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Langkawi

Langkawi is an archipelago of 99 islands in the Andaman Sea, some 30 km off the mainland coast of northwestern Malaysia. The islands are a part of Malaysia’s Kedah state, but are adjacent to the Thai border. By far the largest of the islands is the eponymous Pulau Langkawi with a population of some 45,000. The island is a declared duty-free zone.

Brunei

Tiny state in Borneo, sandwiched between Sarawak and Sabah. After it was a big regional player a few hundred years back, Brunei became rich upon the discovery of Oil in the 1940s. For a period time the Sultan of Brunei was the richest person in the world.

Kuching

Kuching is the capital of the East Malaysian state of Sarawak on Borneo. Kuching is the most populous city in the state of Sarawak and the fourth largest city in Malaysia. Kuching means “cat” in Malay.

Cameron Highlands

Cameron Highlands is a highland region located about 20 km east of Ipoh and about 150 km north of Kuala Lumpur in Pahang, Malaysia. At 5,000 ft (1,500 m) above sea level it is the highest area on the mainland, and enjoys a cool climate, with temperatures no higher than 25C and rarely falling below 12C year round. The area is popular for it’s tea plantations and jungle walks.

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Selamat Datang! Welcome to BackpackingMalaysia.com!

   
Cherating motorbikes
   
Cherating kids at the promenade road


The Responsible Tourist and Traveller
This is practical 8-step guide based on the "Global Code of Ethics" for Tourism of the World Tourism Organization. It promotes traveling with an open mind and respect for people, culture, animals and environment. ... more

Puduraya Bus Terminal temporarily closed
The Puduraya Bus Terminal was closed on April 13 for at least four months due to renovation works in the terminal. Long-distance buses will meanwhile operate from Bukit Jalil. ... more

Malaysian F1 GP 2010 (Formula 1 in Sepang)
It is time again for the Grand Prix in Malaysia on April 2-4. The Malaysian GP will take place for the 12th time already from at the Sepang track, about 1h south of Kuala Lumpur. It will be the third race of the season after Bahrain and Melbourne.aaa ... more

Hiking at Bukit Tabur
It is hardly noticeable from the city centre - especially on hazy days - but Kuala Lumpur is surrounded by lush hills, rock formations and water reservoirs. Escaping the the huzzle and buzzle of the city is a mere 30min drive away. One the most spectacular hikes is up on Bukit Tabur, part of a quarz ridge in the north-east of the city at Taman Melawati. ... more

Exploring Cameron Highlands
There are 13 different paths to discover the Highlands on your own. To fully experience the nature, culture and economy of the area it is recommended to join one of the various tours. ... more

Buses from and to Cameron Highlands
Dangers and Scams in Kuala Lumpur
(1 comment)
Thaipusam Festival
Malacca: the city that best gives a sense of Malaysia’s past
Famous Jalan Alor
... read more stories

Things to Do & See
ABC Beach (Kampung Air Batang),Tioman
popular backpacker's beach on a rather long stretch of beach ... more
Kampung Morten, Villa Sentosa,Melaka
a village of traditional Malay houses, it is located in a bend of Sungai Melaka, north of downtown. A Family in one of the biggest houses, Villa Sentosa, receives visitors. ... more
Gurdwara Tatt Khalsa Sikh Temple,Kuala Lumpur
Sikh Temple at the near the Chow Kit Wet Market and Kampung Baru. Largest Sikh temple in South-east Asia and spiritual home to KL′s 75,000 Sikhs. ... more
Singapore River,Singapore
The mouth of the Singapore River was the old Port of Singapore. It houses many of Singapore′s top historical and cultural attractions and nightlife. Famous spots: Boat Qay, The Esplanade, The Merlion, Raffle′s Hotel ... more
Little India,Kuala Lumpur
Downtown area with street markets, many indian fabric shops and food. ... more
Sri Mariamman Temple,Singapore
Singapores oldest and most important Hindu temple, right in the middle of Chinatown ... more
Heritage Row,Kuala Lumpur
Nightlife area at Jalan Doresmy. New Nightlife spot for the rich and beautiful. Row of refurbished colonial-era shophouses. ... more
Tanjung Rhu Beach,Langkawi
wide and empty beach at the north of the island. home of the fancy Tanjung Rhu and Four Seasons resort and starting point of Mangrove River tours ... more
Sky Bar,Kuala Lumpur
Another roof-top bar in the Traders Hotel (33rd floor) with a breath-taking view of the Twin Towers. Located just across from KLCC. ... more
Thean Hou Buddhist Temple,Kuala Lumpur
Picturesque Chinese temple with impressive architecture. It is situated on a hill offering excellent view over the city. ... more
Mount Kinabalu,Kota Kinabalu
Gunung Kinabalu is part of the Kinabalu National Park (World Heritage Site) and the tallest mountain in the Malay Archipelago. ... more
Eastern & Oriental Hotel,Penang
Penangs grandest and most famous colonial hotel built in 1884, established by the two Armenian Sarkie brothers Tigram and Martin who later founded Raffles Hotel in Singapore ... more
Datai Beach,Langkawi
Langkawis most exclusiv beach in the north-west of the island. Home to the super-exclusiv Datai and Andaman Resorts ... more

