Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur is located on the west coast of the Malay Peninsula, about 35 km from the sea. The capital of Malaysia is considered one of the most beautiful metropolises in Asia. No trip to the country is complete without a visit to this fascinating city. Kuala Lumpur delights with a mixture of historical sights, religious buildings, and modern architecture with imposing skyscrapers, lively shopping districts, bars, and street cafes. Shopping fans will find numerous large shopping centers in the Bukit Bintang district, while traditional goods and souvenirs are offered at the markets in Chinatown. The selection is large, and the prices are attractive. Two days are usually enough for the city's main sights. Arrival Kuala Lumpur has two international airports: – KLIA – main airport for international airlines – KLIA2 – terminal for low-cost flights Both airports are connected to the main train station, KL Sentral, via the LRT line. The KLIA Ekspres takes only 30 minutes without stops to the city center. General Kuala Lumpur is Malaysia's largest financial and commercial center and at the same time one of the greenest capitals in Asia. Modern high-rises stand here in harmonious contrast to old temples, and many streets are lined with lush greenery. Climate and Season A tropical-humid climate prevails all year round with temperatures between 25 °C and 28 °C. Rainy season on the west coast and in Kuala Lumpur: April, May, and October – mostly heavy but short showers in the late afternoon or at night. Sights in Kuala Lumpur The city offers a large selection of attractions: Petronas Twin Towers The landmark of the city – two 88-story twin towers. A photo in front of the Petronas Towers is a must for many visitors. KLCC Park Located right next to the Petronas Towers. Especially popular: the free children's pool and the extensive walking paths. Menara Kuala Lumpur (KL Tower) Another imposing observation tower with a panoramic view over the entire city. Merdeka Square Historical site where Malaysia declared its independence from Great Britain on August 31, 1957. Batu Caves An active Hindu temple complex in impressive limestone caves. The four main areas include: Ramayana Cave, Villa Cave, Dark Cave (only with a guide), and the Temple Cave. Kuala Lumpur Bird Park A huge bird park in the Lake Gardens area – home to over 2000 birds. A wonderful place for families. Putrajaya A modern government city south of Kuala Lumpur – seat of all administrative facilities in Malaysia. Beaches in Kuala Lumpur There are no beaches in Kuala Lumpur, as the city is located about 45 km inland. The nearest beach destinations: – Port Dickson (approx. 100 km) – Islands of Pangkor, Penang, Langkawi Shopping & Souvenirs The best places for souvenirs: – Chinatown (Petaling Street) – especially in the evening during the night market – Central Market (Pasar Seni) – large selection of handicrafts Haggling is common and recommended in both places.

Malacca is the capital of the state of Malacca on the west coast of the mainland part (the Malay Peninsula) of Malaysia, 120 kilometers south of Kuala Lumpur. The majority of the city's population has Chinese roots. Descendants of European colonizers from mixed marriages also live here. Malacca was once the first capital of Malaysia and remained so until the Portuguese landed here in 1511. At that time, Malacca was captured by the Portuguese fleet under the command of Albuquerque. In 1641, Malacca fell to the Dutch, and in 1795 they were replaced by the British. Thanks to its rich history, Malacca is one of the most popular travel destinations in mainland Malaysia and is considered the cultural center of the country. In 2008, the city was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Most of the city's sights are close to each other, so you can quickly get to know the city in one day. The city is very interesting because of its historical sites, and everything here is permeated by historical events from different eras. The nightlife in the city is also not neglected. There are nightclubs, bars, and excellent restaurants. However, you should not hope for a beach holiday in Malacca – it is a port city. Seasonality. Weather and seasons do not play a major role for a stay in Malacca, as people come here for sightseeing. It is hot and sunny practically all year round. So you can come here at any time of the year. Smoking ban. Malaysian Malacca has been the first city in Malaysia where smoking is prohibited since June 15, 2011. The smoking ban was passed by the authorities to combat the widespread habit of smoking in the country and to attract foreign tourists. Day off on Tuesday. Every Tuesday is an official day off in the state of Malacca, and almost all public institutions, museums, and sights are closed to visitors. If you only want to visit Malacca for one day as part of a sightseeing tour, do not do so on a Tuesday. Money exchange. There are not many exchange offices in Malacca. If you have the opportunity, exchange money in other large cities before your trip to Malacca. However, the rate here is slightly higher than at Kuala Lumpur airport, so it is better to look for a money changer here than to exchange at the airport.

