Busy Girls Guide to Malaysia

Towering skyscrapers, rustic kampong villages, dense tropical rainforests & white-sanded beaches make Malaysia one of South-East Asia's most diverse & fascinating nations.

Want to know more? Here's everything you need to know packed into our mini guide...

When should we go?

Humid tropical temperatures average 30 degrees centigrade all year round. Avoid the east coast between November & February, during the monsoon.

Getting there & getting around

Malaysia Airlines operates direct flights from Manchester to Kuala Lumpur. For internal flights, try the region’s budget airline, Air Asia.

Capital attractions

Kuala Lumpur (KL) is a modern, multicultural city. Beautiful old colonial buildings surround historic Merdeka Square; the iconic Petronas Towers dominates the 'Golden Triangle' zone of skyscrapers, shopping malls & nightlife; Chinatown's bustling markets overflow with souvenirs & fake-branded goods, & the Lake Gardens provides a peaceful retreat.

Top Tip The traffic can be terrible so try the monorail.

Best beaches

Head to the islands. Tioman, Redang & the Perhentians on the east coast of the peninsular offer laid-back resorts & clear azure waters. Langkawi in the north-west is great for island-hopping & ecotourism tours, while Sipidan off the east coast of Sabah is one of the world's best scuba diving sites.

Walk on the wild side

Fly to Sabah in east Malaysia, on the island of Borneo, & travel down the chocolate-coloured Kinabatangan River into lush, tropical rainforest, home to a multitude of wildlife. SI Tours in Sandakan town www.sitoursborneo.com runs three-day boat trips, including meals & accommodation in comfortable wooden lodges, & a visit to the Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre.

Tribal cultures

Visit the Cultural Village in Sarawak, south of Sabah www.scv.com.my , to meet residents from a variety of tribes & witness their cultures, costumes, cuisines, handicrafts, entertainment & lifestyles. You can even get married in traditional tribal style!

Local cuisine

Think spicy, flavourful dishes & creamy, coconut-infused curries. Specialities include satay (grilled chicken in a spicy peanut sauce); nasi lemak (coconut rice with chilli sauce & fried anchovies), & char kway teow (fried flat noodles with prawns & bean sprouts). Sample delights from food stalls; they're freshly cooked & remarkably cheap.

Busy Girls Best Tip

Book a sunset dinner in the revolving restaurant at the top of the KL Menara Tower www.menarakl.com.my & survey the magnificent city skyline as it drifts past whilst you enjoy a tasty multicultural buffet.

Travel essentials

British citizens can stay in Malaysia for up to three months without a visa. Local currency is the Malaysian Ringgit (RM). English is widely spoken.
Tourism Malaysia: www.tourism.gov.my

If you decide to make a trip to Malaysia this year, we hope you have a wonderful time & look forward to hearing all about it!

Best wishes

Rowena Forbes
Travel Expert & Professional Writer
Busy Girls Guide