Malaysia is a country with incredible natural riches. Here the oldest rainforest in the world has formed the framework for a fantastic wealth of vegetation and wildlife. Turtles breed on the east coast and the endangered orangutan lives in the rainforest. But Malaysia is also a land of contrasts. The population consists of a mixture of Chinese, Malaysians, Indians, and Arabs. Muslim mosques and Hindu sanctuaries thrive side by side. But in spite of a rapid economic development, Malaysia has managed to preserve the traditional cultures of the country. Find your travel arrangement to Malaysia here
Region and City Guides
Region:
City:
Facts
Local name
Malaysia
Capital
Kuala Lumpur
Size
330.434 km2
Principal Languages
The official language is bahasa malaysia.
Principal Religion
Islam is the dominant religion. Furthermore there is Buddhism, Taoism and Hinduism.
Inhabitants
21.793.293 (2000)
Government
Constitutional monarchy
Geography
Malaysia consists of the peninsula Malaysia and of East Malaysia. The country is divided in 13 regions. The biggest regions are Sarawak and Sabah, which are situated on the island Borneo. Half of Malaysia is covered by rainforest, but because of the intense destruction of the forest due to the hunt for rubber trees, the rainforest is endangered.
Travel preparation
Best time to visit
The climate is tropical in Malaysia, and it is summer all year. It is best to avoid the rainy season (the monsoon) from November to January, especially if you would like to enjoy the nature parks, which often close during the monsoon. If you want to see turtles on the East Coast of the island, the best time is from May to September.
Literature
Lonely Planet Malaysia, Singapore & Brunei
Culture Shock! Malaysia
Frommers Singapore & Malaysia
Fodors Singapore
Malaysia : Singapore & Brunei : The Rough Guide
Blue Guide Malaysia & Singapore
Culture Shock! Malaysia
Frommers Singapore & Malaysia
Fodors Singapore
Malaysia : Singapore & Brunei : The Rough Guide
Blue Guide Malaysia & Singapore
Local conditions
Weight and Measures
In Malaysia they use the following units of weight and measurement:
Weight: kilo
Temperature: Celsius
Distances: metre
Cubic content: litre
Weight: kilo
Temperature: Celsius
Distances: metre
Cubic content: litre
Photography
The principal rule is that you can take as many pictures as you like. But if you would like to take pictures of people, you should ask first. In some religions it means bad luck to be photographed. Do not take pictures of military installations or in airports.
Drinking water
You can drink water from the tap in many places in Malaysia, but far from everywhere. It is therefore recommended that you buy bottled water just to be safe. At the places where they serve tap water it is generally safe to drink, even though it tastes more of chlorine than here in the UK.
Electricity
In Malaysia they use the following current:
220 Volt, 50 Hz.
220 Volt, 50 Hz.
Behaviour
It is prohibited to bathe topless in Malaysia. Malaysians are rigidly self-controlled people with an extreme sense of honour. It is considered a sign of weakness if you show your emotions - and bodily contact in public is considered embarrassing. The left hand is seen as impure, and you should therefore only use your right hand when you greet somebody or accept things.
Business Hours
Banks are open from 10.00 to 15.00 (Monday to Friday) and from 9.30 to 11.30 (Saturday).
The shops are open from 9.00 to 17.00/22.00 (Monday to Friday). Most shops close a couple of hours in the middle of the day. Opening hours on Saturdays vary a lot.
Public offices are open from 9.00 to 17.00 (Monday to Friday).
The shops are open from 9.00 to 17.00/22.00 (Monday to Friday). Most shops close a couple of hours in the middle of the day. Opening hours on Saturdays vary a lot.
Public offices are open from 9.00 to 17.00 (Monday to Friday).
Food and drink
Malaysian cuisine is a mixture of British, Thai, Indian, Chinese and Malaysian food. The main ingredients are rice and noodles, served with flesh like fish or chicken.
The preparation varies a lot in each region, but it is always highly spiced and flavoured. They serve many types of delicious fruit juice in Malaysia. If you would rather drink beer then Carlsberg, the preferred brand, is brewed in Malaysia.
The preparation varies a lot in each region, but it is always highly spiced and flavoured. They serve many types of delicious fruit juice in Malaysia. If you would rather drink beer then Carlsberg, the preferred brand, is brewed in Malaysia.
Disabled travellers
Conditions for disabled travelers are not very good in Malaysia.
Holidays
New Year's Day (except from the states of Kedah, Perlis, Johor, Kelantan and Terengganu), 1 January
The federal areas' day (Lubulan and Kuala Lumpur), 1 February
Labour Day, 1 May
National Day, 31 August
Christmas Day, 25 December
Holidays which are not fixed
The King's birthday, 1st Saturday of June
The federal areas' day (Lubulan and Kuala Lumpur), 1 February
Labour Day, 1 May
National Day, 31 August
Christmas Day, 25 December
Holidays which are not fixed
The King's birthday, 1st Saturday of June
Accommodation / Hotel
Accommodation in Malaysia is very cheap, no matter how you choose to stay. It is easy to find a good and cheap Hotel. But if you would rather stay on the beach in a hut, this is also possible for very little money.
Book your Hotel in Malaysia here
Book your Hotel in Malaysia here
Camping
There are no camping grounds in Malaysia, but it is possible to camp in the national parks.
There are hotels in every price range in Malaysia. It is cheap to stay at a Hotel in Malaysia, and everybody can afford to stay at a first class Hotel.
Hostels
The closest you get to hostels in Malaysia are the dormitories in the national parks. Furthermore there are quite a few hostels all over the country, and it is very cheap to stay. You must register at hostels between 17.00 -20.00.
Other Accommodation
State funded hotels. They are often simple and cheap - they are pleasant and clean with all necessary facilities, and they often have a good restaurant as well. You should note that they are quite popular and it is therefore a good idea to book a room in advance.
Huts
Along several beaches in the country it is possible to rent huts - so you can fall asleep to the sound of the sea. The standard of these huts varies a lot.
Huts
Along several beaches in the country it is possible to rent huts - so you can fall asleep to the sound of the sea. The standard of these huts varies a lot.
Local transport
The transport infrastructure in Malaysia is good. It is easy to get around and the roads are in good condition. If you travel long distances Malaysia has excellent trains of West European standard. You can also choose to fly as a network of domestic Flights covers most of the country.
Planes
Malaysia Airlines has quite a few regular and cheap Flights. If you are going to more remote areas, Pelangi Air will fly where Malaysian Airlines will not, in spite of its large network.
Bus
There are buses with and without air-conditioning. Those with air-conditioning are best on long trips, but shorter trips can easily be done in buses without. There is no significant price difference between the two bus types.
Trains
If you go long distances in Malaysia the trains are recommended - they are comfortable and of good standard. There are two major routes. One operates along the west coast of Malaysia - whilst the other leaves the west coast at Gemas and travels east towards Khota Baru on the east coast of the country.
Taxi
It is easy and relatively cheap to go by taxi. Always remember to settle the price before the trip as taxis rarely use taxi-meters. Prices vary a lot, depending on which part of the country you are in.
car rental
The easiest way to get around in Malaysia is by car. The largest car rental company is Avis. Usually the price includes free mileage. You should be aware, though, that all signs are written in bahasa malay. They drive on the left hand side of the road, as here in the UK.
Boat or Ferry
There is a fast ferry from the harbour city of Penang to Sumatra in Indonesia.
Other Transport
Trishaw. A trishaw is a colourful cycle-taxi. It is good for short trips - but always remember to settle the price before you go. Usually the price can be haggled down.
Special conditions
Always be very polite and respect the local population.
Region and City Guides
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