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Travel Malaysia - The Essential Guide To Enjoying The Perfect Malaysia Holiday

There is a popular saying about this wonderful country – “Malaysia – Truly

Asia”. Indeed, as you’ll find on your travels to Malaysia, this inspiring South-

East Asian country has the very best of what the Asian continent has to offer.

From it’s warm and welcoming people, who can seem to never stop wanting to

please, to the vivid and flavoursome cuisine – it’s a place that will have you

hooked the minute you embark from your plane. From awe-inspiring, white

sandy beaches with turquoise blue waters to vibrant cities buzzing with activity

late into the night, to travel to Malaysia is to experience the very best of Asia.

Then there’s the capital of Kuala Lumpur, which grips you with it’s buzzing

life…here you can amble along exciting street markets, take in a very

reasonable (and tasty) meal just about anywhere and gaze at the major

landmarks such as the Petronas Towers and nearby Batu caves.

Accommodation is also relatively cheap to stay in the centre with a wide range

of high class and budget hotels. It follows that whether you’re looking to enjoy

the lap of luxury or backpack your way around – you’ll find what you’re looking

for in Malaysia. It’s a holiday-makers paradise.

Essential Malaysia Travel Facts

Where Is It? Malaysia is a country in South East Asia. It’s neighbours include the

Philippines, Bali, Singapore and Thailand. It actually comprises of two bodies

with a land mass estimated to be around 330 sq km.

How Many people Live There? The country is host to almost 23 million people.

When’s The Best Time To Go? April to October is generally the dry season and

so the most popular period. November to March is the wet (monsoon) season.

Do I Need A Visa? It depends – lots of nationalities do not require a visa to visit

Malaysia but it’s best to check with your local embassy to see if you may

require on prior to arrival.

What Languages Are Spoken Here? In the main cities and certainly in the

mid/high class resort, you’ll get by just fine on English. However the

predominant language is Bahasa Melayu but Chinese and some Tamil is also

spoken in certain areas.

What Is The Currency Used? The Ringgit is the currency used.

Is It Safe? Malaysia is a highly safe destination for tourists. Beyond that it’s a

popular haven for luxury travellers with an abundance of high class beach

resorts available (as long as you’re prepared to spend upwards of $300 per

night). It’s also a popular destination for backpackers looking for a very

inexpensive holiday. Due to the abundance of cheap no-frills places to lodge (in

practically every location) plus inexpensive dining options, it’s possible to get by

in Malaysia on just a few dollars a day.

This travel guide will provide you everything you need to have a wonderful

Malaysia holiday – including what to see and do, plus how to get the best

holiday deals so that you get maximum return from your available budget.

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A Brief History Of Malaysia & The Country Today

The earliest Malaysian inhabitants are believed to have made their way to the

land mass from China. It’s believed that both the Chinese and Islam first

established an official civilisation in Malaysia. The 14th Century provides the

first hint of a clear Malaysian ruler as Cheng Ho occupied the country with a

promise to protect it’s people against the Siamese, while Islam was also

spreading throughout the country.

Later, the country was also ruled by the Dutch, Portugese and British. Malaysia

took steps towards independence in 1969, and since then the country has

enjoyed a peaceful and prosperous period of growth. Today, it is a multi-

cultural society with a mix of people from various backgrounds including

Chinese, Indian, Portugese and Dutch.

The predominant religion within Malaysia is Islam – though there are many

other religions practiced including Christianity, Hinduism and Buddhism.

Holiday-makers to Malaysia often comment on how wonderfully friendly and

warm the local Malaysian people are…an experience that you’ll no doubt enjoy

too when you travel within Malaysia. Indeed, tourism accounts for much of

Malaysia’s economic income, no surprise when you see the wealth of natural

beauty, culture and splendour that the country offers those who choose to

holiday here.

Travelling To Malaysia – How To Get There & How To Move About Within The Country

How To Get To Malaysia

The main arrival point for your holiday to Malaysia will almost certainly be

Kuala Lumpur – although other airports do exist including Pulau Penang, Kota

Kinabalu and Johor Bahru. However, Kuala Lumpur is the capital of Malaysia

and so international flights will almost certainly be arriving here.

Depending on your starting point, air-fares can be quite costly to get here. For

example, expect to pay at least $600 to fly in from the United States (and at

least something similar if you’re arriving from the United Kingdom).

The following airlines are some of the more popular ones that fly in to Kuala

Lumpur from most international destinations:

- Virgin Atlantic

- Singapore Airlines

- Malaysia Airlines

- Air India

- British Airways

- Cathay Pacific

- Thai Airways

Getting Around Malaysia Once You’re There

Because Malaysia has two separate bodies of land segregated by water,

holiday makers to the country often need to fly between destinations. For

example, many holiday makers prefer to do a twin centre holiday which

includes the capital of Kuala Lumpur. For example, Langkawi is one of the most

incredible beach destinations within Malaysia – a true paradise with soft sandy

beaches and beautiful clear blue waters. Unsurprisingly it is one of the most

popular holiday and vacation destinations within Malaysia. To do both Kuala

Lumpur and Langkawi (which many holiday makers do), you would need to take

a one hour flight between Kuala Lumpur and Langkawi.

Getting Around Malaysia By Air

Remember, that many of the idyllic beach locations within Malaysia are located

on islands that are separate to Kuala Lumpur (such as Langkawi). This means

you will almost certainly have to fly if you’re booked in to one of these island

locations. To fly within the country you have a few options. The obvious,

Malaysia Airlines allows you to get to and from practically every destination

within Malaysia. Also an option to get around regionally by air are Air Asia,

Berjaya Air and Langi Air. Flights vary depending on your final destination.

Getting Around Malaysia By Boat

While there are several boat services, it’s not an ideal way to get to and from

various destinations. Services are sometimes lax and this can impact negatively

on your holiday.

Getting Around Malaysia By Train

While trains are generally comfortable, well managed and run, the rail network

is not particularly extensive.

Getting Around Malaysia By Coach

Malaysia has a coach and bus system to be proud of. It’s an excellent and

reliable mode of transport for both long and short journeys within Malaysia.

They are also fairly comfortable and the most economically friendly method of

getting around.

Getting Around Malaysia By Car

It’s actually fairly pleasant to drive in Malaysia. You can hire your own car for

about $40 a day and the roads are fairly well preserved and clearly marked for

navigation. Drivers drive on the left hand side of the road – there are several

car hire outlets located in airports and city centres. A more expensive option is

to hire a car, but this can be very expensive and will set you back over $100 a

day. Still, it’s a perfect option to get around comfortably and seeing exactly

what you want – as long as you have the budget for it.

Taxi, Public Bus & Other

Taxi’s are fairly common-place in Kuala Lumpur and most other Malaysian

cities. Be wary though, because even though they run on metres, it’s common

for tourists to get swindled into paying more! Keep your wits about you and

check in with your hotel what the rate should be for the destination you’re

going to prior to stepping foot in a taxi.

Public buses are also available in many major cities and in some cities bicycle

rickshaws are still used.

Travelling Around Malaysia – A Few Tips

The earliest Malaysian inhabitants are believed to have made their way to the

land mass from China.

Malaysia is made up of various parts and depending on your points of interest

(and time availability), you can travel around some or all of these. Of course,

there is the capital of Kuala Lumpur but there are also several additional

distinct states and islands that fall under Malaysian rule – indeed, if you’re

looking forward to sampling some of the incredible beaches within Malaysia,

you’ll probably want to taste some of these. These include:

Selangor – Largely industrial state which enjoys some interesting points of

interest (notably the Batu caves)

Perak – The state that share’s it’s border with Thailand has some interesting

Mangrove Forest Reserves and impressive royal palaces.

Penang – A heavily visited corner of Malaysia, Penang is known as “the pearl of

the Orient” – the most visited places here tend to be the exciting Penang

National Park and Georgetown.

Kedah – Home to one of the most popular & scenic holiday destinations within

Malaysia (Langkawi)

Negeri Sembilan – A small and sleepy state that is home to the Cape Rachado

Forest Reserve.

Melaka – This culturally rich state has a wonderful town centre and offers

visitors some wonderful shopping.

Johor – The economically rich state of Johor also has something to interest

tourists, notably Endau Rompin National Park.

Pahang – Malaysia’s largest state in terms of geography, here you find Taman

Negara (one of the world’s oldest rainforests).

Terengganu – Offers some very good beaches such as Pulau Perhentian as well

as some interesting nature points (like the turtle sanctuary).

Kelantan – Aside from being a good place to buy traditional Malay handicrafts,

this is the place of the astounding Jungle Railway where you can ride through

some spectacular scenery.

Sarawak – Offers some wonderful national parks such as Bako and Gunung

Mulu.

Sabah – Home to the popular Kinabalu.

Clearly, unless you have several weeks (and possibly months) of time available,

it’s impossible to do more than one or two of these places. The most popular

places for tourists seeking an incredible holiday tends to be Kuala Lumpur and

Langkawi – which is where we will focus on too.

Some Interesting Facts About Malaysia For The Sophisticated Traveller

Want to impress the locals with your knowledge on Malaysia? Check out these

interesting facts…

The Largest Cave Chamber In The World – happens to be the Sarawak

Chamber in Gunung Mulu national park.

Feb 20th, 1956 – The date Malaysia gained independence, now celebrated as a

national holiday.

Rafflesia – found in Sabah, this is the largest flower in the world. Malaysia also

is proudly home to the largest leaf in the world (over 3 metres long).

Malaysia has more km of highway than the total circumference of the earth.

Minangkabu – The settlers to the Malaysia state of Negeri Sembilan, who came

to Malaysia sometime in the 15th century.

Dining Etiquette – In some top end Malay restaurants do not be surprised if the

waiter comes with a pot of water – it’s expected for guests to wash their hands

before starting their meals.

The Smelliest Fruit In The World – Durians are found in Malaysia, and aside

from being an aphrodisiac they also hold the less impressive mantle of smelliest

fruit in the world.

Home Of The Turtle – Several species of turtles were discovered first, and

believed to have originated, from Malaysia. Malaysia is also home to the

Monitor Lizard, which can be several feet in length.

40,000 Years – The age of the oldest human remains to be found in Malaysia.

This indicates that the origins of Malay culture may have started during this

time, or even have preceded it.

Kuala Lumpur – The Vibrant Capital Of Malaysia

An Introduction To Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur is Malaysia, and indeed South East Asia at it’s best – in many

ways the city combines the best parts of the West with the values and morals of

the East, producing one of the most unique and rewarding experiences for every

traveller.

The city, on the west coast of the Peninsula of Malaysia has an area of 243 sq

miles and is about 40km from the coast of Malaysia – the city itself is nestled

within some gloriously sharp hills which makes some great viewing from the air

(look out for it as you make your descent, and make sure you request a window

seat from wherever you may be flying).

Perhaps the first thing that strikes you as you wander about the Golden

Triangle is the bristling cleanliness of the city – even in the most densely

populated areas, there is rarely any litter to be found. This is largely due to the

combined “Keep Malaysia Clean” mindset of the locals coupled with the

investment towards keeping streets clean as provided by the government. Take

note, New York and London.

History Of Kuala Lumpur

Not much longer than a hundred or so years ago, Malaysia’s now vibrant

capital was little more than a dense jungle – even today, as you make your

descent from the air, you can see miles of endless jungle in every which

direction.

Kuala Lumpur was initially discovered by Chinese prospectors who cam in

search of tin and set-up a base along the Klang & Gombak river. The name

Kuala Lumpur means “muddy river” – and so the city was born, initially as a

magnet for tin and metal miners. This was in 1857. In the next century,

Malaysia was largely under British rule and the country finally gained

independence in 1957 (it is now celebrated as a national holiday).

