Brief information
In Malaysia, five-star hotels are built next to ancient Buddhist and Hindu temples, and small houses on stilts are visible from skyscrapers. In other words, past and present in Malaysia successfully coexist together. Thanks to this, tourists can not only comfortably relax in Malaysia on beautiful beaches, but also spend time with interest, seeing local attractions.
Geography of Malaysia
Malaysia is located in Southeast Asia, it is divided by the South China Sea into two parts – East and West Malaysia. Malaysia’s land border is with Thailand, Indonesia and Brunei, and the maritime border is with Vietnam, the Philippines and Singapore. The total area of this country is 329,758 sq. km
West Malaysia occupies the territory in the south of the Malay Peninsula, and East Malaysia – a number of islands, including the island of Kalimantan.
Through the entire territory of West Malaysia, i.e. on the mainland, the Titiwangsa Mountains stretch. The largest local peak is Mount Gunung Tahan, whose height reaches 2,187 meters.
The longest rivers in Malaysia are Rajang (760 km), Kinabatangan (560 km) and Pahang (435 km).
Capital
According to itypemba.com, the capital of Malaysia is Kuala Lumpur, which is now home to more than 1.9 million people.
Kuala Lumpur was founded in 1857 on the site of a tin mine.
Official language of Malaysia
The official language in Malaysia is Malay, which belongs to the Malayo-Polynesian branch of the Austronesian language family.
Religion
More than 60% of the Malaysian population are Muslims. Another 20% of the inhabitants of this country consider themselves Buddhists, more than 9% – Christians. In addition, more than 6% of Malaysians are Hindus.
State structure
According to equzhou.net, Malaysia is a constitutional monarchy. Its head is the King, elected for 5 years by the sultans of the local states (provinces). The king and the sultans have full power in the country – they approve the laws that the local Parliament adopts.
Parliament in Malaysia is bicameral – People’s Consultative Congress, consisting of the Senate (70 senators) and the House of Representatives (222 deputies).
The main political parties in Malaysia are the United Malaysian National Organization and the Malaysian Pan-Islamic Party.
Climate and weather
The climate in Malaysia is tropical, with hot days and cool nights. The average air temperature is +30C (in the mountains, of course, the air temperature is lower). On the east coast of Malaysia, rain falls mainly from November to February, and on the west coast – in August. The average annual air temperature is +27.5C. The highest average air temperature is observed in March-July (+33С), and the lowest – in January, February, July, September and December (+22С). The average annual rainfall is 2409 mm.
You can visit Malaysia all year round.
Sea in Malaysia
The South China Sea divides Malaysia into two parts – East and West Malaysia. The total coastline is 4,675 kilometers. The average water temperature is +27-28C, and in dry months it rises to +30-31C. Near the coast of Malaysia, there are about 50 species of corals and more than 250 species of fish.
Rivers and lakes
The largest river in Malaysia is located on the island of Kalimantan – Rajang, its length reaches 760 km. The largest rivers of this country also include the Kinabatangan (560 km) and Pahang (435 km) rivers.
Story
Settlers from India and China began to arrive in Malaysia in the 1st century AD, but people of the Negroid race lived there before that. As a result, the local population adopted the religions of Hinduism and Buddhism.
In the II century AD. the state of Langkasuka was formed, which existed until the 15th century. In the 7th-13th centuries, most of the Malay Peninsula was part of the state of Srivijaya. In the 14th century, Islam began to spread among the inhabitants of Malaysia. At the beginning of the 15th century, the Malacca Sultanate was formed.
In 1511 Malaysia was invaded by the Portuguese and in 1641 by the Dutch. A few decades later, British ships landed on the shores of Malaysia… By 1826, the British had established their control over Penang, Malacca, Singapore and a number of islands. At the beginning of the 20th century, the Sultanate of Johor became part of the British possessions in Malaysia.
During World War II, the entire territory of Malaysia was occupied by Japanese troops. The occupation lasted 3 years. After the end of World War II, Malaysia again fell under British rule.
It wasn’t until 1963 that Malaysia gained independence.
Culture
Malaysia has a multi-cultural society. The main ethnic groups are Malays, Chinese and Indians. Each ethnic group cherishes its ethnic customs, religion and way of life.
In this seemingly Muslim country, a variety of religious holidays are celebrated, including also Christian, Buddhist and Hindu. So, in Malaysia they celebrate Ramadan, the European and Chinese New Year, the Hindu holiday Thaipusam, the Buddhist holiday Vesak, as well as the Chinese holidays of Tortillas and Lanterns.
Holidays and festivals in Malaysia are accompanied by dancing, various sports competitions, costume processions, performances by artists and fireworks.
Malaysian cuisine
Malaysian cuisine reflects the multi-ethnic composition of its population. Chinese, Indian, Thai, Javanese culinary traditions had a great influence on the cuisine of Malaysia. Malaysian dishes are similar to those found in the Philippines, Singapore and Brunei.
