It is hard to find a multi-ethnic and multi-religious country like Malaysia. We can say that this colorful society is the most powerful side of the country. Records show that 26.1 million tourists got their Malaysia E-visa and visited the country in 2019. The government planned to increase the number of visitors in 2020, but COVID-19 ruined all plans. They could not do it in 2020, but there is no doubt that they will reach the goal in the following years. We are getting positive news about vaccines, and I hope that the pandemic will end in the next few months and we will not have such a problem in 2021. When we come back to the topic, I would like to give 13 reasons to travel to Malaysia. In this blog, you will learn where to travel in Malaysia, what language is spoken in Malaysia, what is the best time to travel to Malaysia, where is Malaysia, is it safe to travel to Malaysia, Is it safe to use Malaysia Airlines, and more.
1. Star of Southeast Asia
Where is Malaysia? Malaysia is a Southeast Asian country that is neighbor Brunei, Indonesia, and Thailand. Southeast Asia is one of the most visited locations in Asia. During the last year, the number of visitors was more than 130 million, and Malaysia is the second most visited one in this region. Everyone has various reasons to travel to Malaysia. Some of them travel here just for cuisine, another group of people because of nature, and so on.
2. Delicious cuisine
As I mentioned above, many various nationalities live together in Malaysia, and we can see the effects of this multiculturalism in all areas, and cuisine is one of them. I can say that Malaysian cuisine is a mixture of India, China, the Middle East, Indonesia, and several European countries. The most used ingredients in local cuisine are lemongrass, turmeric root, curry powder, dried red chilies, palm sugar, etc. What is the most preferred food in Malaysian cuisine? Most people agree that Nasi lemak(rice, coconut cream, pandan leaves, cucumber, a sweet chili sauce) is the country's national food. I recommend you to try other delicious meals like Ikan bakar, Nasi kandar, Roti canai, Curry laksa, Char kuay teow, etc.
3. Ethnic diversity
If you like to meet from various nationalities, beliefs, and races, one of the best places you can travel to is Malaysia. There're three major ethnic groups in the country: Malays, Chinese, and peoples of the South Asian subcontinent. Also, when I say Malays, I mean almost 40 indigenous tribes, and together they consist of roughly 58% of the population. Chinese take the second position after Malays with 24%. Malay people mostly live in rural areas and the Chinese populated in urban and mining regions. Moreover, there are non-Malay indigenous societies on the peninsula called Orang Asli (aborigines), and number about 50,000.
4. Multilingualism (What language is spoken in Malaysia?)
When people discover that there are many various ethnicities in Malaysia, one question appears in their head. What language is spoken in Malaysia? The most used language is Malay, which is the official language. What about English? English is the second most used language in the country. Even locals mix English and Malay in their daily speech. Another widely spoken language is Chinese because of the Chinese population in Malaysia. Hokkien is the most spread Chinese dialect compared to Cantonese, Hakka, Teochew, Fuzhou, and Hainanese spoken in the region. So, during your voyage, you will hear different languages, and if you want to stay for a long time, you can begin to learn some of them.
5. Affordable prices
One of the first things to plan the trip is the budget. Generally, we are trying to find cheap hotels to stay, and affordable restaurants and cafes to have a meal. I have great news for you. In Malaysia, you will not have any monetary issues. Malaysia is well-known as a budget-friendly touristic location. If you have ever visited countries, such as Thailand, Vietnam, or Cambodia, you will notice the cost difference. Different from these three countries, Malaysia offers food and accommodation for reasonable prices. Where is Malaysia's cheap hotel and hostel? Almost in all cities of the country, you can find accommodation for an affordable price. Still, the capital of the country is a little bit expensive in comparison with other towns. In conclusion, do not worry about costs and focus on having an exciting time in Malaysia.
6. Tropical climate
Do you want to run away from freezing temperatures? If the answer is yes, buy your ticket to travel to Malaysia immediately. Malaysia has a pleasant tropical climate that creates an excellent atmosphere for tourists. The temperature changes between 20-25 Celcius, and as you can guess, the country does not have four-season like most other countries. What is the best time to travel to Malaysia? The general opinion is that the best time to travel to Malaysia is between December and April. During this period weather is hot and humid, and the rains are so rare.
