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.

Kota Bharu

Kota Bharu is the state capital of Kelantan.The name means ‘new city’ or ‘new castle/fort’ in Bahasa Malaysia. Kota Bharu is situated in the northeastern part of Peninsular Malaysia. In 2005, it had an estimated population of 425,294, making it the largest town on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia.It’s known for its colourful markets and the muslim culture.

Kuala Terengganu

Kuala Terengganu, KT in short, is located at the east coast of the Peninsula Malaysia and at the mouth of the Sungai Terengganu (or Terengganu River) that empties here into the South China Sea. It is the capital of the state of Terengganu, which forms, together with Kedah and Kelatan, the heartland of Malay culture. KT is a good stop for one or 2 days before moving on along the east coast or towards the National Park / Tasik Kenyir.

Johor Bahru

Johor Bahru is the state capital of the state of Johor and the second largest metropolitan area in Malaysia. Most tourists don't stop here and just pass through the city on their way to or out of Singapore. JB is a major local transportation hub however. Since it is just across the causeway from Singapore, some travellers use it as a hub to visit Singapore from here (lower accommodation prices) or to board the train, bus or airplane.

Backpacking Malaysia
Hawker Stalls in Penang
Selamat Datang! Welcome to BackpackingMalaysia.com!

Kuala Terengganu, view towards Zainal Abidin Mosque
Kuala Terengganu
view towards Zainal Abidin Mosque
Mount Kinabalu National Park, at Laban Rata resthouse at 2373m
Mount Kinabalu National Park
at Laban Rata resthouse at 2373m


Malaysian F1 GP 2016 (Formula 1 in Sepang)
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This year's Grand Prix Weekend in Malaysia will take place on 30.Sept - 2.Oct 2016. The Malaysian GP will take place for the 18th time already at the Sepang track, about 1h south of Kuala Lumpur. After being the second race of the calendar for many years, it has been moved to end of September, just one week after the Singapore Grand Prix. ... more

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

Beaches on Pulau Lang Tengah
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All beaches Pulau Lang Tengah are in the south and west part of the island (facing the mainland and Pulau Perhentian). ... more

Development Projects in Kuala Lumpur
Since KL was founded in 1857 as a tin mine settlement it didn't stop growing and turned into the vast Metropolis it is today. Here some of the projects in the making that promise to make KL a more liveable and modern city. ... more

Accommodation on Pulau Lang Tengah
Pulau Tioman Beaches
Book Review: The Rice Mother
Book Review: Sons of the Yellow Emperor
Bogus Monks
... read more stories

Things to Do & See
Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, Penang
Mansion built by Cheong Fatt Tze at the end of 19th Century has 38 rooms, 5 granite-paved courtyards, 7 staircases & 220 vernacular timber louvre windows. Received UNESCO Most Excellent Heritage Conservation Award in 2000 ... more
Central Market (Pasar Besar Siti Khadijah), Kota Bharu
very colourful dry and wet market in the city center ... more
St. Paul’s Church, Melaka
The ruin of St.Paul′s Church is located on top of St.Paul′s Hill and was one of five churches in the fortress complex A Famosa on the hill that was built by the Portuguese in 1521. ... more
Members of Backpacking Asia Network
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
Mohsin Chalet & Cayaku Restaurant, Perhentian Islands
Chalets and Restaurant on Long Beach, Pulau Perhentian Kecil with the best views over the beach. ... 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
Red Palm, Kuala Lumpur

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

... more
Step Inn Guesthouse, Kuala Lumpur
Guesthouse / hostel situated close to Pudu Sentral (Puduraya) bus terminal in a quite back road, halfway between Bukit Bintang and Chinatown ... more
Restaurants & Food Courts
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Bazaar Ramadhan in Kampung Baru, Kuala Lumpur
Ramadan food market along Jalan Raja Muda Musa in Kampung Baru - an old Malay residential area near the city centre ... more
Pampas Bar & Grill, Kuala Lumpur
Argentinian steak restaurant and bar on Changkat Bukit Bintang ... 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
The Whisky Bar, Kuala Lumpur
Whisky bar on Changkat Bukit Bintang ... more
Luminous Restaurant & Bar, Kuala Lumpur
Kebab restaurant and bar on Changkat Bukit Bintang ... more
The Social, Kuala Lumpur
Restaurant (western and asian food) and bar with live music on Changkat Bukit Bintang ... more
Transport
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Heritage Park Tram Service, Kuala Lumpur
Electrically powered hop-on hop-off tram covering several tourist attraction around Merdeka Square (Dataran Merdeka) and Lake Garden (Tun Abdul Razak Heritage Park) ... more
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Melaka Sentral, Melaka
Main bus terminal for long distance buses in Melaka located 4km north of the city centre. ... more
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Langkawi International Airport, Langkawi
Langkawi's airport is located in the west of the Island and has flight connections to Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Singapore. ... 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
BB Plaza / Sungei Wang, Kuala Lumpur
Massive complex with 2 shopping malls and hundred of shops in Bukit Bintang. People tend to get lost in there. ... 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 Gandah Elephant Sanctuary, Kuala Lumpur
Elephant Orphanage Sanctuary about 100km (2 hours driving time) east of Kuala Lumpur has been translocating elephants since the 1980s. The sanctuary is open to public. ... 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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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
HOSTELS
South Pacific Chalets, Tioman
Hostel
accommodation on ABC beach, RM40 - RM100 ... more
Father’s Guesthouse, Cameron Highlands
Guesthouse
Guesthouse in Tanah Rata, Peaceful setting, surrounded by gardens & jungle on a private hill, RM10-100 ... more
Roommates Penang, Penang
Hostel
Backpacker Hostel in the heritage zone of Georgetown, offering tours and bicycle renting ... more

... view all hostels


Roti Telur and Teh Ais
Backpacking Malaysia
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.

STORIES

Rainforest World Music Festival 2008



It's time again for the anual Rainforest World Music Festival at the Sarawak Cultural Village near Kuching (Sarawak, East Malaysia - Borneo). This unique music event will take place July 11 until July 13. Besides music performances visitors can attend workshops, ethno-musical lectures, jamming sessions and mini concerts in the afternoon.
PRESS ARTICLES
Malaysia documented “Discover Malaysia - the backpacker’s trail (The Star)

Malaysia truly features a melting pot of cultures with multi-ethnic traditions and culinary diversity. In line with Visit Malaysia 2007, film director Michael Chick has produced a TV series that focuses on the country’s rich heritage, culture and nature.  Chick was inspired to produce the independent series after hearing complaints from tourists about how fake some Malaysian tourism advertisements looked.