Malaysia Travel Guide

Malaysia Travel Guide
The Malaysia Government had granted visa on arrival favour to 65 countries to be able to purchase the visa on arrival facility upon their arrival in Malaysia's designed “International Gateway” at 15 airports and 21 seaports.

Malaysia Travel Guides

Asian Trails offers interactive destination guides such as for Langkawi - Kuala Lumpur and Penang.

PRIVATE TOURS

FOR MALAYSIA STARTS
from US$ 000.00
per Person

TAXES INCLUDED

General Travel Information

Official Name
Malaysia

Capital
Kuala Lumpur

Area
329.758 square km

Ethnic Groups
Malay 57%, Chinese 25%, Indian 10%, Other Races 8%. Population 28.3 million, 13 States (11 in Peninsular Malaysia and 2 in Borneo) and 3 Federal Territories – Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya in Peninsular Malaysia and Labuan in Sabah.

Voltage System
220-240 volts at 50 cycles per second.

CURRENCY
The unit of currency is the Malaysian Ringgit. Notes in circulation are RM100, RM50, RM20, RM10,

RM5, RM2 and RM1. Coins in circulation in the denomination of 50 sen, 20 sen, 10 sen and 5 sen.

The approximate exchange rate is (at time of printing) USD 1.00 to RM3.00.

Please take note!
With effect from October 01, 1998, please take note of the following currency regulations for travellers to Malaysia.

Local Currency (Malaysian Ringgit – MYR)

Residents and non-residents travellers are not allowed to bring in or take out more than RM 1,000.- per person.

Foreign Currency:
Resident travelers are not allowed to take out more than the equivalent of RM 10,000.- worth of any foreign currency from Malaysia (i.e. maximum of RM 10,000.- worth of foreign currencies) Non-resident travelers are not allowed to take our not more than the amount of foreign currencies which they had brought in at the time of their arrival.

Definitions:
Resident – means a citizen of Malaysian residing in Malaysia or a non citizen of Malaysian who is residing permanently in Malaysia.

A non-resident means any person not residing in Malaysia, whether the person is a citizen or not.

LANGUAGE
The national language is Bahasa Malaysia, although English is widely used.

LOCAL TIME
Malaysia runs at GMT +8 hours and 16 hours ahead of the U.S. Pacific Standard Time. Malaysia is in the same time zone as Singapore, Hong Kong and Perth.

SHOPPING
Exotic local handicrafts like Batik, gold and silver woven songket cloth, silverware, pewter ware and exquisitely straw woven items are among the many invaluable mementos.

HEALTH
No vaccination is required. Malaria prophylaxis is recommended in Sabah.

AIRPORT TAX
RM65.00 per person is levied on passengers leaving Malaysia on international flights (inclusive of Singapore and Brunei).

RM 9.00 per person is levied on passengers/take off on domestic flights. The airport tax is usually already included in the ticket.

CLIMATE
The climate in Malaysia is all year around hot and humid with rain in the afternoon. The average temperature ranges from 24 degree Celsius to 32 degree Celsius in the lowlands. The days are generally sunny and warm and the nights are cool.

At the East Coast the rainy season is from early November to middle of February.

TRANSPORTATION
All transportation used by Asian Trails is air-conditioned, and we provided only the best available.

Destination Information

KUALA LUMPUR
 The capital city of Malaysia, always vibrant and colourful thanks to the different cultures that blend graciously. Must see places include the world-renowned Petronas Twin Towers, the KL Tower, bustling Chinatown, elaborate temples, century old mosques and leftover buildings from the colonial times.

SHAH ALAM (SELANGOR)
 Located 30km west of Kuala Lumpur, the huge blue aluminum dome of the state mosque will greet you. Popular attractions included the agricultural park with its camping and jungle trekking facilities. Another popular destination would be the Carey Island populated by the ‘Mahmeri’ indigenous people who’re all talented woodcrafters.  

 ALOR STAR (KEDAH)
 Tagged as the ‘rice-bowl’ of Malaysia simply because of its many rice (known by the locals here as ‘padi’) fields. It’s a popular stopover destination where one can indulge in the cross culture between the Malays and Thais. Open market, peddling a variety of local handicrafts, the State Museum and the State Art Gallery are some of the popular attractions.  