7. Various religions and one country
Malaysia is home to Muslims, Christians, Buddhists, and so on. Although the majority of the population believes in Islam, there is huge respect towards religions. The Federal Constitution of Malaysia protects the right to freedom of religion or belief. Unfortunately, some religious problems took place in the country, such as in other parts of the world, but those issues are not very spread. Today 60% of the population believe in Islam, and 24% in Christianity. Some of the country's religious structures are Buddhist Maha Vihara, Masjid Jamek, Putra Mosque, Federal Territory Mosque, St. Francis Xavier Church, St. Paul's Church, St. Peter's Church, etc.
8. Awesome hiking trails
Priorities change depending on people. Some people prefer crowded cities with high-rise buildings and lively nightlife, and another group favors exploring nature. If you belong to the 2nd, then you will have an enjoyable time in Malaysia. Where to travel in Malaysia? Malaysia offers endless trails, such as Bukit Gasing Forest Park, Broga Hill, Cameron Highlands, Rainbow Falls, Penang Hill, Mount Kinabalu, Bukit Tabur, Saga Hill, and more to discover. Rich biodiversity and a breathtaking view of nature will make you feel as in a fairy tale.
9. UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Malaysia showed a rapid economic increase in recent years. The main reason for this is foreign investors that are interested in business in Malaysia. This trend began after the 1800s but improved dramatically in the last few years. Because of that interest, plenty of things changed in the country, but some places, such as Penang and Malacca, keep their uniqueness. Where to travel in Malaysia? There're plenty of locations to visit, but if you want to visit UNESCO Heritage Sites, there are four of them in Malaysia: Archaeological Heritage of the Lenggong Valley, Gunung Mulu National Park, Kinabalu Park, and Melaka and George Town.
10. Multicultural art
"Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time."- Thomas Merton. Art is remarkably crucial for Malay people. The mix of Chinese and Malay culture created mesmerizing beauty. Peranakan, which combines Indonesian and Balinese culture, seems to be the pearl of national art. Also, we can see the charming effects of mixed culture in architecture. Buildings that mix Chinese designs with Malay motifs are worth seeing.
11. Festivals and celebrations
Time in Malaysia cannot be boring, as there are festivals every time. During those festivals, different races come together for the celebration. In Ramadan, Muslims invite their friends and neighbors to have a meal together and share regardless of their religion. In Chinese New Year, Indians, Chinese, Malay, and other people gather on the streets and create something extraordinary. You can enjoy other festivals like Thaipusam, Wesak Day, Kaamatan Harvest Festival, Rainforest World Music Festival, etc.
12. Islands
Malaysia has 878 islands, but most of them are not inhabited by people. Some of the well-known islands that you can visit are Langkawi, Perhentian Islands, Redang Island, Pangkor, and more. Crystal water and white sandy beaches of this island are waiting for you. Hiking, playing beach volleyball, boat trips, swimming, and diving are just some of the activities you can enjoy. In those islands, you will have a chance to try delicious cuisine. Also, there are plenty of tropical hotels for couples who want to have an unforgettable honeymoon.
13. Crime rates
Is it safe to travel to Malaysia? Malaysia is one of the countries which has low crime rates. Kidnaping, robbing, and other crimes are very rare in this country. So, you can freely walk on the streets whenever you want. Of course, it does not mean that you should not be careful. Moreover, there is a pandemic worldwide, so keep mask, antibacterial gels, and alcohol on you and keep people's distance.
Additional information
How to get Malaysia visa? It is simple to get a Malaysia visa; for citizens of most states, the visa is issued online. What is the meaning of the Malaysia flag? The Malaysia flag has four colors: blue, yellow, white, and red. The crescent on Malaysia flag represents Islam. The blue canton symbolizes the unity of the Malaysian people, the yellow of the star, and the crescent is the Malay rulers' royal color. Is it safe to use Malaysia Airlines? Malaysia Airlines have a reliable track record for safety in the past. Only one crash happened in their history.
