Malaysia is a country of contrasts, bathed in the warm tropical sun, endowed with 3,000 kilometers of coastline, several historic cities, a unique cultural mix, a string of cool hill resorts, the world’s oldest rainforest—and even Southeast Asia’s highest mountain. Geographically,. There are two parts to the country, 11 states in the peninsula of Malaysia and two states on the northern part of Borneo. Cool hideaways are found in the highlands that roll down to warm, sandy beaches and rich, humid mangroves.
General Information
| Currency | Malaysian ringgit (MYR) |
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| Location |
Malaysia is a country in South-East Asia, located partly on a peninsula of the Asian mainland and partly on the northern third of the island of Borneo. West (peninsular) Malaysia shares a border with Thailand, is connected by a causeway and a bridge (the 'second link') to the island state of Singapore, and has coastlines on the South China Sea and the Straits of Malacca. East Malaysia (Borneo) shares borders with Brunei and Indonesia.
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| Climate |
Malaysia essentially observes tropical weather, but the best part is it is never too hot. Humidity is a common feature, which can be duly expected from its proximity to waters. With the exception of highlands, the climate is by and large moderately hot and extremely sultry. Throughout the year, the temperature ranges from 20°C to 30°C on an average.
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| Flying Time | Flying time from Muscat : 6 hrs 15 min |
| Time Difference | GMT +8 hrs |
Discover Malaysia
For the perfect holiday full of surprises, eclectic cultures and natural wonders, the time is now, the place is Malaysia. Please click and discover:
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Kota Kinabalu, formerly known as Jesselton, is the city capital of Sabah as well as the capital of the West Coast Division of Sabah. Strategically situated in the Northwest Coast of Borneo Island, facing the South China Sea and Tunku Abdul Rahman Park on one side, and set against the backdrop of Mount Kinabalu; this beautiful ‘Nature Resort City’ stretches for miles along the coast and towards the inland. It is affectionately known as KK or Api Api by the locals.
Places to visit: You can either go to Sapi Island or travel up to Mount Kinabalu. It will take about 1.5 hours drive to Mt Kinabalu Park. If you arrive by noon at Mt Kinabalu Park, you will have enough time to drive to hot springs. From Mt Kinabalu Park to hot springs is about an hour. Pick your choice of pool at the hot springs. After hot springs, drive back to your hotel at Ranau and enjoy a steamboat dinner.
If you are adventurous, drive to Tip of Borneo. Part of the road to Tip of Borneo is yet to be path with tar so allow more travelling time. You can also drive to Kudat from Tip of Borneo. From Kudat to Kota Kinabalu, it will take about 3 hours. You can explore Gaya Street if it falls on a Sunday. Gaya Street on a Sunday has an open market where you can get local stuff. |
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Kuala Lumpur the capital city of Malaysia sums up the best of Asian culture, showcased to perfection in contrast with fabulous modern infrastructure and architecture. With the opening of the PETRONAS twin towers in 1998, Malaysia came into its own as a bright modern city and immediately became the cynosure of international attention. Small wonder then that tourists start their exploration from the base of this splendid icon that has come to embody the country and its people. Places to visit:
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Kuantan is the state capital of Pahang, the largest state in Peninsular Malaysia. It is situated near the mouth of the Kuantan River and faces the South China Sea. The population of Kuantan is 57% Malay, 32% Chinese, 4% Indian and 7% other races. It is the 9th largest city in Malaysia.
Also very popular and sold by street vendors (especially at the fascinating night markets) are: varieties of satay which consists of grilled meat on a stick which is dipped into peanut sauce and roti canai, a thick chapati-like bread dipped in a unique curry style sauce. Recommended ethnic Indian dishes include the naan and tandoori chicken. Many types of local food can be found at the Pasar (Market) at the town centre. A variety of Kuala Lipis noodles are available at the corner of the Pasar's entrance. Popular among the locals are the beef noodles at Jalan Beserah and handmade noodles "Men Fan Gou" at Jalan Air Putih. Also popular is a dish of pork ribs and rice known as bak kut teh. |
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Some of the most popular beaches are Pantai Cenang, Pantai Tengah, Burau Bay, Pantai Kok, and Datai Bay. Pantai Cenang is a picturesque beach with seemingly unending stretches of fine white sand. The beach is contoured by tall coconuts and casuarinas. Pantai Tengah is separated from Cenang by a small cape. Burau Bay, fringed by rocky outcrops, is the favorite place of migratory birds in Langkawi. Pantai Kok is a peaceful beach with the backdrop of limestone hills. Datai Bay has combination of forests and sea. The milky beach is backed by lush forest. The Langkawi Cable Car takes visitors up to the peak of Gunung Mat Chinchang, where the Langkawi Sky Bridge is located. Tourists can enter into the island via ferry from Kuala Perlis or by flight from Kuala Lumpur. |
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Malaysia’s Historic City Explore historic Malacca, the oldest trading port in Malaysia. Visit St. Paul's Hill, the famous gateway and the ruins of St. Paul's church. You will have the opportunity to sample a local lunch before heading back to Kuala Lumpur. A tour for the history enthusiast.
