Holiday Guide to Malaysia

Due to its age-old religious and cultural ties to the Middle East, Malaysia has always been a favoured tourist destination among travellers from the Middle East. The country is known for its beaches, rainforests and mix of Malay, Chinese, Indian and European cultural influences. The capital, Kuala Lumpur, is home to colonial buildings, busy shopping districts such as Bukit Bintang and skyscrapers such as the iconic, 451m-tall Petronas Twin Towers.

The country’s evolution into a cultural melting pot is evident in its unique blend of religions, traditions, festivals, languages, food, and many more. Its cultural diversity can also be largely attributed to the country’s long and ongoing interactions with the world and colonial rule by the British, the Portuguese and the Dutch.

This country has something to offer to everyone. You can try a different type of diving, track wild jungles, enjoy beautiful beaches, explore remarkable cities or eat delicious Malaysian food.

What To See, Where To Go

Langkawi – Small islands offshore that are famous for being one of the best holiday destination in Malaysia. Every island has its own distinct characteristics and offers a host of tourist activities. Here you can enjoy a walk through dense forests, sandy beaches, and many other scenic spots.
Kuala Lumpur – The capital city of Malaysia is known for its great combination of traditions and modernity. Known as KL, it is undoubtedly one of the prime tourist attractions in Malaysia. Here you will find plenty of options to roam the futuristic shopping malls, enjoy a glitzy nightlife and also sample some exquisiye Malay cuisines.
Kota Kinabalu – This city is one the rapidly growing cities in Malaysia, Kota Kinabalu is very famous for amazing fishing activities. This city will give you the option to see countries tallest peak, Mount Kinabalu. You can enjoy beautiful natural sites in Malaysia holiday packages, along with modern architectural structures in the city.
Penang – If you love food, you’ll love a visit to Penang. This city offers a wide variety of Malaysian food in different flavours and has amazing cultural shows and other tourist attractions.

Where to Stay

Here is a list of prominent hotels in Taiwan that will be suitable for travellers from the Middle East while on holiday in Taiwan:

Banyan Tree Kuala Lumpur
W Kuala Lumpur
Villa Samadhi
Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur
The Danna Langkawi
The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi
Gayana Eco Resort
Bunga Raya Island Resort & Spa
The Datai Langkawi
Japamala Resort
Royale Chulan Cherating Villa
Four Seasons Resort Langkawi

The Danna Langkawi
Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort & Spa
The Westin Langkawi Resort & Spa
The St. Regis Langkawi
The Andaman Resort Langkawi
Tanjong Jara Resor
Lexis Hibiscus Port Dickson
Pangkor Laut Resort
Avani Sepang Goldcoast Resort
Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort & Spa
Gaya Island Resort
The Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat

Best Time To Visit Malaysia

The best time to visit Malaysia is commonly between December to April. With spurts of rain here and there, the weather is hot and humid most of the time throughout the year. The tropical monsoon climate of Malaysia ensures short spells of rain even in the driest season, so make sure you carry an umbrella.

How To Get There

Air travel is the best possible option to visit Malaysia from the Middle East. Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang is the major hub which provides direct flight connectivity with the main cities around the world. Malaysia Airlines provides direct connectivity to various major destinations.

Visa Requirements

Malaysia eVisas are valid for 3 months and allow travelers to enter the country for a period of up to 30 days. The Malaysia eVisa is a single-entry visa and a short-term visa type. For long-term stays, foreign nationals must always consult with their closest Malaysian Mission to verity the type of visa required.

Getting Around

Public transport in Malaysia is reliable and inexpensive. Much of your travelling, particularly in Peninsular Malaysia, will be by bus, minivan or, less often, long-distance taxi. Budget flights are a great option for hopping around the region, especially given that no ferries connect Peninsular and east Malaysia.

How Long to Stay in Malaysia

You can very easily fill a three-week itinerary with destinations and activities that allow you to experience the richness and diversity of Malaysia, though it is possible to get the taste of what the country has to offer within five days or less. Our advice, though, is to spend at least ten days in Malaysia.

Itinerary: Editor’s Suggestions

During my several trips to travelling across Malaysia, I got the opportunity to travel to some of the most famous and remote tourist attractions in Malaysia. Based on my extensive travels across Malaysia, here is a suggestive itinerary for travellers from the Middle East planning a holiday in Malaysia: