A large number of visitors to malaysia arrive by air

A large number of visitors to malaysia arrive by air. There are six international airpot in malaysia with the main gateway being the KL International airport (KLIA) at Sepang in the state of selangor. The rest of the country including Sabah, Serawak and the federal Territoy of labuan in East Malaysia is well serviced by 14 domestic airports and air strips for the rural areas.

The fully computerised, state-of the-art KLIA which was opened in mid-1998 is one of the most modern airports in the world and has replaced the Sultan Abdul Azis Shah Airport in Subang as the premier international gateway into Malaysia. The KLIA is a four-runway airport facility capable of handling an initial 25 million passangers per annum with facilities for expansion to 45 million passangers per annum.

Incorporated into the airport's design are an automated people-mover shuttle system which links satellite building at which passangers disembark, to a contact pier where immigration and customs clearances take place, and finally to the airport terminal building. An efficient aerotrain seervice brings arriving passsangers from the satellite building to the cantact pier in two minutes. This fully automated baggage and passanger clearances system ensures reduced waiting time.

The airport terminal bulding has suitable rest, recreation, dining and duty-free shopping areas. Besides shops and restaurant, a recreational facility, the Hotel Airside Transit, offers a fitness centre with gym, steam and sauna. An international class hotel is located within walking distance from the terminal building. Car rental, bus, and coach, taxi, limousine and rail services into the city of Kuala Lumpur and neighbouring towns are available at KLIA.

KLIA is located about 50 km from the city of Kuala Lumpur and linked via ELITE Expressway which runs nort kuala lumpur. The jorney takes about one hour. There is also a highway that runs east to town of Nilai along the Nort-South Expressway. This expressway links the main towns on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia.

Read more

Both peninsular Malaysia and sabah and sarawak in borneo

Both peninsular Malaysia and sabah and sarawak in borneo are accessible via their sea ports. Malaysia's largest modern sea port is Port Klang, located midway on the west coast of peninsular malaysia. It has excellent harbourage and is a major shipping and cargo terminal. Other sea port are located in penang and langkawi, in the north of peninsular malaysia, johor to the south, kuantan on the east coast and kota kinabalu in Sabah.

West port and Pulau Indah

Port klang is already serviced by its North Port and South Port facilities but a recent development is the international harbour city, wesport located on the island of pulau indah, lying just beside port klang. Pulau indah is a free trade and is undergoing development as an industrial, commercial and residential hub. Receational and tourism development projects include a marina and resorts.

The west port stretching over 11 km, with a natural dept of 14-18m is designed to be high-tech regional port to ships from all over the world. It has a container terminal, large warehouse area and commercial centre. It is also the site of the largest cruise shipterminal in the asia-pacific region, known as the star cruises terminal. Star cruises is the major international leisure cruise line that calls at penang, port klang, malacca and langkawi.

Ferry link operates a vehicular ferry service consisting of 4 trips daily on weekdays and 8 tripson weekends from changi point in singapore (near the airport) to tanjung belungkor on the southern coastline of peninsular malaysia, facilitating speedier access to the popular beach resort of desaru on johor's eastern coast. For reservations, contact Telp : 02-545 3600 (Changi Point) or 07-252 7408 (Bandar Penawar, johor).

Read more

Located 48 km nort of Alor Star in the northern state of kedah

Located 48 km nort of Alor Star in the northern state of kedah, bukit kayu hitam is the main entry point into malaysia for visitors from thailand. The malaysian immigration and customs post is located near restaurants, shops, car parks and a duty-free shopping complex. The nort-south expressway links bukit kayu hitam to kuala lumpur, 490km away.

Padang besar in malaysia's northern most state of perlis serves as another entry point. It is on the main rail route and daily train service from bangkok stops here. Keretapi tanah melayu (KTM) or malayan railway provides the international express from butterworth to Haadyai in thailand and has regular services from padang besar to Kuala Lumpur on to singapore.

The exclusive eastern and oriental express also romances this route on a nearly 2,000km journey from singapore via Kuala Lumpur to Bangkok traversing the entire length of Peninsular Malaysia with frequent stops at scenic locations, over a two-day period. Futher information can be obtained at http://diethelm-travel.com/eastern.htm

Johor bahru is the main southern entry point into peninsular malaysia for visitors entering malaysia from singapore. The nort south expressway links johor bahru with kuala lumpur, 220km to the north.

