Malaysia Beaches

It would be an impossible task to describe every one of Malaysia's thousands of beautiful beaches. Ranging from the powdery stretches of sand that characterize the eastern coastline of Peninsular Malaysia to the black sand beach of Pantai Pasir Hitam and the smooth pebble beach of Pantai Batu Kerikil, Malaysia's shores offer more idyllic locales than one could explore in many lifetimes.

In addition to the plenitude of beaches along the the peninsula and the coast of Eastern Malaysia, the country also possesses over a hundred tropical islands. Many of these are so beautiful as to have entered into legend centuries ago, like the islands of Langkawi remain desert isles, marked , or Pulau Tioman. Others only by the imprint of the South China Sea on their sands.

The New Gateway to South-East Asia

Kuala Lumpur, also known as the Garden City of Lights, is the Capital City of Malaysia. From its centralized position which spans 243.6 sq. kilometers, this ultra-modern nerve center of Malaysia expands outwards to embrace the world.

Discovering Kuala Lumpur (as locals affectionately call it) is like traveling though a time tunnel. Here, vivid traces of history continue to influence and inspire a country set on becoming a fully industrialized nation by the year 2020. You will see ultra-modern skyscrapers standing magnificently next to rows and rows of quaint old shop houses. Haute cuisine beside hawker stalls. To the avid shopper, Kuala Lumpur is paradise. From world-renowned designer labels and brands to exquisite made-in-Malaysia items, the highly competitive environment that exists among traders is a blessing in disguise to shoppers. While department stores practice a fixed price policy, bargain hunters can test their skills at smaller retail establishments or at any one of Kuala Lumpur's famous night markets. KL will enthrall you. It will capture your heart and mind in a way no other city will.

Sultan Abdul Samad Building
The Sultan Abdul Samad building was constructed at the end of the last century and the site was chosen because of its central position. A.C. Norman, a British architect who worked for the Public Works Department in Kuala Lumpur, in designing the existing building took into consideration some of the features of buildings in several Islamic countries. The predominantly Moorish appearance of the building suitably reflects the cultural background of Malaysia.

The financial Heart of Penang

George Town

The financial Heart of Penang

George Town, the capital of the island of Penang was named by the British after King George III. It was established by Capt Francis Light in 1786. Penang is the oldest British settlement in Malaysia. The government centre and its financial heart, George Town is an interesting and bustling city with modern high rise buildings, cathedrals, mosques, government offices, temples, bazaars, shops and cafes.

One must visit the older part of the town that has narrow lanes and alleyways, which makes it a pleasure to walk.

Penang

The Pearl of the Orient

Penang is located on the north-western coast of Peninsular Malaysia. It comprises the Penang island and a strip on the mainland named Province Wellesley Seberang Perai) which are linked by the Penang Bridge, the third longest in the world. Penang island measures a modest 285sq.km and is inhabited by slightly over a million people who hail from a diverse mix of cultures and religions.

Kinabalu

Land Below the Wind

The Kinabalu region is on the west coast of Sabah, 'The Land Below the Wind'. Here sits South-East Asia's highest peak, the mystical Mount Kinabalu, rising a 4,101 meters above sea level. Kinabalu holds the promise of many exhilarating moments for its visitors. Tour Kota Kinabalu, the bustling capital city of Sabah, or retreat to Kinabalu Park, a paradise for naturalists, botanists, bird watchers, mountaineers or just about anyone who wants to be close to nature. The park is home to an incredibly diverse range of flora and fauna including the Rafflesia, the world’s largest flower. Scale the ‘home of a dragon’, Mount Kinabalu or indulge in some thrilling white-water rafting action down fast-flowing turbulent rivers. Whatever you choose, excitement awaits you right here in Kinabalu.

Malacca

Historic City

Located on the west coast of Penisular Malaysia, about 147 kilometers south of Kuala Lumpur, Malacca is a state hailed by history. Malacca spans 1,658sq.km, and is divided into three main districts, Central Malacca, Alor Gajah and Jasin. Malacca boasts a legacy of history and charm only a rare few places on Earth are bestowed with. Aptly, it was officially declared a Historic City in 1989 by its Ruler, the Yang Di-Pertua Negeri of Malacca The Governor of Malacca). Visiting Malacca is a must for any tourist. Here, remnants of the past sit unperturbed by a city that races towards the future. A juxtaposition that is Malacca’s alone, one that is bound to mesmerize you.

