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.

Penang

Penang is the name of an island in the Straits of Malacca, and also of one of the states of Malaysia, located on the north-west coast of peninsular Malaysia. Penang is the second smallest state in Malaysia after Perlis, and the eighth most populous. A resident of Penang is colloquially known as a Penangite. The city Georgetown is the 2nd biggest city in Malaysia and traveller′s hub.

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.

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.

Malay Women on Motorbike
Selamat Datang! Welcome to BackpackingMalaysia.com!

   
Malaysian Moments bazaar rhamadan
   
Melaka Roofs of Melaka


Malaysia vs. Singapore
Entertaining story from guest author Maik from his Blog "Wah Lau". He is a german guy who developed quite some affection for the whole range of Asian diversity. Being based in Singapore, he went for a trip to nearby Melaka in 2006 and reflected about the differences between Malaysia and Singapore and what people think of each other, prejudice or not? ... more

A guide for drivers in Malaysia
Malaysians are the most friendly people but put behind the wheel they become MMMs (Me-First-Malaysians). As a traveller just keep in mind, people drive on the left side here and look to the right and the left before crossing the road (lots of one-way-streets) The following is from a funny email I received recently. A humorous way look at how people drive in Malaysia. Enjoy. ... more

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). ... more

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. ... more

Jackfruit (Nangka)
Jackfruit or Nangka, as it is locally known in Malay, is the largest tree borne fruit in the world. The jackfruit trees native to India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Phillipines and Sri Lanka but but also common in Malaysia, probably introduced by humans some time ago.The fruits can reach 36 kg in weight and up to 90 cm long and 50 cm in diameter. ... more

I got it from my Mamak
Traveler IQ Challenge
Long-Distance buses from Kuala Lumpur
(1 comment)
“Here in my home” - Malaysian Artists for Unity
(5 comments)
Malaysia likes it sweet - Cakes and Kuih
... read more stories

Things to Do & See
The Curve / Ikea / Ikano Power Center,Kuala Lumpur
Another huge shopping complex in suburbia PJ (Mutiara Damansara). It houses the malls The Curve and Ikano Power Center plus Ikea and Tesco that are all interconnected. ... more
Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve,Kuala Lumpur
only remaining tropical rainforest in the heart of the city of Kuala Lumpur ... more
Pantai Cenang (Cenang Beach),Langkawi
Stretch of wide beach on the west of the island with a high concentration of budget (and upper price) accommodation. It is a lively place also at night with various bars and restaurants. ... more
FRIM,Kuala Lumpur
The Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) promotes sustainable management and optimal use of forest resources in Malaysia. There is a canopy walk among other things ... more
Dutch Square (Red Square),Melaka
The Dutch Square, also called Red Squared because all the surrounding building painted red, next to the Melaka river is a good starting point for visiting the old part of the town. ... more
Dataran Merdeka,Kuala Lumpur
The Dataran Merdeka (or Merdeka Square) is the old colonial heart of Kuala Lumpur. It was here, in front of the Sultan Abdul Samad Building that the Union Flag was lowered and the Malayan flag hoisted for the first time at midnight on August 31, 1957. Merdeka = Independence. ... more
Khoo Kongsi,Penang
The most impressive of Penangs many kongsis. A kongsi is a clan house that is partly temple, partly meeting hall ... more
Chinatown,Kuala Terengganu
Small but charming stretch of old houses on both sides of Jalan Kampung Cina with the houses stretching out in the back into the Sungai Terangganu River ... more
Masjid Jamek,Kuala Lumpur
Masjid Jamek is the oldest mosques in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It is located at the confluence of the Klang and Gombak River and was designed by Arthur Benison Hubback. ... more
Pasar Besar Kedai Payang (Central Market),Kuala Terengganu
The colourful wet and dry market of KT is right next to Chinatown and along the river. At the entrance are traditional trishaws who take costumers back to their home for RM3 ... more
Tanah Ratah,Cameron Highlands
Main town in the Cameron Highlands (with Brinchang to the north and Ringlet to the south). Most budget guesthouses are here and it is the starting point for many jungle trails. ... more
Sarawak Cultural Village,Kuching
Sarawak Cultural Village is tucked away on the foothills of Mount Santubong at Damai Beach, 35 km north from Kuching. It is also known as a living museum. ... more
Colonia District / Fort Cornwallis,Penang
Penang was the first british settlement in Malaya so many colonial building can be found like the remains of Fort Cornwallis where Captain Francis Light stepped ashore in 1786 ... 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. Home sweet home. Stay here if there′s is still availability as Red Palm can′t accommodate more than 14 people at a time. ... more
Malibest Resort, Langkawi
Chalets, Langkawi
 nice Budget Resort on Cenang Beach, RM 100 - RM 230 (Chalets). They also have really lovely treetop chalets (RM180, RM230) but you need to book in advance to get them, on-site indian restaurant ... more
Pujangga Homestay, Kuala Lumpur
Hostel, Kuala Lumpur
 Guesthouse in Bukit Bintang ... more
MNS-BOH Field Study Centry, Cameron Highlands
Chalets, Cameron Highlands
 The Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) has 3 wooden houses up on the hills in the estate and that you can rent out. It′s about 2km past the BOH Tea Factory. They have chalets which are 4 units in a long-house. ... more
Anjung KL, Kuala Lumpur
Hostel, Kuala Lumpur
 Guesthouse in Bukit Bintang housed on the spacious first floor of a 3 storey building. ... more
Love Lane Inn, Penang
Hostel, Penang
 Hostel and cafe in the heart of Chinatown ... more
Discovery Cafe, Melaka
Guesthouse, Melaka
 Guesthouse in Central Melaka with restaurant ... more
Langgura Baron Resort, Langkawi
Hostel, Langkawi
 budget resort on Cenang Beach (RM120 - RM150) ... more