Today, Malaysia is a mix of many tolerant cultures and races – Chinese, Malay

and Indian tend to be the most prominent cultures though the government has

long been trying to get it’s people to think of themselves as one common

Malaysian culture.

The Weather In Kuala Lumpur

If you arrive in Kuala Lumpur with a cold, you’ll leave with a clear nose and

most probably a very nice tan. The temperature can only dip as low as the early

twenties and can rise to the mid thirties in terms of degree ‘c.

Kuala Lumpur - Travelling Around Inside The City

Many of the main attractions within Kuala Lumpur are located quite near to

one another. It’s easy then to think that you can navigate the city by foot but

the lack of decent infrastructure (footpaths) for pedestrians coupled with the

usually HOT weather can make it a better idea to just take a taxi or the highly

impressive monorail to travel about.

Generally taxi drivers are very helpful, chatty and friendly – you get the

impression they’re genuinely proud of their city and they’re only too happy to

tell you what you may want to know. It’s not exactly cheap to hire a taxi, but

it’s certainly cheaper than in many other developed cities such as London or

New York.

Kuala Lumpur In Under Two Days

While it’s impossible to see everything that Kuala Lumpur has to offer within

this time, you can certainly see the lot. Here’s a workable itenary to enjoy Kuala

Lumpur in two days or less:

- Try and get a hotel room in the centre of the city. Many places of

interest are located close by and you’ll save some time and money if

you’re staying in and among the attractions.

- Walk through the bustling markets in Chinatown, and pick up one or

two keepsakes – there are endless stalls selling cheap clothing, purses and

leather goods.

- Get to the Kuala Lumpur Tower (KL Tower) and take the lift to the

very top. Here you can get a full view of the city including some impressive

views of the Petronas Towers.

- Also good for some crafts is the central market (a short walk from

Chinatown).

- Little India is worth a walk through, it’s like China Town (except of

course all things have a distinct Indian flavour).

- National Museum – set amidst splendid architecture, the National

Museum is the place to learn more about Malaysia as a country, it’s past

and present.

- Check out one of the many brilliant shopping malls located within (or

near) the Golden Traingle.

- No trip to Kuala Lumpur would be complete without a visit to the

awesome Petronas Towers. If you’ve already been to the KL towers you

may want to skip actually going onto the bridge here – one tip, go at night

time when the towers are fully lit for the most awesome views.

The Best Attractions In Kuala Lumpur – Don’t Miss These On Your Holiday To Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur is fast becoming the capital of South East Asia – it has a

population approaching 2m with a land area of 240 Sq km. Everything about

the city has the ability to hypnotise even the most discerning traveller. The

culture and friendliness of the people, the tropical and always sunny weather,

the mass of interesting shops, sights and sounds – and of course an endless

supply of brilliant restaurants (get ready to buy bigger pants).

Petronas Towers – The Most Seen Tourist Attraction In Malaysia

The views from the sky-bridge along the Petronas Towers are pretty good

(though the bridge is not more than about halfway up the entire height of the

towers). The Petronas towers is over ten years old and was commissioned by

multinational oil giant Petronas who have their main office inside (along with

some other huge companies). The towers are called Menara (Malay for

“Tower”) 1 and 2 and at one point were recorded to be the highest in the world

(up to 2002).

Also within the grounds are some well manicured gardens, and a huge

conference centre wildly regarded as one of the best in the world.

The Petronas towers are open to the public from Tuesdays to Sunday at specific

times (typically between 8.30am to 5pm), but even outside the times when the

skybridge is open there are many things in and around the towers to enjoy – for

example some chic restaurants and café’s and the park which is open late at

night.

If you do want some unique snaps of the Petronas Towers, it is highly

recommended to come at night when the tower is fully lit. You can get some

outstanding photography, particularly from the gardens which themselves host

a lovely lake.

Within the Petronas Towers structure, there is the highly popular Aquarium,

which has some impressive displays of marine life.

If you’re looking for a decent place in the city centre near the towers, there are

actually a good few hotels that will not break the bank. A comfortable place

can be had for as little as $70 per night (sometimes with partial views of the

Petronas towers).

Kuala Lumpur Tower (KL Tower)

You can enjoy the best unrestricted views of the city from the viewing point of

the KL tower. It costs about 25RM for an adult ticket, and you’ll be delighted at

the scenes from here. In fact, you can get far better views from the KL tower

than the sky-bridge at the Petronas Towers (and unlike the Petronas Towers

you can have a full view of KL in any direction).

This is where you can take awesome photo’s of Kuala Lumpur and enjoy views

of some of the city’s best landmarks, including the Petronas Towers.

If you fancy a spot of lunch at the top of the tower, make sure you reserve as

it’s often fully booked.

In & Around Chinatown – Bargain Markets, Tasty Food & Bustling Atmosphere

Chinatown has some awesome market stalls, mostly selling much the same

thing – so if you happen to want some bargain clothing/leather products then

head on down and bag yourself a right bargain.

Lake Gardens & Bird Park

Initially sculpted during British rule, the Lake Gardens are well worth a visit on

your Malaysia holiday. The centrepiece and biggest attraction of the gardens

themselves are the bird reserve offering over 150 species of local bird & wildlife.

National Museum

The museum holds some interesting information about the history and culture

of Malaysia and has some good exhibits.

Kampung Baru & Night Market

Walk around within this quiet area and you’ll discover a glimpse of traditional

Malay life – the best time to visit is during a Saturday night when the bustling

night time market springs into life. You’ll find just about everything you would

want to buy.

Batu Caves

While strictly speaking the Batu Caves are somewhat north of Kuala Lumpur,

many visitors to Malaysia’s capital head here as it’s located in neighbouring

Selangor.

Here you can see the Hindu Temple shrine and golden statue of Lord

Subramaniam – there is a climb of about 270 steps to get to the top of the

caves, and you should beware that the Batu Caves are the subject of a

pilgrimage every January when over a million people come to pay their

respects.

Markets, Markets, Markets (And Markets)

Kuala Lumpur is a market lovers dream come true – you can hardly walk for five

minutes in any direction without coming onto some type of market or stall –

whatever the time of day or night.

Probably the most famous is Central Market, which has an excellent selection

of local handicrafts, jewelry, memento’s, clothes and more. As it is a hotspot for

tourists you’ll really need to bargain if you want a good deal. You should also

note that if you intend to go on to some of the lovely islands in Malaysia (such

as Langkawi), you can find the same items a lot cheaper – so if you do intend to

shop make sure you plan it. Central market is located along jln Hang Kasturi).

Somewhat more rustic is the Kuala Lumpur Arts Market within Laman Seni KL

is quite a good place to pick up home made crafts – you deal with the

artists/craft makers directly which makes for a nice story when you tell people

about the painting hanging on your wall.

In Kampung Baru is the delightful Night Market (called the Sunday market

because it starts on Saturday but runs through into Sunday).

A huge selection of crafts and pewter can be purchased at Kompleks Budaya

Kraf, which is also well worth a visit.

Ultimately, markets are an intrinsic part of Malaysian life – and if you’re there

on anything but a stopover, they should make it on to your agenda of places to

visit.

Shopping Malls

The other end of shopping within Malaysia includes grand shopping malls that

would put anything in New York or London to shame.

Right in the heart of the golden Triangle is the immaculate Pavillion Mall – this

mall covers a huge area containing hundreds of shops as well as some

outstanding eating areas. The topmost floor contains some excellent and well

priced restaurants – a particularly popular one is Spice Of India which offers

some truly wonderful Indian cuisine.

Other really popular shopping malls include Berjaya Times Sq which claims to

be South East Asia’s biggest shopping centre. It certainly is big and includes

several restaurants and a cinema.

Near the Petronas Towes, Suria Mall also has a good selection of boutiques

inside.

Mid Valley Megamall is another blockbuster with hundreds of shops, cinema,

bowling alley and a plethora of mid range and quality restaurants.

If your credit card knows no bounds then check out Starhill Gallery which is

where the elite of Kuala Lumpur shop for designer name clothing & products.

Eating & Drinking In Kuala Lumpur – What & Where To Eat

Kuala Lumpur is a culinary experience that must be seen (or eaten) to be

believed. There is a wonderful choice of foods to be enjoyed and no matter

what your budget, you will eat and drink like a king during your stay.

Types Of Local Malaysian Foods To Enjoy On Your Holiday

The beauty of Malaysian food is in it’s variety – because of it’s evolution,

Malaysia has the culinary influence of many traditionally exciting food cultures,

including China and India. What results is a great offering of traditional Chinese

and Indian cuisine along with some terrific fusions.

Here are some of the foods you’ll enjoy during your stay:

Bryani – A colourful rice dish with fruits such as pineapple being part of the

dish.

Pakoda – Initially an Indian starter where onion & vegetables are rolled into a

ball and fried till crispy and golden brown. It’s pretty heavy on the garlic but not

especially spicy.

Char Siew – Fillet of roasted pork.

Char Kway Teow – Broad noodles in a soy and chilli base.

Poopiah – Soft savoury pastry.

Ikan Asam – Slightly sour fish.

Laksa – Noodles in a coconut gravy which often has a variety of other

ingredients such as chicken eggs and prawns.

Nasi Campur – Selection of cured meats usually served with a side of rice.

Nasi Goreng – Fried rice.

Nasi Padang – A Malay dish of meat, rice & vegetables.

Rasam – Soup based dish which can be quite spicy.

Rendang – Coconut based curry that can have either chicken or meat.

Tom Yum Kung – Spicy fish soup.

That’s just some of the foods you can expect to be on a Malaysian restaurant

menu. To find the others, you’ll have to experience a night at a traditional

Malaysian restaurant yourself.

Restaurants Of Choice – The Places To Eat In Kuala Lumpur

There are no shortage of wonderful dining experiences in Kuala Lumpur – you

can opt to dine in five star luxury within many of the opulent restaurant

catering to the five star crowd – or choose to eat at a roadside stall in one of

the many night markets that the city hosts. It’s up to you, and no matter your

choice you shall eat well.

We’ll segregate the dining options by the type of cuisine:

For The Best Chinese Food In Kuala Lumpur…

Obviously, Chinatown is your port of call for the best choice in world class

Chinese food.

West Lake Restoran has some well priced meals popular with both tourists and

locals. It’s located within Chinatown.

Crystal Jade is a favourite for good quality Chinese fare within the Golden

Triangle area of Kuala Lumpur.

Si Chuan Dou Hua – For a more upmarket Chinese restaurant in lush

surroundings, this one is highly rated by businessmen in Kuala Lumpur city

centre.

Chynna – Also rather upmarket, Chynna is located in the Bangsar Baru district.

For The Best Indian Food In Kuala Lumpur…

Vansh, located in the golden triangle region of Kuala Lumpur has what many

believe to be the best Indian food in the city. Nearby, another good option is

Restoran Nagansari which offers some world class curries.

In the Little India region of Kuala Lumpur there are a few good Indian

restaurants including the glitzy That Indian Thing, Bilal Restoran and

Sangeetha.

Elsewhere, in Brickfields you’ll find the highly regarded Gem Restaurant –

reasonably priced and always very good.

For The Best Traditional Malaysian Food In Kuala Lumpur…

Little Penang Kafe, located in the Golden Triangle is a great place to try some

traditional Malay dishes, as is Old China Café in Chinatown. Also within the

Golden Triangle district, you’ll find speciality Malay eateries such as Bijan and

Seri Angkasa.

