Malaysia

Good to know

1. 1Malaysia is home to three main communities, Malay, Chinese and Indian, along with many Indigenous groups, especially in Sabah and Sarawak. You see this in the festivals, the temples, mosques and churches, and above all in the food.
2. 2The official language is Malay, called Bahasa Malaysia. English is widely understood, particularly in cities, and you will hear Mandarin, Cantonese, Tamil and many other languages as well.
3. 3Kuala Lumpur, the capital, is known for the Petronas Towers, which were the tallest buildings in the world when they were finished in the late 1990s.
4. 4Melaka and George Town in Penang are old trading ports that carry Portuguese, Dutch, British, Chinese and Malay influences, and both are listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites.
5. 5Street food is a way of life here. Dishes such as nasi lemak, laksa, char kway teow and roti canai are eaten at any time of day, often at hawker stalls and open-air food courts.
6. 6The currency is the ringgit, and Islam is the official religion, though people of many faiths live and worship freely across the country.

Tips for a first visit

• Dress lightly for the heat, but bring a scarf or a shirt with sleeves to cover your shoulders and knees when you visit mosques and temples. Take your shoes off before entering them, and often before entering someone's home.
• Use your right hand for eating and for giving or receiving things, and avoid pointing with a single finger. A gentle nod or a smile works well as a greeting.
• Cards are widely accepted in cities and malls, but carry some cash for hawker stalls, small markets and rural areas.
• Try the local food at busy stalls where you see a steady queue of locals. Ask for dishes less spicy if you are unsure, since many sauces are served on the side.
• Carry a light rain jacket or umbrella all year round, because short heavy showers can arrive at any time. Drink plenty of water and plan outdoor activities for the morning.
• Pork and alcohol are not served in many Malay Muslim eateries, so look for Chinese or Indian places if you want them. Public displays of affection are best kept modest.

When to go

Malaysia is hot and humid all year, with little change in temperature. The west coast of the peninsula, including Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Langkawi, is generally drier from December to February, while the east coast and its islands are best from about March to September. The east coast has heavy monsoon rains late in the year, and many island resorts there close during that time. Borneo is wet at times throughout the year, though it is often a little drier in the middle months.

Getting around

Most people travel between Malaysian cities by a mix of domestic flights, long-distance buses and trains. Buses are frequent and cover most of the peninsula, and the train network links Kuala Lumpur with towns such as Ipoh and Butterworth near Penang. To reach Sabah and Sarawak on Borneo, or islands such as Langkawi, flying is the practical choice. Within cities, ride-hailing apps are common, and Kuala Lumpur also has a metro and rail network.