Malaysia
Destination Guide

The Ultimate Guide Before You Plan for your Next Trip

Malaysia, a country blessed with natural beauties and urban affluence, is a great tourist destination for Indians and others. With plenty of hillocks, mountains, and rain forests Malaysia has a rich collection of national parks and greenery. The country also has a huge number of white sandy beaches and crystal clean water for the tourists to enjoy. The multi-cultural vibrant country of Malaysia has the glittering lifestyle of Kuala Lumpur on hand whilst on the other it is also known for the tranquil places like the forests and the beaches surrounded by coral reefs. Never again will you see a place which will allow you to come close to nature and yet enjoy the urban lifestyle.

Attractions in Malaysia

Starting from the dazzling skyscrapers to Buddhist temples, from dense green forests to white sandy beaches, the tourist attractions in Malaysia will certainly mesmerize you beyond means.

Mount Kinabalu

Mount Kinabalu

Mount Kinabalu

The highest mountain range in the island of Borneo is rich in its flora and fauna and it is certainly a treat for the tourists. With more than 600 different kinds of plants these hills are covered in rich dense forests and it offers the tourists with great sight. The hills also have 326 species of birds and over 100 different mammals the luxury resorts and hotels surrounding this mountain allows the travelers to enjoy the natural beauty. You can also try and climb the peak as you will find various mountaineering equipment in the various hiking stations near the mountain.

Pulau Tioman

Pulau Tioman

Pulau Tioman

Once claimed by the Times Magazine as the most beautiful island in the world this natural treasure chest is located in the eastern coast of the peninsular portion of Malaysia. With the growth of the rich and dense forestation on the limestone formations of the island, this place can indeed be regarded as a slice of paradise on earth. The turquoise blue water surrounding the island allows the tourists to indulge in many water based games and come up close to many beautiful marine animals. The island is also surrounded by white coral reefs making the place all the more heavenly.

Taman Negara

Taman Negara

Taman Negara

One of many national parks of Malaysia, Taman Negara, is a beautiful tropical rain forest with its fair share of waterfalls and massive trees. The ideal location for jungle treks this place indeed has many amenities for the tourists to savor. There are many kinds of jungle trails, easy and difficult, which can be availed by the tourists and there also many English speaking guides to help you out through your trail. During your trek you can encounter many wild birds, reptiles, some deer, and even tapirs. However, the dense jungle is also home to many larger wild animals like the leopard, tigers, Asian elephants, and rhinos.

Blue Mansion

Blue Mansion

Blue Mansion

The Blue Mansion of Penang is also known by the name of Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion by the locals. This classic 19th century architecture is now rightly considered as the UNESCO World Heritage Site. This Chinese architecture is represented by its classic blue walls and its beautiful ornate architecture. There are nice English guided tours available in this mansion which will take you back in time, back during the 19th century. You will get a glimpse of the lavish lifestyle once led by none other than the great Cheong Fatt Tze, who was famously known as the Rockefeller of the East.

Georgetown Inner City

Malaysia is not just about tranquil beaches and rich dense forests, as the country also has some colonial heritage scattered all across the peninsula. Named after King George III of England this town has a unique appeal. With a majority of Chinese population this colonial town still have a huge number of British era shop houses and many colonial buildings. The unique architecture and cultural essence of this place will certainly allow you to enjoy to the fullest as you will find many traditional customs and practices being carried out, remembering the British era. There are many colonial shops with Chinese hawkers, a blend of cultures for you to rejoice.
Georgetown Inner City
Sipaden

Sipaden

Malaysia's one and only oceanic island is made of coral reefs formed on a ancient volcano. It has a serene appeal and it is certainly a diver's paradise. It is needless to say that the place is rich in its marine life and people from all over the world come here to enjoy some free diving activity, under the nature. Snorkeling is also a favorite activity of this island as it allows people to come face-to-face with some sea turtles and other colorful fish. With more than 100 different size and type of corals and more than 3000 different kinds of fish it is certainly a place to dive and come up-close to the aquatic world.

