GETTING AROUND MALAYSIA

By Air

The national carrier, Malaysia airlines and the budget airlines offer domestic air travel to major cities in the peninsula and to the states of Sabah and Sarawak. Private carrier Berjaya Air has direct flights to the island of Pangkor, tioman and Redang from the Sultan Abdul aziz Shah Airport near Kuala Lumpur.

KLIA(flight)

By Rail

Trains are a comfortable, efficient and economical means of exploring Malaysia. the main line extends from Thailand in the north, southward to Singapore. In Sabah , a line connects from Kota Kinabalu through rainforests to Tenom and is not missed by train buffs.

KTM Train

By Sea

Ferry services also operate from Malaysia to Thailand, Singapore and the Indonesian islands of Batam and Sumatra. within Malaysia there are regular ferry services to and from main destinations like Penang, Kuala Perlis, Kuala Kedah to Langkawi,Lumut to Pangkor and from various points on the east coast to the offshore islands of Tioman, Perhentian, Redang and the Johor islands.

Ferry

By Road

Self-drive holidays-most points in peninsula Malaysia are accessible via the north-south expressway which link up to coastal roads and the rest of the road arteries in the country. there are also other tolled highways equipped with amenities such as rest area, restaurant, souvenir,shop and surau (prayer room for muslim people) which connect towns and villages through out the length and breadth of the country.

Car

PLANNING A HOLIDAY IN MALAYSIA

Stop Over Holidays

For stopover holidays, many travellers choose to transit at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport  (KLIA) for immediate connections to popular destinations like Langkawi, Penang, Kota Kinabalu and Kuching.

Located at the crossroads of Asia, Malaysia is a convenient place for business meetings or conferences. Adding a few days before or after such activities enables visitors to gain a better appreciation of just what Malaysia offers.

Many travellers on long-haul flights also choose to break their journey here and Malaysia Airlines has a very popular programme that enables such traveller to take a Malaysian side trip with some exceptionally priced packages.

Alternatively, spend a few days in Kuala Lumpur to indulge in shopping, dining, partying and sightseeing.

One of the best things about a malaysian stopover is that it gives a brief introduction to the country but just enough time for visitors to contemplate when to return

ECO TOURISM

Malaysia is indeed blessed with a wide range of natural and cultural assets that makes ecotourism a highly beneficial, feasible, sustainable and long term form of tourism. Malaysia is one of the twelve mega-biological diverse countries in the world, which boasts at least 15.000 species of flowering plants, 286 species of mammals, 150,000 species of invertebrates and 4,000 species of fishes in addition to the countless micro-organisms.

Covering almost 60 per cent of land mass, Malaysia's tropical rainforests  are millions of years old and they are home to an incredibly diverse array of flora and fauna. There may still be animals, plants, flower and trees yet to be discovered living beneath its canopy. 

Malaysia's seas shelter various marine life that rely on the delicate balance of an undamaged ecosystem. Turtles from the othe side of the wold make pilgrimages over thousands of miles to nest on Malaysia shores.

Malaysia offers tourists a range of activities in which they may engage to experience and fully appreciate the ecotourism experience such as caving, hiking, jungle trekking and so on.

Mulu National Park

Batang Ai Park, Sarawak

Rantau Abang Turtle Hatchery, Terengganu

Source : Nature.  Adventure. Culture Book by Tourism Malaysia, Ministry of Tourism

ADVENTURE TOURISM

Today Malaysia is known around the world as a destination for host of nature-based activities. Be it from challenging rock climbing or cross-jungle trekking to wild rafting in frothing rivers, diving in calm seas to parasailing in the multi-hued skies.

Mountain and rock climbing enthusiasts will enjoy conquering Malaysia's steep mountains, rock faces and cliffs.. The most popular rock climbing site are around Kuala Lumpur and Selangor state, namely the famous Batu Caves and Bukit Takun to the city north.

Caving enjoy a good following in Malaysia. The country is endowed with a vast number of limestone caves.Those looking for thrill can try white-water rafting as Malaysia has its share of good rafting sites.

