Malaysia - Truly Asia

Malaysia

Malaysia is a country of contrasts and surprises. It's home to such a diversity of regions, activities and indulgences that 'something for everyone' is more of a daily itinerary than a promise. Fancy a lazy beach holiday mixed with fun activities for the kids? Or an action-packed hiking, kayaking, climbing, diving and camping adventure? Maybe a wildlife discovery tour is more your style, or a shopping blitz and spa retreat? How about all of the above?

Throw friendly and welcoming people into the mix, along with some of the best cuisine on the planet, and the Malaysian experience is nearly complete. All that's missing is you.

Fast Facts

Malaysia is made up of two distinct geographical parts - Peninsular Malaysia to the west and the states of Sarawak and Sabah on Borneo Island to the east, both of which sit just north of the equator and are separated by the South China Sea. Peninsular Malaysia has a border with Thailand to the north and the island of Singapore sits offshore in the south, while Malaysian Borneo shares borders with Brunei and Indonesia.

Malaysia covers an area of 329,758 square kilometres and has a population of more than 27.5 million people. Bahasa Melayu, or Malay, is the national language but English is very widely spoken. Islam is the official religion of Malaysia, however all religions are freely practised.

Culture & Heritage

The current population mix in Malaysia is an intriguing combination of a Malayan majority living harmoniously with migrant communities of Chinese, Indian, Indonesian and others. The multicultural nature of Malaysia is a core part of its history, as Malaysia has always had trade and colonial links to other parts of the world, including the Portuguese, Dutch and British. This rich cultural heritage is reflected in every part of Malaysian life, from festivals and events to architecture and cuisine.

Architecture

The traditional Malay house, found throughout Malaysia, is constructed on stilts and without nails, which allows for easy modification to increase air circulation and protect from monsoonal rains. These dwellings can also be quite simply deconstructed and relocated if required. Another traditional, but very different, Malaysian dwelling is the longhouse used by the indigenous people of Sabah and Sarawak. Any visit to these regions should include a visit to, if not an overnight stay in, these impressive structures.

Malaysia

Malaysia's colonial past is evident in the large number of Dutch, Portuguese and British designed buildings dotted around the country. Many of these are public buildings, such as the National Art Gallery, St Mary's Cathedral and Central Market, so can be easily accessed by architecture buffs.

Then there is modern architecture found in KL and other cities, the crowning glory of which is the instantly recognisable twin Petronas Towers. Also significant are the many modern mosques, in particular the stunning National Mosque in KL with its 18-pointed roof, 73-metre high minaret and room for 15,000 worshippers.