The Southeast Asian nation of Malaysia contains different cultures within its two major land masses located at opposite ends of the South China Sea. Most Malaysians live in the half of the country called West or Peninsular Malaysia, while the less crowded East Malaysia boasts many of the country's unspoiled rainforests, wildest jungles, and beautiful beaches. It takes about 2.5 hours to fly the 1,854 km from Bangkok to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia's modern capital. The 22-hour train trip from Bangkok's Hua Lamphong station to Padang Besar, a border community, is longer, cheaper, and more scenic.
Don’t MissMost of Kuala Lumpur’s attractions can be found in the Old City Centre or the contemporary Golden Triangle. The planet's tallest flagpole stands in the centre of Kuala Lumpur’s Merdeka Square. The Golden Triangle's two tallest skyscrapers, the twin Petronas Towers, also stand higher than any other twin towers on Earth. Malaysia's rural regions contain a few record setting landmarks of their own like Southeast Asia's longest cave system in Gunung Mulu National Park as well as one of the tallest mountains in Southeast Asia, Mount Kinabalu. Langkawi, Redang, and the Perhentian Islands are Malaysia's best known beach resorts.
Malaysia's attractions range from modern cities like the capital, Kuala Lumpur, to some of Southeast Asia's secluded beaches, mountains, jungles, and rainforests. One thing which remains constant throughout Malaysia at all times of the year, however, is a consistently hot and humid tropical climate. Only the monsoon season changes in different parts of the country. Eastern Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo's rainiest months last from October to February. Western Peninsular Malaysia visitors, on the other hand, are likely to get wet in April, May, October, or November. Most tourists come to Malaysia in June, July, and the last week of December.
Restaurants and BarsIndian, Malay, and Chinese are Malaysia's three most dominant cuisines on the country's restaurant menus. Peranakan is another popular type of cuisine combining Chinese and Malay influences. These tasty treats are served at many restaurants in Kuala Lumpur's Golden Triangle. Must-try Malaysian dishes include nasi kandar (rice served with curry) and nasi briyani (rice with meat, vegetables and spices). Kuih dadar (coconut stuffed pancake) is one of Malaysia’s signature desserts. Bangsar and Bukit Bintang are Kuala Lumpur's main nightlife hot spots.
ActivitiesWater plays an important part in many Malaysian festivals like the June Melaka River Fiesta and the April Malaysia Water Festival which takes place in Labuan. Hindu holidays such as Diwali and the Thaipusam festival are celebrated alongside Chinese New Year in this multicultural country. Malaysia's scuba diving season lasts from April to September. The dive site of Sipadan in Borneo is considered one of the world's most outstanding scuba diving locations. Tourists wanting to learn more about Malaysia's colonial pasts can explore George Town, Penang's multicultural food and cultural capital which the British first established in 1786.
ShoppingKuala Lumpur is the country's shopping capital and many of its over 60 shopping centres can be found in the Midvalley and Bukit Bintang areas. Good places to stock up on batik clothing, wooden goods, and other Malaysian souvenirs outside of Kuala Lumpur include the Kuching Waterfront bazaar in Sarawak as well as shopping malls and street markets in Malacca.