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Travel Guide for your Malaysia holiday

Malaysia is the ideal destination for a first South-East Asian holiday. The people are incredibly welcoming and friendly, the transport network is efficient, hotels generally of a good quality, and the variety of food impressive. In short, it's a very easy introduction to South-East Asia.

Malaysia was ruled by the British until as recently as 1957, and the colonial influence is still apparent in much of the architecture and infrastructure. Since then though, Chinese, Indian and Malay cultures have mingled to generate a modern, cosmopolitan Malaysia. What's special about this is that these different communities live in real unity: Malaysia feels a very safe and hospitable place, and the people take a real pride in their newly-independent country.

Another impact of so many cultures coming together is that you'll experience different tastes of Asia in one location. For example, in the capital city of Kuala Lumpur you can visit a Muslim mosque, shop in Little India, and sample some of the best Chinese food around.

Kuala Lumpur, or KL as locals call it, offers a vibrant city break, and is ideal as a stopover en route to somewhere like Australia. But there are many different types of holiday available in Malaysia, which has some incredible beaches with accommodation ranging from backpacker guest houses up to five-star spa hotels, popular with honeymooners. Diving is a rewarding activity here, and other sports like golf and horse riding can also be pursued. Another type of holiday can be had in the Highlands where the climate is cooler: you might want to try trekking.

Malaysia is divided into two areas: the Malaysian Peninsular, which is to the south of Thailand, and eastern Malaysia which is the northern part of Borneo. Regular flights link the two, and as far as tourism is concerned the Peninsular tends to attract beach lovers, whereas the eastern part is a mecca for wildlife lovers, especially those wanting to catch sight of orangutans.

Flights from the UK take approximately 12-13hr.

Getting here

Malaysia is an ideal destination to explore on a multi-centre holiday. Popular choices are to combine visits to Kuala Lumpur and Penang with Dubai or even Borneo. Sky Travel can arrange your chosen combination of destinations.
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Malaysia destination guides

Cameron Highlands

Cameron Highlands
-- Photo Credit: Photoshot
The Cameron Highlands are about three hours drive north of Kuala Lumpur. They're an inland district in the state of Pahang which, as the name suggests, ...

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Formula 1 Grand Prix
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Welcome to our Sky Travel guide of iconic Formula 1 racetracks where you can enjoy some of the very best examples of 2009's most exciting season yet. ...

Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur
-- Photo Credit: Photoshot
The starting point of many people's Malaysian holiday, this is the country's capital city. The airport itself is incredibly modern; it's about ...

Kuala Lumpur

-- Photo Credit: Photoshot

The Cameron Highlands are about three hours drive north of Kuala Lumpur. They're an inland district in the state of Pahang which, as the name suggests, ...

Facts about Malaysia

Average Temp ºC
J	F	M	A	M	J	J	A	S	O	N	D
27	27	27	28	28	27	27	27	27	27	27	27

Snapshot

Capital: Kuala Lumpur
Language: Bahasa Malaysia
Time: GMT +8
Reasons to Go
- Enjoy some of the world's best beaches - lay back on white sandy shores or experience the first-class diving
- Head to cosmopolitan Kuala Lumpar for 24-hour shopping, often at a better price than you'll find in the UK!
- Sample a variety of wonderful food, from marinated Malay fish to Indian spices and Thai noodles
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Travel Guide for your Malaysia holiday

Getting here

Malaysia destination guides

Cameron Highlands

Formula 1 Grand Prix

Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur

Facts about Malaysia

Snapshot

Reasons to Go

Health Advice

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