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Malaysia


Malaysia is a land of contrasts; from the cool heights of the Cameron Highlands to the pristine beaches on Langkawi; from the urban bustle of Kuala Lumpur to the virgin jungle of Taman Negara, and from the upbeat energy of Georgetown in Penang to the languid beach resorts of the east coast.  Whatever you want from a holiday, you are sure to find it in Malaysia - relaxation, energy, fun packed city life and wildlife filled jungles.  Kuala Lumpur (or KL), the capital city, is home to the magnificent Petronas Towers.  The bustling island resort of Penang, off the West Coast, is more than just idyllic beaches - take a look at the capital, Georgetown's hidden treasures.  The peaceful island of Langkawi has isolated beaches, warm waters and dense tropical jungle, whilst the East Coast resorts of Kuantan and Tioman offer spectacular diving and snorkelling opportunities.  Cross to the exotic island of Borneo with its virgin rainforest, stunning resorts, and abundant flora and fauna, all of which is presided over by Mount Kinabalu, South East Asia's highest peak.

States and Territories
Fast Facts
Capital City: Kuala Lumpur
Population: 27,356,000 of which around 1.6 million live in Kuala Lumpur.
Area: 127,320 sq miles
Geography: Malaysia is located in the centre of South East Asia, bordered to the north by Thailand, to the South by Singapore and Indonesia, and to the East by the Philippines. It comprises Peninsular Malaysia and the states of Sabah and Sarawak on the north coast of Borneo, which combined are known as Eastern Malaysia, across the South China Sea from the peninsula. Peninsular Malaysia combines the forested mountains of the centre with mangrove swamps on the west coast and the sheltered beaches of the east coast, which are bordered by lush rainforest. The main island groups are Langkawi (99 islands), Penang and Pangkor off the west coast, and Tioman, Redang and others off the east coast. Sarawak and Sabah are mainly comprised of mountains and jungle and the latter is home to Mount Kinabalu, the country’s highest peak,
Climate: The east has its main rainy season between November and February, and August is the wettest month in the west, although rains can vary depending on prevailing monsoon winds. Average temperatures in Kuala Lumpur are around 27 degrees Celsius year round.
Language: Bahasa Melayu is the official language of Malaysia, though English is widely spoken, as are some Chinese languages.
Currency: Malaysian Ringgit Current rate £1 = RM6.96
Time: GMT +8 hours
Visa Requirements:  UK passport holders do not need a visa to visit Malaysia, though they must be in possession of an outbound ticket.


Getting to Malaysia
By Air
Malaysia Airlines is the national airline of Malaysia and offers frequent non-stop services between the UK and Malaysia. Flight time from London is around 12 ½ hours. Kuala Lumpur’s Sepang International Airport is around 34 miles south of the city centre, and there is a variety of public transport options linking the two. There are also airports at Kota Kinabalu (Sabah) and Kuching (Sarawak), as well airports serving the main tourist destinations, such as Penang and Langkawi.
 
Other airlines offering flights from the UK to Malaysia include: Emirates, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Etihad, Gulf Air, Qatar Airways, China Eastern Airlines, Korean Air, Sri Lankan Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, Eva Air, Thai Airways, and Japan Airlines, although all these airlines operate flights via other points in Europe, the Middle East or Asia.
 
By Boat
If you are travelling from elsewhere in South East Asia, it is possible to get to Malaysia by rail, road or sea! Various cruise ships use Malaysia’s ports and there is also a ferry service between Changi Point in Singapore and Tanjung Belungkor in Malaysia. 
 
By Rail
Travelling by rail, there are trains running between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore and Bangkok. The Eastern and Oriental Express Train runs a round trip from Singapore to Bangkok via Kuala Lumpur and back to Singapore.
 
By Road
By road, it is possible to travel from Thailand across the border into Peninsular Malaysia, and there are also two causeways linking Malaysia and Singapore. There are numerous coach companies operating these routes.


