The Basics
Country: Malaysia
Where is it?: Malaysia is in southeastern Asia, bordering Indonesia, Brunei, and the South China Sea, south of Vietnam.
Major Cities: Kuala Lumpur, Kuching
Currency used: Ringgit
Country Code for Phones: 60
Area codes for Major Cities: Kuala Lumpur 3
Religion: Muslim, Buddhist, Daoist, Hindu, Christian, Sikh; note – in addition, Shamanism is practiced in East Malaysia
Population: 23,522,482
Ethnic Groups: Malay and other indigenous 58%, Chinese 24%, Indian 8%, others 10% (2000)
Government: Constitutional monarchy
Languages: Bahasa Melayu (official), English, Chinese dialects (Cantonese, Mandarin, Hokkien, Hakka, Hainan, Foochow), Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Panjabi, Thai
Health Issues: Dengue fever, hepatitis, malaria
Travel Information
What are the main entry points?: Most travelers either come overland from Thailand or fly into Kuala Lumpur’s airport. You can also easily take a ferry from Singapore.
Why do people go here?: Some travelers are surprised to see how modern and prosperous Malaysia is. With a wide variety of cultures, you can find everything from shopping malls and theme parks, to old world culture and isolated villages. If you escape Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia is a fairly laid-back country. Don’t forget to try the food!
Attractions: Tioman Island, Georgetown
Accommodation: Malaysia Hostels
Tourism Office locations and links: Malaysia Tourism Office
Off-the-Beaten-Path: Sarawak, Sabah
Tips For Visiting
When to go: Nov-Feb is probably the worst time of year to visit the East coast, as it is monsoon season. Even if you are not intending to spend your time on the beach, or visit the islands (many of which shut down completely during this time) the area is prone to heavy flooding.
Specific Events/Holidays: Since Malaysia is extremely diverse there are a huge host of events, holidays and religious festivals. Various Islamic Holidays, Chinese New Year: January/February, Thaipusam: January
Getting Around: Buses around Malaysia are usually very efficient and affordable. Roads are way above average compared to other major Southeast Asia destinations.
Good to know: Kuala Lumpur is a similar mix of modern and ancient like Singapore, but noticeably cheaper and with fewer tourists.
Cheapest airport to fly into: Flights to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) will almost always be cheapest unless you are taking a short hop from a neighboring country.
Need more information?: Check out our Malaysia travel guide for more ideas of what to do, where to stay, and how to get there.
