Malaysia has a new international airport, which is located at Sepang. Just 50kms from Kuala Lumpur, the Kuala Lumpur International Airport opened in 1998. Most tourists travelling into Malaysia either fly into Sepang Airport or arrive overland from either Thailand or Singapore. It’s cheaper to fly to East Malaysia from Johor Bahru than from Kuala Lumpur. International flights are also routed via Penang while in Sarawak and Sabah, Kuching and Tawau airports offer flight services.

There are numerous border-crossing points between Thailand and Malaysia. Malaysia also offers a very reasonable west-coast rail link. To get to/from Singapore, you have three options. You can either go across the causeway by land into Johor Bahru, catch a ferry or take the train.

Peninsula Malaysia has a fast and affordable nationwide bus system, and provides an excellent way to get around the country. Minibuses are also very common, and are the only way to get by public transport into Northern Malaysia from Thailand.

Peninsula Malaysia offers a comfortable and economical railway service too, though you’ll find there are only two lines: one linking Singapore to Thailand via Kuala Lumpur and Butterworth, the other linking centrally located Gemas with Kota Bharu on the north-east border.

Long distance taxis are around twice the cost of buses, but are more comfortable by half.  There are no boat services between Peninsula and East Malaysia. Rickshaws can still be found in some parts of Kuala Lumpur, as well as in provincial areas. The public transport system in Kuala Lumpur is in a sorry state especially during peak hours.

Heavily publicized as one of the region’s most popular attractions, Gunung Mulu National Park offers visitors 529 square kilometres of unspoilt wilderness marked with limestone and sandstone mountains and a large number of naturally beautiful attractions such as caves, trekking trails and diverse wildlife.

Once you’re inside the park, follow Hunter’s Trail, which will take you along an old tribal war path to discover a number of interesting animals and plants. Further into the park you will find a network of caves, which lead under the park for around 300 kilometres.

Be careful not to get lost because there’s plenty of other attractions to explore. It is a good idea to hire a guide at the entrance to the park to ensure that you manage to see all the highlights and stay on the right track. A good way to cut costs is to wait for other visitors to arrive and share the guide’s fee between you.

One of the most popular caves is known as Clearwater Cave. This is believed to be the longest cave in Southeast Asia and the trip includes a boat ride up the Melinau River to the mouth of the cave.

Dee Cave is also popular as it contains the world’s largest cave passage and visitors to this interesting cave must first embark on a three kilometre walk through the jungle.

Malaysian festivals tend to be loud and colourful, marked with plenty of singing, dancing and parades through the streets. Malaysian people tend to be tolerant of people from other faiths and welcome them into their homes to celebrate with them. These festivals are a good opportunity for foreigners to learn more about Malaysian culture and hospitality.

Here are some major Malaysian festivals to look out for. Many festivals revolve around the lunar calendar, so dates vary slightly from year to year.

New Year’s Day: Januray 1st is a public holiday and New Year’s Eve is marked in most cities with sporting events, competitions, exhibitions and cultural performances by Malaysian multi-ethnic groups.

Chinese New Year: Chinese New Year lasts for 15 days and is very colourful, filled with feasting and firework displays. Gather to watch the traditional dragon and lion dances, which take place to the beat of gongs and drums. Penang is the best place to experience Chinese New Year in Malaysia.

Thaipusam: This festival is celebrated by Hindus on the tenth month of the Hindu calendar. Thaipusam is a day for penance and atonement and during this time devotees to fulfil a vow they have made to Lord Muruga, who is also known as Lord Subramaniam. Devotion is demonstrated by fasting and piercing their bodies with elaborately decorated metal structures decorated with colored paper, fresh fruit and flowers and parading through the streets. To get the most out of this festival, head to Kuala Lumpur to watch Lord Muruga’s jeweled chariot carried through the streets to the Batu Caves in Selangor.

Gawai Dayak: On the 1st of June the people of Sarawak celebrate the good annual with parties, games, processions and feasting. People gather to sing traditional songs, dance and drink the locally produced rice wine. Children bring their parents plates of food and cattle is sacrificed to ensure that there is a good harvest the following season.

Hari Raya Aidil Fitri: Also known as Hari Raya Puasa, this Muslim festival marks the end of fasting throughout the month of Ramadhan, which is the tenth month of the Muslim calendar. The celebrations last for one month and feature bright decorations, feasting and parties Lantern and Moon Cake Festival This festival is celebrated by all Malaysians, who hang colourful lanterns on their houses and eat moon cakes in this celebration of peace and unity.

