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Insight Guides Pocket Malaysia (Travel Guide eBook)
Insight Guides Pocket Malaysia (Travel Guide eBook)
Insight Guides Pocket Malaysia (Travel Guide eBook)
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Insight Guides Pocket Malaysia (Travel Guide eBook)

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Insight Pocket Guides: ideal itineraries and top travel tips in a pocket-sized package.

Plan your trip, plan perfect days and discover how to get around - this pocket-sized guide is a convenient, quick-reference companion to discovering what to do and see in Malaysia, from top attractions like the Petronas Twin Towers, to hidden gems, including Kinabalu Park. 

·       Compact, concise, and packed with essential information about Where to Go and What to Do, this is an ideal on-the-move companion when you're exploring Malaysia
·       Covers Top Ten Attractions, including George Town and Pulau Sipadan and Perfect Day itinerary suggestions
·       Offers an insightful overview of landscape, history and culture
·       Contains an invaluable pull-out map, and essential practical information on everything from Eating Out to Getting Around
·       Inspirational colour photography throughout
·       Sharp design and colour-coded sections make for an engaging reading experience

About Insight Guides: Insight Guides is a pioneer of full-colour guide books, with almost 50 years' experience of publishing high-quality, visual travel guides with user-friendly, modern design. We produce around 400 full-colour print guide books and maps, as well as phrase books, picture-packed eBooks and apps to meet different travellers' needs. Insight Guides' unique combination of beautiful travel photography and focus on history and culture create a unique visual reference and planning tool to inspire your next adventure.

LanguageEnglish
Release dateMay 1, 2019
ISBN9781789198195
Insight Guides Pocket Malaysia (Travel Guide eBook)
Author

Insight Guides

Pictorial travel guide to Arizona & the Grand Canyon with a free eBook provides all you need for every step of your journey. With in-depth features on culture and history, stunning colour photography and handy maps, it’s perfect for inspiration and finding out when to go to Arizona & the Grand Canyon and what to see in Arizona & the Grand Canyon. 

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    Book preview

    Insight Guides Pocket Malaysia (Travel Guide eBook) - Insight Guides

    How To Use This E-Book

    Getting Around the e-Book

    This Pocket Guide e-book is designed to give you inspiration and planning advice for your visit to Malaysia, and is also the perfect on-the-ground companion for your trip.

    The guide begins with our selection of Top 10 Attractions, plus a Perfect Itinerary feature to help you plan unmissable experiences. The Introduction and History chapters paint a vivid cultural portrait of Malaysia, and the Where to Go chapter gives a complete guide to all the sights worth visiting. You will find ideas for activities in the What to Do section, while the Eating Out chapter describes the local cuisine and gives listings of the best restaurants. The Travel Tips offer practical information to help you plan your trip. Finally, there are carefully selected hotel listings.

    In the Table of Contents and throughout this e-book you will see hyperlinked references. Just tap a hyperlink once to skip to the section you would like to read. Practical information and listings are also hyperlinked, so as long as you have an external connection to the internet, you can tap a link to go directly to the website for more information.

    Maps

    All key attractions and sights in Malaysia are numbered and cross-referenced to high-quality maps. Wherever you see the reference [map], tap once to go straight to the related map. You can also double-tap any map for a zoom view.

    Images

    You’ll find lots of beautiful high-resolution images that capture the essence of Malaysia. Simply double-tap an image to see it in full-screen.

    About Insight Guides

    Insight Guides have more than 40 years’ experience of publishing high-quality, visual travel guides. We produce 400 full-colour titles, in both print and digital form, covering more than 200 destinations across the globe, in a variety of formats to meet your different needs.

    Insight Guides are written by local authors, whose expertise is evident in the extensive historical and cultural background features. Each destination is carefully researched by regional experts to ensure our guides provide the very latest information. All the reviews in Insight Guides are independent; we strive to maintain an impartial view. Our reviews are carefully selected to guide you to the best places to eat, go out and shop, so you can be confident that when we say a place is special, we really mean it.