More Superb Eateries Within Kuala Lumpur…

Asian

Mythai Jim Thompson is a superb place to find Thai food within the Golden

Triangle area. You can find other Asian restaurants like Ginger (general Asian

dishes), Wa-Raku (Japanese) and Sao Nam (Thai) in the Golden Triangle too.

You can find one or two nice Japanese places outside KLCC (Golden Triangle)

too – Yu Re Tei for example is situated within Little India and is set amidst

pleasant surroundings and décor.

Western

There are a good selection of Western places to eat – eateries that provide

Tapas, Italian and more are all available provided you know where to look.

Prego, inside the Golden Triangle is one of the best places to find quality Italian

fare. Also within the Golden Triangle boundries are Sentidos Tapas (Spanish

fare) and the upscale Frangipani.

Moving away from the Triangle, Little India has the popular Coliseum Café

which offers a myriad of European & American style dishes.

In Chinatown you can go for French and Italian cuisine through outlets such as

Café Café and Dining Room (both offer a pleasant ambience to enjoy a casual

dinner).

Bars & Clubs In Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur is a late night city – while many shops remain open to ten

(clothes shops & malls), restaurants stay open often till 2am and beyond. This is

a city that rarely sleeps, so you can imagine the plethora of bars to be found.

The City Centre, Golden Triangle, has an incredibly good selection of bars to

enjoy – for example Ceylon Bar is particularly popular and Finnegan’s is the

place to go if you want to catch a live sports game while having a few drinks.

Elsewhere, Bar Savanh is a popular place in Asian Heritage Row, and more bars

can be found in Chinatown (such as Reggae Bar), as well as Flam’s bar in

Bangsar Baru.

The above is just a selection – your hotel will be able to recommend a good bar

close to your residence, wherever that may be.

The clubbing scene within Kuala Lumpur is also thriving – many of the most

popular ones are located along Asian Heritage Row, including Cynna, Maison

and Loft.

Other Entertainment In Kuala Lumpur – Cinemas, Theatre & More

Theatre goers may find something that appeals to them at either Istana

Budaya (drama shows & musicals) and similarly the Kuala Lumpur Performing

Arts centre also hosts plays and cultural events.

There are some cinema’s in a couple of the large malls that are located

throughout the city, but specialist cinemas can be found at the Digi Imax

Cinema in Berjaya Times Square, or at the Golden Screen Cinemas in Bangsar

(the biggest cinema complex that Malaysia has to offer).

If you’re in the mood for some Malay type music then pop into Seri Melayu

where you can see traditional Malay dances and cultural shows.

Hotels, Accommodation & Places To Stay On Your Visit To Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur has a wide range of hotels, Bed & Breakfast & other

accommodation types to fit the needs of every traveller. There are plus hotels

that can cost a kings ransom as well as one-room basic B&Bs that will fit the

budget conscious back-pack traveller.

First, you should decide on your budget and the location you want to stay at –

it’s recommended that you stay as close to the city centre (Golden Triangle) as

possible as this will maximise your chances of experiencing vintage Kuala

Lumpur, day and night. There are no shortage of hotels in the Kuala Lumpur city

centre/Golden Triangle region, and our personal favourite is the Novotel Hydro

– it’s slap bang in the centre of town, with some offering views of the Petronas

Towers. Aside from the excellent location, rooms and service are very good and

all for a modest $60 per night (for a standard double).

There are, of course, droves of additional hotels & places to stay in Kuala

Lumpur, and here are a few that you may wish to look at more closely:

If You’re Looking For A Kuala Lumpur Hotel Right In The Heart Of The Golden Triangle…

Marriott (Golden Triangle) – Extremely heavy on the wallet, the Marriott is

South Eastern extravagance at it’s giddy best. As you’d expect, you’ll get some

exceptional views of the Petronas Towers and the food here is quite

exceptional.

Traders (Golden Triangle) – Again, offering splendid views of the Petronas

Towers, Traders Hotel is about as good as it gets in Kuala Lumpur. This one is

again not for the budget conscious.

Hotel Maya (Golden Triangle) – Another lavish place to stay, Maya offers

stylish rooms and a very plush décor throughout.

If you’re looking for something a bit cheaper in the Golden Triangle, you may

want to consider the following hotels:

Swiss Garden Hotel – Decent accommodation and very centrally placed.

Radius – An upper-middle class hotel, Radius offers everything a five star would

without the hefty price tag. Worthy a look, especially if you’re in Kuala Lumpur

just for a few days.

Or, if you’re really looking for bargain basement places to stay in the Golden

Triangle then here’s where to start:

Pondok Lodge – A hostel that has earned a good reputation for itself with back-

packers. You can snag a place for the night for ten dollars or less so if you’re on

a seriously low budget then this may be a good option.

Trekker Lodge – Basic accommodation on the cheap, but the location cannot be

faulted.

If You’re Looking For A Kuala Lumpur Hotel In Chinatown…

Chinatown is more reputed for low budget, cheap and cheery accommodations

than for five star opulence. If you’re on a very tight budget, you can do far

worse than to take a room in this area but be warned – Chinatown is a fair

distance from the Golden Triangle, so you’ll have to do some travelling if you

want to see some of the major sights such as the Petronas Towers or some of

the “must see” things in the Triangle.

Ancasa – A good, “almost luxury” hotel with a very good reputation, this is one

of your best options if you want a clean, reliable and friendly place to stay in

the heart of Kuala Lumpur Chinatown.

Other decent options in Chinatown include Mandarin Pacific and the Swiss Inn,

both noted for no-frills, clean accommodation that gets the job done.

Other Hotel Listings - 5 Star Hotels & Accommodation In Kuala Lumpur:

Crown Princess Hotel – Kuala Lumpur City

Istana Hotel Kuala Lumpur – Golden Triangle

Legend Hotel - Kuala Lumpur City

Ritz Hotel Kuala Lumpur – Golden Triangle

Nikko Hotel Kuala Lumpur - Kuala Lumpur City

Pan Pacific Hotel - Kuala Lumpur City

Shangri-la Hotel – Golden Triangle

Other Hotel Listings - 4 Star Hotels & Accommodation In Kuala Lumpur:

Melia – Golden Triangle

Coronade Hotel – Bukit Bintang

Dorsett Hotel – Golden Triangle

Corus – Kuala Lumpur City

Dynasty Hotel - Kuala Lumpur City

Micassa All Suite Hotel - Kuala Lumpur City

Boulevard Hotek – Mid Valley

Impiana - Kuala Lumpur City

Somerset Seri Bukit Ceylon – Golden Triangle

Other Hotel Listings - 3 Star Hotels & Accommodation In Kuala Lumpur:

Capitol – Butik Bintang

Alpha Genesis Hotel Kuala Lumpur – Golden Triangle

Hotel Grand Continental Kuala Lumpur – Kuala Lumpur City

Quality Hotel - Kuala Lumpur City

Cititel - Kuala Lumpur City

Concorde Inn – Kuala Lumpur International Airport

City Villa - Kuala Lumpur City

Pearl International - Kuala Lumpur City

Vistana Hotel Kuala Lumpur - Kuala Lumpur City

Hotel Grand Central Kuala Lumpur - Kuala Lumpur City

Noble Hotel Kuala Lumpur - Kuala Lumpur City

Brisdale Hotel - Kuala Lumpur City

Leo Palace Hotel - Kuala Lumpur City

If you’re completely broke, then low-budget options in Chinatown are a dime a

dozen. Here are a few of the places you may want to consider:

- Backpackers Travellers Inn

- Red Dragon (Hostel)

- Pudu (Hostel)

- YWCA

There are many more too, but the above are fairly comfortable and reputable.

Other Hotels & Places To Stay In Kuala Lumpur…

The other offerings in Kuala Lumpur tend to be based in and around places such

as Little India. There are quite a few places to choose from if you do decide you

want to stay outside of the heart of Kuala Lumpur – though if you’re a tourist

looking for the essential Kuala Lumpur experience, you really should try and find

a place inside the Golden Triangle.

Kuala Lumpur Hilton – You cannot have a major city without a Hilton operating

somewhere within the city boundaries. Like it’s global siblings, Hilton Kuala

Lumpur is a five star treat with lavish rooms and outstanding service. The

location in Stesen Sentral is not bad either.

Sheraton – Similar to Hilton in class, style and price the Sheraton is located

along lively Asian Heritage Row.

In Little India, the reputed Coliseum is the place of choice, but a couple of other

operators are also around.

Day Trips From Kuala Lumpur

If you’re in Kuala Lumpur for a week or more, you can indulge in a day trip or

two to see some of the nearby attractions situated in neighbouring territories.

Neighbouring Selangor is where most day-trippers from Kuala Lumpur head to

– while Selangor is largely an industrial state, there are more than a few points

of interest to tempt the traveller to Malaysia.

Here are the main places that we recommend a day trip from Kuala Lumpur to:

Batu Caves – If you’re in Kuala Lumpur for a few days, it’s a good idea to check

out the impressive Batu Caves.

Orang Asli Museum – An excellent museum that features many displays on the

history, culture and customs of the Malay people through time.

Genting Highlands – Set amidst a thick rainforest, this awesome construction

has an inbuilt theme park, casino’s and night shows that Las Vegas would be

proud of. It only comes alive at night though, so you may need to consider a

night stop if you’re visiting from Kuala Lumpur.

Sunway Lagoon – An outstanding theme park, and a particular favourite with

kids, Sunway lagoon has plenty of rides (many of them water based), a zoo, a

mock pyramid and an in-built hotel. Excellent for a day trip from Kuala Lumpur,

though you will need to make an early start.

Taman Alam Kuala Selangor Nature Park – This impressive nature reserve has

lakes, mangroves and a lot of wildlife to view.

Matang Mangrove Forest Reserve – Situated in the state of Perak, the Matang

Mangrove Forest Reserve is another superb trip for nature lovers to make. You

can take a Mangrove walk and see some fascinating wildlife including hundreds

of bird species, otters and even lizards.

Many holiday makers to Kuala Lumpur go on to visit some of the splendid beach

islands such as Langkawi – if you do intend to go on, you may find that there

are island hopping trips available from these islands that will give you a nice

flavour of traditional Malay life as well as exposure to some spectacular wildlife

& nature experiences. With that in mind, you may wish to consider a day trip

from Kuala Lumpur only if you’re not going on to visit one of these paradise

islands.

Perak

A quiet, unassuming state Perak rarely makes the big headlines as far as

Malaysian tourism is concerned. Having said this, there are some neat places to

explore, most notably the Cameron Highlands and some of the exquisite

beaches along Pulau Pangkor.

Places To See & Do In Perak

Pulau Pangkor – Promoted as one of Malaysia’s finest beaches, the tiny island

of Panglor (it’s total area is under 10 sq km) boasts some spectacular beaches –

for example, it’s in Pangkor that you will find the beaches of Coral Bay, Pasir

Bogak and Teluk Ketapang.

If you can afford it, the exclusive Pangkor Laut resort owns the fabulous

Emerald Bay beach, attracting five star travellers who can laze in the stunning

sands and crystal clear waters that the bay offers.

Pangkor Town is a small, and largely smutty place, and even though it’s not one

to spend any great length of time, it’s worth stopping by just for a look around.

Because it’s a tiny island, it’s possible to explore Pangkor within a day (it barely

takes a couple of hours if you have transportation) and aside from the

awesome beaches there is not a great deal to do or see. Notable points of

interest on the island include a Hindu temple and the Kota Belanda fort.

Because of the outstanding beaches, Pangkor is a good place to enjoy a spot of

snorkelling or water-sports. You can snorkel at Pangkor Laut Resort if you’re

staying there as it offers very good snorkelling facilities for guests.

Alternatively, head to Pasir Bogak beach where you can hire some snorkelling

equipment and do it yourself.