Hungry Ghost Festival: According to Chinese tradition the gates of hell are opened during the 15th day of the seventh lunar month to allow the hungry ghosts to wander the Earth in search of food and possibly seek revenge. The Chinese hold a festival at this time to remember their dead ancestors and pay tribute to them, setting aside food for them and burning money so that their relatives can use it in the afterlife

Deepavali: The Festival of Lights, Deepavali is celebrated as the triumph of good over evil, marking the legendary time when Lord Krishna defeated Narkansura. Mainly celebrated by Hindus, people visit the temple during the day and lit candles and oil lamps in the evening. There are colourful parades through the street and much merrymaking

Christmas: Unlike most Asian countries, Malaysia celebrates Christmas much like people do in western countries. Houses are decorated with lights and a large Christmas tree, carols are sung and the traditional roast turkey dinner is often eaten to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

The central region of Malaysia is a great place to visit to escape the scorching Malay weather as temperatures are significantly cooler here, especially in the stunningly beautiful region known as the Cameron Highlands.

Central Malaysia is also home to the capital city of Kuala Lumpur, which contains all the interesting attractions and facilities you would expect from a modern Asian city. This is a good place to use as a base as you explore the beauty that surrounds Kuala Lumpur.

Another interesting metropolis is Melaka, which is renowned as the center of the Muslim faith in Malaysia. This is a good place to learn about the Muslim faith and traditions, as well as sampling a range of traditional Malay dishes.

One of the great things about central Malaysia is that it is particularly easy to get around, with bus and rail networks linking the major towns and cities. The railway network starts in Thailand and continues south into Singapore, meaning that both countries are easily accessible.

Malaysia’s many festivals are particularly vibrant in central Malaysia, with much of the attention focused on Kuala Lumpur. Many visitors try to arrange their trip so that they will be in Malaysia capital city during at least one of the major festivals or holidays.

Eastern Malaysia is divided from Central and northern Malaysia by the South China Sea. East Malaysia consists of the Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak, which are located on the island of Borneo, as well as the Federal Territory of Labuan, which lies off coast of Sabah. Although less populated than Peninsular Malaysia or West Malaysia, East Malaysia is much larger and contains more of the country’s natural resources.

Most visitors to Malaysia tend to head straight to East Malaysia to enjoy adventure activities such as trekking, caving, white water rafting and camping. There are a number of spectacularly beautiful national parks in this region of Malaysia such as Kubah National Park and Bako National Park.

East Malaysiaa is home to the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, and thousands of people come here each year to interact with the old men of the forest. There are a number of beatuful beaches and islands to discover in this region of Malaysia as well as pretty towns to explore.

The people of East Malaysia are warm and welcoming and visiting the region’s villages is a rewarding experience. This region is famous for its diverse cuisine, and top of the menu is fresh fish, which is especially delicious when eaten on the beach at sunset.

Malaysia receives a large number of tourists and the Malay people are used to the different habits of foreigners. Although Malay people tend to be tolerant to cultural differences, it is important to remember that this is a conservative country and you should show respect by trying to follow the established customs.

Clothing:
Avoid showing too much skin when travelling in Malaysia. It is best to wear trousers rather than shorts and keep your shoulders covered. People who wear tight clothing, shorts and strappy tops will often be treated with distain and even refused admittance to certain places such as temples. Be sure to remove your shoes before entering temples or private houses and place them neatly outside the doorway.

Greetings:
Smile when you greet people. The traditional greeting is known as a salam and resembles a handshake with both hands but without making contact. The man will offer both hands, lightly touching his friend’s outstretched hands, and then bringing his hands to his chest, which means “I greet you from my heart”. The visitor should reciprocate the salam, but never shake hands unless someone initiates the gesture and don’t touch people on the head as this is seen as an insult.
Malay men are addressed as Encik, with or without their name afterwards Single Malay women should be called Che and married women Puan.

Eating etiquette:
Avoid eating with your left hand as it is considered unclean. Malays and Indians often eat with their right hand, while Chinese food is eaten with chopsticks. Knives aren’t usually used in Malaysia and a fork and spoon will often be provided. It is considered bad manners to put the fork in your mouth. Instead, use the fork to push food on to the spoon and lift the spoon to your mouth.

Showing Affection:
Sexual relations between people who aren’t married are actually illegal, and this extends to relationships between Lao people and foreigners. Public displays of affection such as kissing and holding hands can be offensive to Lao people, as is greeting them with a hug or kiss on the cheek.

Taboo Subjects:
Be careful not to criticize the Government and members of the Malay royal family. Avoid talking about homosexuality or ethnic relations.

Often simply referred to as KL, Kuala Lumpur is Malaysia’s capital city. The name means muddy estuary in the Malay language and it should be clear to visitors that the city has come a long way since it was first named.

