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MALAYSIA TRAVEL GUIDE
As one of South-East Asia’s most developed nations, Malaysia has long been a favoured tourist destination, famed for its stunning island beaches, cultural cities and delicious food. Kuala Lumpur is its capital and largest metropolis, home to the lofty Petronas Towers and mega markets, while other nearby tourist hotspots are coastal Malacca and the mountainous Cameron Highlands.
Many visitors come to Malaysia to laze on its fine beaches and discover its colonial past, with the islands of Langkawi and nearby Penang fitting the bill well. Malaysia is also popular with scuba divers and jungle trekkers, as its territory extends over to the densely-forested island of Borneo.
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MALAYSIA WEATHER - When to Go
Malaysia sees distinct wet and dry seasons and is humid year-round. The best time to visit is during the dry season, between April and October. Although still fairly humid, it is generally nice and sunny at this time. If you visit during the rainy season, between October and April, be mindful if planning to see the east coast where it rains longest and heaviest. On Malaysia’s Borneo territories of Sabah and Sarawak, it is wettest from October to March.
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MALAYSIA HIGHLIGHTS - Places to Visit
- Kuala Lumpur: commonly referred to as ‘KL’, the Malaysian capital city is the country’s biggest attraction, although slightly lacking the depth of attractions of neighbouring Bangkok and Singapore, with world class sights like the Petronas Towers, KL Tower and Merdeka Square, there is still plenty on offer for sightseers. Shopping and dining are also good, with the legendary Golden Triangle district being the place to head for an evening out. Everything from KFC and McDonald’s to Chinatown’s ubiquitous noodle stands and food courts are here. Out of town you’ll find the world famous Batu Caves, with their giant caverns, rock climbing opportunities and scavenging monkeys.
- Penang: this busy island lying off the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia, not far from Butterworth, is a major tourist draw. While not quintessentially Malay, it displays a wealth of colonialism in its capital, Georgetown, and has fine beaches on its western side to boot. Penang is a particular favourite with backpackers on the banana trail who generally head for the bustling Chulia Street in Georgetown, with its cheap hotels, cafés and bars, while just east of here, at the port, is historic Fort Cornwallis. Penang also has a large Chinese presence and the temples of Kuan Yin Teng and Khoo Kongsi are must-sees. Also, be sure to check out one of the world’s largest mosques and the delightful fruit plantations in the centre of the island. Penang is a short flight from KL and a short ferry ride from mainland Butterworth.
- Langkawi: Malaysia’s chief beach holiday destination lies in the far northwest of the territory, not far from the Thai border and the island of Penang. It consists of a stunning archipelago of islands with Langkawi being the main draw. High quality beaches Tanjung Rhu and Pantai Cemang have the bulk of the infrastructure and beauty. Bathing and water sports are the main beach draws while good eating, entertainment and duty-free shopping can also be had. For a spot of sightseeing on the island, be sure to check out Padang Matsirat, Mahsuri’s Tomb and Air Hangat Village. Langkawi has an airport and is a short flight away from KL, while a train/bus and ferry ride from KL is also available.
- Malacca: not far from Kuala Lumpur, Malacca (Melaka) is a very popular tourist destination on the west coast. Its charm lies in its close-knit streets and canals, and the town is awash with reminders of the Portuguese, Dutch and British seafaring days in the region. Christ Church is the main sight in town, along with nearby Red Square and St Paul's Church, while Poh San Teng Temple and several interesting museums are also worth a look, especially the Beauty Museum. Melaka Zoo will appeal to families. There are sadly no bathing beaches in Malacca. Eating and drinking options abound in town and the markets are lots of fun. Malacca is a few hours by bus from both KL and Singapore, and as it is situated between the two, it makes for an ideal stop-over point to break up the journey if travelling by land.
- Cameron Highlands: perfect for those who enjoy walking, the Cameron Highlands lie in the centre of Peninsular Malaysia, not far north of KL, and are ideal for escaping the heat. This hilly region is a bit of a dizzy trip, with no end to switchback turns, yet is well worth the effort. The region was opened up by the British when they established a series of lofty hill stations here and it also happens to be the heart of Malaysia's tea industry. Tiered tea plantations dot the hillsides and are lovely to see during sunrise and sunsets, while several established jungle trails range from a few hours up to a day’s worth of good trekking. The main village up here has good eateries and cafés. The Cameron Highlands are several hours by bus from Penang or KL.
- Johor Bahru: more of a stop-off place on the way to or from Singapore than a destination on its own merits, this busy city is home to around a million people and has a bustling atmosphere. You’ll find some of the country’s best cuisine here in among the market stalls, as well as mega shopping malls, a glut of golf courses and water sports at Danga Bay. Other attractions in and around Johor include the nearby Orchid Valley and the Haji Ali House, although the food and shopping are the city’s biggest attractions.
- Kota Kinabalu: the capital of the territory of Sabah on Borneo is a popular destination for those wishing to venture out. It is also a launch point for Mount Kinabalu and nearby tropical islands. Widely referred to as KK, Kota Kinabalu has loads of hotels and eateries and a huge amount of contemporary Islamic architecture to discern. The nearby Kampung Air stilt village is a must-see. Mount Kinabalu is about 50 miles east of KK within Kinabalu Park and houses Borneo's tallest mountain. The 13,000-foot plus Low's Peak can be reached within a day’s hard slog via roped ways.
- Other Malaysia Highlights: the island of Labuan, near Borneo, is lots of fun; those into national parks should also check out Miri on Sarawak, Borneo, which is the gateway to Gunung Mulu National Park; and Sipadan Island on the easternmost tip of Peninsular Malaysia is popular with scuba divers.
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MALAYSIA HOSPITALITY - Eat, Drink, Sleep
- Food and Eating Out: Eating is one of the main delights of a visit to Malaysia. All types of food can be had, from traditional Malay treats to excellent Chinese and Indian fare, as well as all types of Western foods in the big cities. Hawker markets feature colourful vendors in every city, town and village and have the best food for cheap prices. Curries are generally the best deal here followed by fish and seafood along the coasts and on the islands.
- Entertainment and Nightlife: Having fun at night outside of the large cities can sometimes be difficult in Malaysia, but although the country is predominantly Muslim, most places serve alcohol. That said, the states of Kelantan and Terengganu have banned alcohol. KL, Penang and Langkawi have some of the best nightlife, although it may not be immediately obvious in the capital. The island of Labuan off the Borneo coast is also lots of fun.
- Accommodation: in Malaysia is generally good value for money and you can even get a nice room in a quality hotel in Kuala Lumpur for a good price. Everybody is catered for, with cheap backpacker places available in all touristy towns and cities right up to five-star luxury in KL and plush resorts in Langkawi. The mainstay of hotels in Malaysia is mid-range and you can really get a good deal in this area. Ensure you book any hotels ahead of time between April and October.
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MALAYSIA FLIGHTS - Flying from the UK
Direct flights are available between London and Kuala Lumpur with Malaysia Airlines.
Otherwise, your best bet is to fly to one of the nearby major Asian flight hubs - Bangkok or Singapore - and fly on from there to Malaysia. Flights with stop-overs in Dubai and the Middle East may also offer good deals.
Try Expedia.co.uk, Lastminute.com or ebookers for flight options to Malaysia.
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