    © 2019 Apa Digital (CH) AG and Apa Publications (UK) Ltd

    Malaysia’s Top 10 Attractions

    Top Attraction #1

    Jon Santa Cruz/Apa Publications

    Petronas Twin Towers

    A striking sight on Kuala Lumpur’s skyline. For more information, click here.

    Top Attraction #2

    James Tye/Apa Publications

    Pulau Langkawi

    An island of beautiful beaches. For more information, click here.

    Top Attraction #3

    James Tye/Apa Publications

    Melaka

    Explore the streets of this famous historic port city. For more information, click here.

    Top Attraction #4

    iStock

    Pulau Sipadan

    One of the world’s top dive sites. For more information, click here.

    Top Attraction #5

    James Tye/Apa Publications

    Visiting a longhouse

    An experience not to be missed when travelling in Sarawak. For more information, click here.

    Top Attraction #6

    James Tye/Apa Publications

    Taman Negara

    A national park of ancient rainforests and river rapids. For more information, click here.

    Top Attraction #7

    James Tye/Apa Publications

    George Town

    Its architecture ranges from colonial to Chinese. For more information, click here.

    Top Attraction #8

    James Tye/Apa Publications

    Sepilok Orang-utan Rehabilitation Sanctuary

    Prepares once captive and orphaned animals for life in the wild. For more information, click here.

    Top Attraction #9

    James Tye/Apa Publications

    Kinabalu Park

    Superb scenery and fascinating flora and fauna. For more information, click here.

    Top Attraction #10

    Tourism Malaysia

    Gunung Api’s Pinnacles

    A mesmerising sight in Gunung Mulu National Park. For more information, click here.

    A Perfect Tour of Malaysia

    Day 1

    Kuala Lumpur

    Catch a taxi to Chat Masala (for more information, click here) for breakfast in Brickfields’ Little India. Head to Menara Kuala Lumpur for stunning city views then walk to Jalan Alor for lunch. Those with stamina can head to the Hindu shrine of Batu Caves. Return downtown to the Central Market for curio shopping, and for dinner, eat your way through Petaling Street’s night market.

    Day 2

    Highland retreat

    Take a bus to Cameron Highlands and have lunch at one of the roadside cafés. Visit the Sungai Palas Tea Centre for a factory tour. Enjoy panoramic views of the tea gardens from Sungai Palas café (for more information, click here), followed by a relaxing spa session at the Cameron Highlands Resort or a game of golf nearby, before dinner at The Smokehouse Restaurant (for more information, click here).

    Day 3

    Penang

    After breakfast at Yong Teng Café (for more information, click here) transfer to Penang Island by van. Hire a taxi for the rest of the day and head to Suffolk House for a tour of Penang’s first ‘Great House’. Dine in the ambience of a historical home (for more information, click here). Work off lunch by cycling around Balik Pulau’s idyllic fishing villages. Return to George Town and perhaps enjoy the nightlife at Upper Penang Road.

    Days 4 and 5

    Perhentian Islands

    Fly to Kota Bharu and catch a taxi to Kuala Besut jetty. Set foot on the palm-fringed islands of Perhentian Kecil and Besar. After lunch, relax on the beach or scuba dive. Next day, visit the other island for snorkelling or trail hiking. Return to Kota Bharu for Kelantanese cuisine at the night market.

    Day 6

    Kota Bharu culture

    Soak in the sights and sounds of Pasar Besar Siti Khadijah, the central market that sells everything, including brunch. Visit the War Memorial Museum or catch a performance at the Cultural Centre. Fly to KL International Airport and while waiting there for your flight to Miri, enjoy a foot massage and dinner.

    Day 7

    Gunung Mulu National Park

    Fly to the World Heritage Site of Gunung Mulu National Park and discover the canopy walkway. Explore the enormous caves before watching the famous bat exodus.

    Day 8

    Kota Kinabalu

    Return to Miri for your flight to Kota Kinabalu. Go island-hopping at Tunku Abdul Rahman Park or visit the longhouses of the Heritage Village. After browsing the Handicraft Market by the waterfront, head up to Signal Hill Observatory for a gorgeous sunset.