Sarawak is located in the west of Borneo and is the largest state in Malaysia. Here you will find both magnificent beaches and dense tropical jungles that are over a hundred million years old, as well as the largest caves in the world, Niah and Mulu. The capital of Sarawak, Kuching, was built along the banks of the Sarawak River of the same name. The city is famous for its architecture: colonial-style buildings, an incredibly beautiful waterfront, temples, parks, antique shops, and local markets. You can visit the villages of the region, which surprise with their unique charm and provide an excellent insight into the ethnic groups that inhabit Sarawak. Tourists have the opportunity to enter the traditional houses of the indigenous people, which stand on high stilts. In doing so, one can meet local artisans, war dancers, and shamans. One of the main attractions of Sarawak and probably the entire island are undoubtedly the famous giant caves. Niah National Park is located a few kilometers from the town of the same name. Unique natural monuments are located in its territory, and traces of the oldest human settlements in Southeast Asia were found here. The largest cave in the world, Deer Cave, is located in Mulu National Park. The dimensions of the cave are so vast that 40 commercial aircraft could comfortably fit inside, and the height would be sufficient to accommodate the Motherland Calls statue (in Volgograd).

Sabah is located in the northeast of the island of Borneo and is considered one of Malaysia's most fascinating states. The region offers extraordinary opportunities for adventure and nature experiences: here you can climb the highest mountain in Southeast Asia, explore pristine jungle areas, and relax on dreamlike beaches. In addition, Sabah is home to some of the best diving areas in the world. Cultural Highlights – Monsopiad Heritage Village The Monsopiad Heritage Village is a cultural village dedicated to the Kadazan-Dusun people – the largest indigenous community in Sabah. Here, visitors learn more about their traditions, craftsmanship, and history. The village also includes the "House of Skulls," a historic building that preserves significant artifacts of the people and serves as a cultural museum. Nature Experience – Klias River The Klias River is one of Sabah's most impressive natural attractions. It is famous for its mangrove forests and its extraordinary wildlife. A boat trip on the river leads deep into the nature of Borneo and offers the opportunity to observe numerous animals in the wild: – Long-tailed macaques – Proboscis monkeys – Crocodiles – Many bird species – Tropical insects A special highlight awaits visitors at sunset: thousands of fireflies shimmering in the mangrove trees, creating an almost magical atmosphere.

Langkawi is both the name of an archipelago (consisting of 99 islands) and the main island within it. It is located in the Andaman Sea in the north of Malaysia on the border with Thailand and is situated at a distance of 30 kilometers from the mainland. The maximum extent of the island is 30 kilometers. The capital and largest city on the island is Kuah. Of the 99 islands in the archipelago, only the four largest are inhabited. When tourists talk about Langkawi, they usually mean the island of Langkawi itself and not the archipelago. It is the most popular island resort on the west coast of the mainland part of Malaysia. A holiday on Langkawi is primarily a beach holiday. The beaches, both on the island of Langkawi and on the neighboring small islands of the archipelago, are very clean and idyllic. Among all the beaches, there are many secluded, almost wild beaches, and at the same time enough developed ones for a comfortable holiday away from civilization. If you settle in a bungalow near such a beach, you can for a time become the master of your own beach or even a small uninhabited island. If you want active entertainment, shopping, and good food, you will also find plenty of that on Langkawi. You can visit a cable car, an aquarium, a crocodile farm, a farm with African water buffaloes, and a fruit plantation, or engage in water sports. There are no historical or cultural sights on Langkawi, but there are many natural beauties, including numerous waterfalls, caves, unusual beaches with black sand, and bathing monkeys. Another great gift to the guests of the island is that the entire island is a duty-free zone. Accordingly, the prices for many goods, especially for alcohol, which is very expensive in Malaysia, are low here. Seasonality. The island of Langkawi is located in a zone with an equatorial climate, and it is hot and sunny all year round. The best time for a trip to Langkawi is from November to April. The rainy season and low season on Langkawi last from September to November, but this by no means means that you should forgo a trip to the island during this time. Because even if a rain surprises you, it is usually over very quickly.

