Faces of
Malaysia
Alor Setar

Alor Setar is the capital of the state of Kedah. It is a transit point for trips to Thailand and to Pulau Langkawi. The ferry to Langkawi departs from Kuala Kedah, just few minutes outside of Alor Setar. The city is a center of Malay culture and is surrounded by paddie fields .

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.

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

Irsia B&B

Hostel located near Bukit Bintang area, just behind Times Square shopping mall

Red Palm

Our favourite hostel in KL closed 2015. RIP Red Palm. We miss you!!!

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.

Pasar Tani Mega, Taman Melawati, Kuala Lumpur

Large weekend neighborhood market selling everything you need for the Malaysian kitchen fresh fruits, vegetables, fish, meat and snacks