    Day 9

    Rafting the Padas

    Get a train from Tanjung Aru to Beaufort. Change trains to Pangi and from there enjoy some white-water rafting. Return to Kota Kinbalu for a late dinner at the beachside Coast Restaurant and Bar (for more information, click here).

    Table of Contents

    Malaysia’s Top 10 Attractions

    Top Attraction #1

    Top Attraction #2

    Top Attraction #3

    Top Attraction #4

    Top Attraction #5

    Top Attraction #6

    Top Attraction #7

    Top Attraction #8

    Top Attraction #9

    Top Attraction #10

    A Perfect Tour of Malaysia

    Introduction

    Nature’s Supremacy

    Many and Diverse Peoples

    Religious Tolerance

    A Brief History

    The Indian era

    The glory of Melaka

    Portuguese conquest

    The Dutch take over

    British rule

    The ‘White Rajahs’ of Borneo

    The early 20th century

    Japanese occupation

    The ‘Emergency’

    Independence

    The 21st century

    Historical Landmarks

    Where To Go

    The Centre

    Kuala Lumpur

    The Historic Centre

    Near the Old Railway Station

    Taman Botani Perdana (Perdana Botanical Gardens)

    Chinatown

    Northeast of the historic centre

    Markets

    Selangor

    Petaling Jaya and Sunway City

    Batu Caves

    Templer Park

    FRIM

    Kuala Selangor

    Putrajaya

    Day trips from Kuala Lumpur

    Genting Highlands

    Fraser’s Hill

    The Northwest

    Perak

    Ipoh

    Day Trips from Ipoh

    Tambun

    Cameron Highlands

    Papan

    Gopeng and surroundings

    Kuala Kangsar

    Belum-Temengor Forest Complex

    Taiping

    Perak’s coastline

    Pulau Pangkor

    Penang

    George Town

    Colonial Heritage Walk

    Nanyang Heritage Sites

    Street of Harmony Walk

    Historic Enclave Walk

    Southwest of George Town

    Western Penang island

    Northwest of George Town

    Kedah

    Pulau Langkawi

    Perlis

    The East Coast and Interior

    Kelantan

    Kota Bharu

    Around Kota Bharu

    The Beaches

    Terengganu

    The Islands

    Kuala Terengganu

    Around Kuala Terengganu

    Rantau Abang

    Kuala Dungun and Points South

    Pahang

    The Coast

    Kuantan

    Sungai Lembing

    Pekan

    Lanchang

    Taman Negara

    Forest Trails

    Flora and Fauna

    Tasik Bera

    Pulau Tioman

    The South

    Negeri Sembilan

    Seremban

    Sri Menanti

    Port Dickson

    Melaka

    St Paul’s Hill Civic Zone

    Residential and Commercial Zone

    The Chitty Village

    The Portuguese Settlement

    Chinatown

    Bukit Cina

    Johor

    South of Melaka

    The Endau-Rompin National Park

    Johor Bahru

    Johor’s southern coastline

    Desaru and the islands north

    East Malaysia

    Sarawak

    Kuching

    Around Kuching

    Bako National Park

    Visiting a Longhouse

    Niah National Park

    Gunung Mulu National Park

    Sabah

    Kota Kinabalu

    The Coral Islands

    Around Kota Kinabalu

    Kinabalu Park

    Poring Hot Springs

    Sandakan

    The Lower Kinabatangan River Basin

    The Sepilok Orang-Utan Rehabilitation Centre

    Turtle Islands Marine Park

    West of Lahad Datu

    Southeast islands of Sabah

    What To Do

    Shopping

    What to buy

    Entertainment

    Nightlife

    Traditional dance and theatre

    Sports

    Water sports

    Other sports

    Traditional Malay sports

    Calendar of Events

    Eating Out

    What to Eat

    Malay cuisine

    Chinese cuisine

    Nyonya cuisine

    Indian cuisine

    Drinks

    Reading the Menu

    To Help You Order…

    …and Read the Menu

    Restaurants

    Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Putrajaya

    Perak

    Cameron Highlands

    Penang

    Langkawi

    Perlis

    Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang

    Negeri Sembilan

    Melaka

    Johor Bahru

    Kuching

    Miri

    Kota Kinabalu

    A–Z Travel Tips

    A

    Accommodation (see also Budgeting for Your Trip)