Penang Island is an island and a state in Malaysia on the west coast of the western (mainland) part of the country in the Andaman Sea. The island is located a few kilometers from the mainland coast and is connected to it by a bridge. On the island lies the city of George Town, the capital of the state, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008 due to its numerous architectural landmarks. Many tourists generally compare the island to a city: the majority of the island's area is developed and built up, crisscrossed by a road network with quite heavy traffic. A holiday on Penang primarily means discovering cultural and historical sights, shopping, going on excursions, and having fun. Life on Penang is lively, constantly in motion like in a big city: there are nightclubs and other facilities, restaurants and shopping malls, souvenir shops, and night markets. It is a "port, trade, and excursion island," and one should not come here just for a beach holiday. However, there are good hotels and many accommodations for every budget, a variety of restaurants, beautiful temples, parks, and gardens. The beach holiday experience on Penang is only weakly developed. Actually, there is only one real beach resort here – the Batu Ferringhi area, but even in high season, it is not overcrowded with vacationers. The beach there is cleaned, the beach infrastructure is quite well developed, and there are entertainment options. But everything is marred by the water, which is almost always murky and sometimes even washes trash onto the beach. All this is a consequence of the proximity to the large industrial centers and ports on the island and the mainland. There are some small, remote beaches on the west coast of the island, but they are difficult to access and there is no tourist infrastructure there at all. Seasonality. The tourist season on Penang lasts all year round, but a distinction is made between high and low season. As a rule, the fewest tourists come to Penang during the rainy season from September to November. The high season begins at the end of December and ends after the Chinese New Year, usually from late January to mid-February. Shopping in George Town. The most famous shopping center in the city is Komtar. It is a 65-story building, the tallest on the island. The complex houses offices, shops, and restaurants. There are also several shopping centers in its vicinity. At the top, there is an observation deck that offers a panoramic view of the island.

Redang Island is a beautiful resort with untouched nature. Even the airport and the hotels do not detract from the impression that you are "at the end of the world." People come here to bathe on the clean sandy beaches and swim in the azure sea. This place is suitable for both relaxation and active recreation. However, Redang is not a destination for budget travelers: instead of campsites and guesthouses, there are quiet but expensive hotels here. In addition to relaxing on the magnificent beaches, Redang offers its guests numerous activities that also fall into this category: diving, boat trips on the sea, fishing, and more. There are over 20 dive sites. Diving is possible from May to September, as is snorkeling. The water clarity is excellent. You can marvel at the largest single coral in the world, the Mushroom Coral, which is shaped like a giant mushroom. Towards the end of the summer, leatherback turtles migrate. Here you can also encounter sea turtles, barracudas, rays, crabs, sponge corals, and much more. You can also go windsurfing, canoeing and kayaking, play beach volleyball, soccer, and go fishing – the latter, however, no closer than two miles from the coast. Trekking on Redang's trails is also possible. In the evening, you can sit in the beach restaurants with their extensive menus and music, or in the hotel bars and restaurants. Redang is not a wild and deserted area, but the entire infrastructure is concentrated in only two small areas, while most of the island is covered by tropical rainforest. The most important tourist center is Pasir Panjang beach on the east coast. Everything for a comfortable stay is available here, but the whole situation boils down to spending most of your time within the hotel grounds. Seasonality. There are two seasons on Redang: The high season (dry season) lasts from June to October. This is the best time to visit: temperatures are not too high, and there is hardly any rainfall. The low season (monsoon season) falls in the period from November to May. Constant monsoon winds create high waves on the sea, there is frequent rainfall, and the sky is often overcast, especially from November to February. During this time, tourist life on the island comes to an almost complete standstill; hotels, restaurants, and entertainment venues close. From March onwards, you can visit the island again, and the hotels resume operations.