... view all things to do & see
HOSTELS
Red Palm, Kuala Lumpur
Hostel, Kuala Lumpur
 Red Palm was voted the best hostel in Asia in 2006. It′s a small, relaxed and cozy place and this website wouldn′t exist without Red Palm. ... more
Nora’s Chalets, Tioman
Chalets, Tioman
 accommodation on Salang Beach, RM30 - RM70 ... more
Swiss Cottage, Tioman
Chalets, Tioman
 accommodation on Tekek Beach, RM65 - RM140 ... more
Mohsin Chalets & Restaurant, Perhentian Islands
Chalets, Perhentian Islands
 Chalets on Long Beach, Pulau Perhentian Kecil. Chalets with own restaurant with the best view over the beach. Free Wifi at the restaurant if you order something. ... more
Mata Hari, Cherating
Chalets, Cherating
 nice bungalows/chalets in a nice setting a bit off the beach ... more
Butterfly Chalets, Perhentian Islands
Chalets, Perhentian Islands
 basic chalets on Coral Bay, Pulau Perhentian Kecil with magnificent views ... more
Zeck’s Traveller’s Inn, Kota Bharu
Homestay, Kota Bharu
 Homestay-like hostel in a residential area close to the city center. It is almost like staying with a malay family. Zeck and his family are lovely hosts and run the place for over 20 years already. ... more
Sandy Beach Resort, Langkawi
Hostel, Langkawi
 Chalets on both sides of the road on Cenang Beach, from RM90 ... more

... view all hostels

LINKS

PetalingStreet.org/
Malaysia Blog Portal
AmazingMelaka.com
Interesting Blog about Melaka
Asian Images
Interesting Pix and Stories from Malaysia and beyond
Travelling by bus
bus schedules and routes by journeymalaysia.com
Juiceonline.com
parties & events in Malaysia
DiscoverMalaysia.biz
Discover Malaysia - the backpacker's trail (documentary)
VisionKL.com
city lifestyle magazine
PenangWatch.net/
The Complaints Channel, Making Penang a Healthy City
info-my.de
Malaysia Information and News
DataranPahlawan.com
new Megamall in the city centre


see all links



Food & Drinks
Maggie Goreng

main dish
Maggie Goreng (Telur Mata)
common low-budget Mamak meal of fried Maggie noodles with vegetables
... more
Chapati

side dish, snack
banana leaf chapati set with 3 vegetable dishes
basic flat indian bread made of dough, water and salt
... more

» Food & Drink Database Malaysia & South-East Asia

Things to do & see
Penang, Botanical Gardens

Park created in 1884, the gardens is spread over 30ha of forested hills and lush green tropical trees and plants. ... more
Melaka, Kampung Morten, Villa Sentosa

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a village of traditional Malay houses, it is located in a bend of Sungai Melaka, north of downtown. A Family in one of the biggest houses, Villa Sentosa, receives visitors. ... more
BOOK HOSTELS
RANDOM LINKS
multimap.com
very good map service
Asian Images
Interesting Pix and Stories from Malaysia and beyond
Sejarah Melayu
A History of the Malay Peninsula
Borneo Fairyland
Sarawak Tour Provider
Uncletan.com/
Wildlife Adventure tours

see all links
DID YOU KNOW?
Mamak Stalls

Mamak Stalls are a muslim Indian restaurants serving southern Indian cuisine. It’s a popular hang-out place for locals to meet friends and drink tea and have snacks like Roti Canai. The heart of Malaysia beats here.

PRESS ARTICLES
Ethnic unity ushers in a new phase in Malaysia (The Age)

Malaysia had it’s 12th general election on march 8, 2008 and it turned into a political tsunami with a strong opposition. This article sums in up nicely.

RANDOM GALLERY PHOTO
Motorbikes
A whole shop can fit on a motorbike
STORIES
Georgetown and Melaka just became Unesco world heritage sites
On Monday, July 7, 2008, the historic city centre of Melaka and Georgetown, Penang with their mostly Chinese shophouses and colonial buildings were just been added into the list of Unesco World Heritage sites. Therefore, Malaysia now has four sites on the list, the other two being Gunung Mulu National Park (Sarawak, tropical karst area) and Kinabalu Park (Sabah, highest peak in South-east Asia).