Faces of
Malaysia
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.

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.

Sandakan

Sandakan is a starting point for ecotourism destinations such as the Sepilok Orang Utan Sanctuary, Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary,Turtle Islands Park, Kinabatangan River and Gomantong Caves.

Backpacking Malaysia
Boats on Langkawi
Selamat Datang! Welcome to BackpackingMalaysia.com!

Kuala Terengganu, altars for sale in Kampung Cina
Kuala Terengganu
altars for sale in Kampung Cina
Pasar Besar Kedai Payang, Malay women
Pasar Besar Kedai Payang
Malay women


The Responsible Tourist and Traveller
responsible-travel.jpg
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
lantern_-_Chinese_New_Year_CNY_Malaysia.jpg
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
Longtail-Boat-Kuala-Tembeling.jpg
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
kuala-besut-ferry-terminal.jpg
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
Butterfly Farm, Cameron Highlands
The Butterfly Farm is located around the Kea Farm area north of Brinchang (town north of Tanah Ratah) showing, besides butterflies, a wide variety of plants, flowers, insects and reptiles. Best to to visit with an experienced guide otherwise you miss a lot of interesting things. ... more
kl-petronas-towers-klcc-park-view.jpg
Petronas Twin Towers / KLCC, Kuala Lumpur
The 88-floor building was completed in 1997 and remained the highest building in the world until 2004 with 452m. The Kuala Lumpur Center includes not only the famous twin towers, but also a shopping mall (Suria KLCC), a movie theatre, the new aquarium (KLCC Aquaria) and a park. ... more
batu-caves-Lord-Murugan.jpg
Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpur
Limestone hill in the north of Kuala Lumpur with a series of caves and cave temples. They are a sacred place for Hindus in Malaysia and the location of the famous Thaipusam celebrations at the end of January attended by up to one million devotees. ... more
Members of Backpacking Asia Network
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
Tubotel, Langkawi
Unique accommodation concept located at its own jetty at the northern end of Pantai Cenang with unspoiled sea views and tubes to sleep in ... more
Gecko Guesthouse, Langkawi
laid-back backpacker guesthouse / hostel with a bar located about 5min walk from Cenang Beach ... more
Mohsin Chalet & Cayaku Restaurant, Perhentian Islands
Chalets and Restaurant on Long Beach, Pulau Perhentian Kecil with the best views over the beach. ... more
TGs Nasi Kandar, Kuala Lumpur
Mamak-style restaurant in Bukit Bintag offering Indian, local Thai and Pakistani food ... more
Restaurants & Food Courts
The Green Man, Kuala Lumpur
The Green Man is an traditional British pub / restaurant and one of the longest running establishments on Changkat. ... more
Big-Tree-Foot-Hawker-Center-Ipoh.jpg
Big Tree Foot Hawker Centre, Ipoh
Most popular Chinese hawker food center in Ipoh, especially famous for the Yong Tau Foo stall. It is located in Pasir Panjir, just south of the city center. ... more
Gurney Drive, Penang
Road Along the seaside famous for its hawkers stalls selling all types of food, best to go at night. But there are also other restaurants and bars and shopping malls ... more
Nightlife
luna-bar-kuala-lumpur-pool.jpg
Luna Bar, Kuala Lumpur
Super-chic breezy rooftop bar with a pool in the middle (but you cannot use it unfortunately) and one of the best night views in town ... more
kl-changkat-bukit-bintang5.jpg
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
Baan 26, Kuala Lumpur
Thai seafood restaurant & bar on Changkat Bukit Bintag ... more
Transport
klia-kuala-lumpur-international-airport-departure-hall.jpg
KLIA - Kuala International Airport, Kuala Lumpur
The award-winning International Airport of Kuala Lumpur is located about 50km south of Kuala Lumpur. ... more
KLIA2.jpg
KLIA 2, Kuala Lumpur
KLIA 2 is new low-cost terminal of the KLIA airport and has replaced LCCT terminal in May 2014. ... more
Shahbandar-Jetty-Kuala-Terengganu.jpg
Shahbandar Jetty, Kuala Terengganu
Jetty at the city center of Kuala Terengganu (just opposite the Tourist Information Center) for boats to Pulau Redang (Redang Island). ... more
Shopping
temp_file_kl-low-yat1.jpg
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
Sungai-Wang-Shopping-Centre-Kuala-Lumpur-.jpg
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
center-court-VivoCity-Shopping-Mall-Singapore.jpg
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
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
mount-kinabalu-total-view.jpg
Kinabalu National Park, Kota Kinabalu
Kinabalu National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site located 90km from Kota Kinabalu, offers jungles trekking and climbing Mount Kinabalu - the tallest mountain in the Malay Archipelago at 4,095 metres. ... more
genting-highlands2.jpg
Genting Highlands, Kuala Lumpur
Genting Highlands is resort city on a mountain top (1800m above sea level), about 55km north-east of Kuala Lumpur with Malaysia's only casinos and theme parks, restaurants and hotels. ... more
HOSTELS
Apa Kaba Home&Stay, Melaka
Homestay
Homestay / Guesthouse in a village (kampung) area, 5min away from the heritage zone ... more
Tracks B&B, Kuching
Hostel
Guesthouse located near the Kuching Waterfront. ... more
Ryokan @ Muntri Street, Penang
Hostel
Japanese themed flashpacker hostel in the heritage zone of Georgetown ... more

... view all hostels

Malaysian Moments, pasar malam
Malaysian Moments
pasar malam
PRESS ARTICLES
Malaysia at 50: So far, so good (International Herald Tribune)

Philip Bowring of the “International Herald Tribune” reflects about the country on it’s 50th (or 44th, read the article) anniversary, it’s rapid growth from rural to modern industrialized country. The peaceful situation but also the political and racial problems Malaysia is facing today.

STORIES

Taman Negara - Cameron Highlands



How to get from Taman Negara to Cameron Highlands by bus
Things to do & see
Jungle Walks - Trail 9A, Cameron Highlands
There are 13 Trails in and around Tanah Rata and Brinchang, varying from a few hours to full-day, to explore the Cameron Highlands rainforest yourself. Track 9A starts out at the western end of Tanah Rata und passes the Robinson Falls. ... more

Gardens by the Bay, Singapore
The gardens by the bay is a new park (opened in June 2012) on recclaimed land just behind Marina Bay Sands including the amazing architectural structures of the 50m high solar-powered "supertrees". ... more