Hotels, Restaurants & Places To Relax In Pangkor

There’s only one place to stay in Pangkor if your budget allows, and that’s the

exquisite Pangkor Laut resort. Yes, this will practically break the bank but the

stunning rooms (often accompanied by equally splendid views) as well as the

right to use the guests-only beach (one of the best in Malaysia) makes it

worthwhile.

There’s nothing else to compare with Pangkor Laut on the island, but there are

other places for travellers with a budget:

In Teluk Nipah (one of the main beach areas with a splurge of fair, budget

accommodation) there are the following hotels and chalets:

Nipah Bay Villa

Sunset View Chalet

Suria Beach Resort

Indah Beach

Havana Beach Resort

The other popular beach area that also has a decent sprinkling of places to stay

is Pasir Bogak. Here you’ll find more budget places such as:

Coral Bay Resort

Vikri Beach Resort

Sea View Hotel

Most of these places offer very modest accommodation but are clean and good

value – often, travellers to Malaysia don’t care about the type of

accommodation thanks to the many awesome sights and sounds that the

country offers outside of the hotel room.

An Introduction To Langkawi – Malaysia’s Most Beautiful Holiday Island Destination

Langkawi is located in the state of Kedah, and it is this green and tropical island

that countless travellers to Malaysia flock to year after year. If Kuala Lumpur is

famous for it’s wonderful city atmosphere, shop-till-you-drop malls and a never-

ending, vibrant nightlife…it’s all very different in Langkawi which is known more

for its stunning beaches, tropical rain forest and five star, laid back relaxation.

Visitors to Langkawi often come to be pampered, to laze among the many

world class beaches the island offers and to enjoy the rich Malay food and

hospitality that are synonymous with practically all the Langkawi hotel resorts.

If you come here for a holiday, chances are you wont want to leave.

Because Langkawi is an island that is separate from Kuala Lumpur, most

holiday makers to Langkawi tend to fly in, mostly from Kuala Lumpur. Aside

from spectacular beaches and jungle (some of which merges together quite

spectacularly), Langkawi is also known for being a duty free island. This means

that if you’re staying here, you’ll be able to pick up a quite wonderful bargain or

two on the cheap – in fact, if you’re doing both Kuala Lumpur and Langkawi,

you’re well advised to do the bulk of your shopping in Langkawi as the same

souvenir & craft products are available for upto 50% less.

There are a couple of towns that most tourists visit during their stay in

Langkawi – Kuah (the island capital) and Pantai Cenang (a bustling town with

tiny markets and stalled sprawling as far as the eye can see). Most facilities

such as money changers and banks tend to be located in Kuah, though aside

from the Golden Eagle there is not too much to interest the visitor to Malaysia

here. Other than that, the remarkable beauty and nature is what draws the

throngs of tourists to Langkawi year after year.

Top Ten Langkawi Experiences

- Stay at one of the glorious five star Malaysia hotel resorts such as

the Andaman or the Datai and be treated like a celebrity.

- Catch some breath-taking scenery from the summit of the Langkawi

Cable Car experience.

- Pamper yourself at one of the many five star spa experiences at one

of the many stunning spa’s situated within the island.

- Study Malaysian life first hand as you stroll through the towns of

Kuah and Pantai Cenang, watching the locals barter in the night markets

and picking up a bargain or two for yourself.

- Stop off for a cocktail and a relaxing meal at Telaga Harbour Park.

- Enjoy an island hopping trip and experience the variety and culture

of Malay life.

- Take a Mangrove Tour and immerse yourself inside ancient jungles

and rivers – walk into the Cave Of Bats and Crocodile Cave.

- Watch the Crocodile Show and see these magnificent creatures

feeding.

- Check out some of the wonderful sea creatures to be found in South

East Asia by visiting the Aquarium at Pantai Cenang.

- Laze at one of the many stunning beaches to be found anywhere in

the world.

Whether you’re a sophisticated traveller or you just want to backpack your

way into paradise, you’ll certainly find what you’re looking for in Langkawi. It

is the ultimate South East Asia experience.

Some Interesting Holiday Information About Langkawi

The island of Langkawi is pretty small, barely having an area of 470sq km,

but within it are a large and interesting array of scenery, including tropical

jungle, rainforest, time-untouched beaches and exotic Mangrove. It really is

the type of place that must be seen to be believed.

The name “Langkawi” means “Strong Eagle” and legend has it that this is the

final resting place of Garuda, the Eagle that was the Hindu God’s vehicle.

Indeed, many of the towns and places in Langkawi are named based on the

stories that were written about them many centuries ago.

Another interesting fact about Langkawi is that it represents more of a

Malay influence than the cosmopolitan city of Kuala Lumpur – the island also

borrows a lot of influence from Thailand (indeed, you can see certain parts of

Thailand from points in Langkawi on a clear day).

The Many Legends Of Langkawi

Langkawi is simply immersed in legend. Some may have a hint of truth to

them while others are wholly mystical. Here are some of the most popular:

Cave Of Legends – Gua Cerita is where the marriage to be held between the

children of the Roman and Chinese empires was deemed to have been

sabotaged. The scheme did not work.

Beras Terbakar (Burnt Rice) – Here, the rice granary was destroyed in the

1800’s at Padang Matsirat during a war. It is believed the order to destroy

the rice field was given in order to make sure the enemy would be cut off

from having a food supply.

Legend Of Mashuri – Langkawi’s most poular legend stretches back to the

fourteenth century when Princess Mashuri was executed for allegedly

committing adultery. She was in fact innocent , and legend has it that when

she was executed by knife she bled a white liquid instead of blood which was

a sign of her innocence. Princess Mashuri was believed to have cursed

Langkawi, so that for seven generations the island incurred misery and

misfortune.

Other legends are also rife – such as the spirit which guards Dayang Bunting

with a lion and poison. According to stories, the guardian destroyed a group

of war merchants who came to the island to wreak havoc – she unleashed a

tropical storm on them which all but destroyed all the sailors.

The other legend is also an interesting one – the lake of the pregnant maiden

is believed to have mystical powers that help women bare children.

If that doesn’t get you going then the legend of Gua Langsair will – it’s

believed to be where thousands of vampires are secretly located. If that’s too

scary then head to the Seven Wells Waterfalls instead, the place where

fairies are believed to have bathed in times gone by.

In fact, most places in Langkawi have some element of mystery or legend

attached to them.

Budget Or Luxury – It’s Up To You…

Some of the five star hotel offerings in Langkawi really rival anything to be

found in any country. For example, the five star Andaman Hotel is nestled in

between a dense rainforest and stunning fine powdery beach, but of course

it can cost $350 per night or more to stay here.

On the other hand, you can grab a slice of Langkawi paradise for a small

fraction of that just by renting out one of the no-frills beach huts/apartments

that are to be found along bustling Pantai Cenang. Alternatively, there are

several offerings that are a halfway compromise between these two ends of

the holiday spectrum.

Getting Around Langkawi – Hire A Car/Motorbike

Be warned, there is no real public transport in Langkawi to speak of, so you’ll

need to figure out how best to explore the island for yourself. Luckily, the

roads are well laid out, very well structured and easy to navigate so you can

easily hire a car or motorcycle and get around without any real problems.

Many holiday makers to Langkawi choose to hire a car, and you can do this

from the airport or one of the car hire firms in Kuah. Make sure that you

barter because most car hire companies will lower their fees if you bargain.

In fact, hiring a car for the day can be quite cheap (expect to pay about

$25/£15 per day). If you do decide to go down this route remember to bring

your drivers licence as the reputable operators will not hire you a vehicle

unless you show proof that you hold a valid licence.

A reliable place to hire any sort of vehicle is the Tshoppe situated in Pantai

Tengah – aside from vehicles, you can find out more about day tours and

stock up on some souvenirs here.

You should also note that many of the more grand five star hotels will rent

out cars, but at a far bigger premium than what you can get elsewhere. If

you’re lucky enough to stay at one of these premium accommodations, make

sure you look round before committing to a car.

If you can ride a motor-cycle, you can get around for even less, with a decent

bike costing about $10 per day or less. You can hire very cheap motor cycles

inside Pantai Cenang (which is where much of the budge hotels and

accommodation within Langkawi is located). Also an option is to cycle

around the town which is the cheapest mode of transport – again, it’s very

cheap to do this.

Hire A Car With A Driver

If you do not want to do any of the driving yourself (and why should you,

you’re on holiday after all!) then you can hire a car with driver for either a

few hours or for the day. Be warned however, this is a far more expensive

option than if you choose to drive around yourself and unless you have a

considerable budget this may not be a long term option for your stay in

Langkawi.

Prices generally are about 40RM per hour, and be warned that if you choose

to hire a car plus driver from one of the more upmarket hotels in Langkawi,

this amount rises to about 60RM per hour (a heavyweight $20 per hour or

so). Most services will offer one free hour for every three you take out, and

remember that there is usually scope to bargain to lower this amount.

Most Interesting Things To See & Do During Your Holiday To Langkawi

For an island that is largely known for it’s unspoilt beaches and relaxation

opportunities, there certainly is a lot to see in Langkawi. While there may not

be much in the way of bustling cities, Langkawi offers one or two bustling

little shopping towns as well as many places to enjoy natural beauty. Here

are the main things to check out:

Pantai Cenang Beach – While the picture perfect beaches that are home to

some of the five star resorts in Langkawi may be the one’s you see in

brochures, it’s the beach in Cenang that plays host to the majority. Here in

Pantai Cenang there are numerous places to stay and to eat, it’s the most

visited public beach in Langkawi. It’s along the Pantai Cenang region that the

interesting aquarium (Underwater World) is based, and is well worth a trip

to see some of the marine life to be found in the seas & oceans in South East

Asia.

Near by to underwater world, the Zon Duty Free Shop houses a huge

selection of tax free merchandise – you’ll not only find the usual handicrafts

and keepsakes, but more sophisticated articles of clothing and more. It’s

worth a visit.

Pantai Cenang is also where you’ll find the largest grouping of

establishments offering spa treatments and massages. Typically, these vary

in style and substance, and while they are certainly cheaper than most of the

five star spa offerings, they are nowhere near as luxurious.

Of these, “Thai Spa” is one of the most popular, with basic treatments

starting for as little as 40RM – the establishment offers a free pick up service

from your hotel (ideal if you’re staying at one of the five star offerings where

spa treatments can set you back 300RM and more).

Seven Wells Waterfalls – Hidden within a rainforest it’s a short but steep

hike to get to the Seven Wells Waterfalls. Here you can bathe in the clear

waters at the base of the falls – be wary as some of the monkeys here can be

quite cheeky. Superb vistas and opportunity for photographs are available

here.

Kuah – This is the capital of Langkawi and here you’ll find many duty free

shops as well as the majority of the banks and money changers in Langkawi.

There are also a sprinkling of hotels here, as well as a couple of monuments

and places to visit.

The impressive Golden Eagle sits at the very edge of the Kuah Port and also

in Kuah is the cultural theme park of Lagenda Langkawi – a well laid out

garden that recreates the most famous legends of Langkawi.

Also located at the port is the Jid Al-Hana, a huge building with a golden

dome and the Bird Paradise where you can see over a hundred species of

local bird life.

If you’re staying at one of the more upscale resorts and are put off by the

high prices of tours and day-trips, you can get something of a bargain by

booking at one of the tour agencies in Kuah. Similarly, you can find

comparatively cheap car hire companies in Kuah.

Langkawi Cable Car – The cable car really is a must-see, and possibly offers

the best views to be found in Langkawi (and possibly even Malaysia). A cable

car takes you to the mountain top and there are various vista points to click

photographs. The mountain itself is called Gunung Mat Chinchang, and at

the top you can enjoy some snacks and drinks at the snack shop. Many of the

views are labelled so you know exactly what you’re looking out over.