View the famous gateway, the well known Portuguese Fort de Santiago and the ruins of St. Paul's Church lined by 17th century Dutch tombstones. Enjoy a local lunch (included) and then take a stroll along the 'Antique Row' in Jonker Street. On the way back, stop by the Cheng Hoon Teng, oldest Chinese temple in Malaysia and view Kampong Kling, a typical Malay village.
Situated on the outskirts of Malacca, about 15 km east of the town, Ayer Keroh – also known as Air Keroh – has quite a few contrived tourist attractions that are mostly deserted during the week. Although it has been promoted as a major Malaccan tourist spot, since it plays host to an assortment of attractions including Taman Mini Malaysia & ASEAN, the Malacca Butterfly & Reptile Sanctuary and the Melaka Zoo, this quarter doesn’t really offer much to do. Its lack of dining, nightlife and shopping options makes it somewhat out of the way and even though the Ayer Keroh toll booth is the primary entry point into the state using the North-South Expressway, truthfully it’s rather a peaceful area. |
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Penang is a state in Malaysia, located on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia by the Strait of Malacca. Penang is the second smallest state in Malaysia after Perlis, and the eighth most populous. A resident of Penang is colloquially known as a Penangite.
The best way to capture Penang’s mixed heritage is to stroll around town. The aged buildings are noted for their faded colours and crumbling walls. Old houses have columns or multi-coloured Peranakan tiles. The Aceh Mosque is the oldest house of worship in the city. The smell of incense drifts in the air amidst gold settings of Burmese, Thai and Chinese temples. The Khoo Kongsi is a traditional form of Chinese art with its delicately carved wooden panels. Other long-time occupants include elderly Chinese shopkeepers, colourful Indian food stalls and trishaws with their drivers. Food |
Cameron Highlands is a highland region located about 121 km east of Ipoh and about 214 km north of Kuala Lumpur, in Pahang, Malaysia. At 5,000 ft (1,500 m) above sea level it is the highest area on the mainland, enjoys a cool climate, with temperatures no higher than 25 °C and rarely falls below 12°C year-round. Cameron Highlands is actually a district in the state of Pahang Darul Makmur although the road entrance is via Tapah and Simpang Pulai in the state of Perak Darul Ridzuan. Cameron Highlands district is bordered by Lipis district on the south-east, Kelantan on the north and Perak on the west. The size of the whole Cameron Highlands district is roughly two and a quarter times the size of Singapore.
The Highlands were named after William Cameron, a British colonial government surveyor who discovered the plateau during a mapping expedition in 1885. The fame of Cameron Highlands then grew during the colonial era when British planters realized the potential of its fertile mountain slopes for growing tea, then a prized commodity. Cameron Highlands is still home to many tea plantations, being Malaysia's largest tea-producing region. With its many farms the area is also known as a major supplier of legumes and vegetables to both Malaysia and Singapore, and is one of Malaysia's prime tourist destinations.
Apart from the cool weather, key attractions in Cameron Highlands include a butterfly farm, strawberry farms, rose gardens and vegetable gardens. There are also the Brinchang Hindu Temples and the Sam Poh Chinese Mahayana Buddhist Temple. Other features include Cactus Point, Cactus Valley and the BOH Tea Plantation. There is Market Square, the Cameron Highlands Time Tunnel Galeria (at nearby Kea Farm) and accommodation at the Kampung Taman Sedia Homestay, Tanah Rata and The Smokehouse Hotel.
