Explore Malaysia
Malaysia is a unique country within the Asian continent for its amalgamation of races, religions and 24- hour eating outlets.
Home to ancient Hindu and Buddhist empires of the past like Srivijaya and Majapahit, invaded by the British, Portuguese, Dutch and Japanese before and after World War II, Malaysia today, is a developing country with a variety of culture and rich heritage that can be seen in its architecture, food and all round feel country-wide.
Positioned in Southeast Asia, Malaysia is a country made up of two parts: West Malaysia (peninsular Malaysia) borders Thailand to the north, Singapore to the south and is home to its capital, Kuala Lumpur. Sharing the island of Borneo with Brunei and Kalimantan, East Malaysia is divided into two states, Sabah and Sarawak that has a coastline of 2,607 kilometres.
Certainly for Southeast Asia, Malaysia is a rich nation. Alongside its tropical coastline and jungles, you’ll find gleaming skyscrapers, world class restaurants and plenty of technology. Malaysia’s population is made up of many ethnic groups that include Malays, Indians, Chinese and diverse indigenous tribes like the Dayak, Kadazan, Iban, Melanau, etc.
The official religion of the country is Islam with other ethnic groups free to practice their faiths. Major religions practiced throughout the country are Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism and Confucianism. Even though the national language on Malaysia is Bahasa Malaysia, English is spoken widely throughout the land and travellers will not find it hard to communicate while exploring the country.
Unlike several Asian countries that allocate nude beaches on touristy islands, travellers will find none in Malaysia as Islam brings a more conservative feel to Malaysia’s beaches. Nude beaches aside, Malaysia’s equatorial climate is home to soft, smooth, sandy beaches that attract thousands of tourists from all over the world almost the whole year round. Some famous stretches of beach are located on the islands of Penang, Perhentian, Pangkor, Tioman, Redang and Langkawi. Also famous for its beautiful shores are the Turtle Beach and Golden Beach of Sarawak.
Malaysia is an exciting country to travel around – and a relatively easy country to travel through. If adventure and off the beaten track experiences are more your thing, you’ll certainly find plenty of those within Malaysia with great hikes through the National Park Taman Negara and up Mount Kinabalu on the Crocker Range, the 4th tallest mountain in the Malay archipelago.
Regions
West / Peninsular Malaysia
West Coast
The more developed side of the country and home to the capital city of Kuala Lumpur and administrative capital of Putrajaya. Other interesting cities to visit are Malacca for its rich Portuguese heritage and Penang for its interesting array of cuisine.
East Coast
Traditional, tropical beaches with a conservative, Islamic culture. Based largely on agriculture, the east coast is home to breath-taking islands such as Redang, Perhentian and Tioman.
South
Home to Johor and gateway to Singapore, the boasts beautiful beaches and culinary specialities of the south like Mee Rebus, Laksa and Cendol.
East Malaysia (Borneo)
Sabah
Culturally diverse state with stunning dive sites and abode to three mountains, Mount Tambuyukon, Mount Kinabalu & Mount Trus Madi.
Sarawak
Jungles, national parks and traditional long-houses a plenty with the Rainforest World Music Festival held yearly.
Highlights
Batu Caves
A sacred place for Hindus, it’s a 272 steps climb into magnificent natural limestone caves where one can and experience the interesting Hindu culture first hand.
Genting Highlands
Home to the only legal casinos in the country, the cool weather is quite refreshing with a theme park to explore as well.
Pasar Seni
Known also as Central Market, travellers can find most of their souvenir and trinket ideas here. Locates in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, it houses a variety of shops selling batik, sculptures, woodwork and more. Divided into several zones, its a multi-cultural market of great buys!
Taman Negara National Park
Teeter over hanging canopies in (allegedly) the world’s oldest tropical rainforest.
Kuala Lumpur
Look out for the twin Petronas Twin Towers and haggle under the spotlights of KL’s night markets.
Mount Kinabalu
Climb to the top of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Cameron Highlands
Sip tea in the lush, cool climate of utterly green highlands.
Food
Delight in the variety of flavours on offer with traditional Malay dishes, authentic Indian banana leaf of both vegetarian and non-vegetarian delights and scrumptious Chinese cuisine like Hainanese Chicken Rice, Wan Tan Mee, Bah Kut Teh and much more.
Snorkel & Dive
Head underwater around the Perhentian Islands.
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