Malaysia

"Truly Asia", touts the nation's recent tourism promotion campaign. Malaysia shows her colours in hues of lush rainforests extending over remote mountains and fertile lands, textured by sleepy villages and exciting modern cities. Where coastal regions range from isolated bays and lonely strips of sand to giant seaports filled to the brim with super-tankers. Malaysians are justifiably proud of their country for its ethnic diversity and geographical intrigue.

The Federation of Malaysia is split into two parts. West Malaysia, situated south of Thailand, makes up the Malay Peninsula with Singapore occupying the tip; and East Malaysia, (the states of Sarawak and Sabah) located on the colossal island of Borneo. The two parts of Malaysia are separated by about 650 km. (400 miles) of South China Sea. Malaysia can be remote or Malaysia can be up front and personal-it's your choice.

Malaysia Map

Rainforest canopy tours in Sabah, Malaysia

For the most part, descendants of native Malay, migrating Chinese, and Indian settlers form the blend of cultures living in harmony, who now offer their hospitality to visitors the world over. The jungles of Borneo shelter indigenous communities that include the Dayak, Iban, Kadazan, Dusun, Murut and Bidayuh. Revel in the rich colours and gastronomic inventiveness of their origins during any one of many popular celebrations and festivals throughout the year. Malaysia hosts major international events, like Formula One racing and an international military air show for example, that draw thousands of folks from the four corners of the world. No matter the season, this is a land of expression where warm generous people are forever thinking of new ways to share.

Kuala Lumpur, the Garden City of Lights

Shrine at the Batu Cave in Perak, Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur, the capital city of Malaysia, has a lot to brag about. It's big! It has the tallest building in the world. It has great theme parks, museums and planetariums; endless shopping centres with everything in the world for sale; restaurants and more restaurants-food from everywhere! At night, the city is a magical encounter of dazzling neon lights. Small enclaves of pubs, bistros and restaurants with live entertainment scatter the city. These chic streets see urbane Malaysians mingling with the throngs of strolling international vacationers. KL, as it is often referred to, has a Chinatown as well as a 'little India' if you're interested in a concentrated sampling of either culture. When you've 'been there, done that' the main KTM railway station is waiting to transport you to just about anywhere in the country you wish to go next.

Historical Malacca

The famed 14th century city of Malacca is situated on the coast of Malaysia across from Sumatra. For more than one hundred years, Malacca was the most prominent centre of trade for silk and spice in the region. Wooden sailing ships from the west crossed the Indian Ocean and down the Malacca Strait, stopping here on their way to or from the far east. Today, although shipping in the strait is busier than ever, Malacca seems content to sit on her laurels and assume the quiet deportment of 'historical city'. In this endeavour, she really shines. Aside from the feeling of antiquity shedding from the old buildings and shops, the cast of many newer constructions are obviously designed to pay homage to the origins of Malacca. Heritage sites and museums are never far from any street corner so, for a fascinating trip through the past, make Malacca a stopover.

Penang

Mountain summit, Malaysia

Penang Bridge (the third longest in Asia at 13 km.), links the town of Butterworth to the island of Penang. This is a thriving island, home to international electronics and telecommunication equipment manufacturers. The bustling city of Georgetown, where merchants are almost as thick as the bargain hunters, contains a shop for everything and everyone. Quaint side streets, narrow and oozing the charm of old Sino Portuguese architecture, boast friendly shops, boutiques and local eateries. There is a Chinatown and a 'little India' and a mega shopping complex called Komtar. There are beaches and resorts, harbours and ports, where you can hop a ferry to neighbouring Langkawi Island. Shopping or relaxing, Penang has plenty of both.

