Berlitz Pocket Guide Malaysia (Travel Guide eBook)

By Berlitz

Berlitz Pocket Guides: iconic style, a bestselling brand, this is the quintessential pocket-sized travel guide to Malaysia

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. This will save you time, and enhance your exploration of this fascinating country.

·       Compact, concise, and packed with essential information, this is an iconic on-the-move companion when you're exploring Malaysia
·       Covers Top Ten Attractions, including George Town and Pulau Sipadan and Perfect Day itinerary suggestions
·       Includes an insightful overview of landscape, history and culture
·       Handy colour maps on the inside cover flaps will help you find your way around
·       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 Berlitz: Berlitz draws on years of travel and language expertise to bring you a wide range of travel and language products, including travel guides, maps, phrase books, language-learning courses, dictionaries and kids' language products.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Insight Guides
• Release date: Apr 1, 2019
• ISBN: 9781785731952

Berlitz

Make the most of your time on Earth with the ultimate travel guides

Book preview

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 Berlitz Pocket Guides

The Berlitz story began in 1877 when Maximilian Berlitz devised his revolutionary method of language learning. More than 130 years later, Berlitz is a household name, famed not only for language schools but also as a provider of best-selling language and travel guides.

Our wide-ranging travel products – printed travel guides and phrase books, as well as apps and ebooks – offer all the information you need for a perfect trip, and are regularly updated by our team of expert local authors. Their practical emphasis means they are perfect for use on the ground. Wherever you’re going – whether it’s on a short break, the trip of a lifetime, a cruise or a business trip – we offer the ideal guide for your needs.

Our Berlitz Pocket Guides are the perfect choice if you need reliable, concise information in a handy format. We provide amazing value for money – these guides may be small, but they are packed with information. No wonder they have sold more than 45 million copies worldwide.

© 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

Dictionary

English–Malay

Malay–English

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.

In the Cameron Highlands

James Tye/Apa Publications

Nature’s Supremacy

Whether you are staying at a beach resort or visiting a city, a stand of forest is never far away. Even in modern, urban Kuala Lumpur, you can find a forest reserve more than a century old.

The country’s prosperity has come from its coastal plains, wider on the west than the east side of the peninsula. Malaysia rose first as a trading point for Asia and Europe, with the port of Melaka (or Malacca). Then came tin mining and rubber plantations followed by palm oil, timber, and petroleum and gas. Rice paddy fields in the northwest and around river deltas on the east coast, and on hillsides in Sarawak and Sabah, are where Malaysia’s rice is cultivated. Mangrove swamps along the coast and nipa palms give rise to mangrove forests. The world’s oldest rainforests engulf low but steeply rising mountain chains that cross the peninsula from east to west, with one long north–south Main Range as their backbone. Until the highway construction of the modern era, access to many forested areas had been – and sometimes still is – only reached by river.

Mangroves in Langkawi

James Tye/Apa Publications

In East Malaysia’s states of Sarawak and Sabah, plantations alternate with marshland on the plains before giving way to the forests of the interior. To the south, a natural barrier of mountains forms the border with Indonesian Kalimantan. Near the coast at the northern end of the Crocker Range is Gunung Kinabalu (Mount Kinabalu). At 4,095m (13,435ft), it is one of the highest peaks in Southeast Asia and popular with climbers.

With the growth of tourism, resort facilities have burgeoned in islands, such as Penang, Pangkor and Langkawi on the west coast of the peninsula, Tioman on the east coast, and around Sabah’s islands off Kota Kinabalu.

To go to Malaysia without setting foot in the rainforest would be to overlook one of the essential features of the country. Sounds flood in from all sides: the orchestra of cicadas, the chatter of squirrels, the cries of gibbons, and the calls of hornbills. Animal life may be harder to spot as, unlike the wildlife of the African plains, most animals of the Malaysian rainforest are not conspicuous. Tigers and leopards remain rare, and the