Chinese culture and good food among the main draws

BEIJING: The preservation of Chinese culture and delicious food are among the reasons many Chinese nationals chose Malaysia as one of their favourite holiday destinations.

Scriptwriter Mao Lvzi, who has made almost 20 trips to Malaysia, said she respected the efforts of Malaysians in preserving Chinese culture.

“The Chinese descendants in Malaysia are very united; they have done a good job in passing down the rich culture and good moral values,” she said.

Mao is a hardcore durian fan and did not mind flying a few hours to Malaysia just to indulge in the King of Fruits.

“This is one fruit that I can’t resist,” she said, adding she also loves fried kuey teow, roast pork and seafood.

Mao is planning to go on a scuba diving trip to Sipadan Island soon, one of the world’s top destinations for the sport.

“I have heard a lot about it and saw many pictures of this place. Now, I want to go and experience it for myself,” she said.

General manager Zhou Zhuang and his wife Liu Zhifeng are staying on until the first day of the Chinese New Year.

“Our friends who have been to Malaysia highly recommended it and we are happy that we took their advice. My wife and I fell in love with the country the moment we arrived ... the people are warm and friendly,” he added.

The couple also tossed Malaysianinvented yee sang for the first time.

“This is just wonderful. We hope we will have a good and prosperous year ahead. The rich Spring Festival atmosphere here make us feel at home,” said Zhou.

Food lover Cha Ba said he loved to come to Malaysia to have fresh durians.

“Fruits must be consumed fresh,” he said, adding that while frozen durians were sold in China, “nothing compares with eating the fresh fruit at its place of origin.”

Another food lover, who only wished to be known by his WeChat ID name Arlo, said he appreciates that many Malaysians still prepare foodstuff by hand and cook the traditional way.