Getting Around Malaysia
By Air
Malaysia Airlines operates an extensive domestic network around Malaysia, and there is also a budget airline, Air Asia, which offers flights between major centres.   
 
By Boat
There are also plenty of ferries linking the main centres – coastal ferries link Penang with Butterworth, and there is a passenger ferry service between Port Kelang , Kuantan, Sarawak and Sabah. The islands of Langkawi, Tioman and Pangkor are also linked to the mainland by ferry route.   Across the China Sea in East Malaysia, there are other modes of transport, such as the l
long boats that link Labuan with Menumbak in Sabah, and the river buses and taxis of Sarawak. 
 
By Train
There are also trains in Peninsular Malaysia linking Kuala Lumpur with some of the more popular coastal destinations such as Penang. 
 
By Road
Travelling by road, there is one major highway that runs from the Thai border down to Johor Bahru. Car hire is widely available, and driving in Malaysia is easier than in some other South East Asian countries – traffic drives on the left, and the roads are clearly marked and destinations generally well signposted. There are also numerous coach operators offering journeys between the major centres.
 
Kuala Lumpur itself has a good public transport network comprising buses, light rail, commuter lines, momorail and mini buses. Taxis and trishaws are also widely available. 


Top Ten Things to Do and See in Malaysia
1.  Kuala Lumpur:
On the surface, Kuala Lumpur looks like many other Asian cities, with its gleaming skyscrapers, bustling streets and roadside food stalls. However, “KL” retains more of its local colour and character than many of the “tiger economy” Asian cities, and is an attractive city with an eclectic blend of Asian and Colonial influences, obvious in its architecture. Parliament House and the National Monument, one of the world’s largest free standing sculptures, can be found in the Tasek Perdana Lake Gardens; Kuala Lumpur’s Railway Station is more like a Moorish palace than a station, and the Sultan Abdul Samad Building is a mix of Victorian and Moorish architectural styles. But towering above the whole city are the Petronas Twin Towers, 436m tall and now the iconic landmark for this city the world over.
 
2.  Diving:
The diversity of marine life, the clear warm waters and the pristine beaches make Malaysia a firm favourite with all level of diver. In the waters off Malaysia you will find reefs, wrecks, coral, and plenty of exotic species of marine life – from hammerhead sharks to turtles, barracudas to the strange frogfish, there is always plenty to see beneath the surface. Some of the best dive sites can be found in the following areas: Lankayan Island, reputedly one of the best dive sites in Asia; Pulau Tenggol, known for its steep rocky underwater cliffs; Tunki Abdul Rahman Park, a group of five islands just a 10 minute boat ride from Kota Kinabalu; Layang Layang Island, famous with divers for its fascinating reef topography;  Labuan Island, where there are numerous wrecks to explore, and Sipadan Island, in Sabah, described by Jacques Cousteau as “an untouched piece of art”, voted by divers as one of the best five global dive destinations.
 
3.  National Parks
Malaysia is spoilt when it comes to National Parks, including marine parks, tropical rainforest and mangrove reserves. Almost three quarters of Malaysia’s landmass is still forested, of which around two thirds are virgin rainforest. In Malaysia, one of the world’s twelve mega-biologically diverse nations on the planet, you can find 150,00 species of invertebrate, 15,000 species of flowering plants, 4000 species of fish, and 286 mammal species.   Other than wildlife spotting, activities in the national parks include white water rafting, rock-climbing, trekking and river cruising. The best known of the National Parks is Taman Negara National Park in Peninsular Malaysia.
 
4.  Wildlife: 
Malaysia is a nature lover’s paradise, and the opportunities for wildlife spotting are almost second to none. Best known amongst the animal species found in Malaysia is of course the orang-utan,and the best place to get up close to these “wild men of Borneo” is the Sepilok Orang Utan Sanctuary in Sabah. Here you can observe orphaned or displaced orang utans being taught to climb, in preparation for their return to their natural environment. Other species native to Malaysia inclde the proboscis monkey, Malayan tiger and the rainforest tarantula. Malaysia is also a great place for bird watching – a good place to start is the Kuala Gula Bird Sanctuary in Ipoh, as is the Penang Bird Bark in Seberang Jaya.
 
