Backpacking Malaysia - Welcome
Backpacking-Asia.com - Your travel source for South-East Asia
Pulau Kapas

Pulau Kapas is a small island located only about 6km off Marang in the east coast state of Terengganu (about 1h north of Kuala Terengganu). It has quite and relaxed atmosphere because it is bypassed by the majority of the backpacker circuit looking for a more remote place like the Perhentian Islands. Pulau Kapas only get fairly busy on the weekends when locals come to island. There are a few good snorkeling spots around the island. All accommodations and beach are on the west coast facing the mainland. The west coast is the weather side has no sand beach, only rocks - it can be reached after a short walk through the jungle. Pulau Kapas shuts down during the monsoon season between November and February.

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.

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.

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.

Kek Lok Si Temple in Penang
Selamat Datang! Welcome to BackpackingMalaysia.com!

   
KL Moments No Drugs
   
Kota Bahru old shop houses


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
Singapore River,Singapore
The mouth of the Singapore River was the old Port of Singapore. It houses many of Singapore′s top historical and cultural attractions and nightlife. Famous spots: Boat Qay, The Esplanade, The Merlion, Raffle′s Hotel ... more
Boh Tea Garden,Cameron Highlands
Visitors center of the Boh tea estate south-east of Tanah Rata with impressive views over the tea estate, a cafe area and free tours of the tea factory every 30min until about 4pm. ... 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
Bukit Cina,Melaka
Bukit Cina (Chinese Hill) is the largest chinese burial ground outside China. ... 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
A Famosa,Melaka
Massive fortress that was built by the portuguese in the 16th Century. ... 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
Genting Highlands,Kuala Lumpur
-Las Vegas- on a hill top (2000 above sea level), about 50km south-east of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysias only Casino is there plus theme parks, restaurants, resort, etc ... more
Mangrove River Tour,Cherating
A must-do in Cherating is a boat tour into the mangrove forest. The guides are good in spotting various animals, includings snakes. ... 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
Kampong Glam,Singapore
Kampong Glam, also known by the name of its main thoroughfare Arab Street, was where Singapore′s Arab traders settled in the founding days of the colony. It is Singapore′s muslim centre and a shopping paradise ... more
Paya Beach,Tioman
quiet beach south of Tekek on Pulau Tioman ... more
Medan Portugis / Portuguese Settlement,Melaka
To the west of downtown Melaka, the portuguese decendants founded their own settlement in the 1930s. Interesting evening trip to Medan Portugis to have a feast in the various portuguese seafood restaurants. Nothing to see, it′s all about the people and goooood food. ... 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
Love Lane Inn, Penang
Hostel, Penang
Hostel and cafe in the heart of Chinatown ... more
Langgura Baron Resort, Langkawi
Hostel, Langkawi
budget resort on Cenang Beach (RM120 - RM150) ... more
Maya Guesthouse, Perhentian Islands
Guesthouse, Perhentian Islands
chalets on Coral Bay, Pulau Perhentian Kecil with very good value ... more
Number Eight Guesthouse, Kuala Lumpur
Guesthouse, Kuala Lumpur
Number Eight Guesthouse is located in Bukit Bintang and considered a boutiqe guesthouse, somewhere between a hostel and a hotel. ... 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
Ella’s Place, Tioman
Chalets, Tioman
accommodation on Salang Beach, RM40 - RM120 ... more
Travellers Palm, Kuala Lumpur
Hostel, Kuala Lumpur
Hostel in Bukit Bintang with a great location and a homely atmosphere and good friends. ... more

... view all hostels

LINKS

Juiceonline.com
parties & events in Malaysia
Berjaya-Air.com
flights to Tioman, Redang, Pangkor, Koh Samui
journeymalaysia.com
comprehensive malaysian travel portal
KL-Lifestyle.com.my
KL Lifestyle magazine
PetalingStreet.org/
Malaysia Blog Portal
AsiaExplorers.com
Penang Beaches
VisionKL.com
city lifestyle magazine
Cinema Online
Cinemas in Malaysia
world66.com: Kuala Lumpur
User administrated travel guide
taman-negara.com
website run by a tour operator


see all links



Food & Drinks
Ayam Masak Kicap

main dish
fast prepared dish based on soy sauce and chili sauce with chicken and veggies
... more
Sizzling Yee Mee

main dish
Yee Mee noodles served on a hot plate with shitake mushroom, egg, kailan and chicken
... more

» Food & Drink Database Malaysia & South-East Asia

STORIES
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?
RANDOM LINKS
Borneo Fairyland
Sarawak Tour Provider
TheCicak.com/
socio-political youth magazine
TheStar.com.my
biggest malaysian newspaper (english)
Malaysia-Today.net
source independent news
Asian Images
Interesting Pix and Stories from Malaysia and beyond

see all links
PRESS ARTICLES
Kuala Lumpur’s Eat Streets (Lonely Planet)

Feature Article on the Lonely Planet website about five KL must-eats to get you started: Roti in Brickfields, Noodles in Chow Kit, Malay food in Kampung Baru, Kuih (generic word for cakes and pastries) in Bangsar and Coffee at a Kopitiam (traditionally Chinese owned coffee shop) on Heritage Row

Things to do & see
Penang, Penang Bridge

A 13.5km long bridge linking the mainland with Penang. It was opening in 1985. Before all traffic depended on ferry services ... more
Kuala Lumpur, BB Plaza / Sungai Wang

Massive complex with 2 shopping malls and hundred of shops in Bukit Bintang. People tend to get lost in there. ... more
RANDOM GALLERY PHOTO
Cherating
main road at the beach
DID YOU KNOW?
Culture

Besides the malay muslim majority (50+%) there is the big Chinese community (30+%) and Indian minority (8%) plus many various indigenous cultures on Borneo (Iban, Datak,...) so walk around with open eyes and be amazed by the malaysian melting pot.

BOOK HOSTELS