ExpatGo Travel Guides in
Malaysia

Malaysia Overview

This section contains information about Malaysia and its many travel destinations. After this country overview you will find a section for each state in Malaysia which goes into more detail about what they each have to offer travellers including place that should be visited, their major towns and some suggested hotels. You will also find relevant articles written by our journalists

In the Airline section you will find information about the major airlines which fly in and out of Malaysia, as well as any deals they are currently offering.

Malaysia consists of thirteen states of which nine are run by hereditary rulers (Perlis, Perak, Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu, Selangor, Johor, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang,) and four (Penang, Melaka, Sabah and Sarawak) are ruled by Governors. The country is split geographically into two land masses. Sabah and Sarawak are located on the Island of Borneo (shared with Brunei and Indonesia) and the other states are on the mainland (called peninsular Malaysia). There are also three Federal territories Labuan (an island off the coast of Borneo) Putrajaya the administrative headquarter and Kuala Lumpur, the capital of the country.

Malaysia has many things to offer visitors, from beautiful beaches and to wonderful diving spots and jungles adventures. Kuala Lumpur (KL) has transformed into a modern city while George Town and Melaka have been given world heritage status by UNESCO. Accommodations in Malaysia range from homestay programmes in rural villages to give you a feel for local rural life to some of the world’s best hotels offering pampered luxury. Malaysia is famous for its wonderful food which is influenced by the three prominent cultures in the country – Malay, Indian and Chinese. There are also many other cuisines available as people form all over the world have set up restaurants.

Top Attraction

Here is a listing of some of the most popular attraction the country has to offer. If you go to each state below you will find a lot more detail if you are visiting that particular part of Malaysia

Historical buildings, Melaka nd George Town (in Penang) have both received recognition as World Heritage sites and many of the old building have been renovated and are peppered with art galleries coffee shops and specialist retail shops

Shopping Malls All major towns and cities have a shopping mall and the biggest ones have plenty of them. They offer amazing shopping with price being very attractive. CNN rates Kuala Lumpur as one of the best shopping destinations in the world

Islands and beaches, Malaysia has plenty to offer here from large duty free islands like Langkawi and the famous island of Penang, to smaller ones like Pangkor, Tioman, Perhentian, The country has many wonderful beaches with a wide variety of accommodations..

Nature and Hill Resorts Cameron Highlands is one of the most famous hill resorts for a relaxing weekend and Genting Highlands close to KL has many hotels, the country’s only casino and a theme park. Taman Negara is national park in Pahang and is one of the world’s oldest rainforests. Lake Kenyir is a huge manmade lake in Terengganu while Sabah and Sarawak are both famous for their jungles and eco-tourism. They are of course home to the much loved orangutans and many other types of wild life.

Festivals There are many holidays and celebrations, in part due to the diverse cultures which make up Malaysia. They include Chinese New year, Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Thaipusam as well and local native festivals like Gawai in east Malaysia

Health tourism. Malaysia is increasingly being recognised as a place to come for medical treatment. The combination of affordable health care, world class hospitals and warm and friendly service have already attracted many foreigners. The fact that it also has so many attractive tourist destinations means many people combine medical treatment with a holiday.

Kuala Lumpur The capital city has been through a remarkable transformation in the last 30 years and is now filled with luxury apartments, high rise office blocks and world class hotels as well as the iconic Petronas Twin Towers, once the tallest buildings in the world. It has many fine restaurants from tasty local street food to outstanding fine dining restaurants. It also has many shopping malls and street markets as well as an active night life

Destination Guide – States Listing

Johor, also known by its Arabic honorific, Darul Ta’zim, or ‘Abode of Dignity’, is the southernmost state of Peninsular Malaysia and one of the most developed states in the country.

Kedah also known by its Arabic honorific, Darul Aman, or ‘Abode of Peace’ is found in northwestern Peninsular Malaysia, covering a total area of over 9,000 km² split between the mainland and the Langkawi Archipelago.

Kelantan – which has the honorific Darul Naim or the ‘The Blissful Abode’, and is often called the Land of Lightning – is positioned in the north-east of Peninsular Malaysia with the capital city and royal seat at Kota Bharu.

Kuala Lumpur – more officially, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur or the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, is the national capital of Malaysia and the country’s largest city, found on the central west coast of Peninsular Malaysia.

Labuan, officially titled the Federal Territory of Labuan, is located off the coast of the state of Sabah in East Malaysia and comprises Labuan Island and six smaller islands.

Melaka – or Malacca in English – is nicknamed “The Historic State” of Malaysia and located in the southern region of Peninsular Malaysia, next to the Straits of Malacca.

Negeri Sembilan, or as per its Arabic honorific title Darul Khusus (‘the Special Abode’), lies on the western coast of Peninsular Malaysia, south of Kuala Lumpur. It borders Selangor on the north, Pahang in the east, and Malacca and Johor to the south.

Pahang, whose Arabic honorific is Darul Makmur (‘Abode of Tranquility,) is the largest state in Peninsular Malaysia and the third largest state the whole country after Sarawak and Sabah.

Penang, known affectionately as the ‘Pearl of the Orient’, is located on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia, by the Strait of Malacca.

Perak, whose formal Arabic honorific is Darul Ridzuan (‘Abode of Grace’), is the fourth largest state in Malaysia and the second largest in Peninsular / West Malaysia.

Perlis, formally known as Perlis without Indera Kayangan, is the smallest state in Malaysia, and borders Thailand on the northwestern edge of Peninsular Malaysia with the state of Kedah to the south.

Putrajaya, or officially the Federal Territory of Putrajaya, is the federal administrative centre of Malaysia and the seat of government since 1999.

Sabah, known as the “Land Below The Wind”, is situated in northern Borneo, bordering the state of Sarawak to the southwest, Kalimantan in Indonesia to the south. It is separated by sea from the Federal Territory of Labuan in the west and the Philippines to the north and east.

Sarawak, nicknamed Land of the Hornbills, is found in northwest Malaysian Borneo. It borders Sabah to the northeast, Kalimantan – the Indonesian portion of Borneo – to the south, and surrounds the independent state of Brunei.

Selangor, also known by its Arabic honorific, Darul Ehsan or ‘Abode of Sincerity’, is located on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia and is bordered by Perak to the north, Pahang to the east, Negeri Sembilan to the south and the Strait of Malacca to the west.

Terengganu, also known by its Arabic honorific, Dāru l-Īmān (“Abode of Faith”) is located in northeast Peninsular Malaysia.