Ultimate Travel Guide : Malaysia

Welcome to Malaysia

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Malaysia IN THE HEART OF SOUTHEAST ASIA lies one of the world’s most enchanting lands – Malaysia. A tropical paradise of immense charm, Malaysia is a veritable treasuretrove of diverse cultures and hospitable people, exotic cuisine, fascinating festivals,quaint villages and modern skylines..

Of the total population of Malaysia in Census 2000, about 21,890 thousand or 94.1% were Malaysian citizens. Of the total Malaysian citizens, 'Bumiputera' (Malay and native indigenous groups) comprised 65.1%, Chinese 26.0% and Indians 7.7%, the ethnic composition being 60.6%, 28.1% and 7.9% respectively in 1991. Non-Malaysian citizens totalled 1,385 thousand (or 5.9%) in Census 2000 as against 805 thousand (or 4.4%) in 1991.

Malaysia consists of 13 states:-

Perlis
Kedah
Penang
Perak
Selangoh
Kuala Lumpar
Negri Sembilan
Melaka
Johor
Kelantan
Terenggenu
Sabah
Labuan

How to get to Malaysia?

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By Air

Many international airlines fly to Malaysia, especially KLIA (Malaysia’s international airport).Departure tax of M$40 on international flights.If tickets are bought in Malaysia the tax is already included in the ticket price.

By Train
West-coast rail link to get to/from Singapore using the KTM.

By Sea

Three ferry services between Malaysia and Indonesia (Penang-Medan, Melaka-Dumai and, in East Malaysia, Tawau-Tarakan).

By Car
Four road border crossings between Malaysia and Thailand (two on the west coast, one in the centre and one on the east coast).

Causeway at Johor Bahru via Singapore.

Transport in Malaysia

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Kuala Lumpur Transport Map by Yala http://www.angelfire.com/in4/yala/KLTransp.htm

Aeroline - Luxury Shutter Bus (Coach) Service plyingKL/Singapore http://www.aeroline.com.my/ KL Ticket Counter/Boarding: Corus Hotel, Jalan Ampang,50450 Kuala Lumpur. Tel: 03 2164 9622, Fax: 03 21649611Singapore Ticket Counter/Boarding: Hotel
Asia, 37Scotts Road, Singapore. Tel: 02 6341 9338 Fax: 02 63419368

Airport Coach Sdn BhdHentian Duta, Persiaran Duta, Kuala Lumpur. Tel: 036203 3064 Star LRT Chan Sow Lin Station, Kuala Lumpur. Tel: 034294 2550 Ground Floor, Bus Terminal, KLIA InternationalAirport, Sepang. Tel: 03 8787 3894 Airport Limo Sdn Bhd - Limo & Taxi Service Tel: 03 9223 8080, 03 9223 8949 (Booking Centre) Tel: 03 87873675 (KLIA Counter)

Biaramas Express - Bus services between Kuching,Sarikei, Bintangor, Sibu, Bintulu, Miri, Sungai Tujuh& Brunei http://www.biaramas.com/ Lot 465, 8th Mile, Jalan Kota Samarahan, 94300,Kuching, Sarawak Tel: 082 61 0111, Fax: 082 61 0222

Budaya Express 7 Jalan Dewan Sultan Sulaiman 1, Off Jalan TuankuAbdul Rahman, 50300 Kuala Lumpur Tel: 03 2692 1381 Bus and taxi companies operating out of Puduraya KualaLumpur http://www.udaholdings.com.my/puduraya/bus-taxi.htm Buy Express Bus and Air Tickets Onlinehttp://www.theticketing.com/ Cityliner Route Finder - Find your way and check faresaround the Klang Valley via Cityliner bus services
http://www.parkmayberhad.com/routefinder.htm

Executive Coach Medan MARA, Jalan Raja Laut, 50350 Kuala Lumpur Tel: 03 2691 8113Genting Highlands Transport Reservations Centre Tel: 03 6251 8398, 03 6253 1762, Fax: 03 6251 8399

Hentian Puduraya - Bus & taxi terminal, Kuala Lumpur http://www.udaholdings.com.my/puduraya/ Integrated Transport Information System ITIS - KLtraffic & information management system http://www.itis.com.my/ Intercity Express Bus Service Tel: 019 324 6585, 03 2693 7209 (Charter Services)