A causeway carrying a road and railway, connects johor bahru to singapore. Immigrations and customs checkpoints are based at the entrance to the causeway. A second bridge links tanjung kupang 30km south-west of johor bahru, to tuas in singapore. Keretapi tanah melayu (KTM) has train services connecting singapore to johor bahru and other states in the peninsula right up to the padang besar on thailand border.

Read more

Getting around malaysia is affordable and convenient

Getting around malaysia is affordable and convenient. There are a variety of ways one can choose to move around while enjoying the interesting sights in the country. Public buses and taxis are one of the most popular modes of transportation in the country. The light rail transit (LTR) services and other inter-city rail services offer hassle-free accessibility to well known landmarks i kuala lumpur and selangor, as well as connections to outlying districts and nearby towns.

By Air

The national carrier, malaysia airlines and the budget airline airasia offer domestic air travel to major cities in the peninsula and to the states of sabah and sarawak on the island and borneo. Points linked to kuala lumpur include ipoh, penang, alor star, langkawi, kota bharu, kuala tereangganu, kuantan, johor bahru, kota kinabalu, sandakan, lahad datu, tawau, labuan, kuching, sibu, bintulu, and miri.

By Road

Most points in peninsular malaysia are accessible via the nort-south expressway which links up to coastal roads and the rest of the road arteriees in the country. The expressway is an excellent road network which allows you to drive through peninsular malaysia. There are also other modern highways which connect towns and villages throughout the length and breadth of the country.

Interstate buses ply between most cities and town in malaysia. They offer a comfortable ride at a reasonable rate. There are to be found in all major cities and offer air-conditioned comfort at metered rates. There are set charges for outstation travel.

Read more

The states of selangor and negeri sembilan constitute central region of peninsular malaysia

The states of selangor and negeri sembilan constitute central region of peninsular malaysia. Selangor has shah alam as its state capital and surrounds the federal territory of kuala lumpur, the capital of malaysia.

Selangor's main development centre is in the klang valley, a strip of land which extends from the city of kuala lumpur to port klang, the country's busiest port on the west coast overlooking the straits of malacca.

Selangor, literally the heartland of the peninsular, is the most developed of the malaysian states. Set to become sophisticated state with its multimedia super corridor, state-of-the-art KL International airport (KLIA), Smart buildings and industrial zones, selangor has a firm footing on the new milennium.

The new federal government administrative centre of putrajaya is also within the state of selangor. Extending over nearly five hectares, putrajaya has been designed as a modern township reflecting the dual theme of "garden city", intelligent city". This model township contains innovative urban design concepts with a strong emphasis on preservation of the environment through the integration of commercial and residential districts with parks and lakes.

Read more

This practice coupled with the giving away of mandarin oranges

This practice coupled with the giving away of mandarin oranges is intended as a symbol of prosperity and good luck for the recipients. Another features is the traditional lion dance.

Deepavali

For the hindus, deepavali or the festival of lights signifies the triump of good over evil. Celebrated during the seventh month of the hindu calendar, a traditional oil bath precedes the festivities. The celebration includes visits to temples and prayers at household altars. Hindu homes are adorned with lights or oil lamps to signify the victory of lord krishna over the demon, ravana.

Thaipusam

This spectacular festival falls in late january or early february. Thaipusam is a celebration of the birthday of lord subramaniam. On the eve of thaipusam, a statue of lord subramaniam is taken in procession on a chariot drawn by bullocks. The next day, devotees carrying kavadis through hindu temples amidst chanting and drumming. A kavadi is a metal or wooden arch with elaborate decorations, which is placed on the devotee's shoulders. Hooks or spikes extend from the kavadi to various parts of the devotee's body. Thaipusam is celebrated on a big scale in selangor, penang, negeri sembilan, johor, perak.

Read more

Malaysia is a veritable land of festivals and celebration

Malaysia is a veritable land of festivals and celebration of its multi-racial communities are celebrated to mark important events or days in their religious calendars. Most of them are colourful occasions when centuries-old customs and traditions are still observed.