Interestingly, the Langkawi cable car has the longest suspension in the world

between two cable car stations, and the distance from the bottom to the top

is over 2km. The steepness of angle can be as high as 42 degrees incline –

and the highest point that tourists can get to is an impressive 705 metres.

The total time taken to get from the base to the very top is around 20

minutes, and aside from the lush uninterrupted jungle (all you see down is

thick jungle – no roads at all), and the Seven Wells Waterfall is also visible

from here. Certain islands belonging to Thailand can also be seen from the

viewing points – these are marked clearly for tourists from the vista points

(of which there are two).

It’s commonly touted that the temperature at the very top of the cable car is

notably cooler (by about 5 degrees) than at the bottom – so you may wish to

take along a sweater if you get cold easily. At the top there is a small snack

shack where you can enjoy some basic drinks and sweet/savoury snacks.

Once you finish the cable car experience you can explore the Oriental Village

which is a neat mini-town consisting of several quaint souvenir stalls,

restaurants and general shops.

Visit Langkawi’s Best Beaches – It’s unthinkable to visit Langkawi without

dropping in to some of the islands most picture perfect beaches. Here are

some of the best beaches you’ll want to stroll along while you visit the island:

Datai Beach – The islands most terrific beach is here, though Datai bay is

occupied by the five star hotels The Andaman and Datai so you may need to

visit the hotels beach club for a snack to get a glimpse of it.

Pantai Pasir Tengkorak – A really secluded beach that is ideal for swimmers.

Pantai Kok - Superb beach area, as good a public swimming place as

anywhere on the island

Dayang Bunting Lake – Also known as the Lake Of The Pregnant Maiden,

this is an ideal lake for swimming or enjoying some watersports. The water is

extremely clear.

Galeria Perdana – This house contains a large collection of awards given to

the ex prime minister (Dr Mahathir Mohamed).

Gunung Raya – Langkawi’s highest hill point, it takes a bit of a trek to get to

the very top but the spectacular scenic views of the island when you get

there makes it worthwhile.

Lagenda Park – This extensive garden area displays the various legends and

folklore of Langkawi.

Kota Mahsuri – The tomb of the maiden (Mashuri) is the attraction here. She

is one of the many legends of Langkawi and is remembered because she was

sentenced to death here for committing adultery (a crime of which she was

innocent).

Kota Mahsuri – The tomb of the maiden (Mashuri) is the a

Crocodile Adventureland – Situated within Teluk Datai, Crocodile

Adventureland enables you to see live shows including crocodile stunts as

well as feeding. Teluk Datai is also the region where the five star resorts of

Andaman and Datai are situated, and it’s within this area that you’ll find the

Temurun Waterfall.

Pantai Kok – Most famously known for the Langkawi cable car experience,

Pantai Kok also houses the Telaga Harbour Park where you can sit alongside

a waterside café amidst a sea of yatchs.

Air Hangat Village – Very near the luxury Tanjung Rhu resort, the main

attraction of the Air Hangat Village are the incredible how water natural

springs. There are plans afoot to turn this region into a world class spa, till

then the springs are free to visit.

Eating & Drinking In Langkawi – Where To Find The Best Restaurants

Depending on where you stay, and on what board basis, you may be

interested in eating at one of the many good restaurants and eateries that

the island has to offer. One thing is for sure, similar to Kuala Lumpur, there is

some fabulous food and drink to be had just about everywhere, and often at

very good prices.

Be warned, if you’re staying at one of the more exclusive and remote five

star resorts such as the Datai or Andaman, it can be quite a trek to the

nearest restaurants so bare this in mind if you insist upon sampling a wide

range of the eateries available within Langkawi.

Many of the best restaurants are clustered within the Pantai Cenang region:

Rasa Restaurant – This is a good place to try out a good selection of both

Malay and western cuisine, and there is also accommodation available here.

If you’re in the mood for Italian, then T.Jay’s is a fair bistro & pizzeria, and

claims to be Langkawi’s most authentic Italian outfit. The pizza’s are

certainly thin and crispy.

The exotic beach setting of the Red Tomato Garden Café is worth a visit for

the experience of snacking on the beach alone.

Papadam is certainly one of the best Indian restaurants in Pantai Cenang.

The food is simply exquisite and is our top pick for eateries in the area.

Putumayo is also a good choice for sea food lovers, and a lot of the locals

and tourists all flock here for fresh seafood.

The interestingly titled Sandy Souvenir Shop is actually an eatery serving up

everything from curry to kebab.

Coco Beach has a nice sea front setting and is a sea food themed restaurant,

and Tang Lung is another choice for sea food lovers, and the restaurant

offers a local pick up service for guests.

Other Places To Eat & Drink In Langkawi

Kuah is Langkawi’s biggest and most commercial town – the main street has

a couple of good eateries such as Thailand Restaurant and Charlie’s Place.

Sofea Café is also quite a good place to enjoy some light snacks including

burgers and French fries if you’re looking for a meal that’s a little more

designed for the Western palette.

In Langkawi Mall there’s the highly popular Annaseem which offers a wide

selection of Moghul food. If you’re in the mood for Oriental grub, Restoran

Wan Thai is also situated in Langkawi Mall

In Pantai Kok one of the best eateries is the impressive Telaga Arabic

Restaurant & Café – you can try out a number of exotic Arabian dishes, as

well as some of the more traditional western meals if you prefer. Also in

Pantai Kok, the interesting USSR Restaurant serves up unique Russian dishes

that are prepared by a real Russian chef.

Eating At The Five Star Resorts – It’s quite possible to dine in one of the

many luxury resorts located throughout the island. You can usually book, but

be warned that some of these are extremely expensive and you should

expect to pay $70 per head for a basic meal with drinks.

If you’re looking for a place to eat at Pantai Tengah, there’s noi shortage of

eateries including L’Osteria (Italian), Lighthouse (Malay) and Fat Mums

(Oriental).

Places To Stay In Langkawi – Langkawi Hotels, B&B’s & Accommodation

There are no shortage of both top end luxury resorts and budget-basic

accommodation choices in Langkawi. Obviously, the setting and service

varies tremendously at these extremes but if you really want a piece of

Malaysian paradise, you can afford it – whatever your economic situation.

Some places are perfect for honeymoons, others fit a nice family holiday

while many cater to the backpacking masses that flock here each here. We

look at the various accommodation types for all these.

5 Star Langkawi Hotels

TOP PICK – The Andaman Resort

While there are several stunning resorts, The Andaman must be the ultimate

choice for top end luxury accommodation within Langkawi. The hotel is set

within a tropical rainforest and as such has the most exotic setting of the five

star offerings. Interestingly, it’s also right on the beach which means that

many of the rooms offer both rainforest and sea views – it just does not get

better than this.

If that’s a good start, it gets even more impressive with the service and

facilities on offer. Kids and families are very well catered for with a baby

sitting service and kids club. The pool is first class and twirls around a

rainforest setting.

There are 3 very good restaurants located within The Andaman, with the

main restaurant offering a choice of various East/West themes – it’s located

by the pool. There is also a Japanese restaurant but the one that is most

popular is the Gulai House, which serves up outstanding Malay & Indian

food. If you do stay here, make sure you try the Pakoda – a chef special

recipe that rates as one of the best in the world.

Other than the restaurants, there is also a beach hut & poolside bar offering

casual snacks and drinks.

The beach is one of the best in Langkawi, and is exclusive to residents of The

Andaman and it’s sister hotel (The Five Star Datai) which is owned by the

same company. The water is clear and warm throughout the year and kept

immaculately clean by staff. Also noteworthy is the isolation of the beach –

because it’s residents only there are times when you are just about the only

person on it. The spa is also world class, and set atop the rainforest which

affords some magnificent views over Datai Bay and the surrounding

rainforest. Treatments are expensive but truly wonderful. The Andaman has

it all.

Also worth a very strong mention is The Datai – the sister hotel to the

Andaman, and also a five star offering. As you would expect The Datai offers

much the same level of service and facilities as The Andaman, the only

difference is the notably higher price tag to stay here. Given that both hotels

are equally superb, it’s the only reason why The Andaman gets the nod

ahead of it’s sister hotel.

One important note about both these hotels – they are rather isolated on the

island of Langkawi which means that it may not be ideal for easy reach of

the other areas of the island. Hiring a car can be expensive at the hotel, so

make sure you make some arrangements to hire a car from one of the tour

companies based in Kuah or Pantai Cenang (you can save upto 40% on

rates).

Other Five Star Resorts

There are several other classic five star offerings in Langkawi.

Most notable is the Tanjung Rhu on the North Coast of the island – this one

is very well noted for it’s fabulous beach, and has a choice of three

restaurants.

The Four Seasons offers a typically plush residence for rich visitors, with

splendid rooms that offer magnificent sea views over the Andaman sea.

If you want five star luxury in Langkawi’s most hip town, head to Bon Ton in

Pantai Cenang – it’s a smaller resort and offers individual houses with Malay

furnishings. Also along Pantai Cenang is the highly regarded Meritus Pelangi

Beach Resort & Spa, especially friendly to those travelling with children.

Langkawi Lagoon Resort is popular with tourists and businesses alike with

several well decorated rooms as well as a business conference centre popular

for retreats.

On Rebak Island is the Rebak Island Resort which ends off the list of

spectacular offerings in Langkawi.

The Best Four Star Hotels In Langkawi

There are also many good four star offerings in Langkawi, giving you the

choice of relative luxury without the sky high price tag.

The Bayview Hotel in Kuah is a good choice for those wanting to be near the

city centre for whom an immediate beach is not a must. This hotel is popular

with business guests.

On Rebak Island is the Rebak Marina Resort, or you can also opt for the

Tanjung Sanctuary Hotel in Pantai Tengah.

Budget Accommodation In Langkawi

There are no shortage of three star downwards on the island, with many

resorts, hotels, B&B’s and chalets concentrated along the Pantai Cenang

region. Below is a listing of some of the main resorts that fit into this

category, and their location. Research these thoroughly before you do pick a

place because some budget places will offer much more for the same price

than others.

Listing Of 3 Star, 2 Star & Other Hotels

Lagenda Permai Chalet – Pantai Cenang

Gecko Guesthouse - Pantai Cenang

Sandy Beach Resort - Pantai Cenang

Best Star Resort - Pantai Cenang

Beach Garden Resort - Pantai Cenang

Tanjung Malie – Pantai Tengah

Federal Villa Beach Resort Langkawi – Pantai Tengah

Tropical Resort – Pantai Tengah

Sunset Beach Resort – Pantai Tengah

Berjaya – Burau Bay

Mutiara Burau Bay Resort – Burau Bay

Grand Continental Hotel Langkawi – Kuah

One thing is for certain, no matter what your budget you can afford a piece

of Langkawi paradise.

Other Popular Places & States In Malaysia

Introduction To Penang

Penang is another highly visited Malaysian hotspot – aside from being host

to Penang National Park (which offers some spectacular hiking

opportunities), Penang has a lively, history rich town called Georgetown to

explore as well as other highlights including a template and a raft of great

shopping opportunities.

You can visit Penang as a day trip from many other places within Malaysia,

so you do not have to stay here to visit – though accommodation

opportunities are pretty good.

Things To See & Do In Penang

Georgetown – Georgetown has a rich and colourful history, interesting

architecture, good shopping and some lovely religious temples to explore.

The majority of the town are direct descendents of the Chinese, so there is a

distinct and strong Oriental flavour to the place.

