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.

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.

Kuching

Kuching is the capital of the East Malaysian state of Sarawak on Borneo. Kuching is the most populous city in the state of Sarawak and the fourth largest city in Malaysia. Kuching means “cat” in Malay.

Kota Kinabalu

Kota Kinabalu is the capital of the state of Sabah on Borneo. With an estimated population of 532,129 in the city and 700,000 in the urban area, it is the largest urban centre in Sabah and the sixth largest in Malaysia. It is located close to Mount Kinabalu, the highest mountain in South-East Asia.

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

   
Melaka Jalan Bukit Cina
   
Animals of Malaysia Black and White Tranzilla


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
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
Jackfruit (Nangka)
I got it from my Mamak
Traveler IQ Challenge
Long-Distance buses from Kuala Lumpur
(1 comment)
... read more stories

Things to Do & See
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
Bukit Puteri,Kuala Terengganu
Princess Hill. Hill in city center with the remains of an old fort. ... more
Sri Mariamman Temple,Singapore
Singapores oldest and most important Hindu temple, right in the middle of Chinatown ... more
Penang Hill (Bukit Bendera),Penang
Hill system with hill resort (highest point 833m above sea level) about 6km from city centre of Georgetown. Bukit Bendera is 735m above sea level and can be reached by Penang Hill Railway ... more
Plaza Low Yat (Tech Mall),Kuala Lumpur
Low Yat is the place go to buy electronic and high-tech stuff like computers, laptops , computer parts and accessories, cameras, mobile phones, blanks discs etc. ... 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
Lake Gardens,Kuala Lumpur
Big park near Chinatown area, includes National Mosque, Bird Park, Butterfly Park, Islamic Arts Museum, National Museum, Deer Park, Orchid Garden, Tasik Perdana (Premier Lake) ... more
Bukit Bintang,Kuala Lumpur
Main shopping, dining and entertainment area of Kuala Lumpur. Many backpacker accommodations are here. ... more
Gurney Drive,Penang
Road Along the seaside famous for its hawkers stalls selling all types of food, best to go at night. But there are also other restaurants and bars and shopping malls ... 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
Penang Museum,Penang
Museum and Art Gallery in building from 1821 about the History Penang. One of the best museum in Malaysia. Exhibits on the costums and traditions of Penangs various ethnic groups ... more
The Gardens / Midvalley Megamall,Kuala Lumpur
The new Gardens (opened in 2007) and Midvalley Megamall are shopping Malls under the same management in a mixed development called Midvalley City a few km south of downtown. ... more
Central Market,Kuala Lumpur
Indoor market for souvenir hunters, Malaysian souvenirs, art and handicraft etc. ... 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
Pujangga Homestay, Kuala Lumpur
Hostel, Kuala Lumpur
 Guesthouse in Bukit Bintang ... more
Sunset Beach Resort, Langkawi
Hostel, Langkawi
 cozy, beautifully landscaped and designed small resort at the southern end of Cenang Road and northend end of Tengah Beach ... more
Fern Loft Hostel, Singapore
Hostel, Singapore
 hostel in eastern Singapore, not far from the beach ... more
Father’s Guesthouse, Cameron Highlands
Guesthouse, Cameron Highlands
 Guesthouse in Tanah Rata, Peaceful setting, surrounded by gardens & jungle, 500meters from bus station, on a private hill ... more
Eastern Heritage, Melaka
Hostel, Melaka
 Yen′s popular hostel in a charming old house near Bukit Cina ... more
Fatimah Chalets, Perhentian Islands
Chalets, Perhentian Islands
 Chalets on Coral Bay, Pulau Perhentian Kecil ... more
Synfony Village, Perhentian Islands
Chalets, Perhentian Islands
 basic chalets on Long Beach, Pulau Perhentian Kecil ... more

... view all hostels

LINKS

Rapid KL
public transport operator in KL
Malaysia-Maps.com
collection of maps
Weather in Malaysia
Weather in Malaysia (Ministry of Science, Technology & Innovation)
Borneo Fairyland
Sarawak Tour Provider
TheCicak.com/
socio-political youth magazine
Encyclopedia.com.my
Encyclopedia of Malaysia is the largest Malaysian collaboration in the history of reference publishing
malaysiamydestination.com
official portal of Tourism Malaysia
info-my.de
Malaysia Information and News
KL-Lifestyle.com.my
KL Lifestyle magazine
WWF Malaysia
environmental conservation organisation


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
Sports Event
Oct,07 2008 - Nov,09 2008
FEI World Endurance Championship 2008 ...more

Misc
Oct,10 2008 - Oct,12 2008
Epicure Malaysia 2008 ...more

Public Holiday
Oct,27 2008
Deepavali ...more

Sports Event
Nov,01 2008 - Nov,08 2008
Darwin-Bali PD-Langkawi Yacht Rally 2008 ...more

Festival
Nov,01 2008 -
Malaysia International Gourmet Festival ...more



show full calendar
Things to do & see
Kuala Lumpur, Ampang Look-out Point

(8 comments)
Lookout point on the hills at the eastern edge of the city with a magnificent view over the entire city with a few restaurants and a lookout tower ... more
Kuala Lumpur, Rock-climbing at Batu Caves

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
RANDOM GALLERY PHOTO
Jungle Train
Tunnel
STORIES
In Melaka on bicycle
Katja and Waldemar were on the road in Malaysia, Thailand, New Zealand and Sri Lanka on bicycle with their 2 children. They stayed in Melaka for 6 Weeks and live at the Sama Sama Guesthouse. This a long story about life in Chinatown, buddhist and Hindu processions and a smoke attack after 2 cases of Dengue Fever. For more Stories and Information visit their website 39Grad (german)
RANDOM LINKS
betelbox.com/travel_malaysia.htm
excellent quick overview page about Malaysia by Betelbox Hostel Singapore (www.betelbox.com)
Malaysia-Maps.com
collection of maps
Borneo Fairyland
Sarawak Tour Provider
TheStar.com.my
biggest malaysian newspaper (english)
Sejarah Melayu
A History of the Malay Peninsula

see all links
BOOK HOSTELS
DID YOU KNOW?
Weather

It’s hot (around 30C celcius) and very humid throughout the year. So be prepared to take 2-3 showers every day to get rid of your own stickiness.

PRESS ARTICLES
Health care attracts visitors to Malaysia (canada.com)

Malaysia is becoming a major attraction for health care tourists due to it’s reasonable prices and state-of-the-art equipment.