Butik Bintang

Malaysia is not just about enchanting islands, coral reefs, and dense jungles. Kuala Lumpur allows the travelers to get absorbed in the urban fantasies of the place. Once you land on Kuala Lumpur you must definitely visit the Butik Bintang region as it is a shopper's paradise. The streets of this place is lined with shopping malls including the likes of the famous Benaya Times Square, which is regarded as the largest mall in the world. The mall also contains plenty of indoor theme parks for the kids and the families to enjoy. Apart from being a top notch shopping destination the place is also is known as a trendy entertainment zone with plenty of cinema, cafes, and restaurants all around the region.
Butik Bintang
Cameron Highlands

Cameron Highlands

The Cameron Highlands was first established as a prominent hill station of Malaysia, back in the 1920's by the erstwhile British rulers. Now it is an heavenly tourist destination with lots of fascinating spots for the tourists to enjoy. A multi-cultural community comprising of Chinese, Malay, and Indians have created a magical paradise for peace loving tourists. There are many waterfalls and nice jungle trails which you are bound to enjoy. Apart from the jungles, the Cameron Highlands is also blessed with tea plantations and the guides also offer you some charming "tea factory" tours.

Semenggoh Nature Reserve

The Malaysian government has done its part to preserve the natural habitat of its wildlife and this nature reserve is also dedicated to the precious apes called the orangutans. It initially started as an orphanage for the abandoned and sickly baby orangutans and now with the thick forest cover surrounding the place it has created a thriving population of the species. The morning and afternoon feeding sessions of the orangutans is a delight to watch as you can see many baby and adults sweetly accepting fruits from the caretakers. The natural reserve is also the home to many exotic Malaysian birds like the black magpie, Malaysian honeyguide, yellow flowpecker and many others.
Semenggoh Nature Reserve
In the Spotlight

The restaurant scene is quite vibrant when it comes to Malaysia. The country surrounded by coral reef islands and thick dense forests brings a kind of exotic appeal when it comes to its fabulous eateries. A mix of Chinese, Malay, and Indian eateries are ready to serve you with some scrumptious delicacies as the options are plenty for you to choose from. Whether you are in the peninsular Malaysia or in the island of Borneo, you are bound to get a treat of your lifetime. The best part of Malaysian restaurants is that you do not have to eat a single kind of cuisine every single day. The restaurants offer a wide range of cuisines allowing you to savor the real ethnic flavors of the country.

Lot 10 Hutong Food Court : Located in the Butik Bintang region of Kuala Lumpur this food court is quite famous amongst the locals of Malaysia. The Malaysians love the concept of food court and common eating spaces
and this place is special in regards of its strategic location and the range of food they offer. The area is mainly dominated by the Chinese vendors selling hot noodles and dumplings and it is indeed a pocket-friendly option for tourists traveling in a group. The Chinese food available in Malaysia has a kind of Malay and Thai flavor adhered to it and it is best if you scroll down all the stalls and decide well before placing your order.
Lot 10 Hutong Food Court
The Dyak
The Dyak: If it is authentic Malaysian food you are looking for then this new restaurant in the island of Borneo is definitely a must-visit place for you.
Rediscovering the tribal dayak recipes this place has already made a tremendous impact on the island's food scene. The ornate dining room decorated with exotic artifact evokes a traditional feeling which will connect you to the history and culture of the place. The menu is quite unique, as one can expect, and you can try out the various local fruit dishes available there. Apart from that the braised chicken recipe served with thick and creamy coconut cream is a popular item preferred by the tourists.
Devi's Corner : You cannot complete a trip of the Malaysian restaurants without digging your fingers into an authentic Malay cuisine. Devi's Corner is that special place where you will have the opportunity
to taste the most authentic Malayan cuisine served on fresh green banana leaf. With yellow rice, meat and salad you will be served a hearty meal as you can select the items from a whole lot of options available to you. They will definitely offer you the assistance of an English cutlery set consisting of a fork and a spoon, but why would you waste an opportunity to taste the food with your hand like a real South Asian citizen?
Devi's Corner
Jambu
Jambu : It would literally be a sin if you visit the island of Borneo and do not try out on the exclusive collection of seafood available in that part of Malaysia.
The fishermen villages, spread all across the island, catch some of the most delicious seafood items and no other restaurant sources them better than Jambu. The colonial style decor of the place is complemented well with the selection of French style starter menu and you cannot possibly miss out on the homemade chicken pate along with the various steaks and the special grilled fish. Then there is of course the very famous sea bass dish which is served with Bornean coconut cream or lemongrass flavor. Jazz music is being played in the restaurant and the wine collection is also quite fascinating.
Bakti Woodlands: Thinking that you will miss home food? Not a chance when you are in Malaysia. The country has a huge collection of Indian eateries and no other place is as famous as the Bakti Woodlands in Kuala Lumpur.
From the North to the South this place is an absolute heaven for Indians and everyone else who has rightly fallen in love with Indian cuisine. There is an exclusive vegetarian menu option in front of you and you get to taste some of the best set meals like uttapam, naan, and also thalis of different kinds. The portions here are large and it is indeed very affordable. It is very likely that you will encounter your fellow Indian travelers here in this restaurant.
Bakti Woodlands

