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Langkawi

Langkawi is an archipelago of 99 islands in the Andaman Sea, some 30 km off the mainland coast of northwestern Malaysia. The islands are a part of Malaysia’s Kedah state, but are adjacent to the Thai border. By far the largest of the islands is the eponymous Pulau Langkawi with a population of some 45,000. The island is a declared duty-free zone.

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.

Kuala Terengganu

Kuala Terengganu is located at on at the east coast of the peninsula at the mouth of the Sungai Terengganu river. It’s the capital of the state of Terengganu which forms together with Kedah and Kelatan the heartland of malay culture. KT is good stop for one or 2 days before moving on along the eastcoast or towards the National Park / Tasik Kenyir. There are also day trips available to Pulau Rendang (Island) and Tasik Kenyir (Lake)

Man in Kampung
Selamat Datang! Welcome to BackpackingMalaysia.com!

   
Kuala Terengganu Islamic Civilisation Park
   
KL Moments bubble gun seller


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
Khoo Kongsi,Penang
The most impressive of Penangs many kongsis. A kongsi is a clan house that is partly temple, partly meeting hall ... more
Chow Kit,Kuala Lumpur
The area features a large Indonesian community, and more recently, a small African community. It has a daily wet market known as Bazaar Baru Chow Kit which is arguably the largest wet market in Kuala Lumpur. Chow Kit is also known for its red-light district as well as for its nightly gathering of transwomen. ... more
Pulau Perhentian Besar,Perhentian Islands
The Big (=besar) Island. The slightly bigger island offers more expensive resort style accommodation. For family travellers or those who like it more quiet and have an extra Ringgit to spend. ... 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
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
Tanah Rata,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 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
A Famosa,Melaka
Massive fortress that was built by the portuguese in the 16th Century. ... more
Fraser’s Hill,Kuala Lumpur
Hill resort at 1,500 meters above sea-level on the Titiwangsa mountain range, about 100km north of Kuala Lumpur. Originally set up as a tin-ore trading post in the 1890s, it consists of seven hills. ... more
Bukit Cina,Melaka
Bukit Cina (Chinese Hill) is the largest chinese burial ground outside China. ... more
Sri Mariamman Temple,Singapore
Singapores oldest and most important Hindu temple, right in the middle of Chinatown ... 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
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. ... more
Nora’s Chalets, Tioman
Chalets, Tioman
accommodation on Salang Beach, RM30 - RM70 ... more
Salang Sayang Resort (Zaid Place’s), Tioman
Resort, Tioman
accommodation on Salang Beach, RM70 - RM220 ... more
One Florence Close, Singapore
Hostel, Singapore
Boutique homestay Off the city centre but close to the subway with 8 private designer rooms ... more
Borneo Seahare Hostel and Adventure, Kuching
Hostel, Kuching
Very small hostel (3 rooms) in the city center. Accepts online bookings only. ... more
Johan’s Resort, Tioman
Resort, Tioman
accommodation on ABC beach, RM15 (dorm) - RM150 (family room) ... more
Rainforest Bed & Breakfast, Kuala Lumpur
Guesthouse, Kuala Lumpur
Guest house in Bukit Bintang ... more
Sleepy Sam’s Bed & Breakfast, Singapore
Hostel, Singapore
Hostel in what once used to be the Sultan′s palace compound ... more

... view all hostels

LINKS

Encyclopedia.com.my
Encyclopedia of Malaysia is the largest Malaysian collaboration in the history of reference publishing
AsiaExplorers.com
Penang Heritage Sites
DataranPahlawan.com
new Megamall in the city centre
Maleisie.be
Belgian Malaysia Travel Guide
journeymalaysia.com
comprehensive malaysian travel portal
TheCicak.com/
socio-political youth magazine
TrekEarth.com
photo community with stunning images
AsiaExplorers.com
Penang Hindu Temples
Rapid KL
public transport operator in KL
Peranakan, Baba-Nyonya
Wikipedia Article about the Straits Chinese.


see all links



Food & Drinks
Kuih Ketayap

dessert
dessert with sugar and coconut flakes in a green rolled up pancake
... more
Pasembor

main dish
salad with vegetables and prawn fritters topped with a thick spicy-sweet peanut sauce
... more

» Food & Drink Database Malaysia & South-East Asia

BOOK HOSTELS
STORIES
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.
RANDOM GALLERY PHOTO
Cherating
river tour into the mangrove forest
Things to do & see
Kuching, Bako National Park

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
Tioman, Juara Bay

bay on the east coast of Tioman. Quiet and beautiful spot being the only the place to stay on the eastern side of the island. ... more
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.

RANDOM LINKS
AllMalaysia.info
Portal powered by Star newspaper
journeymalaysia.com
comprehensive malaysian travel portal
hmetro.com.my/
malay newspaper
multimap.com
very good map service
malaysiamydestination.com
official portal of Tourism Malaysia

see all links
PRESS ARTICLES
Twilight streetside action with Borneo rockers (The Cicak)

A cicak story about 2 urban chinese guys deciding to head down to Bukit Binang (Kuala Lumpur) in the middle of the night to play their guitars. Unexpectedly they make friends with a group of guys from Sabah. A fresh story about a night in downtown KL and music as a common language.