Other than our popular destinations, Malaysia comprises Penisular Malaysia and the states of Sabah and Sarawak on the island of Boneo which made up of 13 states. Each state has unique characteristics and each promises visitors totally different experiences. One can look forward to interesting flora and fauna, sunny.

Shopping in Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur is a shoppers paradise. There is a wide range of shopping establishments and modern air-conditioned shopping malls, department stores, handicraft centres, duty-free shops, bazaars and night markets. Among the items high on the shopping list of tourists are pewter, batik, duty free items, electrical products, sportswear and handicrafts. For a very different experience visit the night markets or 'pasar malam' which begin their trading activities in the late afternoon. These open-air markets feature hawker stalls that sell a variety of local produce, foodstuff, clothing and cakes. Bargaining is a common practice. One can see a number of street artists and traditional medicine vendors.

Sungei Wang Plaza, which is integrated with the adjacent Bukit Bintang Plaza, is a magnet for all shoppers. Its retail outlets offer an incredible assortment of goods catering to all tastes and budgets.

Most shops are open 0900-1700 daily, with the malls open later 1000-2200. Some shops close on Sundays, but all of the malls are open.

It would be difficult to overstate the attraction of Malaysia for anyone who appreciates the natural world. Its primal forests, ranging from shoreline mangrove to mountaintop oak, are of the sort that most of the world now knows only in myth. Although Malaysia's size is similar to that of Norway, natural trees and forests cover almost three quarters of the land, an area equivalent to almost the entire United Kingdom. One can walk for hundreds of miles in Malaysia under a continuous canopy of green, marveling at an abundance of plant and animal species equaled by no other location in the entire world.

Food in Malaysia

Malaysian cuisine is exotic with an exciting range of flavours and culinary styles offering the uninitiated an endless gastronomic adventure. It comprises three main groups - Malay, Chinese and Indian with each having its own distinct style of cooking. There are also cuisine that have evolved from the meeting of cultures notably those of the Nyonya and Indian Muslim communities.

For the visitor who is interested in dining out, Kuala Lumpur boasts an extraordinary number of hawker stalls, coffee shops and restaurants, most of them offering a high standard of cuisine and often at very cheap prices.

Nasi Dagang
The dish is made by cooking rice and glutinous rice together, to which coconut cream is added once it is cooked. Nasi Dagang is eaten with its own specially made side dishes of tuna fish curry and a light vegetable pickle.

¤ Keropok Lekor / Keping
A popular and the most visible fried snack in Terengganu, the keropok is made of fish meat, ground to a paste, and mixed with sago. Coming in two main different forms, the long chewy ones are called 'lekor', while the thin, crispy ones are called 'keping'. Keropok is best eaten hot with its special chili dip.

Welcome to Malaysia

Welcome to Malaysia

Malaysia is a country of contrasts, bathed in the warm tropical sun, endowed with 3,000 kilometers of coastline, several historic cities, a unique cultural mix, a string of cool hill resorts, the world’s oldest rainforest—and even Southeast Asia’s highest mountain. Add to this a delightful fusion.

Geographically, somewhat oddly, Malaysia comprises two distinct bodies of land, politically joined in 1963 after independence from Britain. The Malayan peninsula is the historic home of the Malay people, today’s heart and the population center of the dynamic modern nation. East Malaysia claims the northern edge of the huge, wild island of Borneo. Ethnically and culturally, Malaysia is a fundamentally Malay country overlaid with Chinese, Indian and British influences, and possessing several indigenous tribal peoples such as the Iban, Penan and Negrito.

Yet it preserves many traditional cultural aspects—dress, religion, food and architecture—and retains great natural beauty in beaches, forests, rivers and mountains. Visiting Malaysia provides a step into a special and distinctive world that can be done with ease and comfort via high modern standards of transportation and accommodation.

Holidaymakers love to head for the beach first and forget their workday cares. Malaysia offers a huge range of seaside relaxation running from luxurious total-comfort resorts to deserted away-from-it-all beaches. On the northwest coast of the peninsula sits the holiday island of Langkawi, set on the Andaman Sea. In its myriad coves and inlets, beside palm-fringed golden sand beaches, Langkawi offers international-standard resort hotels and simple chalet accommodation. For a bit of action, there are water sports of all kinds, a fine golf course and duty-free shopping. Especially easy to access, Langkawi has its own international airport.