Faces of
Malaysia
Cherating

Cherating is the only real backpacker hub at the east coast of the peninsula on the mainland. Offering plenty of affordable chalets and a relaxed atmosphere, it is good place to stop for a night or two on the way up or down the east coast. The beach itself is not that spectacular and misses the palm directly at the beach. But it has a good vibe and few things you can do like taking a tour or renting a kayak up the river into the mangroves. There is also an active surfer scene when the waves are right. Cherating is located about 30km or 1h by local bus north of Kuantan.

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.

Fraser’s Hill

Hill resort spread along 7 peaks at 1,200 - 1,500 meters above sea-level on the Titiwangsa mountain range, about 100km north of Kuala Lumpur. Originally it was set up as a tin mine in the 1890s by Louis James Fraser (hence the name) until the tin ran out in 1913. A few years later the area was rediscovered as British-colonial hill resort. The cooler temperatures made it popular getaway destination from the hot and humid weather for the British. To this day Fraser’s Hill still retains its colonial charm. The area is recognized destination for bird watching with over 250 species recorded. Other activities include jungle trekking, golf, horse riding, archery, boating and mountain biking.

Pulau Kapas

Pulau Kapas is a small island located only about 6km off Marang in the east coast state of Terengganu (about 1h north of Kuala Terengganu). It has quite and relaxed atmosphere because it is bypassed by the majority of the backpacker circuit looking for a more remote place like the Perhentian Islands. Pulau Kapas only get fairly busy on the weekends when locals come to island. There are a few good snorkeling spots around the island. All accommodations and beach are on the west coast facing the mainland. The west coast is the weather side has no sand beach, only rocks - it can be reached after a short walk through the jungle. Pulau Kapas shuts down during the monsoon season between November and February.

Backpacking Malaysia
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Mosques And Temples, Kampung Keling Mosque, Melaka
Mosques And Temples
Kampung Keling Mosque, Melaka
Taman Negara, canopy walk
Taman Negara
canopy walk


The Responsible Tourist and Traveller
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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

Chinese New Year in Malaysia
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Chinese New Year, the spring festival, is the most important holiday for the Chinese community and a public holiday in Malaysia. ... more

Kuala Lumpur - Taman Negara
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More information on the combined bus and boat journey from Kuala Lumpur to Taman Negara National Park and back. ... more

Kuala Lumpur - Perhentian Island
How to get from Kuala Lumpur to Kuala Besut / Jerteh ... more

Ferry to and from Perhentian Islands
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Ferry schedule and booking from Kuala Besut to Pulau Perhentian Kecil and Pulau Perhentian Besar ... more

Ferry to and from Pulau Tioman
Penang - Langkawi
Kuala Lumpur - Johor Bahru
Taman Negara - Perhentian Island
Taman Negara - Cameron Highlands
... read more stories

Things to Do & See
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Ipoh Heritage Trail, Ipoh
The heritage trail through the historic old town center is an interesting walk passing many impressive buildings from Ipoh's boom periodic from 1880s to the 1930s. ... more
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Orang Asli Village, Taman Negara
A village at the park border welcomes visitors during the day and offers a fascinating glimpse in the life the Malaysia's indigenious people. ... more
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Terengganu State Museum, Kuala Terengganu
Acclaimed as the largest museum in Malaysia and one of the largest museum in South East Asia, the Terengganu State Museum houses century old artifacts and artworks of rich and colorful heritage. ... more
Members of Backpacking Asia Network
Crystal Yacht, Langkawi
Crystal Yacht offers sailing yacht cruises around Langkawi and the Andaman Sea ... more
Rainbow Lodge, Langkawi
3min from Cenang Beach with scenic mountain view, village landscape, quiet and peaceful surrounding and calm atmosphere. In-house restaurant and bar available. ... more
Tanah Aina Farrah Soraya Eco Resort,
Tanah Aina Farrah Soraya is an Eco-Resort in the jungles of Pahang only accessible via off road 4×4 vehicles, about 1 hour outside of Kuala Lumpur. It offers 3 types of accommodation: campsite, dormitory and chalets. ... more
Red Palm, Kuala Lumpur

Our favourite hostel in KL closed 2015. RIP Red Palm. We miss you!!!