Malaysia rugged undulating terrain, dense rainforests crossed by rapid rivers make it an irresistible destination for four wheel drive (4WD) expedition. The heat, mud, rolling hills and rainstorms add to the challenge in the grueling yet exhilarating sport off-road driving.

4WD Expedition

Climbing

Water rafting

Source  : Malaysia Travel Guide by Tourism Malaysia, Ministry of Tourism.

AGRICULTURE

Enjoy the rustic charm and simple delights of rural living. A world away from the hectic city life, Malaysian villages offer the chance to go back to basics and experience the interesting activities that are rarely seen in urban areas.  

Agriculture is an important part of rural living. In many villagers, agriculture is the mainstay of the economy and many Malaysian are still actively involved in this sector. The agricultural industry is sustained by crops like corn, soya bean, cocoa, rubber and oil palm. Experience first hand what it is like to tap a rubber tree, harvest paddy, or pluck cluster of oil palm fruits. 

Malaysia has a great variety of tropical fruits. Some are seasonal while others are available throughout the year. Most homestay villages are fringed by tropical fruit trees and visit is not complete without tasting these delicious fruits like savour durian, debbed the "king of fruits" and "queen of fruits" is mangosteen, popular for its sweet, juicy white flesh. 

For popular agrotourism activities like visit grape and mango plantations we should go to Kampung Ujong Bukit Homestay at Perlis. For get a chance to visit a paddy field we should visit to Jeruju Homestay at Kedah and Sungai Sireh Homestay at Selangor. 

In a short word many variety of agricultural activities can be enjoyed in Malaysian villages. Like rubber tapping, fish farming and try feeding fishes. Prepared to be immersed in rustic lifestyle, and enjoy experience that are rare and unique. 

Durian

Grapes

Tourists try to planting rice

Source ; Nature. Adventure. Culture by Tourism Malaysia, Ministry of Tourism

~ HOMESTAY ~

Imagine living in a traditional house at the countryside, while you enjoy a laid-back lifestyle and plenty of fresh air. Wake up to the sound of birds and cockerels, and have a pleasant day with your friendly host family... ^_^

Savour local food and participate in the delightful activities that have been lined up such as can feel the culture and traditions, village pastimes, arts and crafts, agro visit, enjoying the outdoors, authentic local delights and so on.

Have a lot of homestay in Malaysia such as Banghuris Homestay, Sungai Haji Dorani Homestay, Teluk Ketapang Homestay and so on.

Source : Homestay by Tourism Malaysia, Ministry of Tourism

EDUCATIONAL TOURISM

While everything related to tourism has always been associated with fun and sometimes culture, we can also now enjoy a kind of tourism in which the cultural precedence over leisure and tourism is called education.

 This type of tourism is the one that best serves the students to learn about the places they travel with their peers and their school. Thus in many schools choose to make educational tourism outlets in which besides having fun, students will be able to strengthen all kinds of materials whether natural sciences, if they travel to natural areas such as history, if they travel to a historic town or have a lot of museums that although there are materials in class, are closer to students if they are mixed with a solution or a short trip.

Malaysia is fast emerging as a center for educational excellence in the region. There are many kindergartens, private schools, international and expatriate schools as well as colleges and universities and expatriate schools as well as colleges and universities that offer top- notch education.

The international community will find Malaysia an ideal destination for all level of education. With more than 500 institutions of higher learning around the country, Malaysia offers international students a wide choice in terms of course, institutions and location.

HEALTH TOURISM

Malaysia is a fast growing a strong competitor in the global health and medical sector. Health tourism in Malaysia consists of two main  categories which are Medical Tourism and Wellness Programme.

Under Malaysia's current health tourism promotion drive, 35 private hospitals in the country have been identified to promote Malaysia as a health tourist destination.

Malaysia's success in established itself as a region hub for excellent healthcare, capable of providing state-of-art-the-medical facilities and services for health tourist, began following the setting up of the National Committee for the Promotion of Health Tourism in January 1998.

There a lot of Hospital/ Medical Centre in Malaysia, for example :

Columbia Asia Hospital, Bukit Rimau, Shah Alam

Gleneagles Hospital Kuala Lumpur