Keretapi Tanah Melayu - KTM Railway http://www.ktmb.com.my/ Tel: 03 2263 1111, 03 2267 1200 (Call Center)

KLIA Express - KL Sentral to KLIA Sepang Airport(formerly Express Rail Link - ERL) http://www.kliaekspres.com/ Tel: 03 2267 7777, 03 2267 8000 (Customer Enquiry)

KLIA Transport - Getting to & from Kuala LumpurInternational Airport Sepang KLIA http://www.jpj.gov.my/site.htm

KL MonorailWisma Monorail, Jalan Tebing, Brickfields, 50470 KualaLumpur http://www.monorail.com.my/Tel: 03 2267 9888, Fax: 03 2267 9999, E-KL Sentral - Central transportation hub inBrickfields, Kuala Lumpur http://www.klsentral.com.my/ Tel: 03 2730 2000, 03 2279 8888 (Station)

Langkawi Cable Car - Operated by Panorama Langkawi SdnBhd http://www.langkawi-cable-car.com/ Panorama Langkawi Sdn BhdCable Car Stations, Oriental Village, Telaga Tujuh,Langkawi, 07100 Kedah Tel: 04 959 4225, Fax: 04 959 4121

North Borneo Railway - NBRhttp://www.northborneorailway.com.my/ Tanjung Aru Railway Station, Karung Berkunci 2047,88999 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Tel: 088 26 3933, Fax: 088 26 3933

Park May - KL city bus services. Cityliner busservices http://www.parkmayberhad.com/ Tel: 03 7982 7060 PUTRA LRT - Projek Usahasama Transit Ringan AutomatikSdn Bhd. Light Rail Transit System http://www.putralrt.com.my/ Tel: 1 800 388 228 (Call Center), 017 331 7779 (AfterHours)

Plusliner & NiCE - Luxury express bus servicehttp://www.plusliner.com.my/ Tel: 03 2274 9601, 03 2272 2760 (NiCE Counter RailwayStation KL) Tel: 02 6256 5775 (NiCE Counter Copthorne OrchidHotel, 214 Dunearn Road, Singapore) Tel: 03-20720763 (Plusliner Counter 20, HentianPuduraya, KL) Tel: 1 800 38 7067 (Plusliner Head Office)

Rapid KL http://www.rapidkl.com.my/ Rangkaian Pengangkutan Integrasi Deras 1 Jalan PJU 1A/46, Off Jalan Lapangan Terbang SultanAbdul Aziz Shah, 47301 Petaling Jaya Tel: 03 7650 7788, Fax: 03 7625 6667

Star LRT - Sistem Transit Aliran Ringan Sdn Bhd http://www.klrt.com.my/ Tel: 03 4294 9000, Fax: 03 4294 2554 Star LRT - Route Map http://www.kuala-lumpur.ws/transportation/starmap/index.htm

SuperCoach Express - Konsortium Bas Ekspress http://www.supercoach.com.my/ Tel: 05 891 8888 (Taiping HQ), 03 2070 9410 (PudurayaCounter)

Syarikat Prasarana Negara Berhad (SPNB) - Manager ofPutra Line & Star Line LRTs http://www.prasarana.com.my/ 1 Jalan PJU 1A/46, Off Jalan Lapangan Terbang SultanAbdul Aziz Shah, 47301 Petaling Jaya Tel: 03 7650 7788, Fax: 03 7625 6667 TransWeb - Transportation portal http://www.transweb.com.my/

Kuala Lumpur : For thrill seekers.....

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More than any other spot in the country, Kuala Lumpur, or "KL" as it is commonly known, is the focal point of new Malaysia. While the city's past is still present in the evocative British colonial buildings of the Dataran Merdeka and the midnight lamps of the Petaling Street nightmarket, that past is everywhere met with insistent reminders of KL's present and future. The city's bustling streets, its shining, modern office towers, and its cosmopolitan air project an unbounded spirit of progress and symbolize Malaysia's unhesitating leap into the future. To some, this spirit seems to have been gained at the loss of ancient cultural traditions, but in many ways KL marks the continuation rather than the loss of Malaysia's rich past. Like Malacca five hundred years before, KL's commercial centre is a grand meeting place for merchants and travelers from all over the world.

