Malaysia Fast Facts

Malaysia is considered a modern and largely safe travel destination. It borders Brunei, Indonesia and Thailand and consists of two parts – the island of Borneo and the Malay Peninsula. See andyeducation.com for education in Malaysia.

Fast facts to know

• Malaysia consists of two separate parts, the Malay Peninsula in the west and the island of Borneo in the east.
• No visa required for stays of up to 3 months, passport must be valid for 6 months.
• Malaysia is one of the richest countries in Southeast Asia.
• Tipping is not customary in Malaysia.
• Malaysia is considered one of the safest countries in Southeast Asia and has a very well developed infrastructure.
• Travel to eastern Sabah state and adjacent islands is not advised. There is a real risk of terrorist attacks in Malaysia. Information from the Foreign Office
• The highest mountain is Gunung Kinabalu at 4,095 meters.
• Buses in Malaysia are modern, punctual and inexpensive.
• The largest population groups are Malays and Chinese.
• In many accommodations, shops and restaurants it is customary to take off your shoes before entering.
• English as a language is widespread.
• As Malaysia is a Muslim country, alcohol is mostly forbidden.
• Malaysia is the second largest producer of palm oil after Indonesia.
• The most recognizable symbol of Malaysia is the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur.
• Malaysia is a very modern country.
• The people of Malaysia are very nice and helpful.
• Gasoline is quite cheap in Malaysia, you pay before filling up.
• Tap water is heavily chlorinated and should therefore not be drunk.
• Malays like to bargain, try to get the price down to two-thirds of the starting price.
• Snot and belch is part of everyday life in Malaysia.

Exciting cities in Malaysia

• Kuala Lumpur
• Malakka
• George Town
• Kota Kinabalu
• Tioman Island
• Ipoh

History of Malaysia

• Around 800, Buddhism and Hinduism spread to the Malay Peninsula.
• 1400 the first Malay kingdom of Malacca arises,
• 15th century: Arab, Persian and Indian traders introduce Islam to the Malay Peninsula in 1414.
• Conquest first by the Portuguese, then by the Dutch before Malaysia finally becomes a British colony.
• After World War II, initially under Japanese rule, the Federation of Malaya was founded in 1948.
• 1957 Introduction of women’s suffrage.
• 1963 Formation of a new federation under the name of Malaysia.
• 1986 Religious riots between Muslims and Christians in the state of Sabah.

Climate & travel weather in Malaysia

• Temperatures & precipitation constant all year round.
• Always humid, tropical rainforest climate.
• Very high humidity.
• Frequent rainfall all year round.
• Dry and rainy seasons determined by monsoons.
• Traveling difficult in the rainy season:
  • Westküste: Sep-Dec.
  • East: Oct-Jan.
  • Northeast Borneo: Oct-Feb.
  • Northwest Borneo: June-Nov.
• Recommended travel time:
  • West of the Malay Peninsula: accessible all year round.
  • East Peninsular Malaysia: June – Aug.
  • Borneo: April – August.

Ideas for trips in Malaysia

• Orangutans visit Borneo.
• Overnight in the jungle.
• Festungsanlage Netherlands City.
• Fu-Lin-Gong-Tempel.
• Kek Lok Si Tempel.
• Snorkeling on the Perhentian Kecil
• Penang Insel.
• Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur.
• Diving & Snorkeling.
• Take a street food tour.
• Perhentian Islands.
• Discover the wonderful wildlife of Malaysia.
• Take the cable car up Gunung Mat Cincang.

Food & Drink in Malaysia

• Food plays an important role in Malaysia.
• Chinese and Indian influences clearly noticeable.
• Paradise for gourmets: there are restaurants on every street corner where you can get a wholesome, delicious lunch or dinner for the equivalent of 1 euro.
• Malays traditionally eat with their right hand.
• Rice and noodles are the basis of the diet.
• Sambal (spicy) is part of every meal.
• Dishes are usually well seasoned, e.g. with ginger, chili, garlic, turmeric.
• Beef, chicken, goat, lamb and fish are often used in curries.
• Diverse and varied regional cuisine:
  • Cantonese (dim sum, spring rolls, appetizers.
  • Szechuan (Chili, Knoblauch).
  • Shanghai cuisine (stews).
  • Beijing cuisine (noodle dishes).
  • Mrs (Exotische Salat, Laksa).
  • Tamil cuisine (great vegetarian dishes).
  • North Indian cuisine (flatbread, meat skewers).
• Rich selection of seafood: fish, mussels, shrimp, crayfish and squid.
• Wonderful selection of fresh fruits: watermelon, starfruit, pineapple, banana, papaya, apple, orange, mango, guava, pomelo, rambutan, lychee.
• Coconut juice is often drunk as a thirst quencher.
• Coffee and tea are popular, alcohol is almost only available in western restaurants.
• Typical dishes:
  • Ikan panggang (river fish wrapped in banana leaves and grilled over charcoal).
  • Nasi Goreng (Fried Rice).
  • Char Kuey Teow (flat rice noodles, soy sauce, sprouts, vegetables, meat).
  • Rendang daging (beef cooked in coconut cream).
  • Samosa (pastry filled with vegetables or meat).
  • Pau (steamed yeast dumplings with various fillings).
  • Mee Goreng (fried noodles with vegetables and meat).
  • Curry Mee (hot curry soup with Mee noodles, shrimp, tofu, sambal, fresh mint leaves).
  • Korma (meat or vegetables in a mild, extremely aromatic curry sauce).
  • Satay (grilled meat skewers served with a peanut sauce and sweet and sour pickled cucumber, onion and chili wedges).
  • Laksa (soup made sour or with coconut milk, meat or fish and noodles).
  • Nasi lemak (rice cooked in coconut milk and served with fried anchovies, curried squid, hard boiled egg, cucumber slices and sambal).
  • Bak kut teh (clear soup with lots of herbs and pork ribs).
  • Ikan Bakar (Grilled Fish).
  • Hainan chicken rice (tender chicken on rice, garnished with spring onions, coriander, cucumber slices).
  • Nasi biryani (long grain rice with almond slivers, raisins, cinnamon sticks, turmeric, cardamom).
  • Ice kacang (freshly shaved ice cream with sweet syrup and marinated fruits).

Particularly scenic

• Cameron Highlands.
• Telaga Tujug waterfall.
• Batu Caves.
• Discover Malaysia’s dream beaches:
  • Pantai Cenang Strand
  • Ayer Batang Beach
  • Strand Salang
  • Pauh Bay
  • Turtel Sanctuary Beach
• Explore beautiful national parks:
  • National Park
  • Gunung Stone State Park
  • Endau-Rompin-Nationalpark
  • Semenggoh Naturreservat
  • Bako National Park
  • Lambir Hill Nationalpark
  • Niah Nationalpark