibetan culture and pristine Himalayan environment) and Eritrea in East Africa (for its surreal landscape and pristine reefs).

Other countries are Montenegro in Serbia (famed for its sultry coastline and Adriatic deep blue waters), Mozambique (for its stunning beaches located over a 2,500km coastline, rugged bush interior and pulsating Afro-Latino vibe) and Papua New Guinea (for its people who are living much the same way they have had for thousands of years, uncrowded surfs, live volcanoes and wildlife).

Lonely Planet publishes over 650 titles in 118 countries with annual sales of more than six million guidebooks.