Malaysia

Hari Raya Puasa is the Malay equivalent of Eid al Fitr, a major Islamic festival held at the end of the dawn-to-sunset fasting month of Ramadan. Hari Raya means “a day of celebration” and “puasa” means “fasting.” It is celebrated in Indonesia, another Muslim-majority country, as Lebaran. Although Muslims are …

Beachy, foodie Penang is a great stopover for visitors to Malaysia. Located just south of the Thai border, this province consisting of a strip of coastline and Pulau Penang boasts quaint colonial architecture, laid-back beach resorts, and fantastic ethnic and fusion cuisine. Here are five fun things to do while …

Get a taste of the wider wonders of Malaysia in the country’s capital, Kuala Lumpur. This city, affectionately called Kuala Lumpur. by both visitors and locals, is one of the most pleasant cities in Asia. It balances towering skyscrapers and modern entertainment venues with lush gardens and an easy-to-use public …

Another “Kuala” is set to be a tourism hotspot in Malaysia. Kuala Penyu in Western Sabah, East Malaysia, started getting mainstream attention after the world-famous “Survivor” show was staged in Pulau Tiga National Park, a few hours north. This has long been the role of Kuala Penyu in Sabah tourism: …

In the heart of Kuala Lumpur lies the 91.6 hectare Taman Tasik Perdana. Established in 1888, it was originally a swamp area that had high deposits of tin. When the tin mining industry closed due to depletion, the idea to develop it into a recreation center was formed. Alfred Venning, …

If you plan on visiting Malaysia next month, make time for a trip to Penang State which will celebrate its 4th George Town Festival in commemoration of George Town’s inscription to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites on July 7, 2008. The celebrations will kick off on June 7, 2013 and …

Southeast Asia is world-renowned for its eye-popping natural wonders, exotic local cultures, delicious street foods, laidback lifestyle and almost endless summers, all for a fraction of cost anywhere else in the world. Malaysia: One Size Fits All? As a region, Southeast Asia has it all. But individually, countries still have …

Borneo is home to one of the world’s oldest rainforests, which is no surprise why Sabah, one of its provinces, is hotly contested between Malaysia and the Philippines. (Where there are ancient forests there are ancient swamps, and where there are ancient swamps, there is natural gas, but that is …

Thaipusam or Thai Poosam is a yearly holiday celebrated by the Tamil Hindus to honor Lord Murugan. This holiday is hugely anticipated and widely observed in many parts of the world where Tamil communities, big or small, can be found. Thaipusam is celebrated when the moon is full on the …

The flag carrier of Malaysia, Malaysia Airlines, plans to expand their presence in Asia this year, with more flights lined up to serve passengers coming from and bound for the Philippines and China. The flag carrier has also added transit flights to Tokyo en route to Los Angeles, and is …

The Chinese New Year is China’s most important holiday. It is also known as the Spring Festival. Traditionally, the New Year period lasts for 15 days, starting from the middle of the last month and ends sometime in the middle of the first month. The holiday not only welcomes in …

With Kuala Lumpur being Malaysia’s portal to the world, it is inevitable that visitors would need accommodations here. The great thing about traveling these days is that you’re not limited to staying in posh hotels or run down inns, depending on which one fits your budget. KL is attracting backpackers …