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Perhentian Islands

The Perhentian Islands (Pulau Perhentian in Bahasa Malaysia) lie approximately 10 nautical miles (19 km) offshore the coast of northeastern Malaysia in the state of Terengganu, approximately 40 miles (64 km) south of the Thai border. The two main islands are Perhentian Besar (“Big Perhentian”) and Perhentian Kecil (“Small Perhentian”). Popular for it’s beaches, snorkeling and driving. Like a real postcard.

Singapore

Singapore is an island nation located at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula. At 704.0 sqkm (272 square miles), it is one of the few city-states in the world and the smallest country in Southeast Asia.

Taman Negara

Taman Negara National Park was established in Malaysia in 1938/1939 as the King George V National Park. It was renamed to Taman Negara after Independence, which literally means “national park” in Malay. The total area of Taman Negara is 4,343 km².

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.

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Selamat Datang! Welcome to BackpackingMalaysia.com!

   
Kota Bahru thai border at Tok Bai
   
Cameron Highlands Collecting the Harvest


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
Sungei Palas Tea Centre,Cameron Highlands
The tea center by BOH Plantations at the Sungei Palas tea garden is located just above Brinchang. Located on a hilltop, amidst rows of tea bushes and close to Gunung Brinchang, it offers spectacular views from a 20 foot overhanging platform and tours through the tea factory ... more
Lot 10,Kuala Lumpur
Shopping Mall in Bukit Bintang housing mostly fashion stores. ... more
Times Square KL (Shopping Mall),Kuala Lumpur
Giant shopping Mall in Bukit Bintang with 10 floors, IMAX theatre, Golden Screen cinema, a huge bowling alley and a theme park with a roller coaster. ... more
Kek Lok Si (Buddhist) Temple,Penang
Largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia. Construction started in 1893 and took over 20 years to complete but new sections keep being added ... more
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
Puduraya Bus Terminal,Kuala Lumpur
Main Bus Terminal in Kuala Lumpur ... more
LCCT,Kuala Lumpur
Low cost carrier terminal of Kuala Lumpur International Airport serving budget airlines like AirAsia ... more
Crystal Mosque (Islamic Civilisation Park),Kuala Terengganu
also known as Taman Tamandun Islam. The RM250 Million theme park was opened in february 2008 and houses besides the Crystal Mosque replicas of several world famous mosques. ... more
Jalan Alor,Kuala Lumpur
Food Paradise in Bukit Bintang. Jalan Alor turns into a giant open air street restaurant at night ... more
Singapore Zoo - Night Safari,Singapore
The Zoo is one of the main attractions in Singapore, it also hosts the Jurong Bird Park and the popular Night Safari (the worlds first). ... 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
1 Utama Shopping Centre,Kuala Lumpur
Shopping Mall in Bandar Utama, Petaling Jaya (PJ). Giant Mall Shopping with an old and a new wing about 20km south-west of downtown KL. ... more
Pulau Duyung,Kuala Terengganu
Island in the river mouth of Sungai Terengganu across the city center with malay Kampungs and traditional boat making ... 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
Betel Box, Singapore
Hostel, Singapore
Hostel on Joo Chiat Road in the heart of Katong and Geylang Serai district ... more
Mata Hari, Cherating
Chalets, Cherating
nice bungalows/chalets in a nice setting a bit off the beach ... more
Beach Shack Chalet, Tioman
Chalets, Tioman
accommodation on Juara Bay with a surf school and more activities (Surfing time during wet season: November - February) ... more
Fox Hill Langkawi holiday resort, Langkawi
Resort, Langkawi
Small resort in the heart of Langkawi on the road to Makam Mahsuri with a house for backpackers who want to be in the middle of nature ... more
Twin Pines Guesthouse, Cameron Highlands
Guesthouse, Cameron Highlands
guesthouse in Tanah Ratah, RM12 - RM75 ... more
Travellers Palm, Kuala Lumpur
Hostel, Kuala Lumpur
Hostel in Bukit Bintang with a great location and a homely atmosphere and good friends. ... more
Ella’s Place, Tioman
Chalets, Tioman
accommodation on Salang Beach, RM40 - RM120 ... more

... view all hostels

LINKS

Utusan.com.my/
malay newspaper
DiscoverMalaysia.biz
Discover Malaysia - the backpacker's trail (documentary)
VisionKL.com
city lifestyle magazine
Nature Escapes Kuala Lumpur
Great Ideas to get out of the city and explore nature
Country Calling Codes
International Country Calling Codes and World Time Zones
taman-negara.com
website run by a tour operator
AllMalaysia.info
Portal powered by Star newspaper
Weather in Malaysia
Weather in Malaysia (Ministry of Science, Technology & Innovation)
world66.com: Kuala Lumpur
User administrated travel guide
TourismPenang.gov.my
Official Tourism Website for Penang


see all links



Food & Drinks
Asam Laksa

main dish
sour-spicy fish-based soup with noodels
... more
Chapati

side dish, snack
basic flat indian bread made of dough, water and salt
... more

» Food & Drink Database Malaysia & South-East Asia

DID YOU KNOW?
Pirate DVDs and Software

KL used to be a paradise for faked goods. Shops selling movies and software could even be found in shopping malls. Since 2007 the government forced the shops to close in the tourist areas. Now, you need to go to shopping malls outside the city center to find the DVD shops. However, you can still find them at the market on Petaling Street in Chinatown. Quality is usually good unless it’s a brand new film then there is chance that you might get a cinema copy.

RANDOM GALLERY PHOTO
Bako National Park
Frog
STORIES
Thaipusam Festival
Every year end of January / beginning of February it is time for the spectacular Thaipusam Festival which is expected to draw more than one million devotees and visitors to the Batu Caves near Kuala Lumpur but there are also precessions in Georgetown/Penang and Singapore. Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated mostly by the Tamil community. Especially images of devotees piercing their cheeks, tongue, face or other suitable body parts with sharp objects make this event memorable.
Things to do & see
Melaka, A Famosa

(1 comment)
Massive fortress that was built by the portuguese in the 16th Century. ... more
Penang, Kek Lok Si (Buddhist) Temple

Largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia. Construction started in 1893 and took over 20 years to complete but new sections keep being added ... more
BOOK HOSTELS
RANDOM LINKS
Kuala Gandah Elefant Sanctuary
The Kuala Gandah Elephant Orphanage Sanctuary Malaysia - home of the homeless elephants -
hmetro.com.my/
malay newspaper
malaysiasite.nl
dutch/english guide
Transnasional
journey planer by the national bus company Transnasional
Borneo Fairyland
Sarawak Tour Provider

see all links
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.