Malaysia
I grew up in Malaysia and have always held it very close to my heart. This section of the website is a labour of love—a manifestation of my affection.
It’s a collection of my favourite places, shops, restaurants and bars—spots I’ve discovered or been recommended while planning trips to my favourite place on earth.
Recommendations are always welcome, so please let me know who I should be keeping an eye on, and where I should be planning to eat next time I’m in the glorious tropical oven that is Malaysia.
Kuala Lumpur is a huge and sprawling metropolis, meaning it can be overwhelming to navigate. It is worth it though, I promise. Sure, there are globalised parts that can feel homogeneous, but overall, there is so much personality and uniqueness in what it has to offer. While the city becomes increasingly cosmopolitan, it also remains distinctly Malaysian. This always eases my anxiety about returning to my beloved city.
Cameron Highlands
The Cameron Highlands is a quaint settlement in the jungle-covered mountains of Pahang. One of Malaysia’s oldest tourist destinations, it’s famous for its orchid, strawberry and butterfly farms, as well as its tea plantations. The drive up the mountain is extremely windy but exceptionally beautiful, you’ll find jungle and Orang Asli settlements on either side.
The weather tends to be a bit cooler up in the Camerons, so bring a jumper for the evenings (and maybe a rain jacket, as it can be rainy too).
View all Cameron Highlands recommendations
Top tips for Malaysia
Helpful phrases
Thank you! Terima kasih!
How're you doing? Apa khabar?
Doing good! Khabar baik!
No, thanks. Tidak, terima kasih.
Delicious! Sedap!
Note that ‘c’ in Malay is a ‘ch’ sound. So roti canai is pronounced, ‘roti chani’ for example.Getting around
Transport: One of Malaysia’s less great aspects is its public transport. You’ll most likely be reliant on taxis. Make sure the red ones put the meter on, but if you don’t mind potentially directing the driver, download the Grab app. There are also some good trains, like the one from KLIA.
Car hire: There are many options to hire a car in Kuala Lumpur, and good news if you’re coming from the UK—they drive on the left! Don’t expect hiring a car to be a quick process; in my experience, I still had to sit around waiting for paperwork to be sorted after booking it all online. If you’re taking a longer trip, you’ll need to purchase a Touch ‘n’ Go card to get through the toll roads. Tip from a near-disastrous experience: triple-check the drop-off location, as it might be different from where you picked it up.
Mobile data / roaming
If you're in Malaysia for a week or longer, I’d recommend buying a Malaysian SIM card. These are cheap and allow you to use data without international roaming fees. To get a SIM, you will need to show your passport. They are readily available in shopping centres (or malls as they're called in Malaysia).
Behaviour
PDA: Malaysia is a little more conservative than some of its neighbours, so be mindful of PDA as it could make people uncomfortable, and you may get scolded by a security guard or an aunty.
Haggling: There’s a time and place. If you’re in Petaling Street, go for it to get a good deal, or before setting off in a taxi or service where you need to agree on a price upfront. Remember, it’s not a sport, and if you’re converting from pounds/dollars into ringgit, it’s probably worth a lot more to Malaysian earners than it is to you.
Cash
Most places accept credit and debit cards, but it’s sensible to bring some cash for markets, stalls, and smaller shops, especially if you’re venturing outside of the main cities.
Malaysia is a relatively safe country to travel in, and there’s little violent crime. However, catcalling and pickpocketing do occur. I have always found people to be incredibly kind and friendly if you need help.