You’ll also find some excellent shopping opportunities, and if you’re

travelling across Malaysia, you can in fact stock up on some souvenirs here

at a much better price than the malls of Kuala Lumpur.

Georgetown is Malaysia’s largest settlement, and there’s quite a bit to see

and do here including the Penang Museum which various exhibitions that

catalogue the rich history of Penang through the ages.

Penang was in fact an uninhabited island before Captain Light discovered the

place in 1786 – Fort Cornwallis is the monument that celebrates this fact and

harbours a chapel as well as a canon (Seri Rambai) among other interesting

exhibits.

There is also a lot more to see in Georgetown, including the Penang Islamic

Mosque, Chinatown, Little India and a variety of temples scattered

throughout the city.

Outside Of Georgetown

The Botanical Gardens are well worth a visit – the highlight is a stunning

waterfall and the various monkeys that run amock.

Penang Hill – These impressive hills can be seen from the Botanical Gardens

and rise an impressive 820m above ground level. At the top there are a

couple of temples and a museum that documents various events that the

Hills have witnessed over the years.

Penang War Museum – located in Teluk Kumbar holds some worthwhile

exhibits and displays.

A whole cluster of attractions can be found in the pretty town of Titi

Kerawang, including the Teluk Bahang Forest reserve, a butterfly farm and

an Orchid Garden.

Penang National Park in the village of Teluk Bahang is well worth a visit.

There are also more things to do here such as the cultural centre and a spice

garden.

Places To Eat & Drink In Penang

As you may imagine, the majority of eateries in Penang are located within

Georgetown although many other restaurants are to be found in other

locations.

Wherever and whatever you choose to eat, the choices are plentiful and

usually very, very good.

In Georgetown, there’s the ever famous Eden Seafood Village– try the

various fish dishes, this is Georgetowns best seafood place. Revolving

Restaurant has some excellent scenery, or you can try the interesting

Rainforest Restaurant in central Penang.

For Indian food, Little India has a huge choice of restaurants including the

popular Woodlands restaurant and Jaipur Court.

Head to Chinatown for the best options for Chinese – take your pick

(vegetarians are also catered for with the Hui Sin restaurant). Midlands

Court also has some nice dishes enjoyed by locals and tourists alike. Hong

Kong Tea Garden is also a moderately priced place to have freshly prepared

oriental dishes.

For excellent Indian food, you should head to Passage Through India, touted

as the islands ultimate Indian restaurant. It’s situated on the northern part of

Penang. For an Indian meal that’s closer to Georgetown Hameediyah is a

popular choice.

If you’re in the mood for Italian, try Farfalla’s restaurant, also in

Georgetown. Vintage also has some Italian and med dishes.

There are loads of cafe’s and other simple places serving foods that are a

little closer to home – for a quick snack pop in to Stardust or Bake N Take

(ideal for a fast and cheap lunch).

Georgetown is Penang’s most bustling settlement – and there are more than

a couple of bars for you to relax the night away. Farquah’s Bar (despite the

name) has a good selection of drink and food and there are several other

choices such as Pitt Street and Slippery Senoritas.

Outside of Penang, the biggest choice of restaurants are to be found in Teluk

Bahang or Batu Ferringhi (there are also many hotels here for those wanting

to stay outside Georgetown within Penang).

Other Interesting Attractions Within Penang – Places To Shop & Hang Out

Penang offers some very good opportunities for shopping – especially crafts

and locally produced arts/ornaments. If you’re going to be visiting Kuala

Lumpur too, make sure you do the majority of your shopping here because it

will save you quite a bit of cash.

While there are no megamalls exactly, a number of areas specialise in

specific goods – Bee Chin Heong has many different types of artwork while

Penang Pewter is the place to go for excellent pewter works.

For shopping that’s a little more standard, the biggest collection of shops can

be located at Prangin Mall – not exactly up there with the likes of the

Pavillion Mall in Kuala Lumpur, but well worth a visit if you want to buy

attractively priced clothes and such. Other malls and markets include Komtar

and Chowraster Bazaar (a market with a large variety of stalls).

Places To Stay In Penang

The biggest pool of hotels, guest houses and other accommodation types in

Penang tend to be in Georgetown, though there are alternative places such

as Teluk Bahang and Batu Ferringhi.

Luckily, even very good four and five star accommodation can be had for a

reasonable fee so you can stay in the lap of luxury without it breaking the

bank:

Hotels In Penang, Malaysia

Evergreen Laurel (Persiaran Gurney)

Bayview Georgetown (Georgetown)

Traders (Magazine Road)

Bayview (Batu Ferringhi)

Hydro Majestic (Batu Ferringhi)

Golden Sands (Batu Ferringhi)

Northam All Suite (Georgetown)

Lone Pine (Batu Ferringhi)

Introduction To Negeri Sembilan

This small state consists of under 1 million people and has a total square

area of under 6700. Even so, there are a few unique things to see and do

here and the state is the home of the Minangkabau who’s roots to Malaysia

extend back over 500 years.

One of the main towns here is Seremban though other settlements are to be

found in Sri Menanti and Kuala Pilah. There’s also an interesting forest

reserve situated at Cape Rachado at the South Western part of the state.

It’s possible to get to Negeri Sembilan by road from Kuala Lumpur, and there

are various buses that take tourists to and from the Malaysian capital every

day.

Things To See & Do In Negeri Sembilan

While you don’t really need to spend much more than a couple of days at

most here, you won’t get bored while you do stay.

One of the best attractions within the state is the interesting town of

Seremban which boasts some lovely architecture – the town has a large

number of hotels and eateries too. While you’re here, pop in to the Muzium

Negeri which hosts some unique national paintings.

Of the couple of interesting churches, the Church Of The Visitation is the

most appealing, and if you get a chance then the lush Lake Gardens should

not be missed.

Away from Seremban, Kuala Pilah is where you’ll find Sri Menanti (once a

royal palace) and the Isanta Besar (another lake & park). There is a bustling

night market in Kuala Pilah too which stays open into the early hours of the

morning.

Negeri Sembilan’s premier beach is in Cape Rachado and is called Tanjung

Tuan. It’s also here that most of the beach hotels inside Negeri Sembilan are

based. Nearby, Port Dickson is a quaint little port town with a few cheery

shops and one or two attractions like the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple &

Port Dickson Ostrich Farm.

There are also plenty of souvenir shopping opportunities in Port Dickson,

with a large variety of T-shirts, ornaments and handicrafts to scoop up.

Hotels, Guesthouses & Other Accommodation In Negeri Sembilan (Malaysia)

There are a few scatterings of hotels elsewhere, but your best bet of finding

good accommodation here is the Tanjung Tuan beach region, or the capital

of Seremban (which has far fewer choices than the former).

Here, we’ve listed some of the best hotel choices for Negeri Sembilan

(Malaysia):

Five & Four Star Hotels

Avillion Resort – Port Dickson

Royal Bintang – Seremban

Guoman – Port Dickson

Corus Paradise - Port Dickson

Salesa Beach Resort - Port Dickson

The Legend Water Chalets - Port Dickson

Three Star Hotels & Less

Ancasa – Port Dickson

Bayu Beach Resort - Port Dickson

Duta Villa Golf Resort - Port Dickson

Ilham Resort - Port Dickson

Sunshine Bay Resort - Port Dickson

Seri Malaysia – Seremban

There are a wide range of highly decent accommodation choices, and like in

most Malaysian areas, you can find something to suit pretty much every

budget.

Restaurants, Café’s & Places To Eat & Drink In Negeri Sembilan

As you would expect, a cluster of the best eateries in Negeri Sembilan are to

be found in the capital of Seremban, though there are a few restaurants to

be found elsewhere, most notably in the port of Port Dickson.

Starting off in Seremban, if you fancy a very fast and cheap meal then there

are a good few choices in Terminal 1 (the only shopping mall of any note in

the town).

The other choices are also quite good – good Chinese food can be found at

Blossom Court, while the famous Restoran Negeri whips up Indian style

food. Similar style food can be found in Restoran Nelayan. Topping off the

list of Indian food is Top Curry House, which is cheap and comfortable.

Vegetarians may want to look into the best Veggie restaurant in town –

called Kam Kee, there’s a wide range of Oriental grub, none of it meat.

Moving onto Port Dickson, a good couple of restaurants as well as simple

eateries are available here. The oddly titled Lucky King Bun has an

interesting speciality dish – a giant bun with curry chicken filling.

Otherwise, Ulek Mayang Ikan Bakar has decent seafood at average prices.

Also serving seafood is Sia Lee Seafood Restaurant – cheap and tasty fare.

If all that seafood isn’t for you, relax at the Dickson Coffee House with any

number of western dishes – the ambience is also first class, with outstanding

views out over the bay.

Introduction To Melaka

The small state of Melaka’s main attraction is Melaka Port – a historic port

city which is known for it’s rich history and culture. The state of Melaka is

fairly small, squeezing into an area not more than 1650 square km.

Melaka has a colourful history – up to the 14th century, the port town was

not much more than a sleepy little fishing village. At this time it was

discovered by a Hindu prince called Parameswara who started off Melaka’s

new designation as a place to trade exotic spices. In fact, by the time of

Parameswara’s death in 1414, Melaka had established itself as one of the

busiest trading ports in the region.

During the 15th century the Portugese took Melaka under their rule and

remained until 1641 when the Dutch took the port by force. It wasn’t actually

until 1946 that Melaka was officially recognised as a state of Malaysia.

Today, Maleka remains an interesting destination for tourists all over the

world and offers some lovely beaches aside from the obvious delights to be

found while travelling within Maleka port.

Things To See & Do In Maleka

All said and done, Maleka is a pretty small town which makes exploration by

foot inherently possible. There’s quite a few things to take in, and most are

reasonably close to one another.

The river (Sungai Melaka) segregates the new and old (colonial) regions of

Melaka – it’s on the eastern side that you can take in particularly interesting

architecture and sights such as St Pauls Church and the ancient town square.

It’s in the town square that you’ll find Stadthuys (an old duych style building

that has the distinction of being one of the oldest European design structures

in Malaysia.)

Nearby, you can also find a cluster of museums including the Democratic

Government Museum, The History & Ethnography Museum and the

Literature Museum. Away from the square, there are even more offerings

for museum lovers, including the Maritime & Naval Museum as well as

Cheng Ho Cultural Museum.

Also near the square are the ruins of St Paul’s Church which offers some fine

vistas over Melaka. Another church worth a visit is St Peter’s which is almost

300 years old (and still used).

The imposing Sultanate Palace is also a good place to visit in the town – the

building is over 500 years old, as is the Cheng Hoon Teng Temple inside

Chinatown.

Outside of Melaka, there are one or two attractions worthy of a visit – most

interesting of these is Tanjung Bidara which is a very nice beach, and the

best in Melaka (there are a couple of resorts along here too, in case you

fancy staying here).

Also outside of the city of Melaka, there is Ajor Gajah which is a tiny but

fetching little village housing the Museum Of Culture & Tradition – it’s also

well worth a stroll through this charming little place.

Otherwise, there’s Pulau Besar, an independent island that’s a short boat

trip away from Melaka or Ayer Keroh which is home to Melaka Zoo and

Hutan Rekresai (a park).

Hotels, Guesthouses & Other Accommodation In Melaka (Malaysia)

Melaka has most of it’s available hotels and accommodation within the main

city, although one or two places can also be found at Tanjung Bidara which is

the main beach resort in the state.

Below are some of the most popular hotel choices for your stay in Melaka:

Renaissance Melaka

Equatorial

Bayview Melaka

The Majestic

Holiday in Melaka

Everly Resort

Accordian

Seri Costa

The Legacy

Hotel Orkid Melaka

Straits Meridian

Puri

Naza

Typically, there are a mix of two to five star offerings with the Renaissance

offering top end, five star lodgings.