    Airports (see also Getting There)

    B

    Budgeting for Your Trip

    C

    Camping

    Car Hire (see also Driving)

    Climate

    Clothing (see also Religion)

    Crime and Safety (see also Emergencies and Police)

    D

    Disabled Travellers

    Driving (see also Transport)

    E

    Electricity

    Embassies and Consulates

    Emergencies (see also Crime and Safety)

    G

    Getting There (see also Airports)

    Guides and tours

    H

    Health and Medical Care

    L

    Language

    LGBTQ Travellers

    M

    Maps

    Media

    Money

    O

    Opening times

    P

    Police (see also Crime and Safety)

    Post Offices

    Public Holidays

    R

    Religion

    T

    Taxes

    Telephones

    Time Zones

    Tipping

    Toilets

    Tourist Information (Maklumat Pelancong)

    Transport (see also Driving)

    V

    Visas and Entry Requirements

    W

    Websites and Internet Access

    Y

    Youth Hostels

    Recommended Hotels

    Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Putrajaya

    Perak

    Cameron Highlands

    Penang

    Langkawi

    Perlis

    Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang

    Negeri Sembilan

    Melaka

    Johor Bahru

    Kuching

    Miri

    Kota Kinabalu

    Introduction

    The Kuala Lumpur skyline from Kampung Baru

    James Tye/Apa Publications

    As Malaysia continues resolutely into the modern age, it remains, culturally and historically, a rich, multi-layered blend of traditions fuelled by a modern, busy and outward-looking economy. From sandy beaches, broad rivers and deep forests, to the rising skyscrapers and wide expressways of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia is set to exceed visitors’ expectations.

    Facts and figures

    Peninsular and East Malaysia together cover a total area of 329,759 sq km (127,317 sq miles). The peninsula is 750km (466 miles) long and about 350km (218 miles) at its widest point. It is only two-thirds the size of East Malaysia. Some four-fifths of Malaysia was originally covered by rainforest. Of the many rivers, the peninsula’s longest is the Pahang, at 475km (295 miles). In East Malaysia, the longest river is the Rajang, at 563km (350 miles).

    In the heart of Southeast Asia, Malaysia is about the size of Japan and has a population of over 30 million. The country is divided into two major regions: the peninsula, bordered by Thailand, the Strait of Malacca and the South China Sea; and East Malaysia, whose two states, Sarawak and Sabah, are located on the island of Borneo, 800km (500 miles) across the South China Sea. Sarawak and Sabah are vast regions of forests, rivers and mountains bordering the Indonesian state of Kalimantan and the sultanate of Brunei. Industry and urban society are concentrated on the peninsula, especially on the west coast, while East Malaysia is dominated by rainforests. The two regions share a hot, humid climate, but differ greatly in their population density and urban development.

    Malaysia’s relative wealth is reflected in the excellent road and rail networks along the peninsula’s west coast. Its per capita income is one of the highest in Southeast Asia.

    Five Kinds of Forest

    Variations in soil, slope and altitude give rise to five kinds of forest:

    Mangrove forest. Mangrove trees and shrubs grow on coastal marshland in the brackish zone between the sea and fresh water. An associated species is the low, trunkless nipa palm, whose fronds have traditionally been used as roofing material for coastal huts.

    Freshwater swamp. Abundant fruit trees in the fertile alluvium of river plains attract prolific wildlife. Where swamp gives way to dry land, you may see the fascinating, monstrous strangler-figs.

    Dipterocarp forest. Named after the two-winged fruit borne by many of the forest’s tallest trees, this dry-land rainforest is what you will see most frequently from just above sea level up to an altitude of 900m (3,000ft).

    Heath forest. Poor soil on the flat terrain leading to foothills or on sandy mountain ridges produces only low, stunted trees with thick leaves.

    Montane forest. At 1,200m (4,000ft) and above in large mountain ranges, or as low as 600m (2,000ft) on small isolated mountains, the large trees and liana creepers give way to myrtle, laurel and oak trees.

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