From it’s warm and welcoming people, who can seem to never stop wanting to please, to the vivid and flavoursome cuisine – it’s a place that will have you hooked the minute you embark from your plane. But that’s just to begin with – Malaysia has awe-inspiring, white sandy beaches with turquoise blue waters that will have you wondering if you’ve lost your way and ended up in the Maldives – then there’s the capital of Kuala Lumpur, which grips you with it’s buzzing life…here you can amble along exciting street markets, take in a very reasonable (and tasty) meal just about anywhere and gaze at the major landmarks such as the Petronas Towers and nearby Batu caves. Accommodation is also relatively cheap to stay in the centre with a wide range of high class and budget hotels. It follows that whether you’re looking to enjoy the lap of luxury or backpack your way around – you’ll find what you’re looking for in Malaysia. It’s a holiday-makers paradise.

Essential Malaysia Travel Facts

Where Is It? Malaysia is a country in South East Asia. It’s neighbours include the Philippines, Bali, Singapore and Thailand. It actually comprises of two bodies with a land mass estimated to be around 330 sq km.

How Many people Live There? The country is host to almost 23 million people.

When’s The Best Time To Go? April to October is generally the dry season and so the most popular period. November to March is the wet (monsoon) season.

Above - Malaysia Beach In The Sun

Above - Heavy Cloud Cover…The Rains Are About To Fall Again In Monsoon Season

Do I Need A Visa? It depends – lots of nationalities do not require a visa to visit Malaysia but it’s best to check with your local embassy to see if you may require on prior to arrival.

What Languages Are Spoken Here? In the main cities and certainly in the mid/high class resort, you’ll get by just fine on English. However the predominant language is Bahasa Melayu but Chinese and some Tamil is also spoken in certain areas.

What Is The Currency Used? The Ringgit is the currency used.

Is It Safe? Malaysia is a highly safe destination for tourists. Beyond that it’s a popular haven for luxury travellers with an abundance of high class beach resorts available (as long as you’re prepared to spend upwards of $300 per night). It’s also a popular destination for backpackers looking for a very inexpensive holiday. Due to the abundance of cheap no-frills places to lodge (in practically every location) plus inexpensive dining options, it’s possible to get by in Malaysia on just a few dollars a day.

This travel guide will provide you everything you need to have a wonderful Malaysia holiday – including what to see and do, plus how to get the best holiday deals so that you get maximum return from your available budget.

A Brief History Of Malaysia & The Country Today

The earliest Malaysian inhabitants are believed to have made their way to the land mass from China. It’s believed that both the Chinese and Islam first established an official civilisation in Malaysia. The 14^th Century provides the first hint of a clear Malaysian ruler as Cheng Ho occupied the country with a promise to protect it’s people against the Siamese, while Islam was also spreading throughout the country.

Later, the country was also ruled by the Dutch, Portugese and British. Malaysia took steps towards independence in 1969, and since then the country has enjoyed a peaceful and prosperous period of growth. Today, it is a multi-cultural society with a mix of people from various backgrounds including Chinese, Indian, Portugese and Dutch.

The predominant religion within Malaysia is Islam – though there are many other religions practiced including Christianity, Hinduism and Buddhism.

Holiday-makers to Malaysia often comment on how wonderfully friendly and warm the local Malaysian people are…an experience that you’ll no doubt enjoy too when you travel within Malaysia. Indeed, tourism accounts for much of Malaysia’s economic income, no surprise when you see the wealth of natural beauty, culture and splendour that the country offers those who choose to holiday here.