In the same way, the city brings together Malaysia's past and present, its many constituent cultures, and even its remarkable natural treasures, allowing first-time visitors an invaluable opportunity to see Malaysia as a whole before setting off to explore its parts. In the botanical and bird parks of the Lake Gardens one is treated to a first glimpse of the unsurpassed beauty and variety of Malaysia's plants and animals. In the vibrant Central Market, music, crafts, and cultural practices from Kelantan to Sarawak can be explored and experienced. And in the National Museum, the dizzying multiplicity of Malaysia's cultural history comes into focus. As the entry point for most visitors and the meeting point of the country's many attractions, Kuala Lumpur is a grand gateway to a fascinating destination.

LOCATION

Kuala Lumpur is situated midway along the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia, at the confluence of the Klang and Gombek rivers. It is approximately 35 km from the coast and sits at the centre of the Peninsula's extensive and modern transportation network. Kuala Lumpur is easily the largest city in the nation, possessing a population of over one and a half million people drawn from all of Malaysia's many ethnic groups.

Batu Caves Situated 13km (8mi) north of the city, the huge Batu Caves are one of the best-known tourist attractions. The main cave ( Temple Cave)- is a vast open cave that is reached by 272 steps. There are several other smaller caves one of which is decorated with elaborately painted Hindu figures. Apart from being a tourist attraction the caves are used for Hindu festivals and pilgrimages, including masochistic feats which are performed annually by Thaipusam devotees.

Merdeka Square - You cant miss Merdeka Square, mainly because of the easy to spot 95m (312ft) flag pole. Merdeka Square is situated in the heart of downtown KL.and is surrounded by historical buildings such as: the Royal Selangor Club (which is the place where everyone who is someone in KL meet each other). Also of interest is the nearby Victorian-Moorish style Sultan Abdul Samad building. The National History Museum and library are close by, as is the impressive, modern Dayabumi Complex. For the party animal: At midnight on 30 August, revellers crowd Merdeka Square to celebrate National Day, the anniversary of Malaysia's independence

Kuala Lumpur Tower - Take in KL’s high-flying triumphs from the viewing deck of the fourth-highest telecommunications tower in the world. Bird’s eye panoramic views on offer from the observation deck.

Festivals and celebrations - The capital celebrates Malaysia's major holidays and festivals such as Thaipusam ( devotees of Lord Subramaniam prove their faith by piercing their body parts with metal spikes and hooks), Chinese New Year and Deepavali (Festival of Lights, when tiny oil lamps are lit outside the homes of Hindu people to entice Lakshmi, goddess of wealth, inside). Celebrations take place at Tasik Perdana and Lake Titiwangsa gardens in the north of the city. The Flora Fest is held in July , with exhibitions and the international Floral Parade. September has 2 weeks of celebration called Malaysia Fest (also called the Colors of Malaysia) with exhibits of traditional arts and special cultural performances around town. The October Shopping Carnival follows on its heels. For further details contact the tourist information office (tel (03) 2164 3929, fax 2162 1149) Central Market - Winner of the Coronation Architecture Design Award in 1953. Today, the art-deco structure of the Central Market is a wonderful place of development and display of Malaysian arts, crafts and culture. Diverse demonstrations, activities and performances are on show to delight the artist in anyone!

Penang : Pearl of the Orient.....

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Penang (Malay: Pulau Pinang) is an island off the North West of Peninsular Malaysia and one of Malaysia's main tourist draws. Penang's beaches are a little lackluster compared to some other Malaysian sites, but it more than makes up for this with a rich multicultural history full of colonial and Chinese influences.

HOW TO REACH: Penang has an international airport, near the city. Taxis have fixed rates to specific points. Penang bridge is the road link with the mainland. There is a round-the-clock ferry service for passengers and vehicles from Butterworth on the mainland, to and fro. It takes 6 hours from KL to Butterworth on the mainland by train. Rail journey is more comfortable and it enables sight-seeing. In Penang, taxis, buses, trishaws, cars, rent-a-bike, cruise coaches etc are available.

Ultimate Tips

Instead of taking the taxis from the arrival hall, you can catch taxis at the departure hall and negotiate for a lower price to get to your destination.

Accommodation: Everyday, tourists from all around the world come to Penang. The hotel industry has continue to flourish with the rising number if tourists each year.
Many hotels were built along the Batu Ferringhi beach front.

With the Batu Ferringhi beach as a major tourist attraction itself, the location is strategic for the industry.