Prior to major festivals, there is usually a feverish burst of activity as people from the urban centres make the annual exodus to their hometowns while in individual homes earnest preparations are made in anticipation of the auspicious day. Getting the house in order with extensive spring cleaning and decorations, shopping for new clothes, festival delicacies and stocking ample food is the norm.

The hoding of open house by the different communities during the hari raya aidil fitri, chinese new year, deepavali, christmas, gawai and ka'amatan festivals is a heart-warning feature unique to malaysian society. Such gatherings foster goodwill and provide the opportunity to renew social ties in a convivial atmosphere with the hosts usually feting their guests to a generous spread of food and drinks.

Read more

An indoor, two player game favoured by women

Congkak

An indoor, two player game favoured by women, the game is played on a piece of wood in which there are two rows of eight holes scooped into the wood. The last hole, on each row is larger and known as "home". The objective of the game is to be the first to fill up the holes with exactly seven marbles and players begin dropping marbles into the holes according to their turns. Winning depends on calculation and estimation.

Gasing

Top spinning or gasing is a popular village pastime particularly during the harvest months in the east coast states of kelantan and terengganu. There is serious competition for adults who use tops that may weigh up to 5kg and which are lined with metal for weight and balance. The tops are strung and thrown to spin on special platforms. The spinning tops are then lifted onto wooden bats and transferred to metal receptacles on bamboo posts. The winner is the one who manages to get his top to spin for the longest period.

Wau

The wau or giant kites flow in the east coast have intricate patterns and come in all shape and sizes. The most popular shape is the wau bulan or moon kite, co called because it resembles the crescent moon. There is a major kite competition held anually in kelantan attracts participants from the region. Kite fighting is a popular sport and involves opponents attempting to bring down or cut the strings of their rival's kite. Glass powder is used on the strings to provide the cutting edge and the rest involves skill in manocuvering the kite and use of wind power.

Read more

One is never at a loss for a place to stay in malaysia

One is never at a loss for a place to stay in malaysia. There is accommodation to suit every visitor. The capital city of kuala lumpur and the main towns in each state have a number of international class hotels ranging from two star right up to luxury five star. There are also resort hotels, motels, inns, rest houses. Long stay guests may appreciate the apartment hotels situated within the city of kuala lumpur.

Types of accommodation offered in international class hotels range from basic hotel rooms to luxury suites and penthouses. Most cater for total living requirements and have restaurants, discotheques and shops within the hotel complex. Pricing is competitive and the visitor is ensured generally good value, often with complimentary breakfast or fruit basket included. Facilities are excellent and include, swimming pools and spas with several five star hotels offering large convention and banqueting venues. Several resort hotels even have adjoining golf-courses with special privileges for hotel guests.

Budget accommodation is rated according to the orchid classification scheme and include hostels, bed and breakfast establisment, inns, boarding houses, rest houses and lodging houses. The orchid rating is awarded to tourist accommodation offering basic facilities as well as safe and clean premises.

Read more

Malaysia is a land of many attractions

Malaysia is a land of many attractions and the visitor will find sightseeing in the country to be a worthwhile experience. Travel within malaysia is easy comfortable and convenient. The visitor can move around freely and safely on his own if he feels like that. However there are many tour agencies which can assist in travel plans.

The country has a well-developed tourism industry and inbound tour packages are designed to match travel plans for any budget and purpose.

On the high end there is the malaysia airlines golden holiday packages which cater for first class and business class travellers. The packages to various popular destinations ensure that the traveller get five star treatment in accomodation, food and travel arrangement. Visit the MAS Golden Holidays website at http://www.mas.com.my/golden_holidays/main.html for more information on their programmes.

There are several tour agencies that cater for medium and low budget travel. These normally provide reasonable accomodation, food and transportation.

There are also tour agencies which cater for special needs in adventure travel or eco-tourism such as mountain climbing, diving, white-water rafting and four wheel drive adventure tours.

City-hops, island and beach resort holidays and shopping tours are the more popular attractions in peninsular malaysia while adventure tours are normally organised in the east malaysian states of sabah and sarawak.

Read more