5.  Trekking:
The Tamana Negara National Park is home to the world’s oldest tropical rainforest – 130million years old or thereabouts – and also some great jungle treks – the walks are clearly marked, and there is also a canopy walkway, which is popular with visitors. Trekking guides can be “hired” from the Wildlife Department at Taman Negara Resort. For the truly adventurous hiker, an ascent of South East Asia’s highest peak, Mount Kinabalu (4.094 metres) is a must! Located in the Kinabalu National Park, the climb itself is not technically difficult, but nevertheless must only be undertaken with a guide. For those just wishing to experience a trek through the jungle without the exertion of a full scale mountain climb, there are plenty of other opportunities, including the Templar Park 14 miles north of Kuala Lumpur, and the Cameron Highlands.
 
6.  Beaches:
Malaysia boasts some of the best beaches in South East Asia – and some of the best known! Penang is a bustling resort, and arguably the best beach is Batu Ferringi, north west of the state capital of Georgetown, and home to a number of internationally renowned hotels. Alternatively head for the free port and duty free Langkawi Island, home to beautiful white sand beaches, and plenty of shops of course!
 
7.  Caves
Malaysia is home to a staggering number of caves, many of which have been “developed” with the tourist in mind, and so are equipped with walkways, paths and platforms, others of which are still only accessible by boat. Some are famous archeological sites, others home to ancient rock artwork, some, such as the Batu Caves in Selangor are the site of Hindu Temples. No matter what the original purpose of the cave, they are generally all home to some amazing wildlife, as well as traditional cave features such as stalagmites and stalactites. In Gunung Mulu National Park, which is a World Heritage Site, you will find the largest cave system in the world.
 
8.  Culture and Heritage
There are numerous opportunities for visitors to Malaysia to immerse themselves in some of the culture and traditions of this fascinating nation – try your hand oat one of the country’s traditional if a little unusual sports – Sepak Takraw is similar to volleyball, but is played with a ball made out of strips of rattan; or in Johor, in the South of Malaysia, watch the Kuda Kepang dances, accompanied by music and chanting. There is also plenty of traditional style accommodation – spend the night in a Malaysian Longhouse along the rivers of Sabah and Sarawak. Malacca is perhaps Malaysia’s most historical town, founded back in the early 1400s, and there is still plenty of evidence to see today of the various occupations by the Portuguese, British and Dutch colonialists. There are also Heritage Trails visitors to Georgetown in Penang can follow, which give a great insight into the multicultural history of the region.
 
9.  Food
Malaysia’s cuisine is as rich and varied as its landscape and its people. The multi ethnic population of Malaysia has ensured that almost any palate is catered for here. Each of the Malaysian states has its own specialities, and styles of cooking – and of course, in the melting pot city of Kuala Lumpur, you can find it all! Try out the Baba Nyonya food of Malacca, or sample something from one of the hawker stalls on Gurney Drive, Penang – the herbal pork rib soup, bat kut teh is a local speciality. 
 
10.  Shopping
As with other destinations in South East Asia, shopping is a major preoccupation – if you fancy indulging in some retail therapy, then the best time to visit Malaysia is during one of the Mega Sales, held in August/September, when the entire country goes shopping mad and there are some ridiculous discounts on offer! No matter what you are shopping for, from antiques to state of the art hi tech goods, designer clothes to cosmetics, Malaysia is a great place to browse. And shopping is not just restricted to the capital, Kuala Lumpur – Langkawi and Labuan are both duty free zones, so the shopping there can be even better value for money. Aside from the major stores, make sure you visit the roadside stalls, the night markets and bazaars that are brimming with bargains and local colour.




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