... more
Mohsin Chalet & Cayaku Restaurant, Perhentian Islands
Chalets and Restaurant on Long Beach, Pulau Perhentian Kecil with the best views over the beach. ... more
Restaurants & Food Courts
Daikanyama, Kuala Lumpur
Japanese restaurant, cafe and bar on Changkat Bukit Bintang ... more
Werner’s on Changkat, Kuala Lumpur
Restaurant (Italian / European Fusion) and Bar on Changkat Bukit Bintang with an upstair club lounge and large balcony. ... more
Luminous Restaurant & Bar, Kuala Lumpur
Kebab restaurant and bar on Changkat Bukit Bintang ... more
Nightlife
Finnegan’s Irish Pub, Kuala Lumpur
Irish pub and restaurant on Changkat Bukit Bintang ... more
Baan 26, Kuala Lumpur
Thai seafood restaurant & bar on Changkat Bukit Bintag ... more
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Changkat Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur
Changkat is a street of mostly 2-storey pre-war colonial buildings which are turned into pubs, restaurants and clubs. It is one the most happening nightlife and clubbing areas in Kuala Lumpur. ... more
Transport
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GO KL City Bus, Kuala Lumpur
GO KL is a bus service within Kuala Lumpur city connecting Bukit Bintang, KLCC, Chinatown, KL Sentral and Chow Kit with now 4 lines ... more
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KLIA - Kuala International Airport, Kuala Lumpur
The award-winning International Airport of Kuala Lumpur is located about 50km south of Kuala Lumpur. ... more
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Queen Street Bus Terminal, Singapore
This street bus terminal connects downtown Singapore with Larkin Bus Terminal in Johor Bahru. It is located between Arab Street/Kampung Glam and Little India and also serves buses to/from Kuala Lumpur. ... more
Shopping
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Plaza Low Yat (Tech Mall), Kuala Lumpur
Low Yat is the place go to buy electronic and high-tech stuff like computers, laptops , computer parts and accessories, cameras, mobile phones, blanks discs etc. ... more
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BB Plaza / Sungei Wang, Kuala Lumpur
Sungei Wang, located in Bukit Bintang, is the oldest shopping complex in downtown Kuala Lumpur. The connected BB Plaza was shutdown in 2015 because of the MRT construction to make way for a new high-rise building. ... more
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VivoCity, Singapore
Singapore's largest shopping mall, located at HarbourfFront with direct connection to Sentosa Island via Monorail or Boardwalk, also has a Golden Screen Cinema ... more
(Day) Trips
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Kuala Selangor Nature Park, Kuala Lumpur
Nature Park in Kuala Selangor managed by the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS), enjoy views of secondary and mangrove forests and its animals (monkeys, birds and more more) on an easy-to-walk trail through the park ... more
Bako National Park, Kuching
Small, but diverse, National Park located 37km north-east of Kuching. Bako NP covers an area of about 27sqkm and offers jungle treks, steep cliffs, rocky headlands and stretches of sandy, secluded bays. ... more
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Kuala Selangor (Fireflies), Kuala Lumpur
A trip to Kuala Selangor at estuary of the Selangor River usually includes river boat tour see Firefly colonies living in the mangroves as well as visiting Bukit Melawati and a seafood dinner. The Nature Park is also worth a visit. ... more
HOSTELS
Gecko Guesthouse, Langkawi
Hostel
laid-back backpacker guesthouse / hostel with a bar located about 5min walk from Cenang Beach ... more
Mak Cik Gemuk Beach Resort, Pulau Kapas
Hostel
Makcik Gemuk Beach Resort has 63 chalet with basic facilities. Next to KBC ... more
Nazri Beach Cabanas, Tioman
Hostel
accommodation on ABC Beach ... more

... view all hostels

Kota Bahru, declining buddha at Phothivihan Buddhist
Kota Bahru
declining buddha at Phothivihan Buddhist
Backpacking Malaysia
PRESS ARTICLES
Traditional geomantic designs (The Star)

Story about ancient Malay building principles, the ancient art of Malay geomancy, a parallel to Chinese feng shui and Indian vasthu sastra.

STORIES

Taman Negara - Cameron Highlands



How to get from Taman Negara to Cameron Highlands by bus
Things to do & see
Tugu Negara (National Monument), Kuala Lumpur
Tugu Negara is a monument in the Lake Gardens that commemorates those who died in Malaysia's wars. ... more

Little India Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur
KL′s Little India. There is a lot of history to Brickfields as it is one of the pioneer settlements in Kuala Lumpur with a large Indian community, the area along Jalan Tun Sambanthan makes you feel you are in India. ... more