Restaurants, Café’s & Places To Eat & Drink In Melaka

If you are in the mood for some of the excellent local cuisine available in

Melaka, you have more than a couple of options. Some seafood based

specialities are served up by Restoran Nasi Ayam and Restoran Famosa. Also

offering local dishes, are the 88 Café and Hoo Kee Chicken Shop.

Your options for Chinese are also pretty good – Chicken Rice Ball Restaurant is

favoured by locals for decent, cheap fare while most of the traditional places

listed above also offer Chinese cuisine.

The best place to get Indian food is Sri Lakshmi Restaurant, but a couple other

choices are available including the Vazhai Elai.

Other meal options can be found at Shakey’s Restaurant (Italian), and Uncle

Quah’s Restaurant & Coffee House (general hot & cold snacks).

There are also some good bars to head to for a late night drink – Geographers

Bar is popular, Light & Ez Cafe and Ringo’s are some of the many choices

available. There are a couple of late night malls and night markets as well.

Introduction To Johor

At the southern most tip of Malaysia is the busy stat of Johor – it does have a

multitude of features to interest the tourist, and is also Malaysia’s most heavily

populated state with over 3 million residents. The main sights include

immaculate national forests such as Enday-Rompin National Park, some

interesting museums and the city of Johor Bahru (the capital of the state).

Johor also has a colourful history, with it’s independence as a state dating back

as far as the early 16th century when the Sultanate of Johor was founded. Johor

remained the only state in what is now Malaysia not to fall into Portugese rule

during this time.

The state also went through British rule until 1914, and was officially

recognised as a state of Malaysia in 1948.

Things To See & Do In Johor

Much of what’s to see in Johor can be found in the main city area of Johor

Bahru. Because this is Malaysia’s most geographically close city to Singapore,

there is always the opportunity to skip over the border but there’s a fair bit to

do in Johor in it’s own right.

With over 3 million residents, you can bet there’s a fair bit of shopping and a

multitude of bars and restaurants to keep the sophisticated traveller busy.

A serious hit with most tourists is the Royal Abu Bakar Museum which displays

many fine exhibits owned by a succession of sultans throughout the history of

Johor. The Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque is also an impressive structure, matched

only by two other stunning structures in the city - namely Roufo Gumiao

(Chinese temple) and Bangunan Sultan Ibrahim. Rounding off the religious

monuments is the equally impressive Church of the Immaculate Conception.

Johor is also terribly proud of it’s reputation as a shopping paradise – indeed,

there are more than a couple of handsome shopping malls such as Johor Bahru

City Sq, Plaza Kota Raya, and Plaza Pelangi.

Outside of Johor Bahru there are also some interesting sights and destinations –

the Seribuat Archipelago is a wonderful set of islands which affords some

outstanding diving opportunities.

The Endau Rompin National Park is also a highly visited destination – the park

exceeds two hundred years in age and the main highlights are the splendid

Sangkut Falls. You can take in some brilliant treks within the national park too.

There are also a couple of very pleasant towns to visit outside Johor Bahru –

Mersing a picture perfect fishing village which has almost stood still in time

over the past hundred years. Muar is somewhat more lively and offers a couple

of basic accommodation types.

You’ll also want to visit Gunung Ledang – Johor’s highest peak which affords

some amazing views over waterfalls and endless jungle terrain.

Hotels, Guesthouses & Other Accommodation In Johor (Malaysia)

As you’d expect, most of the accommodation within Johor is central to the main

city area of Johor Bahru. We’ve listed some of the most popular places to stay

from five to two star places:

Regency (5 Star)

Pulai Springs (5 Star)

Puteri Pacific (5 Star)

Mutiara (5 Star)

Hyatt Regency (5 Star)

Sofitel Palm (4 Star)

Selesa (3 Star)

Crystal Crown (3 Star)

Tropical Inn (2 Star)

The above places relate to accommodation in Johor Bahru. There are more

places to stay within Mersing such as the East Coast Hotel (budget), and the

Teluk Iskandar Inn (slightly more upper range).

Restaurants, Café’s, Bars – Places To Eat & Drink In Johar

Some very good eateries can be found in the main city of Johor Bahru.

Some excellent & cheap grub can be had at Bay Leaf Food Court (everything

from Western dishes to more popular Malay cuisine is available here).

Near store shopping centre, Ah Cai Technochew is a highly popular restaurant

that is celebrated for it’s sea cucumber dish.

If you fancy some authentic hawker chow, there are no shortage of food centres

available such as Tepian Tebrau and Sera Sungai Chat.

Restoran Medira does some cracking Inidan food, while you can feast on wood

roasted chicken at Kenny Rogers Roasters. Closer to home, there is also a TGI’s

available in the city centre. For seafood, you can pop in to Straits Garden

Seafood or Todak Seafood Restaurant.

Slightly more upmarket, Aliff Restaurant serves up a variety of east and west

experts.

Chocolate Banana is an interesting place to head to – especially if you like

cake!

Moving on to the nightlife, Johor Bahru is a bustling city, and there are a couple

of bars, clubs and disco’s available for the night creature.

The city has one or two karaoke bars such as TAM and most offer a variety of

food and drink choices. Also popular are the night markets.

Bayleaf has a good bar and is open quite late, while the interesting Handle Bar

has a definite bikers theme going on.

Introduction To Pahang

One of the oldest rainforests in the world, superb traditional villages displaying

old world Malaysia at it’s best and some picture perfect beaches – these are

just a few of the things that Pahang is famous for.

Pahang has no end of scenic beauty – from untouched rainforests and jungle to

national parks and beaches – there is a lot for the tourist to take in.

Things To See & Do In Pahang

Pulau Tioman is a small island off the mainland of Pahang – tourists flock here

in big numbers and Tioman has some very good places to stay and eat.

Pekan (mainland) has a number of places to visit and see – the Sungai Pahang

is one of the longest bridges in Malaysia, and Pekan has some nice architecture

and buildings – Museum Sultan Au Bakar, Sultan Abdullah Mosque and Istana

Mangga are a few examples of the rich variety of old world buildings to be

discovered.

Nature lovers can see the Turtle Sanctuary in Cherating, and nearby Tasik Chini

is a series of lakes which legend has it is home to a giant serpent.

The national park of Taman Negara is well worth exploring if you have the

time. You can see numerous exotic wildlife such as elephants, lizards, tigers and

much more.

In Kuala Lipis, there are a smattering of sights such as the Tianhou Temple, a

bustling little night market and the impressive district offices which have a very

grandeur design. Nearby, the Kenong Rimba State Park is set amidst thick

forest and affords visitors a chance to see any variety of wildlife.

Hotels, Guesthouses & Other Accommodation In Pahang (Malaysia)

There are many places to stay in Pahang in just about every region of the state.

Here are some of the choices:

Cherating

Eastern Pavilion (5 Star)

Impiana Resort (4 Star)

Legend Resort (4 Star)

Holiday Villa (3 Star)

Sanctuary Resort (3 Star)

Kuantan Area

Hyatt Regency (5 Star)

Vistana Hotel (4 Star)

Swiss Garden Resort (4 Star)

MS Garden (4 Star)

Grand Continental (3 Star)

Citiview (3 Star)

Duta Sands (3 Star)

Shahzan Inn (3 Star)

Seri Malaysia (2 Star)

Taman Negara Area

Rainforest Resort (3 Star)

Persona Village (3 Star)

Woodland Resort (3 Star)

Nusa (3 Star)

Other Areas

Countryview (3 Star)

Rompin Beach (3 Star)

Like in most places within Malaysia there is an accommodation package to

suite pretty much every type of traveller.

Restaurants, Café’s, Bars – Places To Eat & Drink In Pahang

There are many places to eat within Pahang, no matter which area you find

yourself in. Chinese food as well as traditional Malay, Indian and even Western

eateries abound.

In Cherating, Amies & Spices – this traditional place offers a good mix of

various Malay and Indian cuisine. Good seafood can be had at the Seaside

Seafood Restaurant though there are also other offerings available nearby.

In Jeranut there is the buzzing Restoran Kafe Hainman which serves up tasty

quick foods like burgers and pizza’s.

If your pallet desires more upmarket bistro style food then head off to Tjantek

Art Bistro – good food in tasteful surroundings, but one of the most expensive

places to eat in the region. Also located here is the Restoran Choice which

offers traditional Malay food in simple surroundings.

Pekan also offers a decent selection of places to eat – Restoran Pahang is

especially favoured by tourists (it’s mostly Chinese food).

If you’re staying at Pulau Tioman many resorts offer good dining options, and

there are a multitude of café’s scattered throughout the island.

Introduction To Terengganu

The eastern state of Terengganu encompasses an area of 13,000 square miles

with a population of just under one million residents. There are quite a few

interesting islands off the mainland to explore here, such as Pulau Perhentian

and Pulau Redang. Visitors to Terengganu also have a variety of sights and

activities to enjoy such as snorkelling, taking in lazy and beautiful beaches,

jungle trekking and of course setting about the main city of Kuala Terengganu.

Historically, Terengganu was officially recognised as a Malay state in 1724 prior

to which it was a solo trading region. In the 1900’s it was taken over by the

British until 1948 when it rejoined as a state of Malaysia.

Things To See & Do In Terengganu

The city of Kuala Terengganu has a fair bit to interest tourists – there are the

usual night markets that are to be found in practically all Malaysian

settlements. There’s also a well developed Chinatown that has some good

oriental restaurants, not to mention some interesting buildings – the Zainal

Abidin Mosque has some interesting architecture to it. Also worthy of note

within the capital of Terengganu is Princess Hill which offers some excellent

vistas of the region. You can also catch an interesting cultural show at the

cultural theatre.

Nearby the city, the Kompleks Museum Negeri is one of the largest in Malaysia

and holds thousands of superb artefacts and exhibitions – for natural beauty,

the Tasik Kenyir Lake and Sekayu Falls are closeby to Terengganu.

Good beaches are not difficult to find in the region – Rantau Abang, Dungun

and Paka are among the best.

There are also some picturesque, traditional fishing villages in the area – Batu

Rakit lies north of the main city and there is a good array of eateries as well as

a nice beach here. Alternatively, Merang is another though not quite as eye

catching to the tourist.

There are a couple of small islands that are off the main coast of Terengganu –

most notably Pulau Lang Tengah and Pulau Perhentian, both of which can be

reached by a fairly quick boat ride. Both islands offer hotels and

accommodation should you wish to stay here.

Hotels, Guesthouses & Other Accommodation In Terengganu (Malaysia)

There are quite a few places to stay in Kuala Terengganu, and other places also

offer a decent variety of accommodation types. Here are a few choices:

Kuala Terengganu

Grand Continental (5 Star)

Primula Beach Resort (5 Star)

Primula Park Royal (4 Star)

Gem Beach (3 Star)

Motel Desa (3 Star)

Seri Malaysia (3 Star)

Awi’s Yellow House (2 Star/Guesthouse)

Other Hotels In Terengganu

Kenyir Lakeview (5 Star)

Aryani (4 Star)

Awana (3 Star)

Strawberry Kijal Resort (3 Star)

Best Western (3 Star)

Sutra Beach Resort (3 Star)

Tanjong Jara (3 Star)

Restaurants, Café’s, Bars – Places To Eat & Drink In Terengganu

Most hotels and resorts offer fairly well created Malaysian meals every night,

but there are various places to eat and drink in Terengganu.