BELUM (PERAK)
Belum covers an area of 134,000 hectares and is located in the most northerly region in the state of Perak. It is bounded to the north by the border with Thailand sharing a common border with the Hala Bala National Park (thus migration of wildlife between these two areas are quite common), to the east by the border with the state of Kelantan, to the south by the tributaries of the Perak river and to the west by the Temenggor Lake. The massive Temenggor lake (more than 150 square kilometers of forest and grassland was submerged) that spans the Belum-Temenggor Forest was the result of the construction of the Temenggor Dam which was completed in 1978. It has a depth of 100 metres at its deepest spot and the open waters and secluded inlets host an incredible variety of freshwater fishes. The area is also rich with wildlife and is home to elephants, tigers, Sumatran rhinoceros, seladang, deer’s, honey bears, tapirs, hornbills and many species of birds. Rafflesia, the largest flower in the world is also found here.

 BUJANG VALLEY (KEDAH)
 Archeologist haunt, it houses over 50 archaeological sites of thriving Hindu-Buddhist civilization dating back to the 300AD. Displays of ceramics, stoneware dating back 1500 years, Chinese porcelain and stone carvings can all be seen at the Bujang Valley Archaeological Museum.  

 CAMERON HIGHLANDS (PAHANG)
 Tucked away at 1,542 meters above sea level famous for its rolling tea hills, fruits & vegetable farm, it is a common place of visit for those seeking a cool retreat away from the hustle & bustle of the city. Nature lovers will enjoy the trails, which takes you to see some of the spectacular views of the highland forests. 

 KAPAS ISLAND (TERENGGANU)
 A 30 minutes boat ride from Merang Jetty will bring you to an island renowned for its clear waters, sandy white beaches and swaying palms. Kapas Island is relatively isolated. Home to an infinite variety of hard and soft corals, the waters around the island abound with seashells, fish and turtles. The island's laid-back atmosphere is ideal for relaxation but the more adventurous will find that it is also a haven for swimming, snorkeling, windsurfing, kayaking, boating and fishing. Not recommended during the rainy season between November and March. 

 KOTA BHARU (KELANTAN)
 Home to the traditional Malay arts and crafts, like the Kelantanese batik and songket. The famous Central Market in town is one of the most colourful markets in Malaysia. Relatively a conservative town but nevertheless very rich in the traditional Malay culture and customs. Must see places include the Gelanggang Seni (Cultural Centre) where you can catch top spinning, kite flying, shadow puppet play and silat performances. 

 LANGKAWI ISLAND (KEDAH)
 A very popular beach destination in Malaysia, surrounded by 104 small islands, Langkawi’s rugged beauty and the local legends offer an irresistible combination of cultural and natural attractions. Langkawi’s sandy beaches, dense mangroves, limestone caves, tropical forest and majestic eagles are some of the great things you’ll discover in Langkawi. The entire Langkawi Island is a duty free zone. 

 MALACCA
 A trip to Malacca is like traveling through history. As the visitor walks the narrow streets, visits old temples, mosques and medieval fortresses, or linger among ancient ruins and epitaphs, Malacca's history will captivate and enchant. The remnants from the Portuguese and the Dutch era are still evident till this day.

 KUANTAN (PAHANG)
 The stretch of beautiful sandy beach of Cherating where Club Med is located is a famous getaway for those seeking a beach retreat complete with water sports. One can surf or sail at the popular Teluk Chempedak beach or the Balok beach. 

 PANGKOR ISLAND (PERAK)
 90km southwest of Ipoh, is an idyllic and beautiful island resort for a care-free and relaxing holiday. The island is famous for its ‘ikan bilis’ (anchovies) and squids. The real attraction here are the enchanting beaches on the western coastline namely Pantai Puteri Dewi and Teluk Nipah which are marvelous for swimming or just basking in the sun amidst tranquil surroundings. Teluk Nipah has 2 beaches: Nipah Beach and Coral Bay. Nipah Bay has a view of two small uninhabited islands called Pulau Giam and Pulau Mentagor. Berjaya Air flies directly from Kuala Lumpur to Pangkor Island.  

 PENANG
 Also known as the ‘Pearl of the Orient’ and also one of Malaysia’s most well-known destination. Popular attractions here are the Fort Cornwallis, Botanical Gardens, Penang Hill, Butterfly Farm, The Kek Lok Si Temple and the Snake Temple. Not to be missed is the variety of local food fare that’ll leave your taste buds wanting for more. 