Tioman Island is a small island off the east coast of the Malay Peninsula. The island is located 40 kilometers from the mainland. Tourists who have visited Tioman describe the island briefly and concisely: "Paradise!" The island is a nature reserve, and the pristine nature is carefully preserved here (to enter the island, one must even pay a small fee of 5 ringgit into the protected area fund). It is one of the ten cleanest and most beautiful islands in the world. On the island, there are many "ideal," pristine beaches, clear mountain rivers, and waterfalls. There is no party life or nightlife here at all, and time passes slowly. Tourists come here primarily to dive and enjoy the beauty of nature. Throughout the year, divers from all over the world travel here to swim with whale sharks and observe the underwater world, which cannot be found anywhere else in the world. One can safely say that Tioman is a true paradise for divers. The underwater visibility is up to 35 meters, which also allows for snorkeling, and the water temperature does not drop below 29 degrees throughout the year. The island is surrounded by a ring of coral reefs and captivates with the diversity and beauty of underwater life. Several small islands are scattered around Tioman, some of which are completely untouched by tourists. The infrastructure on the island is not developed, but everything necessary for a vacation is available. Of the seven villages on the island, not even all have electricity, and there is only one paved road – from the airport to the Berjaya Hotel. Some hotels on the island can only be reached by water. Seasonality. Tioman is known for its very mild and year-round consistent climate. The air and water temperatures change only slightly from month to month throughout the year. The average daytime air temperature is 32 degrees. Unfortunately, the consistency of the weather does not extend to the rainfall throughout the year. There is a rainy season during which large amounts of precipitation fall, while there is hardly any precipitation during the dry season. The dry season, which is also the main travel season, lasts from May to September, with the largest influx of tourists recorded from June to August. The rainy season lasts for almost the entire remainder of the year, from November to March. During this time, one should avoid visiting the island. In addition to heavy rainfall, strong winds blow and dangerous waves form; some hotels close during this period.

Pangkor is an island off the west coast of Malaysia, located about 200 kilometers north of Kuala Lumpur, washed by the waters of the Indian Ocean (Strait of Malacca). Pangkor Island belongs to the state of Perak. The island is only two kilometers from the mainland and is connected to it by a fast ferry. There is also a small airport here, but it is currently not served by scheduled flights. In terms of size, it is a relatively small island with an area of only eight square kilometers. Its length from north to south is nine kilometers, and its maximum width is three and a half kilometers. But despite its small size compared to other popular tourist islands in Malaysia, it is by no means less popular with tourists. What makes a visit to this island special for tourists is the untouched beauty of the wild nature and the way of life of the locals, which is still unspoiled by tourist crowds. Most of the island is covered by dense tropical jungle, and small fishing villages with wooden houses are scattered only along the coast. If you travel to Pangkor, you will spend time alone with yourself, nature, and the cleanest and most beautiful beaches on the west coast of Malaysia, and you can also get to know the way of life of the local population, which has preserved its uniqueness, up close. Seasonality. Pangkor Island is located in an equatorial climate zone, and it is hot all year round. The rainy season lasts from November to February, and this time is not very popular for a visit. The other seasons are excellent for a vacation.

Ambitious visitors can climb the summit Low’s Peak – named after the Englishman Hugh Low, who first climbed it in 1895. Sipadan Island Sipadan Island is considered one of the best diving spots in the world. The famous explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau made the place internationally known. In addition to professional diving, visitors can also simply snorkel and observe sea turtles and colorful tropical fish – an unforgettable underwater experience.