As you may expect, there are a couple of good Chinese restaurants like Tian Kee

and Golden Dragon in the heart of Kuala Terengganu. Seafood places are also

prevalent if you stroll around the main city area and there is a Curry house too

if you fancy something spicy. As in most Malaysian cities, there is a hawker

centre where you can lap up some traditional Malay food on the cheap.

Other places you may wish to have a snack at are the Travellers Café, or the

Guan.

Shopping possibilities do exists here too – the Noor Arfa Craft Complex offers

some interesting handiworks, and there’s a lot of variety in the Central Market

too.

Introduction To Kelantan

Kelantan is a very small state which occupies a land mass of barely 15,000

square miles with a population of about 1.3 million people. While there is only

one major settlement (Kota Bharu), Kelantan also enjoys a border with

Thailand, and there is a lot of scenic beauty – especially if you get the chance to

go through the jungle railway.

Things To See & Do In Kelantan

The main city of Kota Bharu is the main city in Kelantan, with an airport and

the usual offerings of banks, eateries, night markets and shopping centres that

you would expect to find in most Malaysian cities. There are also one or two

good places for museum lovers to visit – Bank Kerapu, Istana Jahar and

Museum Islam are among the more popular offerings.

You can see cultural shows at the buzzing Gelanggang Seni too. Shopaholics

are well catered for – the central market is the place to find fresh produce but

shopping for tourists who are after souvenirs are best found at Bazaar Buluh

Kubu or KB Mall.

Outside of Kota Bharu, you can visit the Masjid Kampung Laut, which happens

to be an ancient mosque that dates back to the 17th century. The Jelawang

Jungle Park is also quite a stunning natural place to visit – there are some

intriguing attractions within from mystical caves to lush waterfalls all set

amidst a jungle backdrop.

While Kelantan is not especially known for it’s beaches there are a couple of

very nice ones – most tourists head toward Pantai Irama, Pantai Cahaya Bulan

or Pantai Seri Tujuh.

Hotels, Guesthouses & Other Accommodation In Kelantan (Malaysia)

Given it’s size, there isn’t exactly an abundance of accommodation within

Kelantan, and many of the hotels and resorts tend to be concentrated within

the capital Kota Bharu. Here are a few of the hotel listings that are popular:

Renaissance Hotel Kota Bharu (Expensive)

Grand Riverview Hotel (Expensive)

Perdana (Standard)

Suria Hotel (Standard)

Juita Inn (Standard)

Dynasty Inn (Standard)

Ideal Travellers Lodge (Cheap)

Temenggong (Cheap)

Pantai Cahaya Resort (Cheap)

Restaurants & Places To Eat In Kelantan

A lot of the eateries within the state of Kelantan can be found within the capital

of Kota Bharu – that’s not to say there’s nothing available elsewhere.

In the capital, there are a couple of classy restaurants – notably Four Seasons

which serves up a variety of West & East dishes or the Renaissance which offers

pricey set meals in opulent surroundings. If you’re on a strict budget, you may

need to opt for one of the many other restaurants such as Ships (seafood as

well as other fare), Medan Usahawan (Malay) or one of the other places

offering fairly inexpensive (yet decent) fare.

In the Hotel Perdana is the highly regarded Golden Jade Chinese Restaurant –

the menu offers a good selection of both Western & local Malay/Chinese

cuisine and is well worth a visit.

Outside the main city, the beaches along Pantai Cahaya Bulan, and Pantai Seri

Tujuh have some reasonable eateries to check out.

An Introduction To Sarawak

Sarawak is a large state – with a landmass of over 120,000 Square KM, and a

population of just over one million. It is also a remarkably scenic place, with raw

jungles, exciting national forests, towering mountains and a bustling city where

you can stay to explore it all from.

To give you an idea of how raw and undiscovered Sarawak actually is, new

species of flora and fauna are still discovered within it’s many national parks

every year.

Things To See & Do In Sarawak

The capital of Sarawak is the city of Kuching which by itself has a platter of

attractions – there’s a wildlife park within the city and if you’re fond of

museums then Sarawak museum is the pick of the choices (though others like

the Chinese History Museum and Natural Science Museum are also good

places to visit.

Fort Margherita is a good historic monument located by the waterfront. There

is also a thriving Sunday market within the city selling all manor of fresh

produce.

Outside of the main city of Kuching, Sarawak still offers the tourist plenty of

sights and activities. In particular it’s a goldmine of national parks and forests –

the most popular ones include:

Kubah National Park

Gunung Mulu National Park

Bako National Park

Bukit Tiban National Park

Batang Ai National Park

Tanjung Datu National Park

Niah National Park

Loagan Bunut National Park

Lambir Hills National Park

Pulong Tau National Park

Talang Satang National Park

Rajang Mangroves National Park

Unless you’re here for very long, it’s probably unlikely to be able to see them all

– but take your pick because most offer a wonderful selection of trekking

opportunities, hikes and vistas as well as some highly interesting flora & fauna.

Away from the capital, and national parks, Which Sibu is another colourful little

fishing village which has a lovely temple (Tua Pek Kong) and the unique Mist

Gardens. It’s similar to Kapit (another fishing village village) which is famous for

the Kapit Museum, Fort Sylvia and the attractive harbour area.

Another popular region in Sarawak is the Kelabit Highlands – the main town

centre to see here is Bario while other places to visit in the Highlands include Bo

Kelalan and the Pulong Tau National Park.

Near Sibu is another pretty little fishing village called Mukah – very picturesque

and well worth seeing if you’re in the North East region of Sarawak while

Bintulu has a pleasant port area and a scattering of sights like a Chinese temple

and a few decent places to stay and eat.

Hotels, Guesthouses & Other Accommodation In Sarawak (Malaysia)

Sarawak has a lot of hotels, guesthouses and resorts throughout the main

visitor areas of the state. Here are some of your choices segregated by region:

The Capital (Kuching):

Hilton (5 Star)

Hilton Batang (5 Star)

Crowne Plaza (4 Star)

Damai Puri (4 Star)

Holiday Inn (4 Star)

Merdeka Palace (4 Star)

Grand Continental (3 Star)

Hornbill Golf & Jungle Club (3 Star)

Harbour View Hotel (3 Star)

Kingwood Inn (3 Star)

Rajah Court Hotel (3 Star)

Permai Rainforest Resort (3 Star)

Santubong Kuching (3 Star)

Somerset Gateway (3 Star)

Telang Usang (3 Star)

Other Hotels In Sarawak (Non Kuching):

Mega Hotel (5 Star – Miri)

Marriott Hotel (5 Star – Miri)

Kingwood (4 Star – Sibu)

Park City (4 Star – Bintulu)

Dynasty (3 Star – Miri)

Grand Palace (3 Star Miri)

Royal Mulu (3 Star – Mulu National Park)

Restaurants & Places To Eat In Sarawak

Sarawak has a rich variety of eateries – especially within the capital state of

Kuching. Here you can eat at neat and cheery café’s or try some traditional

Malay food. The choice is yours. Three of the most popular café’s in Kuching are

Life Café, King Top Café and Juat Biang Café all serving the usual café fare.

For Oriental food there’s the Ming Joo and Fook Hoi restaurant. Good Indian

grub can be had at Sri Shan Curry and some excellent satay dishes at Madli

Satay.

Staying in Kuching, the seafood at the Sea Horse Bistro is highly popular with

tourists.

In Miri there are some good dining options too – Tanjong Seafood Restaurant

has a good reputation and often packed at weekends. Sendha Sadhu has some

very interesting dishes on it’s menu with an Asian/Oriental theme while non

carnivores can indulge at the Vegetarian Delight. The place to go for Indian

food in Miri is Jhansi Curry House.

Elsewhere, Kapit is home to the quaint Madam Ma’s Kitchen, and the Orchad

Inn (Oriental).

Other eateries are dotted in and around the various other small towns in the

state and each of the National Parks has an in-house restaurant too.

An Introduction To Sabah

With a population of just over 3 million people, the state of Sabah covers

73,000 Square KM and has a diverse range of sights and activities for the

traveller – from lush jungle to towering mountains as well as some very nice

beaches, everything you need to have an unforgettable travel experience is

available in Sabah.

Things To See & Do In Sabah

There’s no denying that many tourists to Sabah are drawn to the impressive

Mount Kinabalu first and foremost. The main area of Kota Kinabalu is Sabah’s

main settlement, and not surprisingly the state capital. The city of Kota

Kinabalu is fairly well developed if a tad bland – there are a good range of

amenities from money changers, book shops, malls and more.

Bird lovers may be interested in the Kota Kinabalu Bird Sanctuary which has a

huge species of bird life to see. Other than that, the city is home to the Sabah

Museum, a huge set of exhibits displaying the history and culture of Sabah from

hundreds of years ago to the modern era can be found here. Also worth a

wander to is Signal Hill which offers supreme vista’s over the city.

Sabah also has an impressive range of National Parks including:

Kinabalu

Crocker Range National Park

Tawau Hills

Turtle Islands National Park

Tun Sakaran Marine Park

Pulau Tiga National Park

Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park

The best known of these is Kinabalu and this is the one you should head to if

you can only do but one of these.

Other towns that are worth a visit are Tambunan (where Sensuron Waterfalls

are situated). Another lacethat’s a little more indicative of a standard

Malaysian town is Keningau. There are also many other small towns in Sabah

such as Tuaran, Kota Belud, Kudat and Kuala Penyu to name a few.

Towards the east, Sandakan is quite a nice place to stop off for a nice seaside

stroll – it also has a rich variety of sights such as the Sandakan Memorial Park

and Puu Jih Shih Temple.

Also in the east is the very remote Maliu Basin region – it’s a great place to

take a hike in natural surroundings (at the Maliau Basin Conservation Area).

Hotels, Guesthouses & Other Accommodation In Sabah (Malaysia)

The most hotels in Sabah can be found in the capital of Kota Kinabalu.

The Capital (Kota Kinabalu):

4 & 5 Star:

Shangri La

Hyatt Regency

Pacific Sutera

Nexus

Promenade

Kinabalu Villa’s

3 Star & Below

Beverly Hotel Kinabalu

Jesselton Hotel

Radius International Hotel

Tune Hotels

Other Popular Hotels In Sabah (Outside Kota Kinabalu):

Tuaran Beach Hotel (Tuaran)

Seapark Hotel (Tanjung Aru)

Beringgis Beach Resort (Papar)

Sabah Hotel (Sandakan)

Restaurants & Places To Eat In Sabah

Throughout the state of Sabah you’ll be presented with excellent eating

options. There are usually a variety of top end restaurants to hawker vendors

selling excellent street food. All you need is a little money and a big appetite to

get your fill.

Of course, the capital of Kota Kinabalu has some very good restaurants. Banana

leaf food (usually Indian style curries) are very popular in this region and some

of the best can be had in Jothy’s Banana Leaf Restaurant. You can try fresh

seafood at reasonable prices at either the Ocean Seafood Restaurant or Kam

Boh Seafood Restaurant.

The most authentic Italian food to be found in the city is at Little Italy which

offers freshly made pastas, pizza’s and accompaniments.

For traditional Malay food that can please even the stingiest of budgets you

should head to Restoran Sempelang – a full meal can be hand for under $5!

For something a little more opulent and comfortable (not to mention pricey),

some of the best views throughout the city can be had at the Revolving

Restaurant. The food isn’t bad either.

Excellent Japanese food can be had at Wagamama, while some very good

Indian food is available at Kohinoor.

Other places to eat outside the capital are also abundant. Sandakan boasts one

of the finest seafood restaurants in the state in Trig Hill, while Fat Cat offers

more traditional Malay food at fair prices.

Semporna has the Pearl City Eatery which has some cracking Malay and

Chinese cuisine.

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