A flavoursome culture fusion - from high-tech to no-tech. –That’s how Lonely Planet describe Malaysia, you have to really check out on Malaysia. Malaysia is one of the most pleasant, hassle-free countries to visit in southeast Asia. It's buoyant and wealthy, and has moved towards a pluralist culture based on a vibrant and interesting fusion of Malay, Chinese, Indian and indigenous cultures and customs.

Malaysia's love of Western-style industrialisation is abundantly clear in its big cities. Aside from the gleaming glass towers of the 21st Century with the Petronas Twin Tower listed as one of the world tallest building, Malaysia also boasts some of the most superb beaches, mountains and national parks in Asia. Kuala Lumpur (KL) is the bustling capital city of Malaysia and its showpiece of prosperity and grandeur. It's a modern Asian city of gleaming skyscrapers, but it retains much of the local colour that has been wiped out in other Asian boom-cities. It has plenty of colonial buildings in its centre, a vibrant Chinatown with street vendors and night markets, and a bustling Little India.

KL is also a shopper's paradise. Since Malaysia is situated at the crossroads of Asia, it presents visitors the best that the region has to offer. It has rare treasures of the Orient, branded designer goods, and even intricate local handicrafts. The Malaysia Ringgit exchange is comparatively lower, thus enabling tourist dollars to be stretched much further here. The exemption of duty on certain items has also resulted in more competitive pricing and made shopping in Malaysia a much more attractive option. Shoppers will be spoilt by the number of shopping malls available in KL.

Sleepless in KL? Can't bear to see the sky turn gray? Just let the sun go down, let it go… because that's when the bright lights of this bustling city come darting through; that is when KL throbs to the pulsating rhythm of its night life...... Popular night spots are all located between the golden triangle vicinity and Bangsar. A country full of different experiences waiting to be discovered, there’s never a dull day in Malaysia!

Where to go in Malaysia

Don’t know where to start of in Malaysia, why don’t pick your favorite activity and we guide you on the destination:

• Cultural / Historical – Melaka
• Wildlife Observation - Sabah and Sarawak (Borneo)
• Nature Parks (Rain forests) - Endau Rompin, Taman Negara
• Beach and Island – Redang, Langkawi
• Diving - Pulau Perhentian, Redang, Sipadan and Layang Layang
• Resort (Romantic Getaway) - Pangkor Laut Resort
• Cool Weather - Cameron Highlands , Fraser Hill
• Gambling – Genting Highland
• Shopping – Kuala Lumpur

Malaysia Basics

1. Local time is GMT +8.



2. Temperature : Malaysia has a tropical, humid climate with temperatures averaging 86°F (30°C), though it is cooler in the highland areas. The best time to visit Malaysia is between April and October.



3. Currency: The Malaysian Ringgit (MYR), also referred to as the Malaysian Dollar, is divided into 100 sen. Malaysian banks charge in the region of US$2-3 for foreign exchange transactions. Moneychangers are generally quicker to deal with and do not charge commission; their rates however are variable. Pounds or dollars are the easiest to exchange. Travellers cheques can be exchanged at banks and some hotels. All major credit cards are accepted at upmarket hotels, shops and restaurants. ATMs are widely available.



4. Language: Bahasa Melayu is the national language, but English is widely spoken and is the language of business. Cantonese, Hokkien and Hakka are spoken by Malaysias Chinese population and Tamil, Malayalam and Hindi among the Indian population



5. Religion: Although the official religion of Malaysia is Islam, each person is free to practice his or her own faith. The abundance of temples, mosques, churches and other places of worship bears testament to this. Islam in Malaysia is rather tolerant and does not comply with the fundamental belief of extremists.



6. Electricity: Electrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz. UK-style three-pin plugs are used.



7. Water: Water is generally safe to be consumed from the tap, though boiling prior to consumption is advisable.



8. Telephone: The international access code for Malaysia is +60.

Travel Tips

Unsure of what's appropriate and what's not? Here are a few travel tips to guide you!.

1. Passport /Visa
   Visitors to Malaysia must hold a valid passport or travel document with a minimum validity of six months beyond the intended visiting period. Most nationalities do not require visas for social or business visits, however please check with your travel agents on the visa requirement.



2. What to Wear
   Light, cool, and casual clothing is recommended all year round. For more formal occasions, men should wear jackets, ties, or long-sleeved batik shirts whereas women should wear dresses.



3. People
   Malays, Chinese, Indians and many other ethnic groups have lived together in Malaysia for generations. All these cultures have influenced each other, creating a truly Malaysian culture. The largest ethnic groups in Malaysia are the Malays, Chinese and Indians. In Sabah and Sarawak, there are a myriad of indigenous ethnic groups with their own unique culture and heritage. Malaysian are famous for their hospitalities, enough said.



4. Medical Services
   Medical services are available in most towns at government hospitals and private clinics. Non-prescription drugs are available at pharmacies, as well as supermarkets, hotels, and shopping centers.



5. Tourist Police
   Visitors who encounter unforeseen problems and difficulties can seek the Malaysian Tourist Police Unit for assistance. They often patrol tourist spots and will render assistance, as well as safeguard tourists' security.



6. Business Hours
   The country runs on a normal eight hours a day system with Saturday as half day and Sunday as a day of rest. In the states of Kelantan, Terengganu, and Kedah, Friday is a day of rest with Thursday as half days. Shopping Malls and supermarkets are open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.



7. Tipping
   Although tipping is not customary in Malaysia, it is fast becoming one. The more expensive hotels and restaurants add a 10% service charge to their bills and further gratuity is unnecessary. All hotel rooms are subject to a 5% government tax.



8. Custom
   Malaysia is largely Muslim and therefore Islamic customs should be respected, especially during the month of Ramadan when eating, drinking and smoking in public should be avoided, as it is forbidden by Islamic law. Dress, particularly for women, should be conservative, and arms and legs should be covered when visiting places of worship. It is customary to remove shoes before entering homes and places of worship. When eating or exchanging money, the right hand is used.



9. Food
   Food hawkers selling traditional and local delicacies make up the everyday scenes in big or small towns throughout the country. One can try "teh tarik", a smoothened, creamed tea, and "roti canai", a fluffy pancake prepared by a local person of Indian Muslim ancestry. spicy Malay food, such as "nasi lemak" and various kinds of Chinese noodles are also popular. People from all walks of life frequent these food stalls.