Shangri-La’s Golden Sand Batu Ferringhi Beach 11100 Penang, Malaysia. Tel: (60-4)8811911 Paradise Sandy Bay Jalan Tanjung Bungah 11200 Penang, Malaysia. Tel: 604-8999999 Cititel 66 Jalan Penang10000,Penang Malaysia. Tel: 604-3701288 Hotel Equatorial 1 Jalan Bukit Jambul Bayan Lepas 11900 Penang, Malaysia. Tel: +604 6438111 Hotel Grand Continental 68 Brick Kiln Road10300 Penang Malaysia Tel: 04-6366888 Penang Parkroyal Resort Batu Ferringhi Beach 11100 Penang, Malaysia Tel: (60-4)8811133 Ferringhi Beach Hotel Jalan Low Yat11100 Batu FerringhiPenang, Malaysia Tel: (604)8905999 Sheraton 3 Jalan Larut 10050 Penang, Malaysia Tel: 604-3701111

Ultimate Tip

Stay near by the beach. There's a night market and plenty of cheap and good food around the beach area.

BUTTERFLY FARM
But why a butterfly farm? Visiting national parks, museums and heritage buildings is a favourite pastime of many Malaysians. Such outings allow and encourage us to appreciate our natural and man-made heritage, many of which are threatened by the onslaught of modern development. There are some who even go as far as to say that such recreation fosters closer bonding between family members, but we'll delve into that later.

First things first. Although well known amongst all Penangites, most Malaysians and some tourists, an introduction to one of Malaysia's more better known landmarks dedicated to a most interesting member of the animal kingdom – the Lepidoptera, otherwise more commonly referred to as the butterfly, is still relevant. The Penang Butterfly Farm (PBF), the first tropical butterfly farm ever set up in the world, was founded in 1986. It is located in Telok Bahang, a fishing village located north of the island.

Talk about dreams coming true and ideas taking shape. Out of the strength came forth sweetness – and one man's lifelong fascination with butterflies has resulted in a 1 hectare (and growing!) home and sanctuary to a wide variety of insects, reptiles, fishes and plants. Protected from natural predators and unfriendly environments, butterflies in this sanctuary turn into little Methuselahs, living for as long as 14 days. In their natural habitats, the average lifespan would be about three days.
At the last count, the Penang Butterfly Farm is sanctuary to an average flying population of 4,000 Malaysian butterflies from 120 different species, including some very rare and famous ones, like the Indian Leaf (Kallima paralekta), the endangered Yellow Birdwing (Troides helena) and the Rajah Brooke's Birdwing, arguably Malaysia's most well-known insect.
So what makes butterflies such mesmerising creatures? What's the attraction? Why a whole farm for such a fragile and short-lived creature?
Opinions vary, but British novelist Elizabeth Goudge said it all when she described butterflies as "not quite birds, as they were not quite flowers, mysterious and fascinating as are all indeterminate creatures."
Mysterious? Maybe. Fascinating? Definitely. The Penang Butterfly Farm is unquestionably Malaysian, without a doubt, yet it is also a reputation to be reckoned with overseas.
A fun place for the family Recognising that long periods of hard work result in parents not spending much quality time with their families, the Penang Butterfly Farm has introduced several attractions to provide your loved ones fun time, as well as a great way for children of all ages to get to know one another while having lots of fun. One of these activities is the Caterpillar Club.

Upon entering the Farm, the visitor is greeted by a lush and well designed landscaped garden lined with several pathways, dotted with cages here and there, flowing fountains and a fish pond. Myriad butterflies flutter and flit silently against a multi-coloured backdrop of the different flowers and plants that fill the grounds, apparenlty impervious to the many humans walking around them. It all looks very harmonious, well-proportioned and peaceful. Who knows, a visit to the Farm might just be the tonic for frazzled nerves!
At the time of writing, plans are afoot to expand the size of the PBF from its present 1 hectare to a whopping 4 hectares.

PBF general manager, Eddy Low (picture right) also revealed that a dragonfly enclosure measuring 1,200 sq. ft., the first in the world, is being constructed. In the meantime, whether you are a kid, an aduly, a zoologist, an entomologist or just plain curious, the PBF is still an interesting place to spend time.

Ultimate Tip

The is an interest educational show that allows you to get close to some of the creepy crawlies....don't miss it unless you have a phobia!