Elephant Orphanage Sanctuary 
KL Tower Revolving Restaurant and Central Market 
Kuala Lumpur City Highlights 
Batu Caves and Temple 
Kuala Lumpur Rainforest and Canopy Walkway 
Kuantan's main sightseeing attraction is the beach at Teluk Cempedak. There are also other scenic beaches popular with vacationers in the city's vicinity, such as Batu Hitam, Balok, Chenor, Pantai Sepat, Beserah, and Cherating. Near Cherating (Club Med is located here) is a turtle sanctuary. A few kilometers away from Cherating is Pulau Ular (Snake Island). There is a legend connected with this island. In fact, Kuantan has the most beaches compared to other cities in Malaysia.
Kuantan is also known to tourists for its waterfalls. The most well-known is the Sungai Pandan Water Fall. Two other waterfalls are the Sungai Berkelah Waterfall and the Jerangkang Waterfall. There are also three parks within the city. These are the Gelora Park, Teruntum Mini Zoo and Agriculture Park at Indera Mahkota. A small park located in front of the Hospital is named the Esplanade Park. Here, it is possible to go on a river cruise from the small jetty. The Kuantan area also produces handicrafts and batik. Other tourist attractions include the State Mosque (Masjid Negeri).
There is an interesting Tin Museum in the former mining town of Sungai Lembing. Sungai Lembing is located about 26 km northwest of Kuantan and it used to contain the world's deepest underground tin mines. Just north of the Tin Museum is a "hanging bridge" (jambatan bergantung). Access to this bridge is via a narrow, winding road at the base of the entrance to the Tin Museum. There is a Panorama Hill which provides a fascinating view if you were at the peak before the sun rises. On the Kuantan-Sungai Lembing road at the hamlet of Pancing, there is a limestone mountain which houses a large reclining Buddha in one of its caves (Pancing Cave or Carah Cave). The highest peak, Gunung Tapis, also can be accessed from here.
Kuantan is famous for its delicious fish crackers (called keropok in Malay) and salted fish, where the fish are marinated mainly with salt and left out to dry in the sun for days. 'Ikan Bakar' or grilled fish can be purchased at Tanjung Lumpur.
Langkawi, officially known as Langkawi, the Jewel of Kedah is an archipelago of 99 islands (an extra 5 temporary islands are revealed at low tide in the Andaman Sea, some 30 km off the mainland coast of northwestern Malaysia. The islands are a part of the state of Kedah, which is adjacent to the Thai border. On July 15, 2008, Sultan Abdul Halim of Kedah had consented to the change of name to Langkawi Permata Kedah in conjunction with his Golden Jubilee Celebration. By far the largest of the islands is the eponymous Pulau Langkawi with a population of some 64,792, the only other inhabited island being nearby Pulau Tuba. Langkawi is also an administrative district with the town of Kuah as the capital and largest town. Langkawi is a duty-free island.
On June 1, 2007, Langkawi Island has been given a World Geopark status by UNESCO. Three of its main conservation area in Langkawi Geopark; Machincang Cambrian Geoforest Park, Kilim Karst Geoforest Park and Dayang Bunting Marble Geoforest park.(Island of the Pregnant Maiden Lake). These three parks are the most popular tourism area within Langkawi Geopark.
Approximately two hours south of Kuala Lumpur is historical Malacca, the oldest trading port in Malaysia which has undergone Portuguese, Dutch and English rule. Visit St. Paul's Hill for a panoramic view of Malacca and its straits and the old town of Bandar Hilir.
Jonker Street – the centre street of Chinatown – was once renowned for its antique shops. However over the years it has turned to clothing and crafts outlets as well as restaurants. The best part of Jonker Street is the night market on Fridays and Saturdays that sells everything from tasty treats to cheap keepsakes.
Penang's historic architecture is centred mainly in George Town. Its rows of 100 year-old shophouses and colonial villas give George Town its distinctive atmosphere. Penang was the venue for several historical movies, such as Anna and the King and the French film Indochine.
Penang Island is a paradise for food lovers who come from all over Malaysia and even Singapore to sample the island's unique cuisine, earning Penang the title of the food capital of Malaysia. Penang was recognized as having the Best Street Food in Asia by TIME magazine in 2004, citing that nowhere else can such great tasting food be so cheap. Penang's cuisine reflects the Chinese, Nyonya, Malay and Indian ethnic mix of Malaysia, but is also strongly influenced by the cuisine of Thailand to the north. For example, Laksa and Hokkien Mee. It's especially famous "hawker food", sold and eaten roadside, strongly features noodles and fresh seafood. Places to savor Penang's food are Gurney Drive, Pulai Tikes, New Lane, Swatow Lane, Penang Road and Chula Street. Local Chinese restaurants serve excellent fare too.All Destinations