Langkawi, Isle of Legends

White water rafting on Padas River, Malaysia

Duty-free Langkawi is the largest of a cluster of islands off the coast of northwestern Malaysia near the border to Thailand. This is a superb place to relax on the beach with just enough going on to do to keep you amused. Aside from the obvious shopping potential, Langkawi has plenty of attractions that lure island-loving vacationers. Beaches of fine sugar-white sand, duty-free shopping, quiet luxurious resorts that pamper you in style, duty-free shopping, vertiginous cable car rides to mountain peaks, duty-free shopping, the seven-tier waterfall Telaga Tujuh, duty-free shopping, the legendary Tasik Dayang Bunting (Lake of Pregnant Maiden), duty-free shopping, and the nearby island of Pulau Payar to name but a few. Oh! Did we mention the duty-free shopping?

Taman Negara (National Park)

Taman Negara may be the oldest rainforest in the world (130 million years), but this National Park covering 4,343 square kilometres has a host of modern amenities to welcome the international traveler. For outdoor enthusiasts, Taman Negara offers camping, trekking, cave exploration, swimming, white-water rafting, fishing and mountain climbing in addition to the park's highlights: bird and wildlife watching. Trekking near the park headquarters on well-worn trails is easy and offers a memorable insight into the biodiversity of a jungle. Expert guides are available to help you along some of the more remote trails. A permit is required to enter the park and can be obtained from park headquarters in Kuala Tahan. Taman Negara is a truly an outstanding wilderness event-don't miss it.

Cameron Highlands

Colorful kites

Escape to the highlands for cooler climes. Cameron Highlands is a delightful area of undulating hills tamed by gentle cultivation. The misty mountaintops have been enchanting visitors since colonial times. Old British-style country inns still provide lodging for honeymooners and frenzied city dwellers escaping to the fresh mountain air and serenity of the highlands. Terraced hillsides with neat rows of tea plants, winding roads and wonderfully refreshing temperatures combined with a host of quaint accommodation options ensure the Cameron Highlands will remain Malaysia's top hillside resort destination for some time to come.

Sarawak / Sabah

Far removed from the genteel countryside of the Cameron Highlands, Sarawak and Sabah stand in stark contrast. Here the impenetrable jungles of Borneo impose their awesome presence relegating all development to coastal regions. Just as well, for the beaches and resorts of these two states offer some of the most idyllic settings for visitors to East Malaysia. Diving is said to be second to none. The resorts are splendid and cater to your every whim with an unobtrusive attendance. Enter the jungles, explore and thrill to the natural wonders that make East Malaysia one of the most dynamic tourist destinations in the Asia Pacific region.

Arrival

Malaysia Airlines at Kuala Lumpur International Airport

Every person entering Malaysia must possess a valid passport or internationally recognized Travel Document valid for travel to Malaysia. The documents must be valid for more than six (6) months from the date of entry into Malaysia. Foreign nationals who require a visa to enter Malaysia must apply and obtain a visa in advance at a Malaysian Representative Office before entering the country. In countries where Malaysian Missions have not been established, application should be made to the British High Commission or Embassy. Yellow Fever vaccination is required for all visitors coming from Yellow fever infected areas or endemic zones except for children under 1 year of age. It is not necessary to take malaria tablets or vaccination for yellow fever, but if you are in doubt, please consult your doctor or family physician. Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) has terrific duty-free outlets for those who wish to do last minute shopping. Transport from the KLIA to the city is fast and easy. Choices include taxi or limousine, the Express Rail Link (ERL), airport busses and rental car. An airport departure tax of RM40 is applicable for international flight passengers. For domestic travellers, the tax is RM5. Children below 2 years old are exempted. Trafficking of illicit drugs carries a mandatory death sentence upon conviction.

Climate

Located between latitudes 1 and 7 degrees north ensures Malaysia enjoys a tropical climate. The weather is warm and humid (80% avg.) throughout the year. Temperatures in the lowlands range from 22C to 32C while in the highlands they vary between 16C and 23C. The southwest monsoon (April - September), brings more rainfall to the west coast while the northeast monsoon (November - March), affects the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo.

