A tropical paradise for beach-lovers, nature-lovers and divers

Malaysia, an independent country since 1957, is a multicultural East Asian crossroads, being home to Malay Moslems, Chinese Taoists and Buddhists and Indian Hindus.  It consists of the mainland - a peninsula jutting into the South China Sea between Thailand in the north and Indonesia in the southwest - and the northern section of Borneo. The West coast is the most urban and developed part of the country; on it lies Malaysia’s capital, Kuala Lumpur.  Off the coast lies the popular resort island of Penang, whose capital, George Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  The East Coast is more traditional and there are marvellous diving opportunities on glittering tropical islands such as Sibu, the Perhentians, Redand and Tioman.  The South offers rainforest exploration, diving expeditions and access to neighbouring Singapore.  The Borneo section of Malaysia comprises Sarawak and Sabah districts, featuring 11 National Parks and 3 Nature Reserves.

Why Go?
You can pay a visit to indigenous tribes; you can rub shoulders with orang-utans; or you can go nose-to-nose with a sea-turtle. Dine your way through the culinary crossroads of Malay, Chinese, Indian and Eurasian cuisine.  Nearby Singapore has its own Chinatown and its own Little India! 

When to Go?
The monsoon affects Malaysia’s East Coast and Borneo between October and February.  The West Coast’s rainy seasons are April/May and October/November.  Malaysia’s busiest tourist periods are December/January and June-August.  Annual events include the Rainforest World Music Festival in July; the Sarawak Regatta in July/August; Borneo’s International Kite Festival in August; and the Malaysia International Fireworks Competition, also in August.

How to get there?
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) welcomes flights from Australia, New Zealand, South Asia, Europe, the USA and Canada. In the south, Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) serves similar destinations.  The northwest is principally served by Penang International Airport (PEN), which operates flights to Chennai in India, Macau in China, Bangkok and various locations in Indonesia.

Must see
Why not ride a stretch of the Jungle Railway and pass through rainforest stations and oil, palm and rubber plantations?  On the east coast, visit Endal Rompin National Park to see rainforest waterfalls, visit local tribespeople and try and catch a glimpse of the mighty Sumatra Rhino. The enormous caves at Gunung Mula are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  In Sabah province, around the coral islands off Kota Kinabalu, you’ll see reef sharks, manta rays and hammerhead sharks. In Kuala Lumpur, step back in time in the former colonial administrative centre of town or inform yourself at the National Museum.