Holidays in Malaysia

Bordering Thailand, Indonesia and Brunei, Malaysia is home to almost 30 million people, and each year welcomes tourists looking for all kinds of holidays, from sightseeing and adventure tours to beach holidays. A multicultural country, Malaysia had its early roots in Buddhism and Hinduism, but now has Islam as its state religion. Having both a monarchy and prime minister, Malaysia follows the English parliamentary system and common law.

Getting around on your holidays in Malaysia

As temperatures stay fairly constant and the rainfall is pretty even year round, holidays in Malaysia are usually good any time of the year. Places nearer sea-level range in the twenties and thirties while those at higher elevations experience much cooler temperatures between 15-25ºC. Malaysia follows Malaysia Time, which is UTC/GMT +8 hours, with no daylight saving time. Transportation in Malaysia is convenient with larger cities offering a wide range of options, from buses and minibuses to taxis and pedicabs, while other parts of Malaysia are accessible via rail, bus, and ferry.

Sights of Malaysia

Malaysia's capital city, Kuala Lumpur, is sure to keep visitors busy, offering museums, parks, temples and even a planetarium. Formerly the world's tallest buildings, by night the Petronas Twin Towers are a sight to behold, lighting up the Kuala Lumpur skyline. Travellers on holidays in Malaysia also won't want to miss the Hindu temples at the Batu caves, which are a UNESCO World Heritage site, while the more adventurous can try their hand at rock-climbing within the caves. Nature lovers will love a trip to Taman Negara, which is the site of one of the world's oldest rainforests. Lucky visitors might even catch a glimpse of an endangered animal like the Asian elephant. Lastly, Tioman island's white coral reefs are popular amongst travellers, making the island the obvious choice for Time Magazine's Most Beautiful Islands Award.