 REDANG ISLAND (TERENGGANU)
 An hour’s boat ride from Merang Jetty offers some of the best diving and snorkeling in this part of the world with its rich marine life, sandy beaches and clear waters. Coral reefs are found in the shallow as well as the deep water around the islands. Some of fishes that have been spotted are snappers, rabbitfish, silver barracudas, clownfish, triggerfish, parrotfish, stingrays, hammerheads and even green turtles. Berjaya Air flies directly from Kuala Lumpur to Redang Island. 

 TAMAN NEGARA (PAHANG)
 One of the oldest tropical rainforest in the world and the diversity of its flora and fauna is a result of undisturbed evolution of over 130 million years. It’s a favorable destination for jungle trekking, as a good network of jungle trails and the availability of expert guides match the park’s remarkable biodiversity. Among the other activities include fishing, boating, shooting the rapids, mountain climbing, camping and bird-watching and watching other wildlife in their natural habitat. Only accessible by river, accommodation ranges from wooden chalets to lodges. Other attractions found near Kuala Tahan is the canopy walkway, Gua Telinga and the Lata Berkoh rapids. 

 TIOMAN ISLAND (PAHANG)
 The biggest and most impressive island in the east coast, Tioman offers a wide range of activities for visitors: snorkeling in crystal clear water, discover the beautiful underwater world when you go diving or just laze on the beach while you on the tan. Tioman Island is also a treasure trove of breathtaking marine attractions. Corals, seashells and limpets, thorny sea urchins, colourful seaweeds, anemones, starfish and a myriad of other aquatic wonders are abundant here. Fishing enthusiast can also enjoy a bountiful catch here. Berjaya Air flies directly from Kuala Lumpur to Tioman Island.  

 KUCHING (SARAWAK)
 The land of the Hornbills, Kuching is a riverine city with many attractions. Multi storey buildings blend with structures from colonial days and the colourful Malay and Chinese shophouses. A stroll along the waterfront is a good start to tour the city on foot. Beyond Kuching, there are the wonders of the Niah and Mulu Caves, the Bako National Park and the Damai Cultural Village.  

 KOTA KINABALU (SABAH)
 Kota Kinabalu is the biggest and busiest town in the Malaysian Borneo Province of Sabah. In close vicinity to beautiful beaches, superb deluxe class resorts, abundant marine life and coral life, tropical islands, the awesome Mount Kinabalu and its plant and animal life, KK as it is popularly known, is fast emerging to be a popular tourist destination for soft adventure and eco tourism programs.  

 MULU NATIONAL PARK (SARAWAK)
 Mulu Park encompasses incredible caves and karst formations in a mountainous equatorial rainforest setting. The pinnacle formations of Gunung Api and Benarat are examples of karst feature. Visitors to the Mulu are struck by the imposing nature of the park’s terrain when flying to it. Over 3,500 species of plants have been recorded at the park including a variety of highly of highly specialized orchids. The Mulu caves which is 52km long is one of the longest network of caves in the world and the most famous being the Deer Cave with a silhouette resembling the profile of Abraham Lincoln. 

 NIAH NATIONAL PARK & NIAH CAVES (SARAWAK)
 2 hours drive from Miri is the Niah National Park / Niah Caves, spread over 3140 hectares of swamp and forests. Local Penan tribesman venture into the cave to collect edible birds nests and the guano dropped by the myriad swiftlets and bats that live there. You can see evidence of prehistoric inhabitants in the painted cave where human figures on the wall watch over gravesites where the dead were laid in boat-shaped coffins. Other forest trails take you up a 400 meters limestone ridge or to an Iban longhouse.  

 SANDAKAN (SABAH)
 Sandakan is well-known for the Sepilok Orang Utan Sanctuary, the virgin jungle that has been set aside as forest reserve and rehabilitation center for orang utans which have been rescued from captivity or abandoned by their mothers. There are numerous self guiding treks in the reserve for adventurous visitors to explore and discover the rich flora and fauna in the reserve.

What is new

Certainly one of the most spectacular icons in Malaysia are the Petronas Twin Towers, one of the tallest buildings in the world. The Twin Towers are easily accessible by the LRT (Light Rail Transit System).

Another place of interest is the Formula 1 race-track in Sepang, inaugurated in 1999 and is next to the ultra modern Kuala Lumpur International Airport, called KLIA.

Not new is our Classic Trails of Malaysia Tour, which we operate with weekly guaranteed departures and also as private tour or, new, as a self-drive program. Our Classic Trails of Malaysia are operated from/to Kuala Lumpur or Singapore.