The staple food in Malaysia is rice, which is used to make dozens of different dishes. Spices are widely used. In addition, Malaysian cuisine cannot be imagined without seafood, fish, noodles and meat.
Tourists in Malaysia are recommended to try rice in coconut milk with nuts, eggs and herbs, rice cakes, fried rice, chicken skewers with sauce, rice with chicken.
If you do not like spicy dishes, then in a restaurant, tell the waiter in English “No spices”.
Traditional soft drinks – coffee, tea. But alcoholic drinks in Malaysia are not common, because. it is a Muslim country.
Attractions
In Malaysia, inquisitive tourists can find hundreds of Buddhist and Hindu temples, Muslim mosques, Christian churches and palaces of local sultans.
There are a lot of such interesting sights in Malaysia. Therefore, the top ten Malaysian attractions, in our opinion, may include the following:
- Masjid Janek in Kuala Lumpur
- Hindu Temple Sri Mahariamman in Kuala Lumpur
- Fortress of Athamos in Malacca
- Hindu Temple in Batu Caves
- Shri Mariamman Temple
- Cheng Church in Malacca
- Ruins of Fort Cornwallis in Georgetown
- Temple of snakes in Penang
- Butterfly Park in Penang
- Mahsuri mausoleum on Lankawi island
Cities and resorts
The largest cities in Malaysia are Langkawi, Kota Kinabalu, Cameron Highlands, Georgetown and, of course, Kuala Lumpur.
Malaysia has wonderful beach resorts. They are located on the Malay Peninsula itself, i.e. in West Malaysia, and on the islands – Tioman, Borneo, Penang, and the Langkawi archipelago. Most hotels have their own beaches.
The most popular resort area in Malaysia is the island of Penang. There, the best resorts and beaches are located in the east and northeast of the island.
However, Malaysia is known not only for its beach resorts, but also for its mountain resorts. Of course, there are no ski slopes in these mountain resorts, but there is amazing air, tropical forest, strawberry farms, mountain rivers with waterfalls and tea plantations. Therefore, it is probably more correct to call the mountain resorts of Malaysia still mountain climatic resorts. The most popular mountain resort in Malaysia is Cameron Highlands, which can be reached by bus from Kuala Lumpur in 5.5 hours. Another popular mountain resort is Genting Highlands.
Almost every hotel in Malaysia offers spa services to its visitors. But, of course, there are hotels that specialize exclusively in spas.
Souvenirs/Shopping
Crafts, silverware, various figures carved from wood, electronics, scarves, dresses, batik shirts are usually brought from Malaysia as souvenirs.
Office Hours
Banks:
Mon-Fri: 09:00-16:30
Shops:
Mon-Sat: 09:00-18:00
Visa
Ukrainians do not need to apply for a visa to visit Malaysia (if the trip does not exceed 30 days).
Currency
The official currency in Malaysia is the ringgit (MYR). One ringgit = 100 sen. Credit cards are accepted by prestigious hotels, restaurants and shops.
Customs restrictions
Tourists can carry currency to Malaysia without restrictions, but you can take out national (and foreign – in equivalent) currency no more than 5 thousand ringgit.
Among other things, it is impossible to import Israeli monetary units, items with Israeli symbols into Malaysia. Please note that more than 100 grams of gold items cannot be exported from Malaysia, and it is also forbidden to export military uniforms, antiques, rare animals and plants.
Useful phone numbers and addresses
Address of the Malaysian Embassy in Ukraine:
Zip code: 01014, Kiev, st. Buslovskaya, 25 Т:
(044) 286-89-40
email: [email protected]
Address of the Embassy of Ukraine in Malaysia:
Postcode: 50400, Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Jalan Tun Razak, Menara Tan & Tan, 207 T:
(603) -2166-9552
mail: [email protected]
Emergency numbers
994 – call the Fire Brigade
999 – call the Police or Ambulance
Time
The difference with time in Kyiv is +6 hours. Those. if in Kuala Lumpur, for example, 16:00, then in Kyiv – only 10:00.
Tips
In Malaysia, tipping is not common, it all depends on the tourists themselves. In prestigious restaurants and hotels, a service charge of 10% is included in the bill.
The medicine
No vaccinations are required to visit Malaysia. However, doctors recommend tourists before traveling to this country to be vaccinated against yellow fever, typhoid, malaria, rabies, diphtheria and tetanus.
Security
Malaysia has a low crime rate. Traveling in Malaysia is quite safe. However, women should remember that this is still a Muslim country, and therefore refrain from revealing outfits. Women in Malaysia are advised to dress in a conservative manner. On the beaches you can wear whatever you want.
We recommend smoking only in your hotel room. Also be careful with your bags – motorcyclists often snatch them.