Once a sleepy Chinese tin mining village, the bustling city of Kuala Lumpur is now home to more than 6 million residents and has a lot to offer, whether you’re interested in fine dining, shopping, seeing the sights or luxurious hotels.

Kuala Lumpur is a great place to explore on foot. One of the most popular attractions are the Petronas Twin Towers, which are 436 meters tall and offer spectacular views from the top. The nearby KL Tower is also an impressive sight, while Bintang Walk is a great place to stop for coffee. Visit Chinatown in the evening to dine on a range of delicacies and enjoy the colourful decorations.

The National Museum is a good place to get an idea of Malaysia’s diverse history, while the Police Museum and Islamic Arts Museum offer special perspectives of life in Kuala Lumpur. Marvel at the thousands of colourful tropical fish in the Aquaria KLCC and climb to the top of Pineapple Hill – also known as Bukit Nanas – to walk through an enchanting forest reserve.

Despite being a busy city, there is still plenty of natural beauty in and around Kuala Lumpur. Take a walk in the pretty Tasek Perdana Lake Gardens to the west of the city and head to the northern suburbs to explore the limestone Batu Caves.

Shopping is a popular pastime in Kuala Lumpur and there are plenty of large western-style shopping malls where visitors can pick up a bargain or too. These shopping malls are also good places to find a descent meal, while the city’s night market often cheap and tasty traditional dishes.

One of Kuala Lumpur’s most beautiful attractions is the Friday Mosque, which sits astride the Klang and Gombak Rivers at the position where the first Europeans scrambled ashore. Visit the mosque at sunset to admire the ornate domes and take a stroll along the banks of the river.

Situated just off the mainland of Malaysia to the very north, the pretty island of Penang – known as Pulau Pinang in Malay – is a great place to spend a few days. Bordered by Thailand to the north, many people head straight to Penang after taking the train through Thailand and across the border.

There are many reasons to visit Penang. With its beautiful beaches, Kek Lok Si – perhaps the largest and finest Buddhist temple in Asia – and spectacular scenery, it is easy to see why the island has earnt the nickname Pearl of the Orient.

Don’t miss Kek Lok Si, the terrific pagoda-style temple situated atop Penang Hill. Not only is this a great place to relax and meditate, but the views from the top are spectacular as well. Another good place to visit is the Botanical Garden. This 30-hectare garden was created in 1884 and features a sparkling waterfall as well as beautiful wild Rhesus monkeys.

Also known as Foreigner’s Rock, Batu Ferringhi is a picturesque beach resort. Take a break from temple hopping and trekking through the jungle to simply lie back on the sand a soak up the sun for a while. The Penang Butterfly Farm is located nearby at Teluk Bahang. The butterfly farm is set in picturesque tropical gardens and has thousands of species of butterflies and insects.

As you walk through Penang’s Indian area, you are greeted by the scent of dozens of stalls and small shops cooking up spicy biriyanis, masalas, daal and dosas whilst meat marinated in tandori spices roasts on spits and in ovens.

If you fancy a treat, take a spin in the Revolving Restaurant on 25A Lebuh Farquhar. It takes an hour for the restaurant to make a complete revolution, allowing you to enjoy spectacular views of Penang.

Some of the best and cheapest accommodation can be found in Georgetown, especially on Lebuh Chulia, where there are several guesthouses offering rooms from RM 200 per night.

Famous for its beautiful beach, Kuantan is the largest city on the Malaysia’s east coast. Although not as exciting as some of Malaysia’s big cities, this is a pretty place to relax for a day or two.

This area of intense natural beauty stretches for quite a distance along the coast and has a lot to offer visitors such as sparkling waterfalls, cool caves, parks and of course delicious fresh sea food. Walk along the esplanade in the evening and enjoy the cool breeze from the beach before retiring to a seaside bar to relax with a beer or two.

If you enjoy trekking, walk the two miles along the coast to Teluk Cempedak, where you will find the very pretty Gelora Park. This is Kuantan’s main beach area and a great place for kayaking and boating.Take a walk in the park, relax on the beach and cool off with a refreshing swim before walking back to Kuantan town.

Another interesting trek site is the Panching Caves, which are a group of pretty caves located in a limestone mountain near the picturesque Panching village. If you still have energy to spare trek to the top of Bukit Panorama to see the sunrise and spectacular views of the surrounding area.

Visitors to Kuantan will never go hungry as there is a great range of food available. A tasty local specialty is sata, which is fish paste and grated coconut wrapped in coconut leaves and barbequed. Satay chicken and beef is also popular while traditional spicy Malay curries are available at any time.