Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur is the capital and the largest city of Malaysia. Being a young city (founded only in 1857) it developed fast into a bustling metropolis of 1.5 million people (6 million including the satellite cities in the Klang Valley). Kuala Lumpur, or simply KL (as it is it called by Malaysians), literally means “muddy estuary” in Bahasa Malaysia. With good and cheap accommodation, great shopping and even better food in this multi-cultural melting pot, increasing numbers of travellers are discovering this little gem of a city.
Having been in the shadow of other big cities in the region like Bangkok and Singapore, KL was put back on the map for good with the opening the Petronas Twin Towers in 1997, until 2004 the highest and still one of the most impressive buildings in the world. Though, the sights are not what makes this city unique, it’s KL itself and it’s mixture of people and visitors. 

Tioman

Largest island of Malaysias east coast. It’s located 32km off the coast and is some 20km long and 12km wide and the highest peak is Gunung Kajang with 1038m. In the 70ies TIME magazine selected Tioman as one the world’s most beautiful islands but lost some flair in recent years due to do development. The island has eight main villages, many beaches and is densely forested and is surrounded by numerous coral reefs, making it a scuba diving haven.

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.

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.

Selamat Datang! Welcome to BackpackingMalaysia.com!

   
Kuching Kuching Waterfront at night
   
Kuala Lumpur Kampung Baru


Malacca: the city that best gives a sense of Malaysia’s past
Article from the Telegraph newspaper: Along with its sultry climate, atmospheric Malacca boasts an intriguing history, unusual food and a lively nightlife, says Rhymer Rigby. ... more

Famous Jalan Alor
The well-known food street Jalan Alor is currently the talk of the town. Every local and tourist will eventually end up here having feast of good food in one of the many many restaurants and stalls. But since this week you might have a hard time finding this short but remarkable street in Bukit Bintang because the city council decided to change the name to Jalan Kejora - much to the dislike of about everybody. ... more

Keropok Lekor
The easiest way to describe Keropok Lekor is to call it fish sausage. It is the specialty from Terengganu, a state at the east coast and omnipresent in the streets and villages and very much a part of the live of the people there. Here are some pictures from one of the most popular Keropok Lekor stalls or shall I say factory, in Kuala Terengganu. ... more

Nasi Campur (Malay Mixed Rice)
Besides the Indian and Chinese food, there is also the flavorful and diverse Malay cuisine. The best way to experience this is to have your lunch at a Nasi Campur counter. Nasi Campur means Mixed Rice in Malay and refers to a plate of white rice that you will get from the kakak, (short: Ka, means sister in Malay and waitresses often been addressed that way), before filling your plate whatever that suits your taste from the counter. ... more

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
(1 comment)
Georgetown and Melaka just became Unesco world heritage sites
(4 comments)
Rainforest World Music Festival 2008
Jackfruit (Nangka)
I got it from my Mamak
... read more stories

Things to Do & See
Sarawak Museum,Kuching
Sarawak state museum complex including the Ethnology Museuem, Natural Science Museum, Art Museum, pleasant gardens, pavilions, Heroes Monument and temporary exhibitions. Free Admission. ... more
Suria KLCC Shopping Mall,Kuala Lumpur
Shopping Mall in the famous KLCC complex (Petronas Twin Towers). Mostly upper price designer stores, TGV cinemas, KLCC Park, KLCC Aquaria, Kinokurnya bookstore. ... more
Pasarakyat Bus Terminal,Kuala Lumpur
Smaller bus station in Imbi (just off Bukit Bintang) for some luxury buses to Singapore and buses to Genting Highlands. There are also a few other ticket counters of other companies for buses that leave from Puduraya. ... more
Orchard Road,Singapore
is a road in Singapore that is the shopping and entertainment hub of the city-state. Often the surrounding area is known as Orchard and associated with the road. ... more
Melaka Sentral,Melaka
New Bus Termin for Melaka built in 2004. It almost feels like an airport, probably the most modern bus terminal in Malaysia. ... more
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 Sentral (Stesen Sentral Kuala Lumpur),Kuala Lumpur
The main railways station and transportation hub of Kuala Lumpur in Brickfields. KTM , KTM Komuter, LRT, KLIA Express, Monorail and Buses connect here ... 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
Rock-climbing at Batu Caves,Kuala Lumpur
You can rock climb at 4 spots of the limestone hill that also hosts the famous Batu caves temple. Climing the walls is free of charge unless you want to take courses. ... 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
Little India,Kuala Lumpur
Downtown area with street markets, many indian fabric shops and food. ... 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
Brickfields,Kuala Lumpur
KL′s other 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. Apart from Indian food and culture you can find Hindu and Buddhist temples there. ... 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
ET Budget Guesthouse, Penang
Guesthouse, Penang
 budget guest house located at Batu Ferringhi beach ... more
Pujangga Homestay, Kuala Lumpur
Hostel, Kuala Lumpur
 Guesthouse in Bukit Bintang ... more
Cozy Corner GuestHouse, Singapore
Hostel, Singapore
 centrally located hostel ... more
Equator Hostel, Kuala Lumpur
Hostel, Kuala Lumpur
 Equator Hostel is located right next to Times Square shopping mall in a 3-storey post-colonial in Bukit Bintang. ... more
Sama Sama Guesthouse, Melaka
Hostel, Melaka
 Basic but lovely guesthouse in a quiet location in the old town on Jalan Tukang Besi (Harmony Street) run by a friendly chinese-swiss couple. No online booking available. ... more
Love Lane Inn, Penang
Hostel, Penang
 Hostel and cafe in the heart of Chinatown ... more
Pondok Lodge, Kuala Lumpur
Hostel, Kuala Lumpur
 "Oldest Hostel" in Bukit Bintang serving Visitors since 1997 with roof-top terrace. ... more

... view all hostels

LINKS

thebookaholic.blogspot.com/
literature blog by a british living in Malaysia for more than 20 years
AsiaExplorers.com
Penang Temples
AsiaExplorers.com
Penang Clan Temples
Malaysia-Maps.com
collection of maps
TheCicak.com/
socio-political youth magazine
Rimba.um.edu.my
Rimba Ilmu is a tropical botanical garden, set up in the University of Malaya campus in Kuala Lumpur
PenangPage.com
Lots of picture and comments about Penang
tourism.gov.my
government tourism website
New Straight Times
english Newspaper
Wikipedia:History of Malaysia
Wikipedia article about the history of Malaysia


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.
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