... view all hostels

LINKS

WikiTravel.org
excellent community edited website based on Wikipedia technology
foodlah
malaysian food blog aggregator
Malaysian Travel Blog
Malaysia Travel Guide For Backpackers
VisitSingapore.com
Official Tourism Website Singapore
Borneo Fairyland
Sarawak Tour Provider
AmazingMelaka.com
Interesting Blog about Melaka
thebookaholic.blogspot.com/
literature blog by a british living in Malaysia for more than 20 years
AsiaExplorers.com
Penang Temples
AsiaExplorers.com
Penang Mosques
Malaysia-Today.net
source independent news


see all links

Red Palm Hostel, Kuala Lumpur
Red Palm Hostel
The award-winning Red Palm Hostel Kuala Lumpur - a special, cozy, personal and small place for backbackers of all ages - is also the birthplace of backpackingmalaysia.com and maybe your home during your visit in Kuala Lumpur.
CALENDAR
Misc
Jul,25 2008 - Jul,27 2008
Unesco Word Heritage inscription celebration ...more

Misc
May,24 2008 - Aug,03 2008
Malaysia Mega Sale Carnival ...more

Festival
Jul,18 2008 - Aug,03 2008
Malaysia Flora Fest ...more

Festival
Jul,25 2008 - Jul,26 2008
KL Samrah Festival 2008 - 2nd weekend ...more

Misc
Aug,01 2008 - Aug,31 2008
Unesco Word Heritage inscription celebration ...more



show full calendar
PRESS ARTICLES
Hostel takeover (The Star)

If you travel to learn about the world, there’s no better way to do this than by sharing accommodation in a hostel full of international wanderers. An article about hostelling in general and the situation in Kuala Lumpur.

RANDOM GALLERY PHOTO
Kampung Life
Orang Asli Village
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

2007:
8.Nov - Deepavali
20.Dec - Hari Raya Qurban
25.Dec - Christmas Day

2008:
1 January (Tues) New Year’s Day
10 January (Thurs) Awal Muharam (Maal Hijrah)
7 & 8 February(Thurs & Fri) Chinese New Year
20 March (Thurs) Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday
1 May (Thurs) Labour Day
19 May (Mon) Wesak Day
7 June (Sat) Birthday of SPB Yang di-Pertuan Agong
31 August (Sun) National/Merdeka Day
1 & 2 October (Wed & Thurs) Hari Raya Puasa *
27 October (Mon) Deepavali *
8 December (Mon) Hari Raya Qurban
25 December (Thurs) Christmas Day
29 December (Mon) Awal Muharram (Maal Hijrah)

* - Subject to confirmation

Things to do & see
Melaka, Dutch Square (Red Square)

The Dutch Square, also called Red Squared because all the surrounding building painted red, next to the Melaka river is a good starting point for visiting the old part of the town. ... more
Kuala Lumpur, Old Railway Station

Moorish-style structure built in 1910 is no longer the jumping-off point for long-distance destinations, but its charms remain. ... more
BOOK HOSTELS
DID YOU KNOW?
Abbreviations

Malaysian like to use abbreviations. So if you wanna belong you call Kuala Lumpur KL, Johor Bahru JB, Kota Kinabalu KK. 

RANDOM LINKS
multimap.com
very good map service
Kuala Gandah Elefant Sanctuary
The Kuala Gandah Elephant Orphanage Sanctuary Malaysia - home of the homeless elephants -
malaysiasite.nl
dutch/english guide
abcmalaysia.com
Travel Portal to Malaysia
Malaysian Nature Society
study, appreciation, conservation and protection of Malaysia's natural heritage

see all links