Currency

Malaysian Ringgit

Legal tender is the Malaysian Ringgit (RM). There are 100 sen in one ringgit. RM notes are in denominations of RM100, RM50, RM10, RM5, RM2 and RM1. Coins are in denominations of RM1, 50 sen, 20 sen, 10 sen, 5 sen and 1 sen. The Malaysian Ringgit is currently pegged to the US Dollar at RM3.80 to one USD. Major credit cards such as VISA, MasterCard, American Express and Diners Club are accepted by most business establishments. Many hotels and restaurants levy a 10% service charge and 5% government sales tax in their bills. Tipping is not customary. Visitors bringing in more than US$2,500 must fill in form IMM26, which is endorsed by immigration officers and returned to the visitors to be kept in their passports. You may not leave with more money than you came in with, or you will have to declare from where the extra money came from. Visitors may not bring in or take out more than RM1000.

Time

UTC / GMT (+8 hours) Standard Malaysia time is eight hours ahead of London and 16 hours ahead of Los Angeles. It shares the same time zone with Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan.

Business Hours

Malaysian Railways, Kuala Lumpur

Banking hours are from 9.30 am to 3.30 pm on weekdays, and 9.30 am to 11.30 am on Saturdays. All public service departments and some banks usually close on the first and third Saturday of the month.In general, business hours are weekdays 8:30 to 5 pm and Saturday 9 am to 1 pm. Government office hours are usually from 8.30 am to 4.30 pm. The states of Kelantan, Terengganu, and Kedah practice different office hours. Saturday to Wednesday are full working days while Thursday is treated as a half-day workday. The weekend starts on Friday.

Communication

Malaysia provides service nationally and internationally by telephone, facsimile, telegraph, telex and through the internet. Most hotels provide International Direct Dial (IDD) telephone services. Public phones are available in cities and towns in areas such as bus stations, shopping malls and office buildings. Phone cards come in denominations of RM5, RM10, RM20, and RM50 and are widely available. Coin operated phones are also in use.

Electricity

Typically, the point of electricity is provided by three square pin contact socket. Hotels often supply adaptors. The standard current is 240-volts (50-cycle).

Language

Bahasa Malaysia is the official language but the use of English is widespread in the commercial sector. The ethnic groups also speak other languages such as Mandarin and Tamil as well as Chinese dialects like Cantonese and Hokkien. The various languages of the indigenous communities are still preserved and still widely used in the eastern states of Sarawak and Sabah.

Dress Code

At the beach and resorts, shorts, T-shirts and sandals are suitable. Comfortable and informal clothing in light cotton or linen is preferable during the day when visiting towns or cities. Dress that is more formal may be required by some establishments and you are advised to check if you are unsure. Malaysia is essentially an Islamic country; therefore, overt exposure of flesh is not appreciated outside of beaches and resort areas.

Transport

Traffic in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Malaysia has a well-developed transportation network enabling visitors to travel within the country quickly and conveniently. All major towns have road, rail and air links. There is a good public transport, which includes car rentals, taxis, buses and the Light Rail Transit (LRT) System in the capital city of Kuala Lumpur. Another rail service known as KTM Komuter connects suburban or adjoining districts within the Klang Valley. KTM Berhad's Intercity rail service connects cities and major towns to the countryside, enabling access to some remote areas. Group discounts and holiday packages at attractive prices are available as well. The states of Sabah and Sarawak on the island of Borneo are serviced by regular flights from KL aboard Malaysia Airlines and Air Asia.

Health Facilities

Chinese New Year

Malaysia has excellent health care facilities. Modern hospitals staffed by highly qualified medical professionals are found in all urban centres. Clinics are in abundance throughout the smaller towns in the rural areas. Excellent dental services are available at a fraction of the cost found in most western countries. Efficient pharmacies dispense prescription drugs and supply a good selection of brand name medications and toiletries. For a comprehensive overview of Malaysia's health care facilities, the Ministry of Health kindly invite you to look to their website: http://www.moh.gov.my