Malaysia flights and travel guide

Malaysia is composed of 13 states, 11 on the Malay Peninsula and two on the island of Borneo (Sabah and Sarawak). With influences that include Portuguese, Dutch and British, Malaysia is a melting pot of cultures and religions, home to Malays, Chinese, Indians and many other groups. They are a nation of food lovers, friendly and welcoming to tourists.

Nowhere is Malaysia's past more evident than in its cuisine. This is more of a smorgasbord (spicy Malay, Chinese, Indian, Nyonya and Portuguese) than a melting pot. Popular dishes include satay, nasi lemak, rendang and roti canai (pancake eaten with meat or chicken curry, a roadside stall staple).

While Malaysia's eastern side is more Malay, the west is more developed. Cities include Kedah, Perak, Selangor, Malacca, Putrajaya (seat of government) and, of course, Kuala Lumpur, the glittering capital, where most flights to Malaysia will land.

The eastern side of Malaysia is more traditional. Here you'll find the states of Kelantan, Pahang and Terengganu.

On Borneo, Sabah boasts six national parks, great scuba diving and Mount Kinabalu, Southeast Asia's second-highest mountain. Sarawak is the least touristy state with thick jungle, mountains and 11 national parks.

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Malaysia climate

Malaysia has a tropical climate. It enjoys warm weather year-round with temperatures in the 21-32 degrees Celsius range. Watch out for high humidity though. There are two distinct seasons: the dry season (between May and September – peak season) and the wet season (November to March – off-season).

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When to fly to Malaysia

Peak Season:
The east coast of the country is best seen between May and September. Bargain hunters should search for cheap flights to Malaysia during this time.

Off Season:
The west coast, October-November and April-May are best avoided due to the rains.

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Getting around Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur has a light rail system as well as buses, taxis and rental-car companies.

Malaysia has a good public transport system with buses and trains offering a fast and comfortable service.

Trishaws – a three-wheel vehicle – are to be found in the cities. Tourists can hop around the major islands by ferry.

Apart from Malaysia Airlines, domestic airlines serving the peninsula and Sabah and Sarawak include Sabah Air, Transmile, Berjaya Air and Air Asia.

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Malaysia insider information

• The Petronas Towers, the world’s tallest twin buildings at 452 metres (1,480 feet), define Kuala Lumpur. Walk the skybridge between the towers. A tie-in, the Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix takes place each March. The KL Menara Tower is 421 metres (1,403 feet) high and has a revolving restaurant at 282 metres (925 feet).
• In Independence Square (Padang Merdeka) there are remnants of colonial times (such as the Tudor-style Royal Selangor Club and Sultan Abdul Samad Building, with Moorish influences and a clock tower, called Big Ben). Merdeka Square is where the Malayan flag was raised for the first time after Malaysia won its independence from the UK in 1957. The flagpole is 100 metres (328 feet) high, the tallest in the world.
• Another colonial relic is the Lake Gardens, which were laid out in the late 19th century. The enormous limestone Batu Caves, 15km (9 miles) north of the city, has a sacred Hindu shrine. Two museums that should be visited are the National Museum and the Islamic Arts Museum.
• Langkawi (a collection of 99 islands) and the island of Penang are world famous for their beautiful beaches, but there are a couple of different ways to see them. There is air trekking in Langkwai’s rainforest in the national parks such as Taman Negara, Mulu National Park and Mt Kinabalu Park or the cable-car ride up Mount Machincang, one of the steepest inclines in the world. On Penang, take the funicular train up Penang Hill, a journey that takes about 90 minutes.
• The Terengganu coast, on the eastern side of Malaysia, is one of only six spots in the world where giant Leatherback Turtles clamber ashore to lay eggs.
• In Sarawark, on Borneo, is Mulu National Park. The caves of Mulu have the largest cave passage in the world; the largest natural rock chamber and the longest cave system in South-East Asia.

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Malaysia airports

Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) (Sepang) is 55km (34 miles) south of Kuala Lumpur.

Kota Kinabalu (BKI) is 6km (4 miles) from the city and is the international gateway to Sabah (the northeastern part of Borneo Island).

Kuching (KCH) is 11km (7 miles) from the city and is the main gateway to Sarawak on the island of Borneo.

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