Best time to travel

Malaysia can be visited throughout the year. There are two not very marked seasons - a moderately wet and a moderately dry season. Thunderstorms are frequent in the late afternoons because of its high humidity, but they are brief and seldom dampen the mood for outdoor activities. The East coast of Peninsular Malaysia is avoided during the monsoon period beginning in late November, when most of the island resorts take a break, to revive their vitality to receive visitors again in March. The average temperature ranges from 24 degree Celsius to 32 degree Celsius in the lowlands.

Is it safe to travel

Malaysia is one of the safest countries worldwide and it is absolutely safe to travel to any part of the country including for women travelers.

Do's and Don'ts

Though the standard of hygiene in Malaysia is high, we recommend to drink bottled water only which is widely available throughout the country. Food is generally ok to eat even at traditional food stalls anywhere in Malaysia. Please guard against sunburn and dehydration as the tropical heat is much stronger than it seems.

Money Matters

Most major currencies, traveler cheques and international credit cards are widely accepted at money changers and banks throughout the country.

Banks and licensed money changers offer usually better exchange rates than do hotels and shops, where a service charge may be levied (usually 2-4 per cent).

Make sure that you have enough cash in local currency before you leave for smaller towns or remote areas.

Please take note of the following currency regulations for travelers to Malaysia:

Residents and non-resident travelers are not allowed to bring in or take out more than RM 1,000.- per person.

Foreign Currency:
Resident travelers are not allowed to take out more than the equivalent of RM 10,000.- worth of any foreign currency from Malaysia (i.e. maximum of RM 10,000.- worth of foreign currencies). Non-resident travelers are not allowed to take our not more than the amount of foreign currencies which they had brought in at the time of their arrival.

Visa Requirements

Malaysia allows visa free stays to most foreign nationals, but all visitors entering Malaysia must be in possession of a valid passport or other internationally recognized travel documents, endorsed for travelling in Malaysia and with a validity period of at least six months beyond the time of stay allowed in Malaysia. As regulations may change from time to time, it is advisable to check with the nearest Malaysian Embassy before your departure.

Language

English is widely spoken throughout Malaysia. Asian Trails provide guides in English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, and Japanese languages to foreign visitors requiring assistance. Road signs are written in both in Bahasa Melayu and English throughout Malaysia.

Health Issues

Malaysia is one of the healthiest countries of South East Asia. It requires no vaccination from foreign visitors and enjoys a good standard of health and cleanliness throughout the country. Visitors are advised to check with their doctor or travel immunization clinic for further details.

Food in Malaysia

In relation to its racial diversity, the country offer visitors an exciting culinary experience. Eating out Malaysian style ranges from a five star extravaganza in a colonial setting to side walk stalls where the choice of food is never ending. One can dine on sizzling sticks of satay, assortment of noodles cooked in Hokkien and Cantonese styles, Chinese "Dim Sum", spicy curries served with banana leave rice, nyonya delicacies and many other culinary delights.

Shopping in Malaysia

Bargain hunters are always in for a good time and experience, shopping in night market side street stalls and shopping complexes. Exotic local handicraft like batik, gold and silver woven songket cloth, silverware, pewter ware and exquisitely straw woven items are among the many invaluable mementos.

IMPORTANT BEWARES:
Kuala Lumpur, like other large cities in the world, is confronted with the problem of touts. Should you get a telephone call offering you a free tour, be very careful! It is usually someone’s intention to lure you into doing expensive shopping or pay a high price for other tour arrangements.

It is a fact of life that nothing is free of charge, especially if offered by a stranger. Our advice thus – stay away from them! For further information or assistance please do not hesitate to contact us to help you to double check your arrangements. Also, if you receive a call for amending departure time of tours, etc., you are kindly requested to double check with us. Keep a healthy portion of mistrust also against strangers approaching you. However, despite these warnings, there is no need to be anxious as touts are quite harmless, so just smile and walk on. All in all take care but be not afraid.

Tipping in Malaysia

Tipping is not common in Malaysia, especially in more rural areas. In most hotels and large restaurants, a 10 percent service charge is added to the bill along with 6 per cent government tax. For tours and sightseeing we recommend from RM 5 to RM 10 per day/service for the driver and guide for day tours and RM 10 to 15 per day for overland tours. Porters, RM 1 per bag.