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Marine Park at 'ABC', Tioman Island, SE Malaysia

Sepilok, Sandakan, Sabah, Borneo Malaysia

View from Bukit Teresik, Taman Negara, Malaysia
by Paul Stanway, UK

The twin Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur
by Jess Marshall, UK

Recommended:

Lonely Planet: Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei
Peter Turner, Chris Rowthorn, Clen Lindenmayer

Lonely Planet: South-East
Asia on a Shoestring

Highlights

Peninsula Malaysia

• Kuala Lumpur, "KL" - Surprisingly calm for a large Asian city. Interesting blend of colonial and new architecture. Merdeka Square in the centre is home to a pristine cricket pitch (!) and the impressive Sultan Abdul Samad building. Nearby is the very attractive Railway Station.Dominating the skyline is the KL Tower and the Petronas Twin Towers (The tallest building in the world).

• Tioman Island - Just off the SW coast accessed from Mersing. Most travellers head for ABC beach. Excellent snorkeling and views

• Cherating - quiet beach which comes alive some nights with beach parties

• Kuantan - A largish 'junction' town on the east coast which serves as a great access point to nearby resorts (eg, Tanjong Jara Resort which is the sister property of the Pangor Laut Resort) and quiet coastal villages.

• Kota Bharu, "KB"- busy, colourful Muslim town with a great night market.

• Perhentian Islands - accessed from 'KB'. Most travellers end up at the remote Long Beach. Very quiet - take your own supplies!

• Penang - Popular busy tourist area.

• Langkawi - Small island with excellent beaches and a small selection of 5 star resorts (including The Datai and the Tanjung Rhu resort)

• Pangor Laut - Exclusive private island resort including hillside bungalows, over-water bungalows and a village of private suites with own pools and spa area. Pangot Laut has a guest list which includes Pavarotti and Joan Collins.

• Melaka - intriguing historic port town.

• Cameron Highlands - good jungle trekking.

Sabah and Sarawak (Borneo)

• Kota Kinabalu, "KK" -  A base to organise a trip up Mount Kinabalu (4101m) 

• Sandakan - Orangutan and turtle sanctuaries

• Turtle Islands National Park

• Kuching - Very pleasant, landscaped city with colourful markets and great waterfront

Main travellers routes

• Most travellers stumble across Malaysia on their way from the more well known areas in Thailand and Singapore and end up staying for some time.

• Coaches are the cheapest transport.

• Rail is also cheap and convenient. The Jungle Railway from KL to Kota Bharu is a stunning trip.

• Borneo is more expensive than mainland Malaysia but it is still possible to keep the costs down

Capital

• Kuala Lumpur

• Other main populated areas: Kota Bharu (NE),  Georgetown (Penang), Ipoh (Central)

Languages

• Bahasa Malaysia (Bahasa Melayu)

• English

• Chinese

• Tamil

Currency   

• Malaysian Ringitt (RM)

Visas

• Visa not required for UK Tourists for stays of up to 30 days.

• Tip! If you are travelling between Peninsula Malaysia and Borneo (Sabah or Sarawak), always check  in your passport to see the length of stay you have been issued with, as there are different immigration procedures for each. Submitted by Kalam from Malaysia

Foreign Office Advice

• http://www.fco.gov.uk/travel/

Links

• http://www.tourism.gov.my - Impressive site for a beautiful country.

• Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board

• Sarawak Tourism Board

• Perhentian Islands Info

If you have any information you would like to share
 with other travellers about this country, email it to:

tips@thetravellerslounge.com