Faces of
Malaysia
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.

Backpacking Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary, Kuala Lumpur

Elephant Orphanage Sanctuary about 100km (2 hours driving time) east of Kuala Lumpur has been translocating elephants since the 1980s. The sanctuary is open to public.

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.

Bukit Tinggi, Kuala Lumpur

Bukit Tinggi is a hill retreat area about 55km northeast of Kuala Lumpur with resort hotels - most notably the french village themed Colmar Tropicale, a japanese garden, botanical garden and activities like horse riding, paintball, mountain biking and golf .

Genting Highlands, Kuala Lumpur

Genting Highlands is resort city on a mountain top (1800m above sea level), about 55km north-east of Kuala Lumpur with Malaysia's only casinos and theme parks, restaurants and hotels.

Kuala Selangor (Fireflies), Kuala Lumpur

A trip to Kuala Selangor at estuary of the Selangor River usually includes river boat tour see Firefly colonies living in the mangroves as well as visiting Bukit Melawati and a seafood dinner. The Nature Park is also worth a visit.

Kuala Selangor Nature Park, Kuala Lumpur

Nature Park in Kuala Selangor managed by the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS), enjoy views of secondary and mangrove forests and its animals (monkeys, birds and more more) on an easy-to-walk trail through the park

Pulau Ketam (Crab Island), Kuala Lumpur

Mangrove-covered island near Port Klang with two predominantly Chinese fishing villages

Hotels in Kuala Lumpur

Fernloft KL @ Chinatown

Hostel near Central Market and Chinatown, branch of Fernloft group of hostels Singapore

Travellers Palm Lodge

One of the last remaining small and personal hostels in town. Located right in the middle of Bukit Bintang.  Run by owner Suzy for almost 15 years.

more accommodation
Attractions

Kuala Lumpur City Gallery, Kuala Lumpur

The KL City gallery, located in a historical building from 1899 at Merdeka Square, is a free information centre of the history, present and future of Kuala Lumpur including the ARCH work and gift shop. You can also rent bicycles from here.

Bird Park, Kuala Lumpur

The KL Bird Park is the one of the main attractions in the Lake Gardens park area and has the self-proclaimed largest free-flight walk-in aviary in the work.