Tips for discovering Malaysia

1. Tips for discovering Malaysia – Why I visit Malaysia?

Malaysia is the beautiful country located in the midst of South East area of Asia. Before go there, I have searched much information, read many comments from tourist forums, see plenty of wonderful pictures of its beauty. But when I step to there, I am really being attractive by amazing landscapes and outstanding destinations. It’s the truth that Mother Nature gave Malaysia combination of the most various landscapes of Asia to be well known. For many years, this country welcome thousands of tourists by many of impressive sights such as green rainforest and thick jungles or some of the top islands in the world covered with white sandy beach, turquoise waters, palm-fringed beaches, which has been expected to visit one time. The feeling of overwhelming will follow you during the journey. The natural majestic views will be in the near distance to enjoy.

2. Time for visit

Tips for discovering Malaysia :Do you know that Malaysia is called “tropical paradise”? That’s because the climate here is yearly shine and humid characters leading to a various and plentiful ecosystem. Therefore, don’t worry about time you should call on this colourful country, any time during the year it always welcomes you.

• From April to September: Dry season has average temperatures in 29 – 35. At that time, your trip will not be affected by tropical rains and very suitable for an ecosystem insight as well as tasting many kinds of fruits.
• From October to March of next year: The season that you may suddenly get caught in pouring or cloud rain when visiting any some places.
• Peak seasons begins in late May until early September.

NOTE:

• In Malaysia, sun usually rises at 7 o’clock and sets at 8 pm. It’s not dark inspite of being at 6 or 7 pm.
• In Langkawi or George town, before 10 o’clock, streets are quiet, just few of shops or stores open. They become crowed after 11 am.

3. Currency

They use Ringgit (MYR; RM)=100 sen. Its denominations are RM 100, 50, 10, 5 and 1. Coins are in 50. 20, 10, 5 and 1 sen
US$1 = RM 4.3

4. Language

• In Malaysia, they uses 4 most languages: English, Chinese, Malaysian and Indian
• Most Malaysian people are good at communicating by English and Chinese so you can easily ask for direction or open talk with them to understand local people.

5. Transport in urban

Of course thing to do when you first step in is searching a map for travelling in the city by yourselves or a public-transportation map, which easily get at any airport, station or hotel reception.
Like many other destinations, there are many options for you to make a circuit of Malayssia.

• Public transport: Bus, electric overhead metro, or subway. It’s up to your selection. Whatever you choose, you should start your journey at KL Sentral station. The simple reason is that of centre of transport routes in urban Kuala Lumpur and its outskirts as well.
• Taxi: Taxi service in Malay is very different with 3 colours corresponding to 3 distinctive levels. The blue one for VIP is at the good service but expensive and rarely. The red and yellow ones are affordable but you should bargain before getting on and warn that you will use google maps direction so don’t go around.
• You just ought to pick a taxi if you want to go to near places. Or else public transport will be encouraged.
• Trains: You can catch trains anywhere and most can serve overnight.

6. Hotels, hostels in Malaysia

In my opinion, the best places are inconvenient for traveling and near to other famous tourist attraction. Some area I recommend you to stay:
• Kuala Lumpur: are Bukit, Bintang and China town area.
• Cameron Highlands: near to bus station
• Penang: George Town for walking, free bus
• Langkawi: hotels or resorts at
+ Cenang: tourist area, crowed, inconvenient for services of rental, daily tours…)
+ Kuah: just for shopping.
• Mekala: Jonfer street.

7. Tourist attractions

As you know, Malaysia owns many attractive and unique destinations, however not all tourists have enough time to explore. So some places I recommend you to must-see:

Western coast of peninsular Malaysia:

• Kuala Lumpur: tourist centre of Malaysia. To there, you can’t miss the trip to Petronas Twin Towers, Sultan Abdul Samad building at Merdeka Square, ChinaTown, Lake Garden, National Sanctuary, Bukit Bintang shopping centre, Islamic arts museum, National zoo Negara, Istana Budaya National opera house, Batu caves or Genting highlands…
• Putrajaya: Federal administration centre of Malaysia with landscapes you should visit such as: Perdana Putra building, Putra Mosque, Taman Putra Perdana, Millennium Monument and Seri Wawasan bridge.
• Penang: the biggest island in the west of Malay: Penang hill, Penang Botanic gardens, to Kek Lok Si, Penang butterfly farm, Snake temple, War museum… are outstanding sightseeing here.
• Georgetown: World Cultural Heritage recognized by UNESCO with Cheong Fatt Tze building, Pulau Pinang hall, Cornwallis, Little India, Armenian street, Queen Victoria clock tower, Wat Chaiyamangalaram temple, Dhammikarama temple….
• Malacca: Peranakan Ancient building, Cheng Hoon Teng temple, Christ church, Tang beng swee clock tower, Porta de Santiago, Bukit China Cemetery, King’s well, Poh San Teng or Geok Hu Keng temples..
• Langkawi: Telaga Tujuh waterfalls, Gunung Raya mountain, Crocodile adventureland, Laman Padi rice garden, Legend garden, Underwater world, Eagle square… and nice beaches as Pentai Cenang, Tanjung Rhu, Datai Bay, Burau bay, … make it become the paradise of tourists of Malaysia
• Ipoh: in which is famous for colonial architecture with relics: Birch memorial clocktower, Ipoh Railway Station, Tamil Mariamman Kovil, Perak Tong caves, Sam Poh Tong and Kek Lok Tong, Kellie’s castle and Ulu Geroh rainforest…

Eastern coast of peninsular Malaysia

• Cameron highlands: Gunung Brinchang mount, Mossy forest, Parit Waterfall, Blue valley, Robinson Rose garden, Rose valley. …
• Kuantan: Teluk Cempedak monkey area, Pantai Batu Hitam, Panching caves, Berkelah waterfall…
• Fraser’s hill: sactuary of 250 species of birds and walking on romantic paths.
• Perhentian island: Here you will find long white sandy beaches, diverse ecosystem, beautiful coral reef. If you like swimming or scuba diving, it will be an ideal to visit.

Malaysian Borneo.

• Kuching: The cleanest city of Malay. Don’t forget to call on these places: Sultan Iskandar Planetarium, Kuching city mosque, Medan Raya Complex, Kuching waterfront, Pasar Minggu, Cat museum…
• Kota Kinabalu: state capital of Sabah is well known with Atkinson clock tower, City park, food street Gaya street and swimming on Tanjung Aru beaches, Kinabalu mount…

8. Culinary and specialities

• Malaysia culinary is the combination of other ones from Singapore, India, China,…. I recommend you to taste delicious dishes of Nasi Lemak, Satay, The Tarik, Roti Canai, Airr batu campur, Cendol, Pasembor, Chicken rice, Laska, Hokkien mee,…
• Food streets you may find options: Lot 10, Central market, Bukit Bintang plaza…
• Street vendors: This is your cheapest option for getting a simple meal of chicken, fish, rice of under 3 USD. Pick it for having a delicious meal and saving your money.
• Local restaurants: more expensive at Thai and Indian restaurants up to 30 USD but a good value.

Now, don’t hesitate to take your time for discovery one of the countries, which owns the most diverse ecosystem in the world and have unforgettable memories there.