The currency of Malaysia is Malaysian ringgit and it is the only currency which is accepted in all the shops, hotels, restaurants and the beach side shacks. Since there are no limit as to how much currency you can carry in Malaysia it is vital that you carry enough for your entire trip by converting the Indian Rupee into Ringgit in any FOREX, before your travel. Malaysia though accept international debit or credit cards is mostly a cash dependent economy and for that reason it is vital that you carry enough cash with you. As per the current exchange rates 1 Malaysian Ringgit is about 17 Indian Rupees. So before you travel you convert as much INR to Ringgit you need during your travels.

Special Tips

  • Malaysia is cash oriented economy and from simple commute fairs to restaurant bill, they expect you to pay by cash.
  • If you are traveling with your family then there should be at least 500 ringgit per day per person you should carry.
  • Now if you are planning on doing some expensive shopping then the bar should be raised to 750-1000 ringgit per day per person
  • 500 ringgit per person in a day will allow you to have lunch and dinner in good places and you can also hit the smaller markets around the town.
  • The bigger hotels and restaurants do accept international debit card and credit card but you need to tip the waiters in cash.

Entertainment & Event

The thick and dense rain forests is the home to many tropical animals as the multi-cultural urban life makes way for many festivals.

  • Flora and Fauna

    For a country covered densely in tropical rain forest and coral reefs it is natural that the flora and fauna population will be quite high. The forestland of peninsular Malaysia comprise of plant species like camphor, ebony, fig trees, and many other kinds of hardwood plants. There is also huge population of sandalwood available in Malaysia. Apart from these the coastal areas of Malaysia has a thick population of mangroves, palm trees, and coconut trees. The weather and the climate of the hilly regions and the coastal regions of the country are quite different and that is the reason why Malaysia experiences different kinds of flora formations.

    As far as the fauna population is concerned Malaysia is blessed with different kinds of birds, reptiles and mammals. The collection of apes in their forests is simply mesmerizing the favorites being the orangutans which the government is making brilliant efforts of conserving. Apart from the friendly apes there are other species like black bear, Indian elephants, various kinds of deer, tapirs, and even rhinos. Birds in the world of magpies and flower-peckers can be sighted in the different areas of the woods. Apart from these there are also crocodiles and snakes observed around the coastal areas of Malaysia. Jungle cats and civets can be sighted in plenty during your jungle treks across the various national parks.

  • Festivals

    Due to its multi-cultural population Malaysia ends up celebrating various kinds of festivals all throughout the year. It is definitely one of the most vibrant Asian countries because it celebrates Buddhist, Christian, Chinese, Malay, Islamic, and even Hindu festivals to a great extent. Id Eul Fitr is one of the prime festivals of Malaysia due to its high Muslim population and apart from this the people of the country also celebrates the Chinese New Year with much vigor and pride. The Buddhist festival of Wesak is also celebrated whole-heartedly in Malaysia as the Buddhist community welcomes guests from all over Asia.

    Diwali is also a popular festival in Malaysia and essentially connects the Indian community of the country with the majority of Islamic and Buddhist population. Whilst Diwali is a well-known festival in India the Hindus of Malaysia also celebrates Thiapusum with music and songs in order to cleanse their sins. Even though only 9 percent of the population are Christians, Christmas is also widely celebrated in the country and it is treated as a national holiday. So from Chinese to Indian, from Islamic to Buddhist, all kinds of religious and cultural festivals are celebrated in Malaysia.

  • Culture

    Malaysia is a big melting pot when it comes to cultural identity of the country. People from many countries have come and settled in this enchanting little peninsula and island nation and together they have created a harmony which should be set as an example to the rest of the world. The strong influence of Malay culture, the Chinese culture, along with the Indian and Eurasian culture. Since the country itself is geographically divided into several parts in the form of the island, archipelagos, and the main peninsula, there are certain cultural differences observed in the regions.

    The island people are culturally more inclined towards the tribal community and practices whilst the people from the mainland tend to be more urban. However, despite their differences what makes Malaysia an absolutely stunning place is the fact that all the communities, be it Chinese or Malay, they are very welcoming and accommodating to the tourists. The communities are also very focused on keeping their cities tidy and ornate and wherever you go in Malaysia you will see beautiful plants in their gardens.

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