Malaysia, we’ve all heard a bit about it but half of people don’t know exactly where it is !
Key points to remember
Malaysia offers an ideal trio for 2 weeks: Kuala Lumpur (3 days), Penang or Malacca (3 days), Perhentian or Tioman islands (5 days). A perfect mix of modernity, colonial heritage, and pristine beaches, all for 40-60€ per day.
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Introduction to Malaysia :
I think you know it is located in Southeast Asia ! It is exactly below Thailand and consists of Peninsular Malaysia (West Malaysia) and East Malaysia (Northern Borneo).
It was under British rule for a long time, which is why Malaysians speak English much better than the Thai !
Did you know ?
Malaysia is composed of 60% Muslims, 20% Buddhists (Chinese), 6% Hindus (Indians), and the rest Christians and others. This ethnic diversity is reflected in the cuisine, architecture, and religious festivals throughout the calendar.
Its capital is Kuala Lumpur and its currency is the Ringgit.
The majority religion is Islam. The time difference between Paris and Kuala Lumpur is 7 hours. I give my opinion on choosing Kuala Lumpur as a stopover to go to Australia!
Let’s now get to the heart of the matter !
I went there after my stay in Thailand and it is completely different. You find a bit more of the authentic simplicity of Asia ! There is nature and very beautiful landscapes !
Be careful Malaysia has an equatorial climate, with 2 monsoons (rainy season in Malaysia) ! The heaviest rainfall occurs between March and May ; then between October and December !
| Stop | Duration | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Kuala Lumpur | 3 days | Petronas Towers, Chinatown |
| Penang (Georgetown) | 3 days | UNESCO, street food |
| Cameron Highlands | 2 days | Tea plantations, cool climate |
| Perhentian Kecil | 4 days | Snorkeling, beach |
| Malacca | 2 days | Portuguese and Dutch heritage |
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Which city to visit in Malaysia ?
As I did for Thailand, I will give you my must-see choices in Malaysia, so My 7 best places in Malaysia :
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Culinary capital of Malaysia “Penang” or Georgetown,
It is called the culinary capital of Asia, located a few hours’ drive from the Malaysian border. A city listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site for its architectural diversity and various historical monuments ! The main activities are: visiting the city’s historic sites, the Kek Lok Si temple, culinary restaurants, learning to cook typical Malaysian cuisine ! If you want to stay in the historic center, click here.
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Kuala Lumpur, capital of Malaysia,
Halfway between Penang and Singapore, it is the capital of Malaysia. The places to visit are the Petronas Towers (the icon of Kuala Lumpur), Chinatown, the many shopping centers, and if you want something different, go to the Batu Caves.
If you want to shop, I recommend staying and checking out accommodations in the Bukit Bintang district where there are many shopping centers. It is very central and a lively area at night.
What to do in Peninsular Malaysia ?
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Cameron Highlands, the highlands of Malaysia
One of the most popular destinations for tourists in Malaysia and the largest mountain resort spanning over 200 km ! Great for admiring one of the most beautiful landscapes ! Like most places in this article, it is a landscape that has stood the test of time ! In this region, you will find the largest tea production in the country, a butterfly species farm, honey production, strawberry farms !
Multi-day treks and hikes in this region satisfy everyone, with all levels available !
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Taman Negara, tropical forest of Malaysia
Beware of mosquitoes :D, a tropical forest reputed to be the oldest in the world, and also the best preserved, which means preservation of the natural habitat and a proliferation of mosquitoes due to Malaysia’s very humid climate ! Treks are offered with, in some cases, cave exploration, rapid descents, fishing, climbing, swimming in crystal-clear waters. It is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful natural gems of Malaysia, to be done with its canopy walkway !
My experience
My favorite in Malaysia is neither the Petronas nor Penang, but Cameron Highlands. Tea plantations as far as the eye can see, cool climate (15°C at night), jungle hikes. 4 hours by car from KL, you completely change the atmosphere.
Which island to visit in Malaysia?
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Perhentian island, the Perhentian islands
Island located on the east side of Malaysia and to the north. These beaches have white sand lined with coconut trees and turquoise blue sea. It is very popular for spending good time and relaxing away from parties and bars! There are quite a few diving centers which makes it a very popular destination for tourists.
In the state of Terengganu, it is recommended not to drink alcohol, nor to wear immodest clothing, for example a one-piece swimsuit—even though no sanction will be imposed, you must respect the locals.
There are many places for diving so if you want to do it, book accommodation on the Perhentian island,
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Malaysia island, Langkawi, one of the most beautiful landscapes in Malaysia
Advantages
- English spoken everywhere
- Cultural diversity (Malay, Chinese, Indian)
- Highly varied cuisine
- Very low cost of living
- High overall safety
Disadvantages
- Humid monsoon almost all year
- Chaotic traffic in KL
- Average beaches on the peninsula
- Alcohol taxed (Muslim country)
- Slow train
Not far from the Thai border, many tourists come to take a tour for a few days to extend their visa and then return to Thailand. You can come here from Koh Lipe or Satun. It is an archipelago made up of 99 islands, the beaches are turquoise. There are also good diving spots.
Langkawi is also known for its suspension bridge and cable car! You can find accommodations near the beach here.
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The other wild landscape of Malaysia, Borneo
Known just by its first name, it is a paradisiacal island known for its diving sites and nature hikes. It hosts a very large biodiversity, with more than ten thousand animal species!
It is an island where it is very humid and it is better to protect yourself from mosquitoes. See a selection of accommodations in Borneo.
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The classic trap to avoid
Avoid the east coast (Perhentian, Redang) between November and February: it is the monsoon season, many hotels and ferries are closed. Aim for May-September for this area instead.
What to do in Malaysia for 3 weeks?
In 3 weeks you can visit the 7 mentioned places by going through the best landscapes of Malaysia and Singapore
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15 days:
Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Cameron Highlands or Taman Negara, Langkawi or Perhentian
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10 days:
Kuala Lumpur, Cameron Highlands and Taman Negara
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1 week
Kuala Lumpur – Borneo for nature and the city
Kuala Lumpur – Penang: urban aspect and culture
Other readings that follow the same logic: our review of most beautiful islands which sets the tone, the practical guide on small paradisiacal island for concrete details, and finally “the Maldives if you want to extend the reflection.
Kuala Lumpur – Taman Negara
Find other articles on Travel Advice Asia
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And you, which place did you like the most? Or what type of place suits you best?
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UPDATE JUNE 2020
UPDATE AUGUST 2020
What is the best time to visit Malaysia?
May to September for the east coast (Perhentian). December to February for the west peninsula and Borneo.
Do you need a visa for Malaysia?
No, French citizens benefit from a visa exemption for a 90-day tourist stay.
How long to visit Malaysia?
2 weeks for a comfortable peninsula tour. 3 weeks if you add Borneo (Sabah or Sarawak).
